Country Music Association Announces 2025 Inductees For The Country Music Hall Of Fame: Tony Brown, June Carter Cash And Kenny Chesney

The Country Music Association (CMA) today announced the 2025 inductees for the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame, from the HOF Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in Nashville.

Producer, musician and label veteran Tony Brown will be inducted in the Non-Performer category, which is awarded every third year in rotation with the Songwriter and Recording and/or Touring Musician categories. Country royalty June Carter Cash will be inducted into the Veterans Era Artist category. And Kenny Chesney will be inducted in the Modern Era Artist category. Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill hosted the announcement ceremony.

 ”This year’s inductees embody the relentless drive and dedication that defines Country Music,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Kenny, June and Tony have each left a lasting imprint on the genre, shaping its history with their contributions. From a young age, each of them was immersed in music, and their lifelong commitment has led to this very moment.”

Their accomplishments speak to the passion and dedication that have defined their extraordinary careers.

As a pianist Brown is a former member of the Stamps Quartet, the Oak Ride Boys’ The Mighty Oaks Band, Elvis Presley’s TCB Band and Emmylou Harris’ highly regarded Hot Band. Since the 1980s, Brown has worked primarily as a producer working with Reba McEntire, Gill and George Strait – all members of the Hall of Fame. He was president of MCA Nashville and co-founded University South Records.

“When you’re producing No. 1 records, you feel like you know what you’re doing,” said Brown. “But being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame — especially for someone as idealistic as me — makes it feel like you’ve truly made an impact. And that has always been my goal.”

A five-time Grammy-award winner, Carter was a member of the First Family of Country Music, The Carter Family and later The Carter Sisters and Mother Maybelle and second wife of Johnny Cash, who was the inspiration for “Ring of Fire,” a song she co-wrote. She played guitar, banjo, harmonica and autoharp and acted in several films and television shows. Carter died on May 15, 2003.

“June Carter Cash represents the whole cloth of country music, it’s breadth and heritage,” said the Cash family in a statement. “And June’s place in Country Music is undeniable… She was a loving wife and mother, an actress, singer, songwriter, comedienne and a truly gifted performer whose persona was never exactly what was expected but was always and totally June…We, the Carter and Cash families, are most grateful and proud that the County Music Association has given June this well-deserved honor for her undeniable contribution to the fabric of country music and American culture.”  

A West Tennessee native Chesney broke ground and set records with his early summer stadium tours and is poised to do it again as the first country act to have a residency at Sphere Las Vegas from May 22 through June 21. He has sold more than 30 million albums, charted 50 Top 10 hits, released 16 Platinum records and won 12 CMA Awards including Entertainer of the Year – four times.

“You don’t dare dream of being in the Country Music Hall of Fame, alongside legends including George Jones, Willie Nelson, Alabama, even Dean Dillon,” said Chesney. “I’ve been lucky enough to get to call them my friends, and that was plenty. But hearing the news I’d been voted into the Hall, I can honestly say beyond my wildest dreams, it’s an honor that defies words. I am humbled, grateful, honored…as much for all the songwriters, musicians, artists and people who’ve helped me build my career; they have truly inspired me every single day.” 

The honorees will be formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October.