1958 in country music
Encyclopedia
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1958.
)
^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard
.A ^ First Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
B ^ Last Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
Events
- January 1 — Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
performs at San Quentin Prison. One of the audience members is Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
, in the midst of a two-year prison term for burglary. - February — Struggling singer-songwriter Don GibsonDon GibsonDonald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was...
finally gets a career break when his first major hit, "Oh Lonesome MeOh Lonesome Me"Oh Lonesome Me" is a popular song written and recorded by Don Gibson with Chet Atkins producing for RCA Victor in Nashville in 1958. The song topped the country chart for eight non consecutive weeks, in addition to reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100...
" reaches No. 1 on 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...
s "C&W Best Sellers in Stores" and "Most Played C&W by Jockeys" charts. The flip side of the single is "I Can't Stop Loving YouI Can't Stop Loving You"I Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter and musician Don Gibson, who first recorded it on December 30, 1957, for RCA Victor Records...
," which went on to be recorded by more than 700 times. Gibson is considered by many to be one of the originators of the Nashville SoundNashville soundThe Nashville sound originated during the late 1950s as a sub-genre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of honky tonk music which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s...
, a form of country music that uses pop music-styled arrangements (such as orchestrated strings) rather than traditional honky-tonk sounds. - March — BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
opens its Nashville office, headed by Frances Preston. - March 24 — Elvis PresleyElvis PresleyElvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
is inducted into the United States ArmyUnited States ArmyThe United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
at the Memphis Draft Board, thus beginning his two years of service. - May — The fledgling career of Jerry Lee LewisJerry Lee LewisJerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
is rocked by scandal when his marriage to second cousin Myra Gale Brown becomes public. A British tour is cancelled, and Lewis' career goes into decline until 1968, when he begins concentrating on country music. - October 13 — 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...
discontinues the "C&W Best Sellers in Stores" and "Most Played C&W by Jockeys" charts. Starting with the October 20 issue, there is one all-encompassing "Hot C&W Sides" chart. The new chart has 30 positions, and "City LightsCity Lights (Bill Anderson song)"City Lights" is an American country music song written by Bill Anderson. It twice became a No. 1 hit — in 1958 and again in 1975.Ray Price recorded the original version in 1958, with his version becoming a long-running No. 1 hit. Mickey Gilley recorded a cover version in 1974, and his version also...
" by Ray PriceRay Price (musician)Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music...
is the first No. 1 song. - November — The Country Music AssociationCountry Music AssociationThe Country Music Association was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. It originally consisted of only 233 members and was the first trade organization formed to promote a music genre...
is founded to promote country music. Harry Stone, the former station manager of WSMWSM (AM)WSM is the callsign of a 50,000 watt AM radio station located in Nashville, Tennessee. Operating at 650 kHz, its clear channel signal can reach much of North America and various countries, especially late at night...
, is named executive director. - November — Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
begins a remarkable career ... in rock and rollRock and rollRock and roll is a genre of popular music that originated and evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s, primarily from a combination of African American blues, country, jazz, and gospel music...
, with his hit, "It's Only Make BelieveIt's Only Make Believe"It's Only Make Believe" is the title of a song written by Jack Nance and American country music artist Conway Twitty, released by Twitty as a single in July 1958. The single topped both U.S...
." The song – which contains all the Twitty hallmarks – skyrockets to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart in the fall, and begins a string of hits that continues through the early 1960s. Twitty makes the switch to countryCountry musicCountry music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
in the mid-1960s, and the rest is history. Although "... Make Believe" is never a country hit, the song has become a country standard in the years since Twitty became a country giant. - December 26 — Johnny CashJohnny CashJohn R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
tops a country and western concert at the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas, NevadaLas Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
; also appearing are Tex RitterTex RitterWoodward Maurice Ritter , better known as Tex Ritter, was an American country music singer and movie actor popular from the mid-1930s into the 1960s, and the patriarch of the Ritter family in acting...
and the Sons of the PioneersSons of the PioneersThe Sons of the Pioneers are one of America's earliest Western singing groups whose classic recordings set a new standard for performers of Western music. Known for the high quality of their vocal performances, musicianship, and songwriting, they produced finely-crafted and innovative recordings...
