This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1961.
- March 17 – September 22 — NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
-TV airs Five Star JubileeFive Star Jubilee was an American country music variety show carried by NBC-TV from March 17–September 22, 1961. The live program, a spin-off of ABC-TV's Jubilee USA, was the first network color television series to originate outside New York City or Hollywood.From March 17 to May 5, the...
, a weekly show featuring five rotating hosts: Rex AllenRex Elvie Allen was an American film actor, singer and songwriter who is particularly known as the narrator in many Walt Disney nature and Western productions. For contributions to the recording industry, Rex Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Family and early life:Allen...
, Snooky LansonRoy Landman , better known as Snooky Lanson, was an American singer known for co-starring on the NBC television series Your Hit Parade....
, Tex 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 was the father of actor John Ritter...
, Carl SmithCarl Smith is an American country music singer. Known as "Mister Country," Smith is the former husband of June Carter Cash and Goldie Hill and was the drinking companion of Johnny Cash. He was one of country's most successful male artists during the 1950s, with 30 Top 10 hits...
and Jimmy WakelyJames Clarence Wakeley , better known as Jimmy Wakely, was an American country-Western singer and actor, one of the last crooning cowpokes following World War II...
.
- June 14 — Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
is seriously injured after a car accident. While in the hospital, the song "I Fall to Pieces"I Fall to Pieces" is a single released by Patsy Cline in 1961, and was featured on her 1961 studio album, Patsy Cline Showcase. "I Fall to Pieces" was Patsy Cline's first #1 hit on the Country charts, and her second hit single to cross over onto the Pop charts...
" becomes a huge country-pop crossover hit.
- The Country Music Association
The 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...
(CMA) develops and finalizes plans for the new Country Music Hall of Fame, to honor performers and others who were influential in the history of the genre.
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This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1961.
Events
- March 17 – September 22 — NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
-TV airs Five Star JubileeFive Star Jubilee was an American country music variety show carried by NBC-TV from March 17–September 22, 1961. The live program, a spin-off of ABC-TV's Jubilee USA, was the first network color television series to originate outside New York City or Hollywood.From March 17 to May 5, the...
, a weekly show featuring five rotating hosts: Rex AllenRex Elvie Allen was an American film actor, singer and songwriter who is particularly known as the narrator in many Walt Disney nature and Western productions. For contributions to the recording industry, Rex Allen was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.-Family and early life:Allen...
, Snooky LansonRoy Landman , better known as Snooky Lanson, was an American singer known for co-starring on the NBC television series Your Hit Parade....
, Tex 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 was the father of actor John Ritter...
, Carl SmithCarl Smith is an American country music singer. Known as "Mister Country," Smith is the former husband of June Carter Cash and Goldie Hill and was the drinking companion of Johnny Cash. He was one of country's most successful male artists during the 1950s, with 30 Top 10 hits...
and Jimmy WakelyJames Clarence Wakeley , better known as Jimmy Wakely, was an American country-Western singer and actor, one of the last crooning cowpokes following World War II...
.
- June 14 — Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
is seriously injured after a car accident. While in the hospital, the song "I Fall to Pieces"I Fall to Pieces" is a single released by Patsy Cline in 1961, and was featured on her 1961 studio album, Patsy Cline Showcase. "I Fall to Pieces" was Patsy Cline's first #1 hit on the Country charts, and her second hit single to cross over onto the Pop charts...
" becomes a huge country-pop crossover hit.
No dates
- The Country Music Association
The 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...
(CMA) develops and finalizes plans for the new Country Music Hall of Fame, to honor performers and others who were influential in the history of the genre. The first three inductees, honored on November 3, are all posthumous:
- Jimmie Rodgers
James Charles Rodgers , known as "Jimmie," was a country singer in the early 20th century known most widely for his rhythmic yodeling...
, a songwriter who - despite poor health - merged hillbilly and blues music into a revolutionary new sound.
- Fred Rose
Fred Rose was an American Hall of Fame songwriter and music publishing executive.Born in Evansville, Indiana, Fred Rose started playing piano and singing as a small boy. In his teens, he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he worked in bars busking for tips, and finally vaudeville...
, a pioneering song publisher who formed the Acuff-Rose music publishing company in the 1940s. Also a talented songwriter, and record producer/executive.
- Hank Williams, legendary singer-songwriter whose songs are still sought after today.
- With just a $1,500 budget, bronze plaques honoring each of the singers would be cast, a tradition that continues today.
- Spade Cooley
Donnell Clyde 'Spade' Cooley was an American Western Swing musician, big band leader, actor, and television personality...
is arrested in connection with the beating death of his second wife, Ella Mae Evans. He is convicted and sentenced to prison. En route to prison, he suffers a heart attack, from which he will recover.
