1953 in country music
Encyclopedia
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1953.
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^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard
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Events
- January 1 — Hank Williams, due to play a New Year's Day show in Canton, OhioCanton, OhioCanton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, dies sometime after midnight in the rear seat of his CadillacCadillacCadillac is an American luxury vehicle marque owned by General Motors . Cadillac vehicles are sold in over 50 countries and territories, but mostly in North America. Cadillac is currently the second oldest American automobile manufacturer behind fellow GM marque Buick and is among the oldest...
, somewhere between Knoxville, TennesseeKnoxville, TennesseeFounded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
and Oak Hill, West VirginiaOak Hill, West VirginiaOak Hill is a city in Fayette County, West Virginia, United States and is the primary city within the Oak Hill, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area. The micropolitan area is also included in the Beckley-Oak Hill, WV Combined Statistical Area. The population was 7,589 at the 2000 census...
. He was 29. Stories conflict on what happened in the final hours of his life, but what is not disputed is that his death gave rise to the legend. In the 50-plus years following his death, Williams' songs would be covered countless times, singers and songwriters would directly cite him as an influence, and his son - Hank Williams, Jr.Hank Williams, Jr.Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
, would become a star in his own right. Ironically, the last song released in his lifetime was "I'll Never Get Out of This World AliveI'll Never Get Out of This World Alive"I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" is a song written by Fred Rose and American country music singer-songwriter Hank Williams, released by Williams in 1952. The last single to be released during Williams' lifetime, it reached #1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart posthumously in January...
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United States
(as certified by BillboardBillboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
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| Date | Single Name | Artist | Wks. No.1 | Spec. Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 10 | Midnight Midnight (Red Foley song) "Midnight" is a 1952 single by Red Foley. "Midnight" would be Red Foley's ninth number one on the Country & Western charts, spending one week at number one and a total of eleven weeks on the chart.... |
Red Foley Red Foley Clyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II.... |
1 |
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| January 24 | I'll Go On Alone | Marty Robbins Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist... |
2 | [A], [2] |
| January 24 | I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" is a song written by Fred Rose and American country music singer-songwriter Hank Williams, released by Williams in 1952. The last single to be released during Williams' lifetime, it reached #1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart posthumously in January... |
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys | 1 |
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| January 31 | No Help Wanted | The Carlisles | 4 | [B] |
| January 31 | Eddy's Song Eddy's Song "Eddy's Song" is a 1953 single by Eddy Arnold, written by Charlie Grean and Cy Coben. "Eddy's Song" spent three weeks at number one on the Country & Western chart and spent a total of thirteen weeks on the chart.... |
Eddy Arnold Eddy Arnold Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more... |
3 | |
| February 7 | I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes" is country music song that was originally a hit for Goldie Hill in 1953.In 1952, Hill was trying to make it as a country artist after signing a contract with Decca Records that year. Her first single, 1952's "Why Talk to My Heart," was not successful... |
Goldie Hill Goldie Hill Goldie Hill , born Argolda Voncile Hill, was an American country music singer. She was one of the first women in country music, and became one of the first women to reach the top of the country music charts with her No. 1 1953 hit, "I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes"... |
3 | [B]
|
| February 21 | Kaw-Liga Kaw-Liga (song) Kaw-Liga is a country-music song written by Hank Williams and Fred Rose. Backed by the Drifting Cowboys, Hank Williams recorded the song in Nashville in September, 1952 and the single was released posthumously in January 1953 on the MGM Records label. It remained No. 1 on the Billboard Country... |
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys | 13 | [1] |