.
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...
)
| Date | Single Name | Artist | Wks. No.1 | Spec. Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 6 | The Story of My Life The Story of My Life (song) "The Story of My Life" is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David and published in 1957.The song became a 1957 hit for US country singer Marty Robbins, staying at number one on the country chart for four weeks and reaching number fifteen on the Billboard Top 100 and number two on... |
Marty Robbins Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist... |
4 | |
| January 6 | Great Balls of Fire Great Balls of Fire "Great Balls of Fire" is a 1957 song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer... |
Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The... |
2 |
|
| February 3 | Ballad of a Teenage Queen Ballad of a Teenage Queen "Ballad of a Teenage Queen" is a country song by Johnny Cash from his 1958 album Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous. The song hit number one on the US Country charts and number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100... |
Johnny Cash Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century... |
10 | |
| April 14 | Oh Lonesome Me Oh Lonesome Me "Oh Lonesome Me" is a popular song written and recorded by Don Gibson with Chet Atkins producing for RCA Victor in Nashville in 1958. The song topped the country chart for eight non consecutive weeks, in addition to reaching #7 on the Billboard Hot 100... / I Can't Stop Loving You I Can't Stop Loving You "I Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter and musician Don Gibson, who first recorded it on December 30, 1957, for RCA Victor Records... |
Don Gibson Don Gibson Donald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was... |
8 | [1], [2], [A] |
| May 26 | Just Married Just Married (song) "Just Married" is a 1958 single by Marty Robbins. The single peaked at number three on the C&W Best Seller charts. "Just Married" also became Marty Robbins' fourth entry on the pop chart, peaking at number twenty-six .... |
Marty Robbins | 2 | [2] |
| June 2 | All I Have to Do is Dream All I Have to Do Is Dream "All I Have to Do Is Dream" is a popular song made famous by the Everly Brothers, written by the husband and wife songwriting team Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, and published in 1958. The song is ranked No... |
The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing... |
3 |
Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... and R&B Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... charts. |
| June 23 | Guess Things Happen That Way Guess Things Happen That Way "Guess Things Happen That Way" is a 1958 cross over single by Johnny Cash, which was written by Jack Clement. The single, a song about "a man struggling ..... |
Johnny Cash | 8 | |
| July 21 | Alone With You Alone With You (Texas song) "Alone With You" was the third and last single to be lifted from Scottish band Texas' Mothers Heaven album. It fared better than the previous five singles and returned the band to the UK Singles Chart top 40, reaching #32... |
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... |
13 |
Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young was Faron Young's first number one song and his fifth consecutive top ten hit. It spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard country music charts in 1955. "This was a tune I detested," Faron said. "Ken Nelson made me record this song. I put it out and it was a... " in 1955. |
| August 25 | Blue Blue Day Blue Blue Day "Blue Blue Day" is a 1958 single by Don Gibson. "Blue Blue Day" went to number one for two weeks on the Country & Western Best Seller charts and remained on the charts for a total of six months . The song also became Don Gibson's second of four Top 40 entries, where it peaked at number twenty... |
Don Gibson | 2 | |
| September 8 | Bird Dog Bird Dog (song) "Bird Dog" is a song written by Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by The Everly Brothers released in 1958 and was a #1 hit on theBillboard Country Chart . The song also hit number two on the U.S... |
The Everly Brothers | 6 | [B] |
| October 20 | City Lights City Lights (Bill Anderson song) "City Lights" is an American country music song written by Bill Anderson. It twice became a No. 1 hit — in 1958 and again in 1975.Ray Price recorded the original version in 1958, with his version becoming a long-running No. 1 hit. Mickey Gilley recorded a cover version in 1974, and his version also... |
Ray Price Ray Price (musician) Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music... |
13 |
^ 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
- Note: Through October 13, several songs were simultaneous No. 1 hits on the separate "Most Played C&W by Jockeys" and "C&W Best Sellers in Stores" charts. Only one No. 1 per week is possible starting with the "Hot C&W Sides" chart, which begins October 20.
