In 2006, as the then editor of Cross Country, I had a meeting in the Roadhouse just off junction 28 on the M1 with Rob Davis, publisher and current editor of this magazine. The purpose was to set up a form of recognition for people who had provided something above the norm on behalf of Country music in the British Isles – England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It was agreed to call it the British Country Music Hall of Fame, a not for profit body. There were to be no boundaries as regards gender nor age other than being born in the British Isles. It would be open to performers, solo or as a group, musicians, songwriters, promoters, agents, publicists, radio/tv presenters and journalists. Open to those alive or who had passed on.
In order to make it viable we agreed to also resurrect the then defunct British Country Music Association providing annual awards for Country music. The selection for the Hall would be by unnamed persons selecting to the above criteria. This has worked admirably until 2018, by this time both Rob Davis and myself had stepped down from the BCMA board. With ourselves not being available, it was agreed with the current BCMA to transfer the running of the Hall to the CCN with myself, Jim Duncan staying as curator of the Hall.
Cross Country is the only publication that publishes the full list on a regular basis. If you wish to read why, or don’t know who they are, then you can read all about them here.
The British Country Music Hall of Fame is for an exclusive group of people and each year more well known advocates of Country music will be inducted at the Cross Country NAM (CCN) Awards Show.
We are always open to suggestions of who should be inducted so if you think you know of anyone then send an email to rob.cc.editor@gmail.com.