United States
(as certified by Billboard)
| Date |
Single Name |
Artist |
Wks. No.1 |
Spec. Note |
| January 9 |
North to Alaska |
Johnny Horton John Gale Horton , known professionally as Johnny Horton, was an American country music singer who was most famous for his semi-folk, so-called "saga songs" which launched the "historical ballad" craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s...
|
7 |
[B] |
| February 27 |
Don't Worry |
Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist....
|
10 |
|
| May 8 |
Hello Walls "Hello Walls" is an American country music song recorded by Faron Young. It became a massive hit in 1961, reaching #1 country and #12 pop, and introduced its songwriter – Willie Nelson – to a national audience.-See also:...
|
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 colorful stars...
|
9 |
- Young's first Billboard Number One since "Country Girl" in 1959.
|
| July 10 |
Heartbreak U.S.A. |
Kitty WellsEllen 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...
|
4 |
[B] |
| August 7 |
I Fall to Pieces "I Fall to Pieces" is a single released by Patsy Cline in 1961, and was featured on her 1961 studio album, Patsy Cline Showcase. "I Fall to Pieces" was Patsy Cline's first #1 hit on the Country charts, and her second hit single to cross over onto the Pop charts...
|
Patsy ClinePatsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
|
2 |
[1], [A] |
| August 21 |
Tender Years |
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....
|
5 |
Jones' first Billboard Number One since "White Lightning "White Lightning" is a song written by the late rockabilly artist J. P. Richardson, best known by his stage name, The Big Bopper. The song was recorded by country music artist George Jones and later released as a single. On April 13, 1959, Jones' version became the first Number One single of his...
" in 1959. |
| September 25 |
Walk on By |
Leroy Van Dyke Leroy Frank Van Dyke is an American country music singer best known for his 1961 hit, "Walk On By."-Biography:Van Dyke was born in Mora, Missouri and graduated from the University of Missouri majoring in agricultural journalism...
|
19 |
[2], [C] |
| November 20 |
Big Bad John "Big Bad John" is a country song originally performed by Jimmy Dean and composed by Dean and Roy Acuff. Released in September 1961, by the beginning of November it went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Dean the 1962 Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording.The song and its...
|
Jimmy Dean Jimmy Ray "The Hurst" Dean , better known as Jimmy Dean, is an American country music singer, television host, actor, and businessman...
|
2 |
[A]
Also reached Number One on the Billboard Top Pop 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 Hot Adult Contemporary TracksThe Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
charts. |
^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by
Billboard.
- 2^ Song dropped from No. 1 and later returned to top spot.
- A^ First Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
- B^ Last Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
- C^ Only Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist to date.
Other major hits
- "Crazy
"Crazy" is a ballad composed by Willie Nelson. It has been recorded by several artists, most notably by Patsy Cline, whose version was a #2 country hit in 1962.-Patsy Cline version:...
" - Patsy ClinePatsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
- "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" - Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor. A cultural icon, he is commonly known simply as Elvis and is also sometimes referred to as The King of Rock 'n' Roll or The King....
- "Backtrack" - 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 colorful stars...
- "Be Quiet Mind" - Del Reeves
Franklin Delano "Del" Reeves was a country music singer, best known for his "girl-watching" novelty-type songs of the 1960s. He became one of the most successful male country singers of the 1960s...
- "Beggar to a King" - Hank Snow
Clarence Eugene Snow , better known as Hank Snow, was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980...
- "Big River Big Man"-Claude King
- "The Blizzard" - Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves was an American country and pop music singer-songwriter popular in the 1950s and 1960s who also gained a wide international following for his pioneering smooth Nashville sound. Known as Gentleman Jim, his songs continued to chart for years following his death at age 40 in a...
- "Diggy Liggy Lo"-Rusty & Doug
- "Foolin' Around" - Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
- "Funny How Time Slips Away" – Billy Walker
- "Go Home" - Lester Flatt
Lester Raymond Flatt was a bluegrass musician and guitarist.-Biography:Flatt was born in Duncan's Chapel, Overton County, Tennessee to Nannie Mae Haney and Isaac Columbus Flatt. A singer and guitarist, he first came to prominence as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys in 1945...
, Earl ScruggsEarl Eugene Scruggs is a musician noted for perfecting and popularizing a 3-finger style on the 5-string banjo that is a defining characteristic of bluegrass music. Although other musicians had played in 3-finger style before him, Scruggs shot to prominence when he was hired by Bill Monroe to...
and the Foggy Mountain Boys
- "Hangover Tavern"-Hank Thompson
- "Happy Birthday To Me/You're The Reason"-Hank Locklin
- "Heart Over Mind" - Ray Price
Ray Price is an American country and western singer, songwriter and guitarist. His more well-known songs include "Release Me", "Crazy Arms," "Heartaches by the Number," "City Lights," "My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You," "For the Good Times," "I Won't Mention It Again," "You're the Best Thing...