Other major hits
| US | Single | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | All Grown Up | Johnny Horton Johnny Horton John Gale "Johnny" Horton was an American country music and rockabilly singer most famous for his semi-folk, so-called "saga songs" which began the "historical ballad" craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s... |
| 4 | All Over Again | Johnny Cash Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century... |
| 3 | Anna Marie | Jim Reeves Jim Reeves James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound... |
| 13 | Are You Really Mine? Are You Really Mine? The best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting at #10 on the U.S. Billboard chart in 1958.... |
Jimmie Rodgers Jimmie Rodgers (pop singer) James Frederick "Jimmie" Rodgers is an American singer. He is not related to the country singer of the same name.-Career:... |
| 10 | Believe What You Say | Ricky Nelson Ricky Nelson Eric Hilliard Nelson , better known as Ricky Nelson or Rick Nelson, was an American singer-songwriter, instrumentalist, and actor... |
| 4 | Big River Big River (Johnny Cash song) "Big River" is a song written and originally recorded by Johnny Cash. Released as a single by Sun Records in 1958, it went as high as #4 on the Billboard country music charts and stayed on the charts for 14 weeks... |
Johnny Cash |
| 7 | Big Wheels | 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... |
| 2 | Blue Boy | Jim Reeves |
| 4 | Breathless | Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The... |
| 15 | Claudette | The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers The Everly Brothers are country-influenced rock and roll performers, known for steel-string guitar playing and close harmony singing... |
| 7 | Color of the Blues | George Jones George Jones George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette.... |
| 6 | Come in Stranger | Johnny Cash |
| 3 | Crying Over You | 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 | Curtain in the Window | Ray Price Ray Price (musician) Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music... |
| 7 | Devoted to You Devoted to You (song) "Devoted to You" is a song written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.The best-known version was recorded by The Everly Brothers, and released by Cadence Records as catalog number 1350. This version was issued as the flip side of "Bird Dog," but reached the charts on its own, at #10 on the United... |
The Everly Brothers |
| 2 | Don't Don't (Elvis Presley song) "Don't" is a song performed by Elvis Presley, which was released in 1958. It was Presley's eleventh number-one hit in the United States. "Don't" also peaked at number four on the R&B charts .... |
Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".... |
| 10 | Every Time I'm Kissing You | 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... |
| 10 | Falling Back to You | Webb Pierce |
| 5 | Give Myself a Party | Don Gibson Don Gibson Donald Eugene "Don" Gibson was an American songwriter and country musician. A Country Music Hall of Fame inductee, Gibson penned such country standards as "Sweet Dreams" and "I Can't Stop Loving You", and enjoyed a string of country hits from 1957 into the early 1970s.-Biography:Don Gibson was... |
| 8 | Half a Mind | 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... |
| 2 | Hard Headed Woman Hard Headed Woman "Hard Headed Woman" is a #1 rock and roll song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company in 1958. It is an American 12-bar blues written by African American songwriter Claude Demetrius... |
Elvis Presley |
| 14 | Have Blues-Will Travel | Eddie Noack |
| 16 | He's Lost His Love for Me | 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... |
| 9 | Hey, Mr. Bluebird | Ernest Tubb and The Wilburn Brothers The Wilburn Brothers The Wilburn Brothers were a popular American country music duo from the 1950s to the 1970s consisting of brothers Doyle Wilburn and Teddy Wilburn .-Biography:... |
