See also: 1984 in country music, 1985 in music, other events of 1985, 1986 in country music, 1980s in music and the List of years in Country Music See also: 1983 in country music, 1984 in music, other events of 1984, 1985 in country music, 1980s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events Top Hits of the Year No. ... See also: other events of 1985 Musical groups established in 1985 Record labels established in 1985 list of years in music 1980s in music // January 28 - Various artists, including Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Steve Perry, Kenny Loggins, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... See also: 1985 in country music, 1986 in music, other events of 1986, 1987 in country music, 1980s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events For the first time in its 42-year history, there is a new No. ... // International trends The popularity of poop music explodes thanks to performers like Michael Jackson and Madonna. ... This page indexes the individual year in country music pages. ...

Events

• A story published in the New York Times declares that country music is "dead." However, a number of new acts – Randy Travis and Dwight Yoakam among them – are working behind the scenes to change the trend.

The New York Times is an internationally known daily newspaper published in New York City and distributed in the United States and many other nations worldwide. ... Randy Travis sings his chart-topping song Three Wooden Crosses, at the DoD-sponsored salute to Korean War veterans at the MCI Center in Washington, July 26, 2003. ... Dwight David Yoakam (born October 23, 1956) is an American musician, songwriter, and actor. ...

Top hits of the year

Number one hits

(As certified by Billboard magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ...

• ¹ - No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard magazine.
• ^A - First Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
• ^B - Last Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist to date.
• ^C - Only Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist to date.