- "How Do You Talk to a Baby" - 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. For many, Pierce, with his flamboyant Nudie suits and twin silver dollar-lined convertibles, became the most recognizable face...
- "Hill-Billy Heaven" - Tex Ritter
Woodward 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 was the father of actor John Ritter...
- "I'll Have One More Cup of Coffee (Then I'll Go)" – Claude Gray
Claude Gray is an American country music singer-songwriter and guitar picker best known for his 1960 hit "Family Bible," which has been covered by many different artists.-Early life:...
- "It's Your World" - Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist....
- "Kissing My Pillow/I Want To Live Again"-Rose Maddox
- "Last Date" - Floyd Cramer
Floyd Cramer was an American Hall of Fame pianist who was one of the architects of the "Nashville Sound." He popularized the 'slip note' piano style where one note slides effortlessly into the next...
- "Let Forgiveness In" - Webb Pierce
- "Loose Talk" - Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
and Rose MaddoxRoselea Arbana Brogdon , better known as Rose Maddox, was an American country singer-songwriter and fiddle player...
- "Loving You"-Bob Gallion
- "Louisiana Man" - Rusty and Doug
Doug Kershaw, born January 24, 1936, is an American fiddle player, singer and songwriter from Louisiana. He has been a major figure in the popularization of Cajun music.- Biography :...
- "Mental Cruelty" - Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
and Rose MaddoxRoselea Arbana Brogdon , better known as Rose Maddox, was an American country singer-songwriter and fiddle player...
- "My Ears Should Burn (When Fools Are Talked About)" – Claude Gray
Claude Gray is an American country music singer-songwriter and guitar picker best known for his 1960 hit "Family Bible," which has been covered by many different artists.-Early life:...
- "My Last Date (With You)" - 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 in the early 1950s. In the late '50s and early '60s, she became a solo star...
- "Odds & Ends"-Warren Smith
- "Oklahoma Hills
"Oklahoma Hills" is a song written by Woody Guthrie.Jack Guthrie, Woody's cousin, later changed the lyrics and music and in 1945 recorded a Western swing version....
" - Hank ThompsonHenry William "Hank" Thompson was a country music entertainer whose career spanned seven decades. He sold over 60 million records worldwide....
and His Brazos Valley Boys
- "Optimistic" - 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 in the early 1950s. In the late '50s and early '60s, she became a solo star...
- "Po' Folks" - Bill Anderson
- "Right or Wrong" - Wanda Jackson
Wanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist...
- "San Antonio Rose" - Floyd Cramer
Floyd Cramer was an American Hall of Fame pianist who was one of the architects of the "Nashville Sound." He popularized the 'slip note' piano style where one note slides effortlessly into the next...
- "Sea of Heartbreak" - Don Gibson
Donald Eugene 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 born in...
- "Signed Sealed And Delivered"- Cowboy Copas
- "Soft Rain"-Ray Price
- "Sleepy-Eyed John" - Johnny Horton
John Gale Horton , known professionally as Johnny Horton, was an American country music singer who was most famous for his semi-folk, so-called "saga songs" which launched the "historical ballad" craze of the late 1950s and early 1960s...
- "Stand at Your Window" - Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves was an American country and pop music singer-songwriter popular in the 1950s and 1960s who also gained a wide international following for his pioneering smooth Nashville sound. Known as Gentleman Jim, his songs continued to chart for years following his death at age 40 in a...
- "Sunny Tennessee"-Cowboy Copas
- "Sweet Dreams" - Don Gibson
Donald Eugene 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 born in...
- "Sweet Lips" - 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. For many, Pierce, with his flamboyant Nudie suits and twin silver dollar-lined convertibles, became the most recognizable face...
- "Three Hearts In A Tangle" - Roy Drusky
Roy Frank Drusky Jr., was a country music singer popular from the 1960s through the early 1970s. Known for his baritone voice, he was known for incorporating the Nashville sound.-Early life and career:...
- "Three Steps to the Phone (Millions of Miles)" - George Hamilton IV
George Hamilton IV is an American country musician. He began performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol, later switching to pop-country and folk music.-Biography:...
- "Under the Influence of Love" - Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
- "Walk Out Backwards" - Bill Anderson
- "Walking the Streets" - 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. For many, Pierce, with his flamboyant Nudie suits and twin silver dollar-lined convertibles, became the most recognizable face...
