See also: 2003 in country music, 2004 in music, other events of 2004, 2005 in country music, 2000s in music and the List of years in Country Music See also: 2002 in country music, 2003 in music, other events of 2003, 2004 in country music, 2000s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events Top Hits of the Year No. ... See also: 2004 in music (UK) other events of 2004 list of years in music 2000s in music // Events January 1 - Vienna New Years Concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in Vienna, conducted by Riccardo Muti January 1 - Kurt Nilsen wins World Idol January 3 - Britney Spears marries Jason... It has been designated the: International Year of Rice (by the United Nations) International Year to Commemorate the Struggle against Slavery and its Abolition (by UNESCO) 2004 World Health Day topic was Road Safety (by World Health Organization) Year of the Monkey (by the Chinese calendar) See the world in... See also: 2004 in country music, 2005 in music, other events of 2005, 2006 in country music, 2000s in music and the List of years in Country Music // Events April 30 - Billboard magazine renames the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart Hot Country Songs. ... // The Decade as a Whole Legal music downloads take off as Apple Computers iTunes Music Store sells more than 800 million songs in 3 years, as of 2006. ... This page indexes the individual year in music pages. ...

Events

Top hits of the year

Number one hits

(As certified by Billboard magazine) An example of a Billboard Magazine. ...

• ¹ – No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard magazine.
  
• ² – Song dropped from No. 1 and later returned to top spot.

February 7 is the 38th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Alan Jackson on the cover of his #1 album Drive Alan Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American country music singer and songwriter, who became one of the best-selling country musicians of the 1990s. ... February 21 is the 52nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Toby Keith visits with fans during brief breaks in filming the music video American Soldier in hangar 1600 at Edwards Air Force Base, November 17, 2003. ... March 20 is the 79th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (80th in Leap years). ... Tim McGraw performing for the United States Air Force. ... April 3 is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 272 days remaining. ... Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits Kenneth Arnold Kenny Chesney (born March 26, 1968 in Luttrell, Tennessee) is a popular country music singer and songwriter, known for such works as No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems and When the Sun Goes Down. ... Uncle Kracker (born Matthew Shafer 9 November 1974 in Mount Clemens, Michigan) is an American rock and roll musician. ... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... Keith Lionel Urban (born 26 October 1967 in Whangarei, New Zealand) is a country singer. ... May 22 is the 142nd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (143rd in leap years). ... Rascal Flatts performing in Iraq in 2005(Joe Don Rooney, left)(Gary LeVox, center)(Jay DeMarcus,right) Rascal Flatts is an American country music group comprised of lead vocalist Gary LeVox (born July 10, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio), bassist Jay DeMarcus (born April 27, 1971 in Columbus, Ohio) and electric... May 29 is the 149th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (150th in leap years). ... Gretchen Wilson on the cover of Here for the Party Gretchen Renée Wilson (born 26 June, 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois, ca. ... July 3 is the 184th day of the year (185th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 181 days remaining. ... Montgomery Gentry is a two-man country music group, consisting of Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry, which was founded in the 1990s. ... July 10 is the 191st day (192nd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 174 days remaining. ... Toby Keith visits with fans during brief breaks in filming the music video American Soldier in hangar 1600 at Edwards Air Force Base, November 17, 2003. ... July 17 is the 198th day (199th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 167 days remaining. ... Tim McGraw performing for the United States Air Force. ... August 7 is the 219th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (220th in leap years), with 146 days remaining. ... Reba Nell McEntire (born on March 28, 1955) is a Grammy Award-winning singer, and one of the best-selling country music performers of all time, known for her pop tinged ballads that include 22 #1 hits, she has issued no less than 29 albums, with more than 45 million... September 11 is the 254th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (255th in leap years). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... September 18 is the 261st day of the year (262nd in leap years). ... Keith Lionel Urban (born 26 October 1967 in Whangarei, New Zealand) is a country singer. ... October 16 is the 289th day of the year (290th in Leap years). ... Sara Lynn Evans, born February 5, 1971, in Boonville, Missouri, is a country music singer. ... October 23 is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 69 days remaining. ... George Strait George Harvey Strait (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music artist. ... November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 55 days remaining. ... Phil Vassar on Fox News Channel Phil Vassar (born May 28, 1964 in Lynchburg, Virginia) is an American country music artist, most notable for his songwriting and use of a piano as his most prominent backing instrument. ... November 20 is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Lonestar is an American country music band consisting of Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (guitar), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Dean Sams (keyboards). ... December 4 is the 338th day (339th on leap years) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Gary Allan Gary Allan (born Gary Allan Herzberg December 5, 1967) is a country singer from Long Beach, California. ... December 18 is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Tim McGraw performing for the United States Air Force. ... December 25 is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 6 days remaining. ... Blake Shelton is an American country music singer. ... An example of a Billboard Magazine. ...

