Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare up for CMA Hall of Fame honors

NASHVILLE, April 10 (UPI) -- The Country Music Association says Bobby Bare, "Cowboy" Jack Clement and Kenny Rogers are to be inducted into Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame.

Rogers will be inducted in the Modern Era Artist category, while Bare will be inducted in the Veterans Era Artist category.

Clement is to be recognized in the Non-Performer category.

Bare, Clement, and Rogers will increase membership in the coveted Country Music Hall of Fame from 118 to 121 members.

"The highest musical honor achievable for a country music artist or industry leader is to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and these are all outstanding and highly deserving individuals," Steve Moore, the CMA's chief executive officer, said in a statement. "'Cowboy' has been responsible for producing many of the iconic songs in country music. Bobby pioneered the country concept album and was one of the first artists to take the format to Europe. And Kenny's crossover success throughout a lengthy career introduced country music to a much wider audience."