- "What Would You Do" - Jim Reeves
James Travis Reeves was an American country and pop music singer-songwriter popular in the 1950s and 1960s who also gained a wide international following for his pioneering smooth Nashville sound. Known as Gentleman Jim, his songs continued to chart for years following his death at age 40 in a...
- "When Two Worlds Collide" – Roger Miller
Roger Dean Miller was a Grammy and Tony Award winning American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
- "The Window Up Above" - 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....
- "Your Old Love Letters" - Porter Wagoner
Porter Wayne Wagoner was a popular American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. He introduced a young Dolly Parton on his long-running television show, and they were a well-known duet team throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s...
- "You're the Reason" - Bobby Edwards
Bobby Edwards was an American country singer.Edwards's early life is a mystery; conflicting stories exist over his birth name and upbringing. What is certain is that Bobby Edwards was a stage name...
Top new album releases
- At the Golden Nugget – Hank Thompson
Henry William "Hank" Thompson was a country music entertainer whose career spanned seven decades. He sold over 60 million records worldwide....
(Capitol)
- Buck Owens - Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
(Capitol)
- Buck Owens Sings Harlan Howard - Buck Owens
Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 number one hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
(Capitol)
- Patsy Cline Showcase - Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline , born Virginia Patterson Hensley, was an American country music singer who enjoyed pop music crossover success during the era of the Nashville sound in the early 1960s...
(Decca)
- Chet Atkins' Workshop - Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , better known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who created, along with Owen Bradley, the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.His picking style, inspired by...
(RCA)
- Got You on My Mind – 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...
(Capitol)
- In Hollywood – Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , better known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who created, along with Owen Bradley, the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.His picking style, inspired by...
(RCA)
- Let's Make Memories Tonight - Eddy Arnold
Richard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He created the Nashville sound in the late 1950s, and had 147 songs on the Billboard Magazine music charts, second only to George Jones...
(RCA)
- A Man and His Guitar - Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , better known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who created, along with Owen Bradley, the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.His picking style, inspired by...
(RCA)
- The Most Popular Guitar - Chet Atkins
Chester Burton Atkins , better known as Chet Atkins, was an American guitarist and record producer who created, along with Owen Bradley, the smoother country music style known as the Nashville sound, which expanded country's appeal to adult pop music fans as well.His picking style, inspired by...
(RCA)
- Our Favorite Folk Songs - The Browns
Jim Ed Brown is an American country music singer 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 a string of major duet hits with Helen Cornelius through 1981...
(RCA)
- Right or Wrong – Wanda Jackson
Wanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist...
(Capitol)
- San Antonio Rose - Ray Price
Ray Price is an American country and western singer, songwriter and guitarist. His more well-known songs include "Release Me", "Crazy Arms," "Heartaches by the Number," "City Lights," "My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You," "For the Good Times," "I Won't Mention It Again," "You're the Best Thing...
(Columbia)
- The Wild, Wicked But Wonderful West - Johnny Bond
Cyrus Whitfield Bond , known professionally as Johnny Bond, was a popular American country music entertainer of the 1940s through the 1960s.-Biography:...
(Starday)
Births
- July 8 — Toby Keith
Toby Keith Covel , best known as Toby Keith, is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, and actor. Keith released his first four studio albums — 1993's Toby Keith, 1994's Boomtown, 1996's Blue Moon and 1997's Dream Walkin, plus a Greatest Hits package for various divisions of...
, country star of the 1990s who became a mega-superstar in the 2000s, thanks to his fusion of honky tonk and rock.
- August 25 — Billy Ray Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus is a Grammy Award-nominated American country music singer, songwriter and actor, best known for his #1 single "Achy Breaky Heart." Cyrus, a multi-platinum selling recording artist, has scored a total of eight top-ten singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart...
, honky-tonk "Achy Breaky Heart"Achy Breaky Heart" is a hit country music song written by Don Von Tress. Originally titled "Don't Tell My Heart," it was recorded by the The Marcy Brothers on their self-titled second album but was not released as a single. The name was later changed to "Achy Breaky Heart" and was recorded by...
" heartthrob of the 1990's and 2000's, thanks to the huge success of "Achy Breaky".
Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees
- Jimmie Rodgers
James Charles Rodgers , known as "Jimmie," was a country singer in the early 20th century known most widely for his rhythmic yodeling...
(1897-1933)
- Fred Rose
Fred Rose was an American Hall of Fame songwriter and music publishing executive.Born in Evansville, Indiana, Fred Rose started playing piano and singing as a small boy. In his teens, he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he worked in bars busking for tips, and finally vaudeville...
(1898-1954)
- Hank Williams Sr. (1923-1953)
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.