Born in the U.S.A.: Top 50 Stars of the 50 States
Oklahoma: Garth Brooks. With U.S. sales of 68.6 million, the Tulsa native and Oklahoma State University grad (advertising major, FYI) is the best-selling album artist in SoundScan's 21-year history.

Connie Smith, Hargus "Pig" Robbins Also Become Members

Country superstar Garth Brooks, singer Connie Smith and keyboard player Hargus "Pig" Robbins are the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The announcement was made Tuesday morning at a news conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee.

Country Music Hall of Fame: Class of 2012 Cheat Sheet

Brooks took country music to a new level over a 15-year period, becoming the top-selling solo artist in the U.S. with more than 128 million albums sold.

Smith, the wife of country singer Marty Stuart, is among a pioneering wave of female singers who helped lay the foundation for today's success by women in country music. And Robbins is considered among the top session players in Nashville over a 50-year career that's included work for everyone from George Jones to Bob Dylan.

© 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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