This page indexes the individual year in country music pages. Each year is annotated with a significant event as a reference point. __NOTOC__ Pre-1920s -

1920s File:1920s decade montage.png, From left, clockwise: Third Tipperary Brigade Flying Column No. 2 under Seán Hogan during the Irish War of Independence; Prohibition agents destroying barrels of alcohol in accordance to the 18th amendment, which ...

- 1930s -

1940s File:1940s decade montage.png, Above title bar: events during World War II (1939–1945): From left to right: Troops in an LCVP landing craft approaching Omaha Beach on D-Day; Adolf Hitler visits Paris, soon after the Battle of France; The Ho ...

1950s The 1950s (pronounced nineteen-fifties; commonly abbreviated as the "Fifties" or the " '50s") (among other variants) was a decade that began on January 1, 1950, and ended on December 31, 1959. Throughout the decade, the world continued its re ...

- 1960s -

1970s File:1970s decade montage.jpg, Clockwise from top left: U.S. President Richard Nixon doing the V for Victory sign after his resignation from office following the Watergate scandal in 1974; The United States was still involved in the Vietnam War ...

1980s File:1980s replacement montage02.PNG, 420px, From left, clockwise: The first Space Shuttle, ''Columbia'', lifts off in 1981; US president Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev ease tensions between the two superpowers, leading to the ...

- 1990s -

2000s File:2000s decade montage3.png, From top left, clockwise: The World Trade Center on fire and the Statue of Liberty during the 9/11 attacks in 2001; the euro enters into European currency in 2002; a statue of Saddam Hussein being toppled during th ...

2010s File:2010s collage v21.png, From top left, clockwise: Anti-government protests called the Arab Spring arose in 2010–2011, and as a result, many governments were overthrown, including when Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi was killed; Crimea is ...

- 2020s -

Pre-1920s

* Prior to 1920 in country music, *Train accidents – the C & O in 1890 near

Hinton, West Virginia Hinton is a city in Summers County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,266 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Summers County. Hinton was established in 1873 and chartered in 1897. Hinton was named after John "Jack" Hin ...

; train 382 occurs in 1900 in Vaughn, Mississippi; and train 97 in 1903 near

Danville, Virginia Danville is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States, located in the Southside Virginia region and on the fall line of the Dan River. It was a center of tobacco production and was an area of Confederate activity ...

– become the subject of several early country recordings. *The word " Hillbillie" printed for the first time in New York Journal on April 23, 1900. *" Rube" comedy, long country dialect tales like "Uncle Josh" become popular in 1909.

1920s

1920 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1920. Events Top hits of the year Births * February 13 – Boudleaux Bryant, songwriter (with wife Felice) of many 1950s and 1960s hits (died 1987). * March 10 ...

1921 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1921. Events Top hits of the year Births * February 7 – Wilma Lee Cooper, bluegrass and gospel singer who best known for her series of recordings with husba ...

1922 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1922. Events * June 30 – A.C. "Eck" Robertson became the first fiddler and country musician on record when he recorded eight tracks for the Victor Talking Machine ...

, First commercial recordings of country music by Eck Robertson for

Victor Records The Victor Talking Machine Company was an American recording company and phonograph manufacturer that operated independently from 1901 until 1929, when it was acquired by the Radio Corporation of America and subsequently operated as a subsidi ...

. *

1923 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1923. Events * Country music's earliest recordings are recorded and released to the public. These include Eck Robertson's "Sally Gooden" (issued in April) and Fiddli ...

, First radio " barn dance" WBAP in

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, covering nearly into four other counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. Accord ...

. "Sally Gooden" by A.C. (Eck) Robertson top country record. *

1924 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1924. Events * First broadcast of WLS Barn Dance in Chicago, led by the "Solemn Old Judge" George D. Hay. * Beginning of the "Old Times Tunes" series on Okeh Records ...

, "

It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo' "It Ain't Gonna Rain No Mo'" or "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More" is a song by "The Red-Headed Music Maker", singer and instrumentalist Wendell Hall (1896–1969). Hall's 1923 recording of it was a hit in the US and also in Britain, where it was sung ...

" by

Wendell Hall Wendell Woods Hall (August 23, 1896, St. George, Kansas – April 2, 1969, Fairhope, Alabama) was an American country singer, vaudeville artist, songwriter, pioneer radio performer, Victor recording artist and ukulele player. Biography Hall wa ...

top country record. "

The Prisoner's Song "The Prisoner's Song" is a song copyrighted by Vernon Dalhart in 1924 in the name of Dalhart's cousin Guy Massey, who had sung it while staying at Dalhart's home and had in turn heard it from his brother Robert Massey, who may have heard it whi ...

" recorded by

Vernon Dalhart Marion Try Slaughter (April 6, 1883 – September 14, 1948), better known by his stage name Vernon Dalhart, was an American country music singer and songwriter. His recording of the classic ballad "Wreck of the Old 97" was the first country song ...

in August sells 1.3 million records by end of decade. *

1925 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1925. Events * November 28 – Nashville radio station WSM (AM), WSM begins a national institution with its first broadcast of the "WSM Barn Dance" – the weekly p ...

, WSM signs on; first WSM Barn Dance. "

" by

top country record. Charlie Poole and The North Carolina Ramblers recorded the successful "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down Blues" and "The Girl I Loved in Sunny Tennessee" on July 27. * 1926 in country music, Formation of

The Skillet Lickers The Skillet Lickers were an old-time band from Georgia, United States. When Gid Tanner teamed up with blind guitarist Riley Puckett and signed to Columbia in 1924, they created the label's earliest so-called "hillbilly" recording. Gid Tanner ...

. "

" by

second chart run Top Country Record. * 1927 in country music, The

Carter Family Carter Family was a traditional American folk music group that recorded between 1927 and 1956. Their music had a profound impact on bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel, pop and rock musicians as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s. ...

Jimmie Rodgers James Charles Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "the Father of Country Music", he is best known for his distinctive rhythmi ...

make their first recordings. " Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow" by the Carter Family Top Country Record. *

1928 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1928. Events * "The first edition of Bradley Kincaid's 1928 songbook called My Favorite Mountain Ballads sold more than 100,000 copies; Top Hillbilly (Country) ...

, " Blue Yodel" recorded by

" Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas)" Top Country Record, and one of several million sellers by Rodgers. * 1929 in country music, " Wildwood Flower" by the

top country record and sells one million copies. Gene Autry makes his first recordings.

1930s

* 1930 in country music, Ken Maynard becomes first singing screen cowboy. "" Anniversary Yodel (Blue Yodel No. 7)"" by

Top Country Record. * 1931 in country music, " Blue Yodel No. 8 (Mule Skinner Blues)" recorded by

Top Country Record. * 1932 in country music, "Why Should I Be Lonely" by

with Lani McIntire's Hawaiians Top Country Record. * 1933 in country music,

dies in May 1933. " Yellow Rose Of Texas" by Gene Autry and Jimmy Long Top Country Record. * 1934 in country music, "

Tumbling Tumbleweeds "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" is a song composed by Bob Nolan. Although one of the most famous songs associated with the Sons of the Pioneers, the song was composed by Nolan in the 1930s, while working as a caddy and living in Los Angeles. Originally ti ...

" recorded by the

Sons of the Pioneers The Sons of the Pioneers are one of the United States' earliest Western singing groups. Known for their vocal performances, their musicianship, and their songwriting, they produced innovative recordings that have inspired many Western music perf ...

Top Country Record. *

1935 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1935. Events sales remained approximately 14% of 1929 levels Top Hillbilly (Country) Recordings The following songs were extracted from records included in Joel ...

, First recordings by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. "

Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By) "Can the Circle Be Unbroken (By and By)" is a country/ folk song reworked by A. P. Carter from the hymn "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" by Ada R. Habershon and Charles H. Gabriel., see adaptation history The song's lyrics concern the death, fune ...

" by the

Top Country Record. * 1936 in country music, First recordings by

Ernest Tubb Ernest Dale Tubb (February 9, 1914 – September 6, 1984), nicknamed the Texas Troubadour, was an American singer and songwriter and one of the pioneers of country music. His biggest career hit song, " Walking the Floor Over You" (1941), ...

; formation of the Monroe Brothers ( Charlie and

Bill Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Plac ...

) and the Blue Sky Boys. " Mexicali Rose" by Gene Autry Top Country Record. * 1937 in country music, Beginning of

Renfro Valley Barn Dance ''Renfro Valley Barn Dance'' was an American country music stage and radio show originally carried by WLW-AM in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday nights. It debuted on October 9, 1937 from the Cincinnati Music Hall and moved to the Memorial Auditorium i ...

. "

Steel Guitar Rag "Steel Guitar Rag" is the seminal Western swing instrumental credited with popularizing the steel guitar as an integral instrument in a Western band. Written by Leon McAuliffe, it was first recorded by Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys James ...

