Jerry Lee Lewis, Keith Whitley Join the Country Hall of Fame

Kris Kristofferson (L) stands with the plaque of honoree Jerry Lee Lewis during the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 16, 2022. Wade Payne/Invision/AP

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Two artists who started their careers outside of country music were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame as Jerry Lee Lewis and Keith Whitley joined the ranks.

Lewis, the 87-year-old artist nicknamed “The Killer,” was unable to attend the induction ceremony on Sunday in Nashville, Tennessee, due to guidance from his doctor. But his fellow country stars Hank Williams Jr. and Kris Kristofferson showed up in his stead to accept and honor the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer.