The Judds Become Fourth CMA Horizon Award Winners To Join Country Music Hall of Fame

CREDIT: George Varga/sandiegouniontribune.com

The Judds have been chosen as the next added to the Country Music Hall of Fame, almost 37 years after winning the Country Music Association's Horizon Award where they were named that year's Most Promising Newcomer.

 They have become just the fourth act to progress from winning the CMA Horizon Award to being invited to join the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Below are the other artists who have been selected for this prestigious movement.

GARTH BROOKS - CREDIT: wegow.com

Garth Brooks on the Horizon Award in 1990 and was invited to join the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Only 22 years in between.

This is one of the quickest adds to the Hall of Fame.

He beat Alan Jackson, Kentucky Headhunters, Lorrie Morgan and Travis Tritt for the Horizon Award.

Travis Tritt took home the Horizon Award the following year as rules state artists get two tries at the award.

RANDY TRAVIS - CREDIT: Thomas Nelson

Randy Travis won the Horizon Award in 1986 and was chosen for the Hall of Fame in 2016, 30 years after.

He beat out the Forester Sisters, Kathy Mattea, Dan Seals, and Dwight Yoakam for the Horizon Award.

RICKY SKAGGS - CREDIT: Erick Anderson

Ricky Skaggs won the Horizon Award in 1982 and was chosen for the Hall of Fame in 2018, 36 years in between.

He beat out John Anderson, Rosanne Cash, David Frizzell, and Lee Greenwood. Anderson won the following year.

THE JUDDS - CREDIT: Jim Casey/thecountrydaily.com

The Judds won the Horizon Award in 1984 and have been awarded the privilege of joining the Hall of Fame in 2021. 37 years in between.

They beat out Deborah Allen, Earl Thomas Conley, Vern Gosdin, and Michael Martin Murphey.

……………

So, who's going to be next? Who knows? There are seven possible Horizon Award winners that have a chance for that milestone.

Ricky Van Shelton, Clint Black, Alison Krauss, LeAnn Rimes, Dixie Chicks, Brad Paisley, and Keith Urban.

A requirement for the Hall of Fame is being nationally prominent for 20 years. Each of these acts have reached that milestone.

Not only that, but an interesting fact is that twice there have been two future Hall of Famers that competed for the Horizon Award. 

In 1983, George Strait and Reba McEntire competed for the Award which went to John Anderson. Strait was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006, McEntire followed five years later.

In 1990, Garth Brooks competed and won against Alan Jackson for the Award. Brooks was inducted in 2012, Jackson followed five years later.

McEntire, Strait and Jackson aren't the only stars who lost the award and still been inducted into the Hall of Fame. 

Brooks & Dunn lost in 1992 to Suzy Bogguss and were inducted in 2019. 

Legend Ray Charles lost the Horizon Award to Sawyer Brown in 1985. He was then inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.