" recorded by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Top Country Record. * 1938 in country music, "

Wabash Cannonball "The Great Rock Island Route", popularized as "Wabash Cannonball" and various other titles, is a 19th century American folk song that describes the scenic beauty and predicaments of a fictional train, the ''Wabash Cannonball Express'', as it tra ...

" recorded by Roy Acuff and the Crazy Tennesseans Top Country Record. * 1939 in country music,

Bill Monroe William Smith "Bill" Monroe (; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the " Father of Bluegrass". The genre take ...

formed the

Blue Grass Boys William Smith "Bill" Monroe (; September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) was an American mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, who created the bluegrass music genre. Because of this, he is often called the " Father of Bluegrass". The genre take ...

. "It Makes No Difference Now" by Cliff Bruner's Texas Wanderers Top Country Record. Billboard prints its first "Hillbilly...Hits" charts. These charts will continue, primarily on a monthly basis, until 1942.

1940s

* 1940 in country music, "

You Are My Sunshine "You Are My Sunshine" is a song published by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell on January 30, 1940. According to Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), the song has been recorded by over 350 artists and translated into 30 languages. In 1977, the Louisi ...

" by Bob Atcher and Bonnie Blue Eyes Top Country Record. * 1941 in country music, Gene Autry's "

" Top Country Record and sells one million copies. Ernest Tubb records and releases "

Walking the Floor Over You "Walking the Floor Over You" is a country music song written by Ernest Tubb, recorded on April 26, 1941 in Fort Worth, Texas, and released in the United States that year. Allmusic entry for Walking the Floor Over YouRetrieved 14 May 2012 The ...

." * 1942 in country music, Musicians' strike bans all recording starting August; Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., is incorporated in Tennessee.. "

There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere" is a patriotic anthem written in 1942 by Paul Roberts (songwriter), Paul Roberts and Shelby Darnell (a pseudonym for producer Bob Miller (composer, born 1895), Bob Miller). With Elton Britt's version ...

" by

Elton Britt Elton Britt (born James Elton Baker; June 27, 1913 – June 22, 1972) was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Biography Britt was born on a farm near Marshall, Arkansas. His father was James Baker, and he had two si ...

Top Country Record and earns Gold record. * 1943 in country music, Al Dexter and His Troopers's "

Pistol Packin' Mama "Pistol Packin' Mama" was a " Hillbilly"-Honky Tonk record released at the height of World War II that became a nationwide sensation, and the first "Country" song to top the Billboard popular music chart. It was written by Al Dexter of Troup, ...

" Top Country Record, and becomes first Country record to also top Popular music chart. * 1944 in country music, ''

Billboard magazine ''Billboard'' (stylized as ''billboard'') is an American music and entertainment magazine published weekly by Penske Media Corporation. The magazine provides music charts, news, video, opinion, reviews, events, and style related to the musi ...

'' creates national chart to track popularity of country music records. Al Dexter and His Troopers's "

So Long Pal "So Long Pal" is a 1944 song by Al Dexter Clarence Albert Poindexter (May 4, 1905 – January 28, 1984), known as Al Dexter, was an American country musician and songwriter. He is best known for " Pistol Packin' Mama," a 1943 hit that was ...

" Top Country Record. * 1945 in country music, " Shame on You" by Spade Cooley and His Western Band Top Country Record. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs join the

. Often considered the beginning of Bluegrass music. * 1946 in country music, "

Guitar Polka "Guitar Polka" is a 1946 instrumental song by Al Dexter and His Troopers. "Guitar Polka" spent sixteen weeks at number one on the Juke Box Folk charts and a total of twenty-nine weeks on the chart. The B-side of the song entitled, "Honey Do You ...

" by

Al Dexter and His Troopers Clarence Albert Poindexter (May 4, 1905 – January 28, 1984), known as Al Dexter, was an American country musician and songwriter. He is best known for " Pistol Packin' Mama," a 1943 hit that was one of the most popular recordings of the Wor ...

Top Country Record. * 1947 in country music, Hank Williams has first national hit; Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys - "

I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms) "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)" is a 1947 song by Eddy Arnold. The song was Eddy Arnold's third number one on the '' Billboard'' Juke Box Folk Records chart. "I'll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arm ...

No. 1 record of 1947. *

1948 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1948. Events * April 3 — Radio station KWKH of Shreveport, Louisiana airs the Louisiana Hayride for the first time. * May 15 — ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' begins a ...

Eddy Arnold Richard Edward Arnold (May 15, 1918 – May 8, 2008) was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a Nashville sound (country/popular music) innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the ''Billboard'' cou ...

has five of the year's six new No. 1 songs, with " Bouquet of Roses" and "Anytime" the biggest of the lot. "Bouquet of Roses" No. 1 hit of all time based on total chart performance. * 1949 in country music, Hank Williams' first giant hit, "

Lovesick Blues "Lovesick Blues" is a Tin Pan Alley song, composed by Cliff Friend, with lyrics by Irving Mills. It first appeared in the 1922 musical "Oh, Ernest", and was recorded that year by Elsie Clark and Jack Shea. Emmett Miller recorded it in 1925 and ...

" Top Country Record.

1950s

1950 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1950. Events * February 14 — "Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy" by Red Foley #1 selling Country record becomes first Country cross over on Pop Best Seller chart. * Au ...

, 21 weeks at No. 1 for

Hank Snow Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (May 9, 1914 – December 20, 1999) was a Canadian-American country music artist. Most popular in the 1950s, he had a career that spanned more than 50 years, he recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on ...

's " I’m Moving On." * 1951 in country music, The year of "

Hank Hank is a male given name. It may have been inspired by the Dutch name Henk,The Origins of 10 Nicknam ...

and

Lefty Lefty is a nickname for a person who is left-handed. Lefty may refer to: *Lefty Bates (1920–2007), American Chicago blues guitarist *Lefty Bertrand (1909–2002), Major League Baseball pitcher for one game *Steve Carlton (born 1944), American ...

" (as

Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American country music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Haggard was born in Oildale, California, toward the end of the Great Depression. His childhood was troubled a ...

would sing in song more than 25 years later);

and

were equally dominating; chart debut of Carl Smith. * 1952 in country music, The fall of Hank Williams;

Kitty Wells Ellen Muriel Deason (August 30, 1919 – July 16, 2012), known professionally as Kitty Wells, was an American pioneering female country music singer. She broke down a barrier to women in country music with her 1952 hit recording " It Wasn't God ...

has first solo female No. 1 song with "

It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" is a 1952 country song written by J. D. "Jay" Miller, and originally recorded by Kitty Wells. It was an answer song to the Hank Thompson hit "The Wild Side of Life." The song — which blamed unfaith ...

." Carl Smith becomes only country artist to have two records tied at No. 1 on the modern ''Billboard'' country charts (" Let Old Mother Nature Have Her Way" and " Don't Just Stand There") * 1953 in country music, Death of Hank Williams, Betty Jack Davis; crash that kills Davis will also sideline duet partner

Skeeter Davis Skeeter Davis (born Mary Frances Penick; December 30, 1931September 19, 2004) was an American country music singer and songwriter who sang crossover pop music songs including 1962's " The End of the World". She started out as part of the Davis S ...

' career until the end of the 1950s. * 1954 in country music,

Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977), or simply Elvis, was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "Honorific nicknames in popular music, King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Elvis Presley, one ...

makes first recordings, one and only appearance on Grand Ole Opry; the rise of the pedal steel guitar;

"s "

I Don't Hurt Anymore "I Don't Hurt Anymore" is a 1954 song by Hank Snow. It was written by Don Robertson and Jack Rollins. Prairie Oyster version Canadian country music group Prairie Oyster covered the song on their album '' Different Kind of Fire''. Their rend ...

" and the

Red Foley Clyde Julian "Red" Foley (June 17, 1910 – September 19, 1968) was an American musician who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II. For more than two decades, Foley was one of the biggest stars of the gen ...

duet " One by One" are ranked 1-2 for 19 consecutive weeks on ''Billboard'' magazine's country "

Best Sellers in Stores The ''Billboard'' Hot 100 is the music industry standard record chart in the United States for songs, published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine. Chart rankings are based on sales (physical and digital), radio play, and online streaming in ...

" chart. * 1955 in country music, Johnny Cash,

George Jones George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American country musician, singer, and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best-known song " He Stopped Loving Her Today", ...

and

Porter Wagoner Porter Wayne Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. In 1967, he introduced singer Dolly Parton on his television show, ''The Po ...

each have first national hits;

Webb Pierce Michael Webb Pierce (August 8, 1921 – February 24, 1991) was an American honky-tonk vocalist, songwriter and guitarist of the 1950s, one of the most popular of the genre, charting more number one hits than any other country artist during the ...

spends 40 combined weeks at No. 1 on Billboard country chart's "

" chart with "

In the Jailhouse Now "In the Jailhouse Now" is an American novelty blues song originally found in vaudeville performances from the early 20th century,I Don't Care" (12 weeks) and " Love Love Love" (eight weeks).