January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ... January 12 is the 12th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Eddie Rabbitt (born November 27, 1941 - May 7, 1998) was a Country Music singer, who enjoyed much Pop success in his career, helping develop the crossover influenced sound in Country music during the 1970s and 80s. ... January 19 is the 19th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Reba Nell McEntire (b. ... January 26 is the 26th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ... February 2 is the 33rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Merle Ronald Haggard (nicknamed The Hag; born April 6, 1937 in Bakersfield, CA) is an American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... Janie Fricke (born December 19, 1947) is an American country music singer-guitarist. ... February 9 is the 40th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Twitty redirects here. ... February 16 is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Press photo of The Oak Ridge Boys. ... February 23 is the 54th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Mel McDaniel (born September 6, 1942) is an American country music singer. ... March 2 is the 61st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (62nd in leap years). ... Gary Morris (born December 7, 1948) is an American Country Music singer and theater actor, who enjoyed a string of Countrypolitan hit songs throughout the 1980s. ... March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (69th in leap years). ... The cover of the Statlers 1991 album All American Country The Statler Brothers are an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Virginia. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in leap years). ... Exile (band) may refer to: Exile - The American country music band Exile - The Japanese pop music band Category: ... March 23 is the 82nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (83rd in leap years). ... Ray Charles was the stage name of Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004). ... Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... March 30 is the 89th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (90th in leap years). ... Kenneth Donald Kenny Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman. ... April 6 is the 96th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (97th in leap years). ... John Schneider is the name of the following unrelated people: John Schneider is an actor best known for his television roles, particularly The Dukes of Hazzard. ... April 13 is the 103rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (104th in leap years). ... Earl Thomas Conley (born October 17, 1941) is an American country music singer and composer. ... April 20 is the 110th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (111th in leap years). ... Bellamy Brothers The Bellamy Brothers are a country music duo composed of two brothers – Howard and David Bellamy – who enjoyed an amazing run of success starting in the mid-1970s. ... April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... May 4 is the 124th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (125th in leap years). ... Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ... May 11 is the 131st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (132nd in leap years). ... Reba Nell McEntire (b. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (139th in leap years). ... Sawyer Brown is a country music band formed in 1981. ... May 25 is the 145th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (146th in leap years). ... Charly McClain (born Charlotte Denise McClain on March 26, 1956) is an American country music singer. ... June 1 is the 152nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (153rd in leap years), with 213 days remaining. ... Twitty redirects here. ... June 8 is the 159th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (160th in leap years), with 206 days remaining. ... Merle Ronald Haggard (nicknamed The Hag; born April 6, 1937 in Bakersfield, CA) is an American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... June 15 is the 166th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (167th in leap years), with 199 days remaining. ... Ricky Skaggs, April 1988 Ricky Skaggs1st off Skaggs was known to hate everyone he met. ... June 22 is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 192 days remaining. ... Press photo of The Oak Ridge Boys. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... July 6 is the 187th day of the year (188th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 178 days remaining. ... Exile (band) may refer to: Exile - The American country music band Exile - The Japanese pop music band Category: ... July 13 is the 194th day (195th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 171 days remaining. ... Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... July 20 is the 201st day (202nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 164 days remaining. ... Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country music singer songwriter. ... July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... Earl Thomas Conley (born October 17, 1941) is an American country music singer and composer. ... August 3 is the 215th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (216th in leap years), with 150 days remaining. ... Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ... August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Hank Williams, Jr. ... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Highwaymen is the name of at least two musical groups: A circa 1960 collegiate folk group, which originated at Wesleyan University and had a number-one hit in 1961 with Michael Row the Boat Ashore and another top-20 hit in 1962 with Cottonfields. Original members: David Fisher, Steve... Waylon Jennings in the 1960s. ... Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash, February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a multi Grammy Award-winning influential American country and rock and roll singer and songwriter. ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... Kenneth Donald Kenny Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman. ... Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American Grammy-winning and Academy Award-nominated country singer, songwriter, composer, author, actress and philanthropist. ... August 31 is the 243rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (244th in leap years), with 122 days remaining. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... September 7 is the 250th day of the year (251st in leap years). ... Rosanne Cash from the back cover of Rhythm & Romance (1985). ... September 14 is the 257th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (258th in leap years). ... The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since 1966. ... September 21 is the 264th day of the year (265th in leap years). ... The Forester Sisters are an American country music vocal group consisting of Kathy, June, Kim and Christy Forester. ... September 28 is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... Dan Wayland Seals (born February 8, 1950 in McCamey, Texas) is an American musician. ... Marie Osmond (born Olive Marie Osmond October 13, 1959 in Ogden, Utah) is an American Actress, Singer, and a member of the show business family, The Osmonds. ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Juice Newton was born Judith Kaye Cohen 18 February 1952 in Lakehurst, New Jersey and grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 66 days remaining. ... Press photo of The Oak Ridge Boys. ... November 2 is the 306th day of the year (307th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 59 days remaining. ... Steve Wariner Steve Wariner (born December 25, 1954 in Noblesville, Indiana) is a American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ... November 16 is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 45 days remaining. ... Exile (band) may refer to: Exile - The American country music band Exile - The Japanese pop music band Category: ... November 23 is the 327th day of the year (328th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 38 days remaining. ... Gary Morris (born December 7, 1948) is an American Country Music singer and theater actor, who enjoyed a string of Countrypolitan hit songs throughout the 1980s. ... November 30 is the 334th day (335th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 31 days remaining. ... The cover of the Statlers 1991 album All American Country The Statler Brothers are an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Virginia. ... December 7 is the 341st day (342nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country music singer songwriter. ... December 14 is the 348th day of the year (349th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Earl Thomas Conley (born October 17, 1941) is an American country music singer and composer. ... December 21 is the 355th day of the year (356th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ... December 28 is the 362nd day of the year (363rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 3 days remaining. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry. ...

