Country Hall of Fame inducts trio

Gill, Tillis, Emery new honorees

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Country star Vince Gill, singer and humorist Mel Tillis and television and radio personality Ralph Emery were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on Sunday.

Al Anderson, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris and Michael McDonald saluted Gill, while Bobby Bare, Dierks Bentley, Kenny Rogers and Pam Tillis paid tribute to Tillis.

Artists honoring Emery included Con Hunley, Raul Malo and Ray Stevens.

Gill, 50, has had several hits including "When I Call Your Name," "Don't Let Our Love Start Slippin' Away" and "I Still Believe in You."

The 75-year-old Tillis, who turned his stutter into his trademark, was chosen in the hall's lifetime achievement category. With his band the Statesiders, Tillis had hits with "I Ain't Never," "Good Woman Blues" and "I Believe in You."

Emery, 74, selected in the nonperformer category, was a disc jockey on WSM, which broadcasts the Grand Ole Opry. He also hosted a program on The Nashville Network cable network.

The selection of Gill, Tillis and Emery to the Hall of Fame was announced in August, with the formal induction in a ceremony Sunday at the hall.

Inductees are chosen by the Country Music Association's Hall of Fame Panel of Electors, a group of more than 300 voters appointed by the CMA board of directors.