Ozark Jubilee ''Ozark Jubilee'' is a 1950s United States network television program that featured country music's top stars of the day. It was produced in Springfield, Missouri. The weekly live stage show premiered on ABC-TV on January 22, 1955, was renamed ...

premieres on ABC-TV. * 1956 in country music, Ray Price,

Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson (September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982), known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and NASCAR racing driver. Robbins was one of the most popular and succ ...

and Johnny Horton emerge, resurrect traditional country music after the influx of

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It originated from African-American music such as jazz, rhythm a ...

threatens the heart of country music. * 1957 in country music, Rock-flavored acts —

Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935October 28, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Nicknamed "The Killer", he was described as " rock & roll's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis ma ...

Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 193 ...

and

Ricky Nelson Eric Hilliard Nelson (May 8, 1940 – December 31, 1985) was an American musician, songwriter and actor. From age eight he starred alongside his family in the radio and television series ''The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet''. In 1957, he bega ...

— dominate charts;

Patsy Cline Patsy is a given name often used as a diminutive of the feminine given name Patricia or sometimes the masculine name Patrick, or occasionally other names containing the syllable "Pat" (such as Cleopatra, Patience, Patrice, or Patricia). Among I ...

debuts on the charts. * 1958 in country music, The

Nashville sound The Nashville Sound originated during the mid-1950s as a subgenre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of the rough honky tonk music, which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s, with "smooth strings and choruses", "sophist ...

becomes country music's response to continued encroachment of genre by rock artists; ''

'' consolidates best-sellers and disc jockeys' charts into one all-encompassing "Hot C&W Sides" chart. *

1959 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1959. Events *The first Grammy Award for outstanding performances in the country music genre is presented. The Kingston Trio wins the only country-specific award, for ...

, Chart debut of

Buck Owens Alvis Edgar Owens Jr. (August 12, 1929 – March 25, 2006), known professionally as Buck Owens, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and band leader. He was the lead singer for Buck Owens and the Buckaroos, which had 21 No. 1 hits on ...

and rise of trademark Bakersfield Sound; peak of the saga song, through songs such as "

The Battle of New Orleans "The Battle of New Orleans" is a song written by Jimmy Driftwood. The song describes the Battle of New Orleans from the perspective of an American soldier; the song tells the tale of the battle with a light tone and provides a rather comical ver ...

," "

Long Black Veil "Long Black Veil" is a 1959 country ballad, written by Danny Dill and Marijohn Wilkin and originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell. It is told from the point of view of a man falsely accused of murder and executed. He refuses to provide an alibi, ...

" and "

El Paso El Paso (; "the pass") is a city in and the seat of El Paso County in the western corner of the U.S. state of Texas. The 2020 population of the city from the U.S. Census Bureau was 678,815, making it the 23rd-largest city in the U.S., the s ...

1960s

* 1960 in country music, Only four songs reach No. 1 on ''

'' country chart during the entire year; chart debut of

Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. She had numerous hits such as "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Ma ...

; death of Johnny Horton in car accident; premiere of "

The Porter Wagoner Show Porter Wayne Wagoner (August 12, 1927 – October 28, 2007) was an American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. In 1967, he introduced singer Dolly Parton on his television show, ''The Po ...

." * 1961 in country music, Country Music Association announces creation of

Country Music Hall of Fame The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of the world's largest museums and research centers dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American vernacular music. Chartered in 1964, the museum has amas ...

;

has first No. 1 hit (" I Fall to Pieces"). * 1962 in country music,

Ray Charles Ray Charles Robinson Sr. (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Ge ...

releases '' Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music''. * 1963 in country music, Tragedies befall country music, with deaths of

Cowboy Copas Lloyd Estel Copas (July 15, 1913 – March 5, 1963), known by his stage name Cowboy Copas, was an American country music singer. He was popular from the 1940s until his death in the 1963 plane crash that also killed country stars Patsy Cline a ...

and

Hawkshaw Hawkins Harold Franklin "Hawkshaw" Hawkins (December 22, 1921 – March 5, 1963) was an American country music singer popular from the 1950s into the early 1960s. He was known for his rich, smooth vocals and music drawn from blues, boogie and honk ...

(plane crash); Jack Anglin (car accident, en route to Cline's funeral) and Texas Ruby (house fire) all in less than a month's span. *

1964 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1964. Events * January 11 — ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' increases the length of its Hot Country Songs, Hot Country Singles chart to 50 positions, up from 30 and publ ...

, Plane crash kills

Jim Reeves James Travis Reeves (August 20, 1923July 31, 1964) was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville Sound. Known as "Gentleman ...

; chart debut of

Hank Williams Jr. Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of southern rock, blues, and country. He is the son of ...

Connie Smith Connie Smith (born Constance June Meador; August 14, 1941) is an American country music singer and songwriter. Her contralto vocals have been described by music writers as significant and influential to the women of country music. A similarity h ...

begins her eight-week stay at number one with "

Once a Day "Once a Day" is a song written by Bill Anderson and recorded as the debut single by American country artist Connie Smith. It was produced by Bob Ferguson for her self-titled debut album. The song was released in August 1964, topping the '' Bi ...

". * 1965 in country music, Return of

goes along with

crossover Crossover may refer to: Entertainment Albums and songs * ''Cross Over'' (Dan Peek album) * ''Crossover'' (Dirty Rotten Imbeciles album), 1987 * ''Crossover'' (Intrigue album) * ''Crossover'' (Hitomi Shimatani album) * ''Crossover'' (Yoshino ...

hit "

Make the World Go Away "Make the World Go Away'" is a country pop song composed by Hank Cochran. It has become a Top 40 popular success three times: for Timi Yuro (1963), Eddy Arnold (1965), and the brother-sister duo Donny and Marie Osmond (1975). The original ver ...

"; multi-Grammy winner with Roger Miller's " King of the Road" * 1966 in country music, Chart debuts of Lynn Anderson,

Tammy Wynette Tammy Wynette (born Virginia Wynette Pugh; May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998) was an American country music artist, as well as an actress and author. She is considered among the genre's most influential and successful artists. Along with Loretta Ly ...

and

Charley Pride Charley Frank Pride (March 18, 1934 – December 12, 2020) was an American singer, guitarist, and professional baseball player. His greatest musical success came in the early to mid-1970s, when he was the best-selling performer for RCA Rec ...

, the latter who goes on to become the most successful black performer in country music; first

Academy of Country Music The Academy of Country Music (ACM) was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California, Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Among the founders were Eddie Miller (songwriter), Eddie Miller, Tommy Wiggins, and Mickey and Chris ...

awards show airs (shown on tape-delay on the fading ''

The Jimmy Dean Show ''The Jimmy Dean Show'' is the name of several similar music and variety series on American local and network television between 1963 and 1975. Each starred country music singer Jimmy Dean as host. Daytime ''The Jimmy Dean Show'', initially call ...

''). *

1967 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1967. Events *April 1 — The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opens in Nashville. *September — Lynn Anderson becomes a featured vocalist on ''The Lawrence Welk Show''; ...

, First Country Music Association awards (non-televised this year only);

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

's chart debut, becomes regular on ''

''. *

1968 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1968. Events * January 13 – Johnny Cash records his legendary concert at Folsom State Prison. The resulting album, ''At Folsom Prison'', becomes a huge international success ...

, Johnny Cash records ''

At Folsom Prison ''Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison'' is the first live album by American singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records on May 6, 1968. After his 1955 song "Folsom Prison Blues", Cash had been interested in recording a performance at a p ...

''; crossover successes of "

Honey Honey is a sweet and viscous substance made by several bees, the best-known of which are honey bees. Honey is made and stored to nourish bee colonies. Bees produce honey by gathering and then refining the sugary secretions of plants (primar ...

," "

Harper Valley PTA "Harper Valley P.T.A." is a country song written by Tom T. Hall which in 1968 became a major international hit single for country singer Jeannie C. Riley. Riley's record, her debut, sold over six million copies as a single, and it made her the f ...

"; Tammy Wynette records " Stand by Your Man"; final No. 1 hit for

; death of

. *

1969 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1969. Events * January 4 – Dolly Parton becomes a member of The Grand Ole Opry. * January 29 – ''The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour'' premieres on CBS, for what will be a th ...

, Premieres of ''

Hee Haw ''Hee Haw'' is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with the fictional rural "Kornfield Kounty" as the backdrop. It aired first-run on CBS from 1969 to 1971, in syndication from 1971 to 1993, and on TNN from 1 ...

'', ''

The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour ''The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour'' was an American music and comedy television variety show hosted by singer Glen Campbell from January 29, 1969, to June 13, 1972, on CBS. He was offered the show after he hosted a 1968 summer replacement for ' ...

'', ''

The Johnny Cash Show ''The Johnny Cash Show'' is an American television music variety show hosted by Johnny Cash. The Screen Gems 58-episode series ran from June 7, 1969, to March 31, 1971, on ABC; it was taped at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. ...

''. Marriage of

and

, known as "The First Couple of Country Music."