| April 11 | Your Cheatin' Heart Your Cheatin' Heart "Your Cheatin' Heart" is a song written and recorded by the American country music singer and songwriter Hank Williams in 1952, but released after his death in 1953.. It is often considered one of his greatest songs, and one of the great songs of country music... |
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys | 6 | [2] |
| May 9 | Mexican Joe Mexican Joe (song) "Mexican Joe" is 1953 single by Jim Reeves. Accompanying Jim Reeves on "Mexican Joe" were the Circle O Ranch Boys and was Jim Reeves' debut single on the country charts... |
Jim Reeves | 9 | [A], [2] |
| June 6 | Take These Chains from My Heart Take These Chains from My Heart "Take These Chains from My Heart" is a 1953 single by Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys, written by Fred Rose and Hy Heath. The song was the last of Hank Williams' country number-one hits. The song reached Number One on the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart.Cover versions of... |
Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys | 4 | [2] |
| July 11 | It's Been So Long It's Been So Long "It's Been So Long" is a 1953 single by Webb Pierce. The single was Webb Pierce's fourth number one on the country charts, staying at number one for six weeks and spending a total of twenty-two weeks on the chart. The B-side of "It's Been So Long", a song entitled, "Don't Throw Your Life Away"... |
Webb Pierce | 8 | [2] |
| August 1 | Rub-a-Dub-Dub | Hank Thompson and His Brazo Valley Boys | 3 | [2] |
| August 22 | Hey Joe Hey Joe (1953 song) "Hey Joe" is a 1953 popular song written by Boudleaux Bryant. It was recorded by Carl Smith for Columbia Records on 19 May 1953 and spent eight weeks at #1 on the U.S. country music chart... |
Carl Smith Carl Smith (country musician) Carl Milton Smith was an American country music singer. Known as "Mister Country," Smith was the husband of June Carter and Goldie Hill, the drinking companion of Johnny Cash, and the father of Carlene Carter... |
8 | [2] |
| August 29 | A Dear John Letter A Dear John Letter "A Dear John Letter", or "Dear John" is the name of a popular country music song. It was popularized by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard, and was a crossover country-pop hit in 1953.... |
Ferlin Husky Ferlin Husky Ferlin Eugene Husky was an early American country music singer who was equally adept at the genres of traditional honky honk, ballads, spoken recitations, and rockabilly pop tunes... and Jean Shepard Jean Shepard Ollie Imogene Shepard , better known as Jean Shepard, is an American honky tonk singer-songwriter who was a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the #1 spot... |
6 | [B] - Jean Shepard [2] |
| October 17 | I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" was a number one country music single for The Davis Sisters in 1953. The song, written by Cecil Null, was the first hit for the duo of Skeeter Davis and Betty Jack Davis and their only one as Betty Jack was killed in an automobile accident the week the record... |
The Davis Sisters | 8 | [B], [2]
The Judds The Judds were an American country music duo composed of Naomi Judd and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. Signed to RCA Records in 1983, the duo released six studio albums between then and 1991. One of the most successful acts in country music history, The Judds won five Grammy Awards for Best Country... with "Mama He's Crazy Mama He's Crazy "Mama He's Crazy" is the title of a song written by Kenny O'Dell and recorded by American country music duo The Judds. The song was The Judds' second country hit and the first of fourteen number one country hits. The single went to number one for one week and spent a total of fourteen weeks on the... " in 1984. Betty Jack Davis Betty Jack Davis was an American country music singer who was one half of the duet The Davis Sisters with Skeeter Davis, who was not related.-Biography:... in a car accident in August. |
| November 21 | There Stands the Glass There Stands the Glass "There Stands the Glass" is a country song that was written by Russ Hull, Mary Jean Shurtz and Audrey Greisham, and was a hit for Webb Pierce in 1953. It was Pierce's fifth release to hit number one on the country charts... |
Webb Pierce | 12 | [2] |
| December 12 | Caribbean | Mitchell Torok Mitchell Torok Mitchell Torok is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known for his 1953 hit, "Caribbean".-Biography:... |
2 | [B] |
| December 19 | Let Me Be the One Let Me Be the One (Hank Locklin song) "Let Me Be the One" is a 1953 song written by Paul Blevins, Joe Hobson and W.S. Stevenson, and made famous by up-and-coming country singer Hank Locklin. In December of that year, the song became Locklin's first No... |
Hank Locklin Hank Locklin Lawrence Hankins Locklin , better known as Hank Locklin, was an American country music singer-songwriter... |
3 | [A], [2] |
^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
.