Other major hits

• "Break Down Here" -- Julie Roberts
• "Cool to Be a Fool" -- Joe Nichols
• "Desperately" -- George Strait
• "Drinkin' Bone" -- Tracy Byrd
• "Good Little Girls" -- Blue County
• "Here For the Party" -- Gretchen Wilson
• "Hey Good Lookin'" -- Jimmy Buffett with George Strait, Alan Jackson, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, & Toby Keith
• "Honesty (Write Me A List)" -- Rodney Atkins
• "Hot Mama" -- Trace Adkins
• "I Got a Feelin'" -- Billy Currington
• "I Wanna Do It All" -- Terri Clark
• "I Want to Live" -- Josh Gracin
• "If Nobody Believed in You" -- Joe Nichols
• "In My Daughter's Eyes" -- Martina McBride
• "Let's Be Us Again" -- Lonestar
• "Letters From Home" -- John Michael Montgomery
• "Little Moments" -- Brad Paisley
• "Loco" -- David Lee Murphy
• "Long Black Train" -- Josh Turner
• "Me and Emily" -- Rachel Proctor
• "Paint Me a Birmingham" -- Tracy Lawrence
• "Perfect" -- Sara Evans
• "Rough and Ready" -- Trace Adkins
• "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy" -- Big & Rich
• "She Thinks She Needs Me" -- Andy Griggs
• "Simple Life" -- Carolyn Dawn Johnson
• "Spend My Time" -- Clint Black
• "Songs About Rain" -- Gary Allan
• "Stays in Mexico" -- Toby Keith
• "Sweet Southern Comfort" -- Buddy Jewell
• "That's What It's All About" -- Brooks & Dunn
• "That's What She Gets For Loving Me" -- Brooks & Dunn
• "Too Much of a Good Thing" -- Alan Jackson
• "Whiskey Lullaby" -- Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss
• "The Woman With You" -- Kenny Chesney
• "You Can't Take the Honky-Tonk Out of the Girl" -- Brooks & Dunn

