R&R Hall of Fame Induction Policy January 17, 2007 - Courtesy Mike Vincent - Mikesandy999@aol.com Hi all, I wrote to the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame about Wanda Jackson and Dale Hawkins about not being voted in there, This is the response I got back, and JD just wanted to let you know I just got my computer fixed after the whole town had a total black out here, it crashed my computer because was on when the lights went out ... we were out of lights and heat till Monday and it was freezing here. We thought it was from the cold cause Nevada don't get this kind of weather, someone went and shot out the transformer that feeds the whole town, and then we just got water yesterday cause the well froze and busted pipes, It's been a rough few days. Anyways here's the post from the President of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Thanks for your comments about Dale Hawkins and Wanda Jackson.            Nomination and induction into the Hall of Fame is not about popularity, records sales, which label the group is on, or anything other than the process below. The love for, the evaluation of, and the impact of any artist are subjective questions to be answered by the nominators and the voters. Unlike baseball, football, basketball or hockey, statistics are not relevant.            The entire nomination and induction process is coordinated by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation in New York City. Artists can be inducted in four categories: Performer, Early Influence, Non-Performer and Side-Men. The latter three categories are evaluated and decided by separate committees. The selection of Performers is a two-step process as described below.            The only formal criteria for the performance category is that an artist has to have had their first record 25 years ago. That said, candidates are reviewed and discussed relative to their impact on this music that we broadly call rock and roll. The innovation and influence of these artists is also critical. Gold records, number one hits, and million sellers are really not appropriate standards for evaluation.            The formal selection of Performers begins with an extensive panel of journalists, historians, previous inductees, noted musicians, industry heads, etc. In turn, those nominated are sent to a committee of more than 500 people around the world (journalists, historians, music industry management, all living inductees, musicians, etc.) who vote. Those receiving the highest number of votes and more than 50% of the votes cast are inducted into the Hall. Usually, this means five to seven new performing members each year. All this said, you can see the road to being inducted is an arduous one and for the most part, removed from the realm of influences or politics.            Finally, as I noted above, people sometimes forget that rock and roll, the artists, and other participants are viewed in an incredibly subjective manner by any individual brought into the circle of discussion. As such, there is often widespread disagreement or fracturing of opinion about who is or was important and to what degree.            I really think that all deserving candidates will have their moment eventually. Unfortunately, it often isn't the time frame they or their fans desire. In fact, there's not only precedent in our history, but also with the other sports halls of fame where many of the legends do not get inducted in the their first year of eligibility, or for many years to come in quite a few instances.           Peace & Soul,           Rock & Roll!                     Terry Stewart                     President                     Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum                     TS/slu P. S. Wanda has been on the final ballot several times and nearly make it again this year. Fingers crossed! EDITOR'S NOTE: I personally know Terry Stewart, having spent some time with him on the phone and at major show events like: Viva Las Vegas, Ponderosa Stomp and Green Bay. Terry himself is a big rockabilly fan. But one man alone in that big corporate R&RHoF cannot solve the problems. Believe me, Terry is on our side. doing the best he can, so cut him some slack. It's the people that gather to vote on the legends who need to be better informed about rockabilly's great legends. Thanks. -Bob Timmers Back to the "Take Note" Main Page