June Carter Cash Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame — A Legacy That Remains Unbroken
“Will the circle be unbroken, by and by Lord, by and by…”
Those familiar words echoed through the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 19, 2025, as the late June Carter Cash was officially inducted into the institution that celebrates the greatest names in country music. Though she passed away more than two decades ago, her voice, humor, and spirit continue to shape the genre she helped define.
June joined an extraordinary 2025 class of inductees, alongside producer Tony Brown and fellow performer Kenny Chesney, marking a moment that tied together generations of country tradition — from the Carter Family’s 1920s radio days to the modern country era.
A Life Rooted in Music and Family
Born into country music royalty, June Carter Cash began performing at just 10 years old, singing alongside her mother Maybelle Carter and sisters in Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters. The Carter Family had already cemented their place in history as the “First Family of Country Music,” and June carried that legacy forward with her own flair — a mix of down-home charm, humor, and songwriting brilliance.
As the Hall of Fame noted:
“June Carter Cash was a vibrant presence in country music for over sixty years. The singer and comedienne began performing at age 10 in 1939, singing with her mother, Maybelle Carter of the Carter Family, and her two sisters on Mexican border radio. Mother Maybelle & the Carter Sisters later starred on the Grand Ole Opry and joined Johnny Cash’s roadshow.”
Of course, June’s story intertwined with that of Johnny Cash, her husband and creative partner. Together, they formed one of country music’s most enduring partnerships — built on love, redemption, and song.
Her writing credits include the iconic “Ring of Fire,” inspired by her love for Johnny, which went on to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and become one of the most recognizable tunes in country music history. Over her career, June won five Grammy Awards, leaving a legacy that spans songwriting, performing, and the art of storytelling itself.
A Circle Unbroken: John Anderson’s Tribute
To close out the Medallion Ceremony, country great John Anderson performed “Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By),” a song forever linked to the Carter Family’s legacy.
Anderson reflected afterward:
“We had a great night celebrating the [Country Music Hall of Fame] class of ‘25 inductees. It was an honor to perform for everyone!”
Fellow Hall of Famer Lyle Lovett commented on the performance, writing, “You sounded amazing, John.”
The song’s inclusion was deeply symbolic. Originally a hymn titled “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?” — first recorded by the Carter Family in 1927 and released as a single in 1935 — it represents not just spiritual unity, but the ongoing connection between artists, families, and generations of country musicians.
As June’s children and grandchildren looked on, the lyrics carried new meaning: her circle truly remains unbroken.
A Legacy That Lives On
June’s induction comes 55 years after the Carter Family’s own Hall of Fame entry in 1970, and 45 years after Johnny Cash’s in 1980 — making this year’s honor a powerful full-circle moment for one of music’s most influential families.
Her induction video, soundtracked by “Can the Circle Be Unbroken,” captured her lifelong devotion to both faith and artistry, showing how her voice continues to ripple through time.
For everyone in attendance, the evening wasn’t just a look back — it was a reminder that the roots of country music still grow strongest through love, storytelling, and legacy.
And as long as her songs are sung, June Carter Cash’s circle will never be broken.