1970s

1970 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1970. Events * April 13 - Marty Robbins is awarded Artist of the Decade for the 1960s by the Academy of Country Music * September — '' That Good Ole Nashville Music ...

and Conway Twitty — who each release their signature songs during the year (she with " Coal Miner's Daughter," he with " Hello Darlin'") — record their first duet, "

After the Fire is Gone "After the Fire Is Gone" is a song written by L. E. White, and recorded by American country music artists Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty as a duet. It was released in January 1971 as the only single from the LP ''We Only Make Believe''. "After the ...

". *

1971 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1971. Events No dates *Seeking younger, more urban viewers, CBS cancels nearly all of its rural-themed programming. Among the most notable casualties: ** ''The Bev ...

, Television's

rural purge The "rural purge" of American television networks (in particular CBS) was a series of cancellations in the early 1970s of still-popular rural-themed shows with demographically skewed audiences, the majority of which occurred at the end of the ...

;

African-American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ensl ...

singer

named CMA Entertainer of the Year; Lynn Anderson's international

hit "

Rose Garden A rose garden or rosarium is a garden or park, often open to the public, used to present and grow various types of garden roses, and sometimes rose species. Most often it is a section of a larger garden. Designs vary tremendously and roses m ...

". *

1972 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1972. Events * March — For the first time since 1967, Sonny James fails to hit the No. 1 spot on '' Billboard's'' Hot Country Singles Chart with a single release. Hi ...

, Fan Fair debuts;

Opryland USA Opryland USA (later called Opryland Themepark and colloquially "Opryland") was a theme park in suburban Nashville, Tennessee. It operated seasonally (generally March to October) from 1972 to 1997, and for a special Christmas-themed engagement eve ...

opens; ''

Will the Circle be Unbroken "Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" is a popular Christian hymn written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song is often recorded unattributed and, because of its age, has lapsed into the public domain. Most of the ch ...

'' album issued; 13-year-old

Tanya Tucker Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer and songwriter who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13. Over the succeeding decades, Tucker became one of the few child performers to mature int ...

becomes an overnight sensation. *

1973 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1973. Events *July — ''The Dean Martin Show'' becomes known as ''Dean Martin Presents Music Country'' for the longtime variety show's summer broadcasts. Country mus ...

, Grand Ole Opry moves from the

Ryman Auditorium Ryman Auditorium (also known as Grand Ole Opry House and Union Gospel Tabernacle) is a 2,362-seat live-performance venue located at 116 Rep. John Lewis Way North, in Nashville, Tennessee. It is best known as the home of the ''Grand Ole Opry'' fr ...

to its new house in Opryland; murder of Stringbean; premiere of "

American Country Countdown ''American Country Countdown'', also known as ''ACC'', is a weekly internationally syndicated radio program which counts down the top 40 country songs of the previous week, from No. 40 to No. 1, according to the ''Billboard'' Country Airplay ch ...

Johnny Rodriguez Juan Raoul Davis "Johnny" Rodriguez (born December 10, 1951) is an American country music singer. He is a Tejano and Texas country music singer, infusing his music with Latin sounds, and even singing verses of songs in Spanish. In the 1970s an ...

becomes the first

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties forme ...

country star. *

1974 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1974. Events * March 16 — The Grand Ole Opry moves from the Ryman Auditorium, its home of the past 41 years, to the newly constructed 4,400-seat Grand Ole Opry House ...

, Rise of

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal A ...

pop singer

Olivia Newton-John Dame Olivia Newton-John (26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British-Australian singer, actress and activist. She was a four-time Grammy Award winner whose music career included 15 top-ten singles, including 5 number-one singles on the ...

and her surprise win of the Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award; veteran country performers respond with the short-lived Association of Country Entertainers in attempt to keep country music "country;"

leaves ''

''. *

1975 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1975. Events *March 13 — The rocky marriage of George Jones and Tammy Wynette ends in divorce. *July 17 — A Russian-language version of Conway Twitty's 1970 hit, " ...

, Continued backlash over pop-influenced country after John Denver is named CMA Entertainer of the Year; country music records chart highly on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100;

Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 29, 1933) is an American country musician. The critical success of the album '' Shotgun Willie'' (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of '' Red Headed Stranger'' (1975) and '' Stardust'' (1 ...

becomes major star 15 years after his first recordings with album '' Redheaded Stranger''; divorce of

and

; deaths of

Bob Wills James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although ...

Lefty Frizzell William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell (March 31, 1928 – July 19, 1975) was an American country music singer-songwriter and honky-tonk singer. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1982. Frizzell released many songs that charted ...

and George Morgan. *

1976 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1976. Events * January 3 — ''Austin City Limits'' debuts as a regular series on PBS. For many years, the show is taped at the University of Texas at Austin. Althoug ...

CB radio Citizens band radio (also known as CB radio), used in many countries, is a land mobile radio system, a system allowing short-distance person-to-many persons bidirectional voice communication among individuals, using two way radios operating on ...

-song craze hits its peak; ''

Wanted! The Outlaws ''Wanted! The Outlaws'' is a compilation album by Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, released by RCA Records in 1976. The album consists of previously released material with four new songs. Released to capitalize on ...

'' released;

's autobiography becomes a ''

New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' best seller. *

1977 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1977. Events *June 25 — Waylon Jennings smash, "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" spends its sixth week at No. 1 on the '' Billboard'' Hot Country Sin ...

, Death of

; six weeks at No. 1 for

Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He pioneered the Outlaw Movement in country music. Jennings started playing guitar at the age of eight and performed at age f ...

' "

Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love) "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" is a song recorded by American country music artist Waylon Jennings. It was released in April 1977 as the first single from the album '' Ol' Waylon''. It was written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons ...

Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer, songwriter, and actor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particularly popular with country audiences but also charted m ...

makes comeback as solo country singer;

begins recording pop-oriented music instead of merely country. * 1978 in country music,

Barbara Mandrell Barbara Ann Mandrell (born December 25, 1948) is an American country music singer and musician. She is also credited as an actress and author. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, she was considered among country's most successful music artist ...

's decade-old career hits new heights with her first No. 1 record;

releases " The Gambler";

Bob Kingsley Robert Gibson Kingsley (March 19, 1939 – October 17, 2019) was an American country music radio personality and a member of the National Radio Hall of Fame. He was best known as the host of two nationally syndicated radio programs: ''American Cou ...

becomes host of "

" (after several years of producing show). Deaths of

Bob Luman Robert Glynn Luman (April 15, 1937 – December 27, 1978) was an American country and rockabilly singer-songwriter. Early life and career Luman was born in Blackjack, Texas, United States, though was raised in Nacogdoches, Texas. His early ...

Johnny Bond Cyrus Whitfield Bond (June 1, 1915 – June 12, 1978), known professionally as Johnny Bond, was an American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and composer and publisher, who co-founded a music publishing firm, he was active in the musi ...

and

Mel Street King Malachi "Mel" Street (October 21, 1935 – October 21, 1978) was an American country music singer who had 13 top-20 hits on the Billboard country charts. Biography Street was born near Grundy, Virginia, United States.Nelson, Dick (August ...

. * 1979 in country music,

releases second signature story song, "

Coward Of The County "Coward of the County" is a song written by Roger Bowling and Billy Edd Wheeler, and recorded by American country music singer Kenny Rogers. The song was released in November 1979 as the second single from Rogers' multi-platinum album ''Kenny''. ...

," becomes top

artist.

1980s

1980 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1980. Events * January 25 — At age 84, octogenarian comedian George Burns becomes by far the oldest performer (to that time) to have a single in the top 40 of '' ...

, Debuts of movies about country music and/or country singers in leading roles ('' Coal Miner's Daughter'', ''

Urban Cowboy ''Urban Cowboy'' is a 1980 American romantic Western film directed by James Bridges. The plot concerns the love-hate relationship between Buford Uan "Bud" Davis (John Travolta) and Sissy (Debra Winger). The film's success was credited for spur ...

''); nomination of two country songs for Academy Award for Best Original Song;

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County , LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham , area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...

signs with

RCA Records RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also A ...

and begins long-term success. Death of

Red Sovine Woodrow Wilson "Red" Sovine (July 7, 1917 – April 4, 1980) was an American country music singer and songwriter associated with truck driving songs, particularly those recited as narratives but set to music. His most noted examples are "Giddy ...

. * 1981 in country music, Rise of

neotraditional country Neotraditional country (also known as new traditional country and hardcore country) is a country music style that emphasizes the instrumental background and a traditional country vocal style. Neo-traditional country artists often dress in the fash ...

with debuts of George Strait, John Anderson, and

Ricky Skaggs Rickie Lee Skaggs (born July 18, 1954), known professionally as Ricky Skaggs, is an American neotraditional country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, ...

;

The Oak Ridge Boys The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet originating in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in Southern gospel during the 1950s. Their name was chang ...

release their biggest hit song, "

Elvira Elvira is a female given name. First recorded in medieval Spain, it is likely of Germanic (Gothic) origin. Elvira may refer to: People Nobility * Elvira Menéndez (died 921), daughter of Hermenegildo Gutiérrez and wife of Ordoño II of Leó ...