| 9 | High School Confidential High School Confidential (Jerry Lee Lewis song) "High School Confidential" is a song written by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ron Hargrave and released in 1958. The song was the title song of the movie of the same name starring Russ Tamblyn, Mamie Van Doren, and Jerry Lee Lewis... |
Jerry Lee Lewis |
| 13 | House of Glass | Ernest Tubb |
| 11 | How Do You Hold a Memory | Hank Thompson |
| 4 | I Beg of You I Beg of You -Chart performance:... |
Elvis Presley |
| 3 | I Can't Stop Loving You I Can't Stop Loving You "I Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter and musician Don Gibson, who first recorded it on December 30, 1957, for RCA Victor Records... |
Kitty Wells |
| 7 | I Can't Stop Loving You I Can't Stop Loving You "I Can't Stop Loving You" is a popular song written and composed by country singer, songwriter and musician Don Gibson, who first recorded it on December 30, 1957, for RCA Victor Records... |
Don Gibson |
| 5 | I Found My Girl in the USA | Jimmie Skinner Jimmie Skinner Jimmie Skinner was an American country and bluegrass music singer and guitarist. He also was known for a mail-order record business and retail store in Cincinnati, Ohio.-Biography:... |
| 8 | I Love You More | Jim Reeves |
| 18 | I Want to Go Where No One Knows Me I Want to Go Where No One Knows Me "I Want to Go Where No One Knows Me" is the title of a song written by Kenneth Grant and Jerry Jericho and recorded by American country music artist Jean Shepard. The song reached #18 on the Billboard Most Played C&W in Jockeys chart.- Chart performance :... |
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... |
| 19 | I'll Make It All Up to You | Jerry Lee Lewis |
| 3 | Invitation to the Blues | Ray Price |
| 9 | Is It Wrong (For Loving You) Is It Wrong (For Loving You) "Is It Wrong " is a 1974 single by Sonny James. "Is It Wrong " would the final of twenty-three number ones on the country chart for Sonny James. The single stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of eleven weeks on the country chart.The song was written by Warner MacPherson in... |
Warner Mack Warner Mack Warner MacPherson , known professionally as Warner Mack, is an American country music singer-songwriter. Mack had many hits on the country charts from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, some of which crossed over to the pop charts.... |
| 3 | It's a Little More Like Heaven | Hank Locklin Hank Locklin Lawrence Hankins Locklin , better known as Hank Locklin, was an American country music singer-songwriter... |
| 5 | Jacqueline | Bobby Helms Bobby Helms Robert Lee Helms , better known as Bobby Helms, was an American country music singer who enjoyed his peak success in 1957 with his hit, "Jingle Bell Rock". He was mostly known for the Christmas song... |
| 7 | Jealousy | Kitty Wells |
| 10 | Just a Little Lonesome | Bobby Helms |
| 18 | Lonely Island Pearl | Johnnie & Jack Johnnie & Jack Johnnie & Jack was an American country music duo composed of Johnnie Wright and Jack Anglin . Between 1951 and 1962, the duo released several singles on the RCA Victor Records label, including their version of "Goodnite, Sweetheart, Goodnite" which peaked at number four on the Best Seller charts,... |
| 8 | Look Who's Blue | Don Gibson |
| 15 | Lost to a Geisha Girl | Skeeter Davis Skeeter Davis Mary Frances Penick , better known as Skeeter Davis, was an American country music singer best known for crossover pop music songs of the early 1960s. She started out as part of The Davis Sisters as a teenager in the late 1940s, eventually landing on RCA Records. In the late '50s, she became a solo... |
| 12 | Love Bug Crawl | Jimmy Edwards |
| 10 | My Bucket's Got a Hole in It | Ricky Nelson |
| 11 | Nothin' Needs Nothin' (Like I Need You) | Marvin Rainwater Marvin Rainwater Marvin Karlton Rainwater , better known as Marvin Rainwater, is an American country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman"... |