Other major hits

Top new album releases

Gallery

40 Hour Week Alabama (RCA) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ...	The Ballad of Sally Rose Emmylou Harris (Warner Bros.) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Album cover: The Ballad of Sally Rose The Ballad of Sally Rose was an album by Emmylou Harris, originally released in 1985. ... Emmylou Harris (b. ...	Greatest Hits George Strait (MCA) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Greatest Hits is country music singer George Straits first compilation album, released in 1985 by MCA Records. ... George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ...	Have I Got a Deal for You Reba McEntire (MCA) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Have I Got a Deal for You is a continuation of the same style of music that made Reba McEntires previous My Kind of Country a big seller. ... Reba Nell McEntire (b. ...
Highwayman The Highwaymen (Columbia) Image File history File links The_highwaymen_album. ... Highwayman is a 1985 album by country supergroup The Highwaymen, comprising Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. ... The Highwaymen were a country supergroup comprising four musicians well-known for, among other things, their involvement and pioneering influence on the outlaw country subgenre: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. ...	Me and Paul Willie Nelson (Columbia) Image File history File links Me_and_Paul. ... Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ...	Real Love Dolly Parton (RCA) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Real Love was a 1985 Dolly Parton. ... Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American Grammy-winning and Academy Award-nominated country singer, songwriter, composer, author, actress and philanthropist. ...	Rhythm & Romance Roseanne Cash (Columbia) Image File history File links RosanneCashRhythmandRomance. ... Rhythm & Romance was the second #1 Billboard country album for Rosanne Cash. ... Rosanne Cash (born May 24, 1955) is an American country singer. ...
Rockin' With the Rhythm The Judds (RCA) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ...	Turn the Page Waylon Jennings (RCA) Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Waylon Jennings in the 1960s. ...	Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes? George Jones (Epic) Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Whos Gonna Fill Their Shoes? is an album by American country music artist George Jones. ... George Glenn Jones (born September 12, 1931), is an American country music artist known for his distinctive voice and phrasing that frequently evoke the raw emotions caused by grief, unhappy love, and emotional hardship. ...

Other top albums

• Amber Waves of Grain - Merle Haggard (Epic)
• Chasin' Rainbows - Conway Twitty (Warner Bros.)
• Don't Call Him a Cowboy - Conway Twitty (Warner Bros.)
• First Time Live - George Jones (Epic)
• Get to the Heart - Barbara Mandrell (MCA)
• Greatest Hits, Vol. 2 – Ronnie Milsap (RCA)
• Hang On to Your Heart - Exile (Epic)
• Kern River - Merle Haggard (Epic)
• One Good Night Deserves Another - Steve Wariner (MCA)
• Partners, Brothers and Friends - Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (Warner Bros.)
• Radio Heart - Charly McClain (Epic)
• Rockin' With the Rhythm - The Judds (RCA/Curb)
• Sawyer Brown - Sawyer Brown (Capitol/Curb)
• Somebody Else's Fire - Janie Fricke (Epic)

Merle Ronald Haggard (nicknamed The Hag; born April 6, 1937 in Bakersfield, CA) is an American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... Twitty redirects here. ... Twitty redirects here. ... George Glenn Jones (born September 12, 1931), is an American country music artist known for his distinctive voice and phrasing that frequently evoke the raw emotions caused by grief, unhappy love, and emotional hardship. ... Barbara Ann Mandrell (born December 25, 1948 in Houston, Texas) is a Country Music singer, who became one of the most successful Pop-oriented Country music singers of the 1970s and 80s. ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... Exile (band) may refer to: Exile - The American country music band Exile - The Japanese pop music band Category: ... Merle Ronald Haggard (nicknamed The Hag; born April 6, 1937 in Bakersfield, CA) is an American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... Steve Wariner Steve Wariner (born December 25, 1954 in Noblesville, Indiana) is a American country music singer, guitarist and songwriter. ... The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is an American country-folk-rock band that has existed in various forms since the original founding in California in 1965. ... Charly McClain (born Charlotte Denise McClain on March 26, 1956) is an American country music singer. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... Sawyer Brown is a country music band formed in 1981. ... Janie Fricke (born December 19, 1947) is an American country music singer-guitarist. ...

Christmas albums

• Alabama Christmas – Alabama (RCA)

Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ...

On television

Regular series

• Hee Haw (1969-1993, syndicated)

This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...

Specials

Births

Deaths

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

• Lester Flatt (1914-1979), Earl Scruggs (1924-), and The Foggy Mountain Boys

Lester Flatt (June 19, 1914 - May 11, 1979) was one of the pioneers of bluegrass music. ... Earl Scruggs Earl Eugene Scruggs (born January 6, 1924 in Shelby, North Carolina) created a banjo style (now called Scruggs style) that is one of the defining characteristics of bluegrass. ...