," while Eddie Rabbitt enjoys crossover success with "

I Love a Rainy Night "I Love a Rainy Night" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Eddie Rabbitt. It was released in November 1980 as the second single from his album '' Horizon''. It reached number one on the Hot Country Singles, ''Billb ...

" and " Step By Step" during second peak wave of songs crossing over to pop charts.

becomes first artist to win back to back Entertainer of the Year award 1980-1981 from CMA & ACM. * 1982 in country music,

wins first CMA "Entertainer of the Year" award;

's " Always on My Mind" is a major

hit; death of

. *

1983 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1983. Events * March — In a span of two days, two major cable networks signed on the air. Country Music Television (CMT) went on-the-air March 5, while The Nashvil ...

, CMT,

The Nashville Network The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, game shows, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows. On Septembe ...

premiere on cable television;

The Judds The Judds were an American country music duo composed of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. The duo signed to RCA Nashville in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most success ...

sign national recording contract;

and

duet " Islands in the Stream" becomes a

smash. * 1984 in country music,

Julio Iglesias Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva (; born 23 September 1943) is a Spanish singer, songwriter and former professional footballer. Iglesias is recognized as the most commercially successful Spanish singer in the world and one of the top record ...

duet "

To All the Girls I've Loved Before "To All the Girls I've Loved Before" is a song written by Hal David (words) and Albert Hammond (music). It was originally recorded by Hammond in 1975 on his album ''99 Miles From L.A.'', but is more famous for a 1984 recording by Julio Iglesias ...

records video for " All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight". * 1985 in country music, ''

'' declares country music "dead";

sets a new ''

Hot Country Singles Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by ''Billboard'' magazine in the United States. This 50-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly by collecting airplay data from Nielsen BDS along with digital sa ...

record for most consecutive No. 1 singles without a miss. * 1986 in country music, Debuts of Randy Travis,

Dwight Yoakam Dwight David Yoakam (born October 23, 1956) is an American singer-songwriter, actor, and film director. He first achieved mainstream attention in 1986 with the release of his debut album ''Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.''. Yoakam had considerabl ...

and others reinvigorate country music;

leaves ''

''; no multi-week No. 1 songs on ''Billboard'' country chart; Columbia Records drops Johnny Cash after 28 years. Conway Twitty has last No. 1 hit, " Desperado Love". * 1987 in country music, Reba McEntire wins unprecedented fourth Female Vocalist of the Year award from the Country Music Association;

K. T. Oslin Kay Toinette Oslin (May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer-songwriter. She had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. Oslin had four number one hits and ...

becomes a star in her late 40s, a first for a country female vocalist. * 1988 in country music, chronicling the history of country music on

compact disc The compact disc (CD) is a digital optical disc data storage format that was co-developed by Philips and Sony to store and play digital audio recordings. In August 1982, the first compact disc was manufactured. It was then released in Oc ...

(among the first being the Country USA series);

's last No. 1 hit. * 1989 in country music, The rise and chart debuts of Garth Brooks,

Clint Black Clint Patrick Black (born February 4, 1962) is an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. Signed to RCA Nashville in 1989, Black's debut album '' Killin' Time'' produced four straight number one singles on the ...

Travis Tritt James Travis Tritt (born February 9, 1963) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1989, releasing seven studio albums and a greatest hits package for the label between then and 1999. In the 20 ...

and

Alan Jackson Alan Eugene Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American singer-songwriter. He is known for blending traditional honky-tonk and mainstream country pop sounds (for a style widely regarded as "neotraditional country"), as well as penning many ...

; death of Keith Whitley; Ronnie Milsap has last No. 1 hit, "

A Woman in Love "A Woman in Love" is a popular song. It was written by Frank Loesser and published in 1955. It was introduced in Samuel Goldwyn's 1955 cinematic adaptation of the Broadway musical ''Guys and Dolls'', for which Loesser contributed three new son ...

1990s

1990 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1990. Events * January 20 — Billboard magazine begins basing the Hot Country Singles chart entirely on radio airplay through Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems (BDS), w ...

, Resurgence in multi-week No. 1s ("

Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" is a song written by Hugh Prestwood, and recorded by American country music singer Randy Travis. It was released in January 1990 as the second single from the album ''No Holdin' Back''. "Hard Rock Bottom of Your H ...

", "

Love Without End, Amen "Love Without End, Amen" is a song written by Aaron Barker, and recorded by American country music singer George Strait. It was released in April 1990 as the lead-off single from the album '' Livin' It Up'' and became Strait's biggest hit ever. ...

"). *

1991 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1991. Events * March 16 — The country music world is stunned when seven members of Reba McEntire's band and her road manager are killed in a plane crash in Californi ...

, Debuts of

Diamond Rio Diamond Rio is an American country music band. The band was founded in 1982 as an attraction for the Opryland USA theme park in Nashville, Tennessee, and was originally known as the Grizzly River Boys, then the Tennessee River Boys. It was fou ...

Trisha Yearwood Patricia Lynn Yearwood (born September 19, 1964) is an American singer, actress, author and television personality. She rose to fame with her 1991 debut single " She's in Love with the Boy," which became a number one hit on the ''Billboard'' c ...

Hal Ketchum Hal Michael Ketchum (April 9, 1953November 23, 2020) was an American country music singer and songwriter. He released eleven studio albums from 1986 to 2014, including nine for divisions of Curb Records. Ketchum's 1991 album ''Past the Point of ...

, Davis Daniel,

Brooks & Dunn Brooks & Dunn are an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. The duo was founded in 1990 through the suggestion of Tim DuBois. Before their formation, both members were so ...

B. B. Watson Haskell Burl "B. B." Watson (July 10, 1953 – September 28, 2013) was an American country music artist. He charted in 1991 with the single "Light at the End of the Tunnel" from his album of the same name. Biography Haskell Burl Watson was bor ...

Sammy Kershaw Samuel Paul Kershaw (born February 24, 1958) is an American country music artist. He has released 16 studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications among them. More than 25 singles have entered the Top 40 on the ...

and

Tracy Lawrence Tracy Lee Lawrence (born January 27, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and record producer. Born in Atlanta, Texas, and raised in Foreman, Arkansas, Lawrence began performing at age 15 and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in ...

; ''

Ropin' the Wind ''Ropin' the Wind'' is the third studio album by the American country music artist Garth Brooks. It was released on September 2, 1991, and was his first studio album to debut at No. 1 the ''Billboard'' 200 chart and the Top Country Albums chart. ...

'' by Garth Brooks debuts at No. 1 on pop album chart, deaths of

Dottie West Dorothy Marie Marsh West (October 11, 1932 – September 4, 1991) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and fellow recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most in ...

and

Tennessee Ernie Ford Ernest Jennings Ford (February 13, 1919 – October 17, 1991), known professionally as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American singer and television host who enjoyed success in the country and western, pop, and gospel musical genres. Noted for h ...

. *

1992 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1992. Events * January — After 23 years of its tried-and-true formula, the producers of ''Hee Haw'' unveil an extensively revamped show in time for the start of its ...

, ''

'' ends first-run production; the rise of

line dancing A line dance is a choreographed dance in which a group of people dance along to a repeating sequence of steps while arranged in one or more lines or rows. These lines usually face all in the same direction, or less commonly face each other.Knight ...

and related hit singles, particularly "

Achy Breaky Heart Achy may refer to: * Suffering from pain Pain is a distressing feeling often caused by intense or damaging stimuli. The International Association for the Study of Pain defines pain as "an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associate ...

" and " Boot-Scootin' Boogie". Deaths of Roy Acuff and Roger Miller. Chart debut of

John Michael Montgomery John Michael Montgomery (born January 20, 1965) is an American country music singer. Montgomery began singing with his brother Eddie, who would later become known as one half of the duo Montgomery Gentry, before beginning his major-label solo c ...

. *

1993 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1993. Events * December 28 – Newcomer Shania Twain and record producer and songwriter Robert John "Mutt" Lange are married. Twain had just released her first album ...

, Deaths of Conway Twitty and David Houston; marriage of

Shania Twain Eilleen Regina "Shania" Twain ( , ; née Edwards; born August 28, 1965) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 100 million records, making her the best-selling female artist in country music history and one of the best-s ...

Robert Lange The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

; Chart debut of

Toby Keith Toby Keith Covel (born July 8, 1961), known professionally as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer. He released his first four studio albums—1993's '' Toby Keith'', 1994's '' Boomtown'', 19 ...

. * 1994 in country music, The push for more pop-influenced country (tied to the success of Garth Brooks and rise of newcomers

Faith Hill Audrey Faith McGraw (; born September 21, 1967), known professionally as Faith Hill, is an American singer and actress. She is one of the most successful country music artists of all time, having sold more than 40 million albums worldwide. Hill' ...

and

Tim McGraw Samuel Timothy McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He has released 16 studio albums (11 for Curb Records, four for Big Machine Records and one for Arista Nashville). 10 of those album ...