| 5 | Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again "Oh-Oh, I'm Falling in Love Again" is a popular song written by Al Hoffman, Dick Manning, and Mark Markwell and published in 1958.The best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting in 1958. It debuted on the charts in February, and spent 11 weeks on the charts that spring,... |
Jimmie Rodgers |
| 8 | Once More | Roy Acuff Roy Acuff Roy Claxton Acuff was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the King of Country Music, Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful.Acuff... |
| 13 | Once More | Osborne Brothers Osborne Brothers The Osborne Brothers, Sonny Osborne and Bobby Osborne , were an influential and popular bluegrass act during the 1960s and 1970s... and Red Allen Red Allen Henry James "Red" Allen was a jazz trumpeter and vocalist whose style has been claimed to be the first to fully incorporate the innovations of Louis Armstrong.-Life and career:... |
| 12 | One Week Later | Webb Pierce and Kitty Wells |
| 10 | Overnight | Jim Reeves |
| 18 | Patricia Patricia (Perez Prado song) "Patricia" is a popular song with music by Perez Prado and lyrics by Bob Marcus, published in 1958. The song is best known in an instrumental version by Prado's orchestra that became the last record to ascend to #1 on the Billboard Jockeys and Top 100 charts, both of which gave way the next week... |
Perez Prado Perez Prado Dámaso Pérez Prado was a Cuban bandleader, musician , and composer. He is often referred to as the 'King of the Mambo'.His orchestra was the most popular in mambo... |
| 2 | Pick Me Up On Your Way Down | Charlie Walker Charlie Walker (musician) Charlie Walker was an American country musician born in Copeville, Texas. He held membership in the Grand Ole Opry from 1967, and was inducted into the Country Radio DJ Hall of Fame in 1981.- Career :... |
| 17 | Pink Pedal Pushers | Carl Perkins Carl Perkins Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954... |
| 9 | Please Pass the Biscuits | Gene Sullivan |
| 3 | Poor Little Fool Poor Little Fool "Poor Little Fool" is a pop/rock song written by Sharon Sheeley. It was based on her disappointment following a short-lived relationship with a member of a popular singing duo. The best-known version of the song was recorded by Ricky Nelson on April 17, 1958 and released on Imperial Records 5528... |
Ricky Nelson |
| 6 | Raunchy | Bill Justis Bill Justis William E. "Bill" Justis Jr. was an American pioneer rock and roll musician, composer, and musical arranger, best known for his 1957 Grammy Hall of Fame song, "Raunchy."-Biography:... |
| 11 | Raunchy | Ernie Freeman Ernie Freeman Ernie Freeman was an American pianist, organist and arranger.In 1935 he began playing in local Cleveland area nightclubs, and also formed a classical music trio for local social functions with his father and his sister Evelyn... |
| 17 | Rebel-'Rouser | Duane Eddy Duane Eddy Duane Eddy is a Grammy Award-winning American guitarist. In the late 1950s and early 1960s he had a string of hit records, produced by Lee Hazlewood, which were noted for their characteristically "twangy" sound, including "Rebel Rouser", "Peter Gunn", and "Because They're Young"... |
| 14 | Rock Hearts | Jimmy Martin Jimmy Martin Jimmy Martin was an American bluegrass musician, known as the "King of Bluegrass".-Early years:Born James H. Martin in Sneedville, Tennessee. Jimmy Martin was born into the hard farming life of rural East Tennessee. He grew up near Sneedville, singing in church and with friends from surrounding... |
| 5 | Secretly Secretly The best-known recording of the song was done by Jimmie Rodgers, charting in 1958, reaching number three on the U.S. pop chart and number five on the country chart.... |
Jimmie Rodgers |
| 5 | Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On" is Country-And-Western song written and recorded by Hank Locklin. The song met success and made it to hit No. 5 on the charts, and became a standard for the Nashville sound. It has been covered by both Pop and Country Artists.Locklin first released the song in... |
Hank Locklin |
| 4 | She Was Only Seventeen (He Was One Year More) | Marty Robbins Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist... |