- 2^ Song dropped from No. 1 and later returned to top spot.
- A^ First Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
- B^ Only Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
- Note: Several songs were simultaneous No. 1 hits on the separate "Most Played in Juke Boxes," "Most Played by Jockeys" and "National Best Sellers" charts.
Other major hits
| US | Single | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Bumming Around | Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean Jimmy Ray Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad... |
| 5 | Bumming Around | T. Texas Tyler T. Texas Tyler David Luke Myrick , known professionally as T. Texas Tyler, was an American country music singer and songwriter primarily known for his 1948 hit, "The Deck of Cards".-Biography:... |
| 4 | Crying in the Chapel Crying in the Chapel "Crying in the Chapel" is a song written by Artie Glenn for his son Darrell to sing. Darrell recorded it while still in high school in 1953, along with Artie's band the Rhythm Riders. It became a local hit and publishers got a hold of it and it went nationwide. He released the original version as... |
Rex Allen Rex Allen Rex Elvie Allen was an American film actor, singer and songwriter, known as the Arizona Cowboy, particularly known as the narrator in many Disney nature and Western film productions. For contributions to the recording industry, Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Family... |
| 4 | Crying in the Chapel Crying in the Chapel "Crying in the Chapel" is a song written by Artie Glenn for his son Darrell to sing. Darrell recorded it while still in high school in 1953, along with Artie's band the Rhythm Riders. It became a local hit and publishers got a hold of it and it went nationwide. He released the original version as... |
Darrell Glenn Darrell Glenn Darrell Glenn made his mark in the music business with his 1953 recording of "Crying In the Chapel", written by his dad, Artie Glenn.... |
| 7 | Dear Joan | Jack Cardwell |
| 3 | Death of Hank Williams | Jack Cardwell |
| 9 | Divorce Granted | Ernest Tubb Ernest Tubb Ernest Dale Tubb , 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" , marked the rise of the honky tonk style of music... |
| 6 | Do I Like It? | Carl Smith Carl Smith (country musician) Carl Milton Smith was an American country music singer. Known as "Mister Country," Smith was the husband of June Carter and Goldie Hill, the drinking companion of Johnny Cash, and the father of Carlene Carter... |
| 8 | Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes "Don't Let the Stars Get in Your Eyes" is an off meter ballad concerning a man away from home worried that his paramour may unwittingly stray from their relationship. The song was recorded in many different styles by many artists. It was written by Winston L. Moore and was published in 1952... |
Red Foley Red Foley Clyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II.... |
| 9 | Don't Throw Your Life Away | Webb Pierce Webb Pierce Webb Michael Pierce was one of the most popular American honky tonk vocalists of the 1950s, charting more number one hits than any other country artist during the decade. His biggest hit was "In The Jailhouse Now," which charted for 37 weeks in 1955, 21 of them at number one... |
| 3 | Fool Such as I (Now and Then There's) A Fool Such as I " A Fool Such as I" is a popular song written by Bill Trader and was published in 1952. Performed by Hank Snow it peaked at number four on the country charts early in 1953.... |
Hank Snow Hank Snow Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980... |
| 10 | For Now and Always | Hank Snow |
| 4 | Forgive Me, John Forgive Me, John "Forgive Me, John" is the title of a song written by Fuzzy Owen, Jean Shepard, and Lewis Talley and was recorded by Ferlin Husky and Jean Shepard. It was released in September 1953. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Most Played C&W in Juke Boxes chart and #24 on the Billboard Hot 100..-Chart... |
Jean Shepard Jean Shepard Ollie Imogene Shepard , better known as Jean Shepard, is an American honky tonk singer-songwriter who was a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the #1 spot... and Ferlin Husky Ferlin Husky Ferlin Eugene Husky was an early American country music singer who was equally adept at the genres of traditional honky honk, ballads, spoken recitations, and rockabilly pop tunes... |
| 4 | Free Home Demonstration | Eddy Arnold Eddy Arnold Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more... |
| 4 | The Gal Who Invented Kissin' | Hank Snow |
| 6 | Gambler's Guitar | Rusty Draper Rusty Draper Farrell H. "Rusty" Draper was an American country and pop singer, who achieved his greatest success in the 1950s.... |
| 2 | Goin' Steady | Faron Young Faron Young Faron Young was an American country music singer and songwriter from the early 1950s into the mid-1980s and one of its most successful and colorful stars... |
| 8 | Hey Joe Hey Joe (1953 song) "Hey Joe" is a 1953 popular song written by Boudleaux Bryant. It was recorded by Carl Smith for Columbia Records on 19 May 1953 and spent eight weeks at #1 on the U.S. country music chart... |
Kitty Wells Kitty Wells Ellen Muriel Deason , known professionally as Kitty Wells, is an American country music singer. Her 1952 hit recording, "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels", made her the first female country singer to top the U.S. country charts, and turned her into the first female country star... |
| 8 | Hey, Mr. Cotton Picker | Tennessee Ernie Ford Tennessee Ernie Ford Ernest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres... |
| 7 | (Honey, Baby, Hurry!) Bring Your Sweet Self Back to Me | Lefty Frizzell Lefty Frizzell Lefty Frizzell , born William Orville Frizzell, was an American country music singer and songwriter of the 1950s, and a proponent of honky tonk music. His relaxed style of singing was an influence on later stars Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, George Jones and John Fogerty... |
| 9 | Honeymoon On a Rocket Ship | Hank Snow |
| 6 | Hot Toddy | Red Foley |
| 2 | (How Much Is) That Hound Dog in the Window | Homer and Jethro Homer and Jethro Homer and Jethro were the stage names of American country music duo Henry D. Haynes and Kenneth C. Burns , popular from the 1940s through the 1960s on radio and television for their satirical versions of popular songs... |
| 4 | How's the World Treating You | Eddy Arnold |
| 5 | I Can't Wait (For the Sun to Go Down) | Faron Young |
| 5 | I Couldn't Keep from Crying | Marty Robbins Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist... |
| 10 | I Found Out More Than You Ever Knew | Betty Cody |
| 5 | I Haven't Got the Heart | Webb Pierce |
| 10 | (I Just Had a Date) A Lover's Quarrel | George Morgan George Morgan (singer) George Thomas Morgan was a mid-20th century American country music singer. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a former member of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:... |
| 4 | I Won't Be Home No More | Hank Williams |
| 4 | I'll Go On Alone | Webb Pierce |
| 3 | I'm an Old, Old Man | Lefty Frizzell |
| 2 | Is Zat You, Myrtle | The Carlisles |
| 7 | Just Wait 'Til I Get You Alone | Carl Smith |
| 3 | Keep It a Secret Keep It a Secret "Keep It a Secret" is a popular song written by Jessie Mae Robinson published in 1952.The best-selling recording of the song was made by Jo Stafford in 1952. It was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 39891. The record first reached the Billboard magazine charts on November 8, 1952 and... |
Slim Whitman Slim Whitman Ottis Dewey Whitman, Jr. , known professionally as Slim Whitman, is an American country music singer and songwriter, known for his yodelling abilities. He has sold in excess of 120 million albums in unit sales and has had numerous successful recordings... |