); the comeback of Johnny Cash. Chart debut of

Kenny Chesney Kenneth Arnold Chesney (born March 26, 1968) is an American country music singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has recorded more than 20 albums and has produced more than 40 Top 10 singles on the US ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs and Country ...

. *

1995 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1995. Events * February - Western Flyer releases " Cherokee Highway", a song against interracial violence. While the song does not chart, Martin Luther King Jr.'s wi ...

, The rise of

; death of Charlie Rich;

Great American Country Great American Family is an American cable television network. Owned by Great American Media, it broadcasts family-oriented general entertainment programming, including television series and made-for-TV movies. It was originally established in ...

premieres. *

1996 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1996. Events *June 28 — First annual Country Stampede Music Festival begins * October 6 — Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are married, and quickly become country music' ...

, Marriage of

and

; deaths of Gus Hardin and

Faron Young Faron Young (February 25, 1932 – December 10, 1996) was an American country music producer, musician, and songwriter from the early 1950s into the mid-1980s. Hits including "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')" and "Live Fast, Love Hard, Di ...

. * 1997 in country music, Six weeks at No. 1 for "

It's Your Love "It's Your Love" is a song written by Stephony Smith and originally recorded by American country music artist Tim McGraw. It was released in May 1997 as the first single from his album '' Everywhere''. The song, featuring wife Faith Hill, reached ...

's ''

Come On Over ''Come On Over'' is the third studio album by Canadian country music singer Shania Twain. It was released on November 4, 1997, by Mercury Records. Produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, the album became the best-selling country album, the best ...

'' is released;

retires. Deaths of

Bobby Helms Robert Lee Helms (August 15, 1933 – June 19, 1997) was an American country singer, who is best remembered for his 1957 Christmas hit "Jingle Bell Rock". Additionally, he had two other hit records from that year: " Fraulein" and "My Special Ang ...

and John Denver. *

1998 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1998. Events *January 10 — "Retro Country USA," a weekly two-hour syndicated radio program spotlighting major country hits of the 1980s (along with some from the 1 ...

, Deaths of

, Eddie Rabbitt, Carl Perkins and Gene Autry. " This Kiss" by

, "

You're Still the One "You're Still the One" is a song recorded by Canadian singer Shania Twain. It was released as the third single from her third studio album '' Come On Over'' (1997). The song was written by Twain and Robert John "Mutt" Lange and produced by Lange ...

" by

become major

hits, rekindling debate over pop-influenced country music. * 1999 in country music, Lonestar's "

Amazed "Amazed" is a song by American country music group Lonestar, released on March 22, 1999, for country radio as the second single from their third studio album '' Lonely Grill'' (1999). The power ballad is the band's longest-lasting number one sin ...

" spends eight weeks at No. 1, and becomes a major pop hit. Deaths of Hoyt Axton,

Rex Allen Rex Elvie Allen (December 31, 1920 – December 17, 1999), known as "the Arizona Cowboy", was an American film and television actor, singer and songwriter; he was also the narrator of many Disney nature and Western productions. For his contribut ...

and

2000s

* 2000 in country music,

's breakthrough;

Vince Gill Vincent Grant Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter and musician. He has achieved commercial success and fame both as frontman of the country rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s and as a solo artist ...

and

Amy Grant Amy Lee Grant (born November 25, 1960) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. She began in contemporary Christian music (CCM) before crossing over to pop music in the 1980s and 1990s. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christia ...

marry;

becomes the oldest singer to have a No. 1 song; Garth Brooks announces plans for retirement;

Rascal Flatts Rascal Flatts is an American country music band founded in 1999. The band members were Gary LeVox (lead vocals), Jay DeMarcus (bass guitar, background vocals), and Joe Don Rooney (lead guitar, background vocals). DeMarcus is LeVox's second cou ...

' debut album released;

RFD-TV RFD-TV is an American pay television channel owned by Rural Media Group, Inc. The channel features programming devoted to rural issues, concerns and interests. The channel's name is a reference to Rural Free Delivery, the name for the United St ...

, a cable/satellite TV network focusing on farming and rural living but also features reruns of classic country music TV programming, is launched. * 2001 in country music, Tributes to those killed in

September 11, 2001 The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. That morning, nineteen terrorists hijacked four commerc ...

terrorist attacks. Death of Johnny Russell. * 2002 in country music,

Natalie Maines Natalie Louise Maines (born October 14, 1974) is an American singer. She is the lead vocalist for the all-female country band The Chicks. In 1995, after leaving Berklee College of Music, Maines was recruited by the Dixie Chicks to replace their ...

feud; comeback albums from

and the

Dixie Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and ...

The Statler Brothers The Statler Brothers (sometimes simply referred to as The Statlers) were an American country music, gospel, and vocal group. The quartet was formed in 1955 performing locally, and from 1964 to 1972, they sang as opening act and backup singers fo ...

final concert and retirement. Death of

. *

2003 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2003. Events *March 10 – During a concert in London, England, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines said that the band was "ashamed the President of the United St ...

' "

I Melt "I Melt" is a song written by Gary LeVox, Wendell Mobley, and Neil Thrasher and recorded by American country music group Rascal Flatts. It was released in July 2003 as the third single from the band’s 2002 album ''Melt (Rascal Flatts album), Melt ...

" video and

controversies; deaths of

Don Gibson Donald Eugene Gibson (April 3, 1928 – November 17, 2003) was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson wrote such country standards as " Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoy ...

Johnny Paycheck Johnny Paycheck (born Donald Eugene Lytle; May 31, 1938 – February 19, 2003) was an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member notable for recording the David Allan Coe song " Take This Job and Shove It". He achieved his greate ...

, Johnny Cash and

June Carter Cash June Carter Cash (born Valerie June Carter; June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was an American singer, songwriter and dancer. A five-time Grammy award-winner, she was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash. Prio ...

; 70-year-old

has No. 1 hit. *

2004 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2004. Top hits of the year The following songs placed within the Top 20 on the Hot Country Songs charts in 2004: Top new album releases The following albums placed within ...

, Invasion of the

MuzikMafia The MuzikMafia was an informal collection of American country music artists, founded in October 2001 in Nashville, Tennessee by Big Kenny and John Rich (who compose the duo Big & Rich), along with Jon Nicholson and Cory Gierman. They have been the ...

; death of Opry star

. *

2005 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2005. Events *April 30 – ''Billboard magazine'' renames the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart "Hot Country Songs." The chart's renaming is part of a major redesign ...

, Carrie Underwood wins ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...

''; Garth Brooks marries

; ''

Walk the Line ''Walk the Line'' is a 2005 American biographical musical romantic drama film directed by James Mangold. The screenplay, written by Mangold and Gill Dennis, is based on two autobiographies authored by singer-songwriter Johnny Cash, 1975's '' M ...

'' biopic released; death of Chris LeDoux. *

2006 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2006. Events * January 14 – With the song, "She Let Herself Go", George Strait scores his 40th No. 1 hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart, all of them so ...

, George Strait's 41st number one hit on the ''Billboard'' charts; new host for "

"; deaths of

, Johnny Duncan and Freddie Fender. * 2007 in country music, Country music's big night at the

Grammys The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

; Garth Brooks' record-breaking hit single; deaths of

Henson Cargill Henson Cargill (February 5, 1941 – March 24, 2007) was an American country music singer best known for the socially controversial 1968 Country No. 1 hit " Skip a Rope". His music career began in Oklahoma in clubs around Oklahoma City and Tuls ...

Del Reeves Franklin Delano Reeves (July 14, 1933 – January 1, 2007) was an American country music singer, best known for his "girl-watching" novelty songs of the 1960s including "Girl on the Billboard" and "The Belles of Southern Bell". He is also know ...

and Hank Thompson. * 2008 in country music, George Strait sets new record with 56 number one singles; deaths of

and

Jerry Reed Jerry Reed Hubbard (March 20, 1937 – September 1, 2008) was an American singer, guitarist, composer, and songwriter as well as an actor who appeared in more than a dozen films. His signature songs included " Guitar Man", " U.S. Male", "A Thi ...

; rise of

Taylor Swift Taylor Alison Swift (born December 13, 1989) is an American singer-songwriter. Her discography spans multiple genres, and her vivid songwriting—often inspired by her personal life—has received critical praise and wide media coverage. Bor ...

as a major

artist;

and

Robert John "Mutt" Lange Robert John "Mutt" Lange (born 11 November 1948) is a South African record producer and songwriter, mainly known for his work in rock music as well as his previous marriage to Canadian singer Shania Twain, for whom he wrote and produced several ...

separate after 14 years of marriage. *

2009 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2009. Events *August – After 36 years of using the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs chart as the basis of its program, ''American Country Countdown'' begins using the Mediaba ...

announces their break up; Garth Brooks comes out of retirement;

Kanye West Ye ( ; born Kanye Omari West ; June 8, 1977) is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer. Born in Atlanta and raised in Chicago, West gained recognition as a producer for Roc-A-Fella Records in the ea ...

conflict at an MTV awards show; deaths of

Ernest Ashworth Ernest Bert Ashworth (December 15, 1928 – March 2, 2009) was an American country music singer, broadcaster, and longtime Grand Ole Opry star. Signed to the Hickory label, he recorded two studio albums in his career and charted several singl ...

