I'm a little late getting into this subject but I've pretty much
given up on the CMA giving Skeeter this richly deserved honor.
After all look how long not only Webb Pierce but Carl Smith and
Sonny James had to wait - and they had far greater chart success
than Skeeter did and are all members of the CMA's preference - men.

I don't fault Emery's induction because he was a trailblazing disc
jockey. I do think it is way too soon for Vince Gill to be getting
in there - I mean his consistent hit days didn't really start until
1989! Of course he was wonderful to Skeeter so you have to love the
guy and he has a well-deserved rep as a nice guy which probably
helped his induction as much as any career accomplishments.

I think the next women to be inducted, in approximate order will be -

1 - Reba McEntire, almost certainly a shoo-in for the post-1975
position (which I incidentally feel is not necessary given the huge
number of PRE-1975 stars who need to get in there.)

2 - Emmylou Harris - very much in the "in" crowd in Nashville, and
well-liked and respected in the industry to boot whereas many
a "veteran" female singer is completely ignored.

3 - Barbara Mandrell - her CMA awards and non-Nashville fame help
boost her past a couple of women who arguably were actually bigger
record sellers.

4 - June Carter Cash - never a major solo star but certainly one of
the most famous country stars of alltime thanks to her connections
with Johnny Cash and the Carter Family and of course her last years
produced some very well-received solo work that won her three solo
Grammys when women two decades her junior were consigned to "has
beens" - and Reese Witherspoon's Best Actress Oscar for playing her
only increases her legend. Frankly, I was surprised the CMA didn't
capitalize on that Oscar win and June's late successes and put her
in the HOF in the last few years but I guess her being a woman
penalized her in the CMA's eyes.

5 - Connie Smith - Jean Shepard was more of a trailblazer and Lynn
Anderson was a bigger star but Connie has a lot going for her with
20 top tens, one of the Opry's most promenient female vocalists, and
particularly being Mrs. Marty Stuart - Marty of course is at the
front of the country music historian/torch bearers and one of the
few stars of more recent years who really gives a hoot about country
music's history.

the dark horses, possibly on the large list of possibilities but I
think it will be sometime before these ladies get a shot at
induction:
6-Jean Shepard
7-Dottie West
8-Crystal Gayle
9-Skeeter Davis
10- (tie) Lynn Anderson, Wanda Jackson