Toby Keith, John Anderson & James Burton Honored During 2024 Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony

On Sunday night (Oct. 20), the annual Medallion Ceremony returned to the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater for an evening of heartfelt speeches, live musical tributes and original video biographies. This year, John Anderson, James Burton and Toby Keith became the 153rd, 154th and 155th members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and were each honored by a star-studded lineup of performers who delivered several of their signature hits. 

Produced by the staff of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the annual Medallion Ceremony brought members of the industry together to celebrate these artists for their unique talents and the significant achievements that have defined their careers. 

Below is a list of performers as well the Hall of Fame members who were personally selected by each inductee to present them with their medallions.

John Anderson (Veterans Era Artist category) 

This year’s Veterans Era Artist category honoree, John Anderson, is known for his catalog of traditional country music that has left an invaluable mark on the genre over the years. His instantly recognizable sound and unique singing style is influenced by Country Music Hall of Fame members Lefty Frizzell, Merle Haggard and George Jones as well as Levon Helm of the Band, leading him to develop his own vocal approach that has resonated with many past and future country fans to come. The Florida native’s career took off in 1983 when he won the CMA Horizon Award and Single of the Year for his smash hit “Swingin’.” Then from 1981 to 1995, he achieved 20 Top 10 singles and five No. 1 hits, cementing his place in country music history.

Anderson was honored by the following performers:

• Shawn Camp sang “I Just Came Home to Count the Memories”
• Del McCoury Band delivered “Would You Catch a Falling Star” 
• Lucinda Williams with “Wild and Blue.”

After being presented his medallion by Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Braddock, Anderson stepped up to the mic and gave a warm speech in which he thanked his friends and family members for showing up to support him and chronicled highlights from his journey from Florida to Tennessee. 

“The honors here this evening are just about overwhelming for me. Certainly not used to this and I guess a person can’t get used to this as it’s a once in a lifetime deal,” he began. He went on to thank everyone who has influenced his career in some way, whether it be on stage or behind the scenes, before rounding out with one final message of gratitude for his faith. 

He continued, “I can’t say how much this means to me for an old boy who took off from his hometown with a guitar and $40. Like I say, it’s been a long and winding road like Paul McCartney would say, but don’t get me wrong, I’m not Paul and he knows that. But like I say, it’s one of the greatest honors that anybody in our profession could ever have to be on the stage now. I think I’ve just about thought of everyone, but I want to thank the good Lord up above, the Father of all creation, for giving me a love of music that has sustained me and kept me living and dreaming and working. And I hope I never have to quit. Thank each and every one of you all and God bless you.”

Toby Keith (Modern Era Artist category)

Next to be honored was the late Toby Keith in the Modern Era Artist category. For nearly 30 years, Oklahoma native the held his standing as one of the most consistent hitmakers in country music, and will forever be cherished for the music he made and his shining personality. Between 1993 and his death in 2024, he had 42 Top 10 country hits, 20 No. 1 hits and sold more than 40 million records worldwide. Keith wrote or co-wrote most of his songs, allowing him to share his truth on the reality of life’s ups and downs through hit songs such as “As Good as I Once Was,” “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and “Hope on the Rocks.” The singer/songwriter also used his knowledge of the music business to launch his own successful record label and publishing company.

Keith was honored by the following performers: 

• Post Malone With “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight”
•  Eric Church performed “Don’t Let the Old Man In”
• Blake Shelton sang a medley of “I Love This Bar” and “Red Solo Cup” using a patriotic guitar similar to the one Toby Keith often used on stage.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Owen was tapped to present the medallion to Keith’s wife, Tricia, who accepted the honor and spoke on his behalf. This marked the first time Tricia was able to truly speak on Keith’s passing and the legacy he left behind.

“Well, I guess you all have guessed it’s pretty emotional for me tonight, and this is actually the first time I’ve been able to talk. I’m not sure if I can finish it, but I wanted to thank Randy for coming up and introducing Toby. I wanted to congratulate John and James in their induction. Congratulations, it’s a big night for all of us,” she said with a tremendous amount of love in her voice. 

Tricia went on to discuss Keith’s hard worth ethic, his passion for songwriting and all the ways he gave back through music. She wrapped up by once again, sharing gratitude for members of his team for supporting him through everything and especially the Country Music Hall Of Fame for welcoming him into this coveted family. 

“I want to close by thanking the Country Music Hall of Fame for honoring Toby with this induction. He didn’t get the chance to hear the news that he had been inducted, but I have a feeling in his words he might’ve thought I should have been. So, Toby, we know you know are in the country Music Hall of Fame,” she concluded. 

James Burton (Recording and/or Touring Musician category) 

The final honoree to be celebrated over the weekend was James Burton, who was recognized in the Recording and/or Touring Musician category. Burton has left his mark on country music through his work as a guitarist and performer with a sound that blends blues and country music. By age 14, he was a “Louisiana Hayride” staff musician and created the memorable guitar lick for “Susie-Q” by Dale Hawkins. Burton eventually moved over to Ricky Nelson’s band, where he created iconic rockabilly licks and solos on more than 40 hits. He also grew his resume as a studio picker, playing on records for artists ranging from Merle Haggard to the Beach Boys, led Country Music Hall of Fame member Elvis Presley’s band (1969–1977), and played for John Denver, Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris and others in bands and on records.

The following performers honored Burton with some of his most signiature hits to date:

• Elvis Costello and John Jorgenson performed “Believe What You Say”
• Brad Paisley sang “Workin’ Man Blues”
• Country Music Hall of Fame members Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris along with Rodney Crowell with “Til I Gain Control Again”
• Keith Richards with Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Steve Jordan performed “I Can’t Dance”

Vince Gill presented the medallion to Burton, and then let the musical legend take the mic to share his appreciation for the artists who performed in his honor. 

“I do want to say that they’re all my heroes, all these guys I’ve worked with, they’re all my heroes and I want to thank God for giving me just a small part to be with these people, and I’m so honored. Boy, I don’t know what to say except they’re all my heroes. I love them all and I thank God for making all this happen. Thank you guys.”

Burton’s granddaughter Taylor and grandson Skylar then stepped up to share even more on his profound impact on them and the genre as a whole. They also thanked everyone who has played a role in raising money for the James Burton Foundation. 

“I want to say that we’re celebrating not only this induction, but his profound impact that he’s had on the world of music and the ones that love him so much and including ourselves. We’ve grown up with rockstar our whole lives,” she said before adding, “A lot of the talented people here today have been a part of our benefit shows for the James Burton Foundation where we support music education and we implement that into schools and hospitals and veterans. And thank you. We really appreciate your support in that journey and rallying for my grandfather in that regard. And we love you guys. Thank you so much.”

The ceremony concluded with a performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” led by Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker. 

The Medallion All-Star Band for the evening featured Jen Gunderman (keyboards), Tania Hancheroff (vocals), Mike Johnson (steel guitar), Rachel Loy (bass), Jeff King (electric guitar), Jerry Pentecost (drums), Deanie Richardson (fiddle and mandolin), Mica Roberts (vocals), Biff Watson (bandleader and acoustic guitar) and Charlie Worsham (acoustic guitar, banjo and vocals).