Vern Gosdin Vernon Gosdin (August 5, 1934 – April 28, 2009) was an American country music singer. He had 19 top-10 solo hits on the country music charts from 1977 through 1990. Three of these hits went to Number One: " I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You ...

Dan Seals Danny Wayland Seals (February 8, 1948 – March 25, 2009) was an American musician. The younger brother of Seals and Crofts member Jim Seals, he first gained fame as one half of the soft rock duo England Dan & John Ford Coley, who charted ...

and Opry star

Hank Locklin Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin; February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer-songwriter. He had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on ''Billboard''s country chart. His biggest hits included ...

2010s

2010 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2010. Events * January 31 – Taylor Swift becomes the youngest person to win the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for her sophomore country album ''Fearless'' (2008 ...

wins four

Grammy Award The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pr ...

s including Album of the Year; Carrie Underwood becomes the first woman in history to win the ACM's Entertainer of the Year award twice;

Flooding A flood is an overflow of water ( or rarely other fluids) that submerges land that is usually dry. In the sense of "flowing water", the word may also be applied to the inflow of the tide. Floods are an area of study of the discipline hydrolog ...

on the Cumberland River in Nashville damages parts of the city including the

Grand Ole Opry House The ''Grand Ole Opry'' is a weekly American country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, founded on November 28, 1925, by George D. Hay as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM. Currently owned and operated by Opry Entertainment (a divi ...

; deaths of

Hank Cochran Garland Perry "Hank" Cochran (August 2, 1935 – July 15, 2010) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Starting during the 1960s, Cochran was a prolific songwriter in the genre, including major hits by Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Eddy ...

, Carl Smith and

Jimmy Dean Jimmy Ray Dean (August 10, 1928 – June 13, 2010) was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. He was the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand as well as the spokesman for its TV commercials. He became ...

; " Need You Now" by

Lady Antebellum Lady A (formerly known as Lady Antebellum) is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006. The group is composed of Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals), Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals, guitar) ...

becomes

smash. *

2011 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 2011. Events * January 1 – Shania Twain marries Swiss businessman Frédéric Thiébaud in Puerto Rico, less than two weeks after announcing the two were engaged. Al ...

, marriage of

Blake Shelton Blake Tollison Shelton (born June 18, 1976) is an American country music singer and television personality. In 2001, he made his debut with the single "Austin". The lead-off single from his self-titled debut album, "Austin" spent five weeks at ...

and

Miranda Lambert Miranda Leigh Lambert (born November 10, 1983) is an American country singer and guitarist. Born in Longview, Texas, she started out in early 2001 when she released her self-titled debut album independently. In 2003, she finished in third place o ...

;

Glen Campbell Glen Travis Campbell (April 22, 1936 – August 8, 2017) was an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, actor and television host. He was best known for a series of hit songs in the 1960s and 1970s, and for hosting '' The Glen Campbell Good ...

announcement that he has Alzheimer's, plans to retire; deaths of

Mel McDaniel Melvin Huston McDaniel (September 6, 1942 – March 31, 2011) was an American country music artist. Many of his top hits were released in the 1980s, including " Louisiana Saturday Night", " Big Ole Brew", " Stand Up", " Baby's Got Her Blue Jea ...

and

Billie Jo Spears Billie Jo Spears (born Billie Joe Moore; January 14, 1938 – December 14, 2011) was an American country music singer. She reached the top 10 of the country music chart five times between 1969 and 1977, her biggest being "Blanket on the Ground", ...

;

wins five Grammy Awards including Record and Song of the Year;

Scotty McCreery Scott Cooke McCreery (born October 9, 1993) is an American country music singer. He rose to fame after winning the tenth season of ''American Idol'' on May 25, 2011. His debut studio album, '' Clear as Day'', was released in October 2011 and w ...

wins ''

''. “

Red Solo Cup "Red Solo Cup" is a song written by Brett Warren, Brad Warren, Brett Beavers, and Jim Beavers and recorded by American country music singer Toby Keith. It was released on October 10, 2011 as the second single from Keith’s 2011 album ''Clancy's ...

” by

becomes a viral and crossover hit upon release. *

2012 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2012. Events * February 29 – Branson, Missouri, a city famous for its country music-oriented tourist attractions, sustained damage from the Leap Day tornadoes. Three of Bran ...

and George Strait announce plans to retire from touring; Garth Brooks elected to

; ''Billboard'' makes changes to the Hot Country Songs chart; death of

. * 2013 in country music,

Nash FM Nash or NASH may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Nash, Buckinghamshire * Nash, London, a hamlet near Keston in the London Borough of Bromley *Nash, Newport, Wales * Nash, south Shropshire, a small village and parish in southern Shropshire * Nas ...

debuts; deaths of

Mindy McCready Malinda Gayle McCready (November 30, 1975 – February 17, 2013) was an American country music singer. Active from 1995 until her death in 2013, she recorded a total of five studio albums. Her debut album, 1996's ''Ten Thousand Angels'', wa ...

Tompall Glaser Thomas Paul "Tompall" Glaser (September 3, 1933 – August 12, 2013) was an American outlaw country music artist. Biography Glaser was born in Spalding, Nebraska, the son of Alice Harriet Marie (née Davis) and Louis Nicholas Glaser. He was ...

Jack Greene Jack Henry Greene (January 7, 1930 – March 14, 2013) was an American country musician. Nicknamed the "Jolly Greene Giant" due to his height and deep voice, Greene was a long time member of the Grand Ole Opry. A three-time Grammy Award nomin ...

Claude King Claude King (February 5, 1923 – March 7, 2013) was an American country music singer and songwriter, best known for his million selling 1962 hit, "Wolverton Mountain". Biography King was born in Keithville in southern Caddo Parish south ...

Cal Smith Calvin Grant Shofner (April 7, 1932 – October 10, 2013), known professionally as Cal Smith, was an American country musician, most famous for his 1974 hits "Country Bumpkin" and " It's Time to Pay the Fiddler". Career Calvin Grant Shofner was ...

and Ray Price; Price's brief feud with

; " Cruise" by

Florida Georgia Line Florida Georgia Line is an American country music duo founded in 2010 by Tyler Hubbard of Georgia and Brian Kelley of Florida, both of whom are vocalists and songwriters. Their 2012 debut single "Cruise" broke two major sales records: it was d ...

breaks chart records. *

2014 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2014. Events * January 15 – Trace Adkins enters alcohol rehabilitation after an alleged altercation with a celebrity impersonator on a cruise ship. * January 22 – The fir ...

, George Strait retires from touring; Garth Brooks releases new album and begins world tour; Carrie Underwood announces pregnancy;

begins making pop orientated music; deaths of

George Hamilton IV George Hege Hamilton IV (July 19, 1937 – September 17, 2014) was an American country musician. He began performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol, switching to country music in the early 1960s. Biography Hamilton was born in Winston-Salem, ...

, Jimmy C. Newman,

Dawn Sears Dawn Sears (December 7, 1961 – December 11, 2014) was an American country music artist. In addition to her work as a backing vocalist in Vince Gill's band, she recorded four solo studio albums, of which two were released on major labels. She ...

, Kevin Sharp and Phil Everly of

The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. Consisting of Isaac Donald "Don" Everly (February 1, 1937 – August 21, 2021) and Phillip "Phil" Everly (January 19, 193 ...

. * 2015 in country music, Keith Hill controversy;

Cledus T. Judd James Barry Poole (born December 18, 1964) is an American country music artist who records under the name Cledus T. Judd. Known primarily for his parodies of popular country songs, he has been called the "Weird Al" Yankovic of country music, and ...

retires;

and

divorce; deaths of Lynn Anderson,

Jim Ed Brown James Edward Brown (April 1, 1934 – June 11, 2015) was an American country singer-songwriter who achieved fame in the 1950s with his two sisters as a member of the Browns. He later had a successful solo career from 1965 to 1974, followed by ...

Little Jimmy Dickens James Cecil Dickens (December 19, 1920 – January 2, 2015), better known by his stage name Little Jimmy Dickens, was an American country music singer and songwriter famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size (4'11" 50 cm, and h ...

and

Daron Norwood Daron Jay Norwood (September 30, 1965 – July 22, 2015) was an American country music singer. He released two albums for Giant Records and charted six times on Hot Country Songs. Musical career Signed to Giant Records in 1993, he released tw ...

. *

2016 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2016. Events *January 7 – Rachel Reinert announces that she is leaving the band Gloriana (band), Gloriana. *January 26 – Thomas Rhett's "Die a Happy Man" spends a sixth wee ...

