Smith, whose first single in 1964, "Once a Day," was a No. 1 hit for eight weeks, is a pioneer female country singer who released her 53rd album last year. She was discovered by Bill Anderson, who saw her singing in a talent contest in Columbus, Ohio. The wife of fellow country star Marty Stuart, she had a series of hits in the 1960s and '70s and parlayed that success into movie and television appearances.

She said she was in the middle of preparing dinner when she found out she was inducted. When asked what she did after the call, she responded: "Finished supper."