| 10 | Should We Tell Him | The Everly Brothers |
| 14 | Splish Splash Splish Splash (song) "Splish Splash" is a 1958 song performed and co-written by Bobby Darin. It was written with DJ Murray the K , who bet that Darin couldn't write a song that began with the words, "Splish Splash, I was takin' a bath", as suggested by Murray's mother, Jean Kaufman. The song was credited to Darin and... |
Bobby Darin Bobby Darin Bobby Darin , born Walden Robert Cassotto, was an American singer, actor and musician.Darin performed in a range of music genres, including pop, rock, jazz, folk and country... |
| 2 | Squaws Along the Yukon | Hank Thompson |
| 2 | Stairway of Love | Marty Robbins |
| 8 | Stood Up | Ricky Nelson |
| 7 | Stop the World (And Let Me Off) | Johnnie & Jack |
| 16 | Talk to Me Lonesome Heart | James O'Gwynn James O'Gwynn James Leroy O'Gwynn was an American country music singer. Between 1958 and 1962, he recorded for the D and Mercury labels, charting six times on the Hot Country Songs charts... |
| 9 | That's the Way I Feel | Faron Young |
| 4 | This Little Girl of Mine This Little Girl of Mine "This Little Girl of Mine" is a rhythm and blues single written and released as a single by Ray Charles in 1956 on the Atlantic label.Much like the previous "I Got a Woman" and the later "Hallelujah I Love Her So", "This Little Girl of Mine" played off a classic gospel-based hymn... |
The Everly Brothers |
| 15 | Touch and Go Heart | Kitty Wells |
| 6 | Treasure of Love | George Jones |
| 7 | Tupelo County Jail | Webb Pierce |
| 8 | Uh-Huh-mm | 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... |
| 12 | Waitin' in School Waitin' in School Waitin' in School is a rock and roll song written by Johnny Burnette and Dorsey Burnette. The song was recorded by Ricky Nelson, and peaked at number 18 in the U.S Billboard Hot 100 1958.-In popular culture:... |
Ricky Nelson |
| 2 | The Ways of a Woman in Love | Johnny Cash |
| 3 | Wear My Ring Around Your Neck Wear My Ring Around Your Neck "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck" is a song performed by Elvis Presley, which was released in 1958. It was particularly notable for breaking a string of ten consecutive number 1 hits for Presley achieved in just two years... |
Elvis Presley |
| 7 | What Do I Care | Johnny Cash |
| 8 | What Makes a Man Wander | Jimmie Skinner |
| 13 | When | Kalin Twins Kalin Twins The Kalin Twins were a pop music recording duo, comprising twin brothers Hal and Herbie Kalin .-Career:... |
| 15 | Whispering Rain | Hank Snow |
| 15 | Whole Lotta Woman | Marvin Rainwater |
| 16 | A Woman Captured Me | Hank Snow |
| 13 | Would You Care | The Browns The Browns The Browns were an American country and folk music vocal trio best known for their 1959 Grammy-nominated hit, "The Three Bells". The group, composed of Jim Ed Brown and his sisters Maxine and Bonnie Brown, had a close, smooth harmony characteristic of the Nashville sound, though their music also... |
| 2 | You Win Again You Win Again (Hank Williams song) "You Win Again" is a 1952 song by Hank Williams. In style, the song is a blues ballad and deals with the singer's dispair with his partner. "You Win Again" would peak at number ten on the Most Played in C&W Juke Boxes chart, where it remained for a single week .-Cover versions:* Late in 1957,... |
Jerry Lee Lewis |
| 10 | You'll Come Back | Webb Pierce |
| 5 | You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven | Johnny Cash |
| 6 | Your Name Is Beautiful | 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... |
Births
- February 21 — Mary Chapin CarpenterMary Chapin CarpenterMary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
, folk-styled country singer of the 1990s. - February 24 — Sammy KershawSammy KershawSamuel Paul "Sammy" Kershaw is an American country music artist. A third cousin of Cajun fiddler Doug Kershaw and ex-husband of Lorrie Morgan, he has been active in country music since 1991. He has released ten studio albums, with three RIAA platinum certifications and two gold certifications...