, Release of "

Forever Country "Forever Country" is a 2016 mashup performed by "Artists of Then, Now & Forever," a one-time gathering of 30 country music artists. The song combines elements of three previous country hits: John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" (1971), Willi ...

"; deaths of Joey Martin Feek,

Holly Dunn Holly Suzette Dunn (August 22, 1957 – November 14, 2016) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Dunn recorded for MTM Records between 1985 and 1988, Warner Bros. Records between 1988 and 1993, and River North Records between 1995 ...

Glenn Frey Glenn Lewis Frey (; November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016) was an American singer, guitarist and a founding member of the rock band Eagles. Frey was the co-lead singer and frontman for the Eagles, roles he came to share with fellow member Don H ...

and

Jean Shepard Ollie Imogene "Jean" Shepard (November 21, 1933 – September 25, 2016) was an American honky-tonk singer-songwriter who pioneered for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which ...

. *

2017 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2017. Events * April 3 – Luke Bryan's " Fast" reaches No. 1 on Country Airplay, making Bryan the first artist ever to achieve six No. 1 singles from the same al ...

, Landmark chart accomplishments for Luke Bryan (most No. 1 hits from a single album) and

Sam Hunt Sam Lowry Hunt (born December 8, 1984) is an American singer and songwriter. Born in Cedartown, Georgia, Hunt played football in his high school and college years and once attempted to pursue a professional sports career before signing with MCA ...

(longest run for a song at No. 1); deaths of

Don Williams Donald Ray Williams (May 27, 1939 – September 8, 2017) was an American country singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing seventeen number ...

, Troy Gentry (of

Montgomery Gentry Montgomery Gentry is an American country music duo founded by singers Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, both Kentucky natives. They began performing together in the 1990s as part of two different bands with Montgomery's brother, John Michael Mo ...

) and

Mel Tillis Lonnie Melvin Tillis (August 8, 1932 – November 19, 2017) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s as part of the outlaw country movement, ...

; Las Vegas shooting,

suffers a stroke at home in

Hurricane Mills, TN Hurricane Mills is an unincorporated community in Humphreys County, Tennessee, United States. Its ZIP code is 37078. The community is centered on Loretta Lynn's Ranch, which features a small number of businesses and a post office. Each year, the ...

. * 2018 in country music, " Meant to Be" sets No. 1 longevity bar at 50 weeks; deaths of

Lari White Lari Michele White Cannon (, ; May 13, 1965 – January 23, 2018) was an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her debut in 1988 after winning ''You Can Be a Star'', a televised talent competition ...

Daryle Singletary Daryle Bruce Singletary (March 10, 1971 – February 12, 2018) was an American country music singer. Between 1995 and 1998, he recorded for Giant Records, for which he released three studio albums: '' Daryle Singletary'' in 1995, '' All Because ...

Freddie Hart Frederick Segrest (December 21, 1926 – October 27, 2018), known professionally as Freddie Hart, was an American country musician and songwriter best known for his chart-topping country song and lone pop hit "Easy Loving," which won the Co ...

and Roy Clark. * 2019 in country music,

Kacey Musgraves Kacey Lee Musgraves (born August 21, 1988) is an American country singer. She has won six Grammy Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards, and three Academy of Country Music Awards. Musgraves self-released three solo albums and one as Texa ...

wins four

s, including Album of the Year; "

Old Town Road "Old Town Road" is the debut single of American rapper Lil Nas X, first released independently in December 2018. After gaining popularity, the single was re-released by Columbia Records in March 2019. Lil Nas X also recorded a remix with America ...

" chart controversy and related rise of trap country;

announces he has Alzheimer's; deaths of Sanger D. Shafer,

Jim Glaser James William Glaser (December 16, 1937 – April 6, 2019) was an American country music artist. He was born in Spalding, Nebraska. Biography The brother of country singers Chuck and Tompall Glaser, he performed as both a solo artist and alo ...

Earl Thomas Conley Earl Thomas Conley (October 17, 1941 – April 10, 2019)Wood, Gerry. (1998). "Earl Thomas Conley". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 108. was an American country music singer-songwriter. Between ...

and

2020s

* 2020 in country music, Deaths of

Billy Joe Shaver Billy Joe Shaver (August 16, 1939 – October 28, 2020) was an American outlaw country singer and songwriter, as well as an actor. Biography Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas, and raised by his mother, Victory Watson Shaver. Until he was 12 ...

Joe Diffie Joe Logan Diffie (December 28, 1958 – March 29, 2020) was an American country music singer and songwriter. After working as a demo (music), demo singer in the mid 1980s, he signed with Epic Records' Nashville division in 1990. Between then and ...

Charlie Daniels Charles Edward Daniels (October 28, 1936 – July 6, 2020) was an American singer, musician, and songwriter. His music fused rock, country, blues and jazz, pioneering Southern rock. He was best known for his number-one country hit "The De ...

, Mac Davis,

John Prine John Edward Prine (; October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter of country-folk music. He was active as a composer, recording artist, live performer, and occasional actor from the early 1970s until his death. He ...

Jan Howard Jan Howard (born Lula Grace Johnson; March 13, 1929 – March 28, 2020) was an American country music singer and songwriter. As a singer, she placed 30 singles on the ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' Hot Country Songs, country songs chart, w ...

, Johnny Bush,

Doug Supernaw Douglas Anderson Supernaw (September 26, 1960November 13, 2020) was an American country music artist. After several years performing as a local musician throughout the state of Texas, he signed with BNA Records in 1993. Supernaw released four st ...

and

; ongoing

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identi ...

impacts multiple events, concerts;

Lady A Lady A (formerly known as Lady Antebellum) is an American country music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2006. The group is composed of Hillary Scott (lead and background vocals), Charles Kelley (lead and background vocals, guitar), ...

The Chicks The Chicks (previously known as Dixie Chicks) are an American country music band from Dallas, Texas. Since 1995, the band has consisted of Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar) and sisters Martie Maguire (vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar) and Em ...

change to their new names following racial unrest. *

2021 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2021. Events * January 4 – Florida Georgia Line duo members Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley announce plans to release solo music, but will not be separating. * January 20 � ...

, Deaths of

Ed Bruce William Edwin Bruce Jr. (December 29, 1939 – January 8, 2021) was an American country music songwriter, singer, and actor. He was known for writing the 1975 song "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" and recording the 1982 co ...

, Jamie O'Hara of

The O'Kanes The O'Kanes were an American country music duo composed of Jamie O'Hara and Kieran Kane, both vocalists and guitarists. Active between 1986 and 1990, the duo recorded three albums for Columbia Records and charted seven singles on the '' Billboar ...

, Misty Morgan of

Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan were an American country music duo from Florida consisting of guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist Jack Blanchard (born May 8, 1942) and his wife, keyboardist/vocalist Misty Morgan (May 23, 1945 – January 1, 2021). The du ...

, B. J. Thomas, Tom T. Hall, Don Everly of

and Stonewall Jackson;

begins to re-release her country albums and her re-recorded version of " Love Story" returned to number one on the country charts. *

2022 in country music This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2022. Events * January 15 – Jay Barker, husband of Sara Evans, is arrested on domestic violence charges against Evans. At the time of the charge, reports indicate that the cou ...

, Deaths of

Dallas Frazier Dallas Frazier (October 27, 1939 – January 14, 2022) was an American country musician and songwriter who had success in the 1950s and 1960s. Life and career Frazier was born in Spiro, Oklahoma, on October 27, 1939, but was raised in Bakersfi ...

, Scotty Wray of The Wrays, Warner Mack, Jimbeau Henson, Brad Martin, Jeff Carson, C. W. McCall,

Shane Yellowbird Shane Yellowbird (July 7, 1979April 25, 2022) was a Canadian country music singer-songwriter from Hobbema, Alberta. A Cree, in 2007, he was named the Aboriginal Entertainer of the Year at the Aboriginal People's Choice Music Awards, Chevy Truck ...

Naomi Judd Naomi Judd (born Diana Ellen Judd; January 11, 1946 – April 30, 2022) was an American singer and actress. In 1980, she and her daughter Wynonna (born Christina Claire) formed the duo known as The Judds, which became a very successful country ...

Mickey Gilley Mickey Leroy Gilley (March 9, 1936 – May 7, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. Although he started out singing straight-up country and western material in the 1970s, he moved towards a more pop-friendly sound in the 19 ...

Deborah McCrary The McCrary Sisters are an American gospel music quartet from Nashville, Tennessee, formed in 2010 by sisters Ann McCrary, Deborah McCrary, Regina McCrary, and Alfreda McCrary. They have released four studio albums and one live album: ''Our Journ ...

, Joel Whitburn,

, Luke Bell,

, and

Jeff Cook Jeffrey Alan Cook (August 27, 1949 – November 7, 2022) was an American country music artist. He was best known for being a founding member of the band Alabama, in which he contributed to lead vocals, guitar, fiddle, piano and other musical in ...

of Alabama;

diagnosed with stomach cancer.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Country music by year Country music by year, Music-related lists, Country music years