| 3 | Knothole | The Carlisles |
| 4 | The Last Waltz | Webb Pierce |
| 4 | Mama, Come Get Your Baby Boy | Eddy Arnold |
| 10 | Marriage of Mexican Joe | Carolyn Bradshaw |
| 9 | No Help Wanted | Hank Thompson |
| 7 | No Help Wanted #2 | Ernest Tubb |
| 8 | North Wind | Slim Whitman |
| 3 | Older and Bolder | Eddy Arnold |
| 4 | Orchids Mean Goodbye | Carl Smith |
| 6 | Paying for That Back Street Affair | Kitty Wells |
| 7 | Satisfaction Guaranteed | Carl Smith |
| 7 | Seven Lonely Days Seven Lonely Days In 1969, Jean Shepard released a version from her album Seven Lonely Days. It was her first single to become a major hit since 1967's "Your Forevers Don't Last Very Long". Shepard's versions reached #18 on the Billboard Magazine Hot Country Singles chart and #34 on the RPM Country Singles chart.-... |
Bonnie Lou Bonnie Lou Bonnie Lou is an American rock and roll and country music singer. During the mid-1950s, Bonnie Lou helped pave the way for future female artists as one of rock and roll's first female singers... |
| 6 | Shake a Hand Shake a Hand "Shake a Hand" is a 1953 single written by trumpeter and bandleader Joe Morris and originally performed by Faye Adams, whose version hit number one on the R&B chart for nine weeks.-Cover versions:*Red Foley... |
Red Foley |
| 8 | Slaves of a Hopeless Love Affair | Red Foley |
| 3 | Spanish Fire Ball | Hank Snow |
| 6 | Tennessee Wig Walk | Bonnie Lou |
| 4 | That's All Right | Autry Inman Autry Inman Robert Autry Inman , was an American country and rockabilly musician.-Biography:Inman was born in Florence, Alabama, and was performing on local radio station WLAY by age 14. He used his middle name "Autry" as his stage name. After completing school he worked as a reporter for the Lauderdale Co... |
| 4 | That's Me Without You | Webb Pierce |
| 9 | That's Me Without You | Sonny James Sonny James James Loden , known professionally as Sonny James, is an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, "Young Love". Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including a five-year streak of 16 straight among his 23 No. 1... |
| 9 | That's the Kind of Love I'm Looking For | Carl Smith |
| 7 | Till I Waltz Again with You Till I Waltz Again with You "Till I Waltz Again with You" is a popular song written by Sid Prosen and published in 1952. Rather than a waltz, it is a slow AABA shuffle.The recording by Teresa Brewer was recorded on August 19, 1952 and released by Coral Records as catalog number 60873... |
Tommy Sosebee |
| 4 | Too Young to Tango | Sunshine Ruby |
| 2 | Trademark | Carl Smith |
| 7 | Weary Blues from Waitin' | Hank Williams |
| 6 | When Mexican Joe Met Jole Blon | Hank Snow |
| 8 | Yesterday's Girl | Hank Thompson |
Births
- April 9 — Hal KetchumHal KetchumHal Michael Ketchum is an American country music artist. He has released ten studio albums since 1986, including nine for the Curb and Asylum-Curb labels. Ketchum's 1991 album Past the Point of Rescue is his most commercially successful, having been certified gold by the Recording Industry...
, popular country artist of the early 1990s. - June 1 — Ronnie DunnRonnie DunnRonnie Gene Dunn is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for being one half of the duo Brooks & Dunn. In 2011, Dunn began working as a solo artist following the breakup of Brooks & Dunn...
, one half of Brooks & DunnBrooks & DunnBrooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
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Deaths
- January 1 — Hank Williams, 29, country music singing-songwriting giant and pioneer.
Further reading
- Kingsbury, Paul, "Vinyl Hayride: Country Music Album Covers 1947-1989," Country Music Foundation, 2003 (ISBN 0-8118-3572-3)
- Millard, Bob, "Country Music: 70 Years of America's Favorite Music," HarperCollins, New York, 1993 (ISBN 0-06-273244-7)
- Whitburn, Joel. "Top Country Songs 1944-2005 - 6th Edition." 2005.