The late Hank Cochran will posthumously receive country music's highest honor later this year: induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Other honorees 2014 include Ronnie Milsap and Mac Wiseman.

Ronnie MilsapRonnie Milsap Will Be Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Cochran's induction into the Songwriter Era category is more than five decades in the making. He first rose to fame after penning his 1960 hit 'Make The World Go Away' - which was recorded by Eddy Arnold and Ray Price. He followed it up with Patsy Cline's 'I Fall To Pieces' and 'She's Got You'.

His back catalogue has generated more than 36 million performances and has had songs cut by Elvis Presley, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn and Dean Martin. 

Milsap will be inducted into the Hall's Modern Era category following classics like 'Smoky Mountain Rain', 'It Was Almost Like a Song' and 'Stranger in My House'. 

"I've wanted to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame for as long as I can remember," Milsap told a room full of reporters and industry executives at the press conference. "I love making records. So we keep doing these things year after year after year, and to finally be recognized, I thank you. I'm so grateful and so honored, and I want to do things continually to make you proud of the Country Music Hall of Fame."

Wisman will be inducted into the Veteran Era category, following an incredible career lasting more than 45 years. 

"I have always been proud of my role in making country music popular," said the music-mogul, "Being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is the icing on the cake and certainly a highlight of my career."

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