Founders of the Ameripolitan Music Awards have started a petition to help 2017 Master Award winner Jerry Lee Lewis complete a lifelong dream of being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Equal in stature to the all-time greats, Jimmie Rodgers, Al Jolson, and Hank Williams, and truly deserving of the title “Greatest Living American Song Stylist,” Jerry Lee Lewis is long overdue for induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
What first started with a paper petition at the 4th Annual Ameripolitan Music Awards on February 15th at the historic Paramount Theatre has now grown into an additional online petition for the world to sign. Petition signatures include – Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, Bobbie Nelson, Larry Gatlin, Charlie Sexton, Charlie Thompson, Dallas Moore, CMT’s “Sun Records” cast members, Ray Benson, Dale Watson, and other amazing artists and notables. Dale Watson sums up the reason behind this petition, “As a society we never appreciate what we have until it’s gone, and we should show Jerry Lee Lewis that he is truly a living legend, and worthy of being in the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
Christian Lee, currently starring in “Sun Records” on CMT as The Killer himself was surprised to find out Jerry Lee hasn’t already been given this honor. As he expressed to Jerry Lee and his family, “This is ridiculous. He should have been inducted years ago. I’ll do my best to get as many signatures as possible.”
Brett Neal, Co-Founder of the Ameripolitan Music Awards, urges fans to get involved, “The Ameripolitan Music Awards launched this online petition as part of a grassroots effort to show the Country Music Association there is widespread public support for Jerry Lee Lewis’ inclusion into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jerry Lee Lewis has one of the most loyal fan bases of any country artist in history, and together we have the opportunity to influence the nominating committee and voting members of the CMA. Jerry Lee already has many advocates within the CMA and the Country Music Hall of Fame, and they need our help to make a strong case for his inclusion on the ballot.”
Though he is one of the most successful recording artists of all time, having 54 albums and 77 singles (12 of them being #1), statistics alone cannot describe the unique contribution to country music by Jerry Lee Lewis. Beginning with his first single “Crazy Arms” in 1956, to his classic million seller “You Win Again” in 1957, and through his string of classic country hits in the late 60s and 70s, Jerry Lee has defined and redefined what country music is.
Jerry Lee has been overwhelmed by the support, “I want to thank my friends Kris Kristofferson, Bobbie Nelson and Kenny Rogers for signing the petition to get me into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I have always and will always love my country music history.”
The online petition available at gopetition.com, ameripolitan.com or click HERE.