Major awards

Grammy awards

• Best Country Vocal Performance, Female -- "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me" - Rosanne Cash
• Best Country Vocal Performance, Male -- "Lost In The Fifties Tonight (In The Still Of The Night)" - Ronnie Milsap
• Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal -- "Why Not Me" - Judds (Naomi Judd, Wynonna Judd)
• Best Country Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group Or Soloist) -- "Cosmic Square Dance" - Chet Atkins and Mark Knopfler
• Best Country Song -- "Highwayman" - Jimmy L. Webb, songwriter

Rosanne Cash from the back cover of Rhythm & Romance (1985). ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... Chet Atkins Chester Burton Chet Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001) was an influential guitarist and record producer. ... Dr. Mark Freuder Knopfler, OBE (born August 12, 1949, Glasgow, Scotland) is an English guitarist, singer, and songwriter. ... Jimmy Webb (born August 5, 1946) is an idiosyncratic American popular music composer. ...

Academy of Country Music

• Entertainer Of The Year -- Alabama
• Song Of The Year -- "Lost In The Fifties" - Ronnie Milsap - Fredericke Darris, Michael Reid, Troy Seals
• Single Of The Year -- "Highwayman" - Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson
• Album Of The Year -- Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind - George Strait
• Top Male Vocalist -- George Strait
• Top Female Vocalist -- Reba McEntire
• Top Vocal Duo -- The Judds
• Top Vocal Group -- Alabama
• Top New Male Vocalist -- Randy Travis
• Top New Female Vocalist -- Judy Rodman
• Video Of The Year -- "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" - George Jones (Director: Marc Ball)

Alabama is a Grammy Award-winning country music band that originated in Fort Payne, Alabama. ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... Waylon Jennings in the 1960s. ... Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash, February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was a multi Grammy Award-winning influential American country and rock and roll singer and songwriter. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ... Reba Nell McEntire (b. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... Randy Travis sings his chart-topping song Three Wooden Crosses, at the DoD-sponsored salute to Korean War veterans at the MCI Center in Washington, July 26, 2003. ... George Glenn Jones (born September 12, 1931), is an American country music artist known for his distinctive voice and phrasing that frequently evoke the raw emotions caused by grief, unhappy love, and emotional hardship. ...

Country Music Association

• Instrumental Group of the Year -- Ricky Skaggs Band
• Instrumentalist of the Year -- Chet Atkins
• Entertainer of the Year -- Ricky Skaggs
• Male Vocalist of the Year -- George Strait
• Female Vocalist of the Year -- Reba McEntire
• Horizon Award -- Sawyer Brown
• Vocal Group of the Year -- The Judds
• Vocal Duo of the Year -- Dave Loggins and Anne Murray
• Album of the Year -- George Strait
• Song of the Year -- Lee Greenwood
• Single of the Year -- The Judds
• Music Video of the Year -- Hank Williams, Jr.

Ricky Skaggs, April 1988 Ricky Skaggs1st off Skaggs was known to hate everyone he met. ... Chet Atkins Chester Burton Chet Atkins (June 20, 1924 – June 30, 2001) was an influential guitarist and record producer. ... Ricky Skaggs, April 1988 Ricky Skaggs1st off Skaggs was known to hate everyone he met. ... George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ... Reba Nell McEntire (b. ... Sawyer Brown is a country music band formed in 1981. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... Dave Loggins was born as David Allen Loggins in Mountain City, Tennessee, on 10th November 1947. ... Anne Murray CC, ONS (born Morna Anne Murray June 20, 1945), is a Canadian singer born in Springhill, Nova Scotia, known for her rich alto voice and her taste in choosing songs that appeal to Pop, Country and Adult Contemporary listeners alike. ... George Harvey Strait, (born May 18, 1952), is an American country music singer. ... Lee Greenwood Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942 in South Gate, California) is an American country music singer songwriter. ... Wynonna Judd and Naomi Judd from the back cover of Why Not Me (1985). ... It has been suggested that Audrey Williams be merged into this article or section. ...

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.

Other links

• Country Music Association
• Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame

The Country Music Association (CMA) was founded in 1958 in Nashville, Tennessee. ... This is a list of inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. ...

External links

• Country Music Hall of Fame