Tanya Tucker Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
Tucker’s resurgence has been driven by the re-release of The Return of Tanya Tucker.
By: Michael Major Oct. 23, 2023
Last night, more than five decades after bursting on the country music scene as a precocious teenager, Tanya Tucker was at last inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Tucker was inducted alongside Patty Loveless and songwriter Bob McDill in a Medallion Ceremony held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.
Tucker, who was inducted by country stars Connie Smith and Brenda Lee, was also honored with three special tribute performances that included Country Music Hall of Famemembers Wynonna and Charlie McCoy performing “Delta Dawn,” Margo Price and Jessi Colter performing “It's a Little Too Late,” and Brandi Carlile performing “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane.”
In her touching remarks, Tucker expressed her love for her family and the many friends in attendance affirming, “You’ve been through the ups and downs with me at different times in my life. Thank you for not giving up on me.” Regarding her long journey, she added, “Looking back on the past 52 years, it’s hard to make sense of it all. But if we lived in a world that made sense, and was logical, it would be a man who rode sidesaddle.”
The Hall of Fame honor is just one of many recent highpoints for Tucker, who released her acclaimed new album, Sweet Western Sound earlier this summer. In September, Tucker was profiled in an expansive, career-defining cover story in Texas Monthly and the 2X-GRAMMY winner just recently completed triumphant performances at the Austin City Limits Music Festival. Additionally, early next year, PBS’ Austin City Limits will air Tucker’s first performance on the venerable program in 37 years.
Tucker’s resurgence has also been driven by the re-release of The Return of Tanya Tucker – Featuring Brandi Carlile (Sony Pictures Classics), last year’s award-winning documentary which is currently being widely streamed via Netflix. The rousing documentary is an exploration of an unexpected friendship as the pair collaborated on Tucker’s GRAMMY-winning 2019 comeback album, While I'm Livin'.
Produced once again by Brandi Carlile and Shooter Jennings, Tucker’s latest album, Sweet Western Sound reunites the award-winning trio following While I’m Livin’, which reintroduced Tucker to a new generation and went on to win the GRAMMY for Best Country Album as well as Best Country Song (“Bring My Flowers Now”).
Sweet Western Sound stands on Tucker’s exquisitely warm and wizened vocals and a spectacular collection of cut-deep songs—an assertive and confident declaration of vitality and purpose from an irrepressible and irreplaceable country music icon. In addition to songs by Tucker, Carlile and Jennings, the album features contributions from Bernie Taupin, Phil and Tim Hanseroth, JT Nero, Billy Don Burns and Craig Dillingham as well as a voicemail-generated rhyme from Tanya’s hero and close friend, the late, great Billy Joe Shaver, which opens and closes the album.
About Tanya Tucker:
Born in Seminole, Texas, Tucker had her first country hit, the classic “Delta Dawn,” at the age of 13 in 1972. Since that auspicious beginning, she has become one of the most admired and influential artists in country music history, amassing 23 Top 40 albums and a stellar string of 56 Top 40 singles, ten of which reached the #1 spot on the Billboard country charts.
Tucker’s indelible songs include the aforementioned “Delta Dawn,” “Soon,” “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Trouble,” “Texas (When I Die),” “If It Don’t Come Easy” and “Strong Enough To Bend.” Tanya is also the recipient of numerous awards, including two CMAs, two ACMs and three CMT awards.
In 2020, Tanya received her first-ever GRAMMY® Awards for Best Country Album: While I’m Livin’ and Best Country Song: “Bring My Flowers Now.” In October 2022, The Return of Tanya Tucker, Featuring Brandi Carlile, a documentary that chronicles the rebirth of Tucker’s career following the success of While I’m Livin’, hit theaters globally via Sony Pictures Classics.
In 2023, Tucker was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. On the spirits side, the country icon’s signature tequila, Tanya Tucker’s Cosa Salvaje Tequila, is now available in 14 U.S. states and Canada.
TANYA TUCKER CONFIRMED TOUR DATES
December 6—Brown County Music Center—Nashville, IN
December 7—Peoples Bank Theatre—Marietta, OH*
December 9—Casino Rama Resort Entertainment Centre—Orillia, ON
December 10—H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center—Shippensburg, PA
*with special guest Jake Clayton
Photo credit: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
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