, neotraditionalist of the 1990s and beyond. - May 23 — Shelly WestShelly WestShelly West is an American country music singer. Her mother was the country music star Dottie West, whose career spanned three decades. Shelly West is best known for having hit duets with David Frizzell, and for their #1 hit "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"...
, country singer of the 1980s, daughter of Dottie WestDottie WestDottie West was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and co-recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most influential and groundbreaking female artists...
. - July 3 — Aaron TippinAaron TippinAaron Dupree Tippin is an American country music artist and record producer. Initially a songwriter for Acuff-Rose Music, he gained a recording contract with RCA Records in 1990...
, honky-tonk styled singer-songwriter of the 1990s and 2000s. - July 30 — Neal McCoyNeal McCoyHubert Neal McGaughey, Jr. is an American country music singer of mixed Irish and Filipino descent. Known professionally as Neal McCoy, he has released ten studio albums on various labels, and has released 34 singles to country radio...
, Asian country singer of the 1990s. - September 6 — Jeff FoxworthyJeff FoxworthyJeffrey Marshall "Jeff" Foxworthy is an American comedian, television and radio personality and author. He is a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour, a comedy troupe which also comprises Larry the Cable Guy, Bill Engvall and Ron White. Known for his "you might be a redneck" one-liners, Foxworthy...
, comedian best known for "You Must Be a Redneck If ..." tagline; host of eponymously named countdown and "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is a television game show format based on asking grade-school level questions to adults, hosted by Jeff Foxworthy...
" game show. - September 16 — Terry McBrideMcBride & the RideMcBride & the Ride was an American country music band initially composed of Terry McBride , Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas . The group was founded in 1989 through the assistance of record producer Tony Brown...
, lead singer of the 1990s trio McBride & the RideMcBride & the RideMcBride & the Ride was an American country music band initially composed of Terry McBride , Ray Herndon and Billy Thomas . The group was founded in 1989 through the assistance of record producer Tony Brown...
. - September 30 — Marty StuartMarty StuartJohn Martin "Marty" Stuart is an American country music singer-songwriter, known for both his traditional style, and eclectic merging of rockabilly, honky tonk, and traditional country music...
, neotraditionalist and Grand Ole OpryGrand Ole OpryThe Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
stalwart. - October 10 — Tanya TuckerTanya TuckerTanya Denise Tucker is a female American country music artist who had her first hit, "Delta Dawn", in 1972 at the age of 13...
, teen-aged country star of the 1970s, who continued to be a major country star during the 1980s and 1990s. - October 17 — Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
, neotraditionalist singer since the 1990s. - October 25 — Mark Miller, lead singer of Sawyer BrownSawyer BrownSawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King's road band: Bobby Randall and Jim Scholten , both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth , Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard , and Mark Miller...
. - December 28 — Joe DiffieJoe DiffieJoe Logan Diffie is an American country music singer known for his ballads and novelty songs. Between 1990 and 2004, Diffie charted 35 cuts on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including five number one singles: his debut release "Home", "If the Devil Danced ", "Third Rock from the Sun",...
, honky tonk-styled singer of the 1990s and early 2000s.
Deaths
- September 12 - Rod BrasfieldRod BrasfieldRodney Leon Brasfield was an American comedian who was prominently featured on the Grand Ole Opry from 1947 until his death in 1958. In 1987, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.-Biography:...
, 48, comedian who was immensely popular with Grand Ole Opry audiences (heart failure).
Further reading
- Kingsbury, Paul, "The Grand Ole Opry: History of Country Music. 70 Years of the Songs, the Stars and the Stories," Villard Books, Random House; Opryland USA, 1995
- 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.