Julie Roberts is an American country music singer born in Lancaster, South Carolina. ... There are two country musicians named Joe Nichols: // Joe Nichols (Arkansas) Joe Nichols of Rogers, Arkansas is a young country music singer who rose to prominence in 2003 with his hit Brokenheartsville, a classic breakup song which featured lots of fiddles in the traditional country style (and seemed older even... George Strait George Harvey Strait (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music artist. ... Tracy Byrd (born on December 17, 1966 in Beaumont, Texas) is a country music singer. ... Gretchen Wilson on the cover of Here for the Party Gretchen Renée Wilson (born 26 June, 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois, ca. ... In License to Chill, Buffett paired with several famous country music stars on the albums songs. ... Rodney Atkins (born 28 March 1969 in Knoxville, Tennessee) is an American country singer. ... ... Billy Currington (born November 19, 1973) is an American country singer/songwriter who was raised in Rincon, Georgia. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Joshua Gracin (born October 18, 1980) was the 4th place contestant in the 2003 edition of American Idol, and at the time of the show also a Lance Corporal in the United States Marines. ... There are two country musicians named Joe Nichols: // Joe Nichols (Arkansas) Joe Nichols of Rogers, Arkansas is a young country music singer who rose to prominence in 2003 with his hit Brokenheartsville, a classic breakup song which featured lots of fiddles in the traditional country style (and seemed older even... Martina McBride at the 2003 American Music Awards. ... Lonestar is an American country music band consisting of Richie McDonald (lead vocals), Michael Britt (guitar), Keech Rainwater (drums) and Dean Sams (keyboards). ... John Michael Montgomery is an award-winning country singer. ... Brad Paisley - Time Well Wasted album cover Brad Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter from Glen Dale, West Virginia. ... David Lee Murphy is a country music singer who moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 1983. ... Josh Turner (born November 20, 1977 in Hannah, South Carolina) is an American country music singer. ... Tracy Lawrence (born 27 January 1968) is an American country musician. ... Sara Lynn Evans, born February 5, 1971, in Boonville, Missouri, is a country music singer. ... ... Big Kenny(left), and John Rich(right) Big & Rich are an American genre-busting country music duo comprising Big Kenny (Kenny Alphin) and John Rich. ... Andy Griggs is a Louisiana-born country musician, who began his adult life as a minister and playing guitar on the side. ... Carolyn Dawn Johnson Carolyn Dawn Johnson (born April 30th, 1971 in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada) is a Country music singer and songwriter. ... Clint Patrick Black (born February 4, 1962 in Long Branch, New Jersey, USA) is a country music singer, songwriter and producer. ... Gary Allan Gary Allan (born Gary Allan Herzberg December 5, 1967) is a country singer from Long Beach, California. ... Toby Keith visits with fans during brief breaks in filming the music video American Soldier in hangar 1600 at Edwards Air Force Base, November 17, 2003. ... Buddy Jewell is an American country music performer. ... Brooks & Dunn are a country music singer/songwriter duo, one of the most successful in the history of country music. ... Brooks & Dunn are a country music singer/songwriter duo, one of the most successful in the history of country music. ... Alan Jackson on the cover of his #1 album Drive Alan Jackson (born October 17, 1958) is an American country music singer and songwriter, who became one of the best-selling country musicians of the 1990s. ... Brad Paisley - Time Well Wasted album cover Brad Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter from Glen Dale, West Virginia. ... Alison Krauss on the cover of her album Forget About It Alison Krauss, born July 23, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois, is a bluegrass singer and virtuoso fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. ... Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits Kenneth Arnold Kenny Chesney (born March 26, 1968 in Luttrell, Tennessee) is a popular country music singer and songwriter, known for such works as No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems and When the Sun Goes Down. ... Brooks & Dunn are a country music singer/songwriter duo, one of the most successful in the history of country music. ...

Top new album releases

• 50 Number Ones -- George Strait (MCA Nashville)
• Be Here -- Keith Urban (Capitol)
• Blake Shelton's Barn & Grill -- Blake Shelton (Warner Bros.)
• Darryl Worley -- Darryl Worley (DreamWorks Nashville)
• Feels Like Today -- Rascal Flatts (Lyric Street)
• Greatest Hits -- Shania Twain (Mercury)
• The Greatest Hits 1994-2004 -- Terri Clark (Mercury)
• Greatest Hits Collection II -- Brooks & Dunn (Arista Nashville/BMG)
• Here For the Party -- Gretchen Wilson (Epic/Sony)
• Horse of a Different Color -- Big & Rich (Warner Bros.)
• Live Like You Were Dying -- Tim McGraw (Curb)
• Passing Through -- Randy Travis (World Entertainment)
• Sweet Right Here -- SHeDAISY (Lyric Street)
• Twice the Speed of Life -- Sugarland (Mercury)
• Van Lear Rose -- Loretta Lynn (Interscope)
• When the Sun Goes Down -- Kenny Chesney (BNA)

George Strait George Harvey Strait (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music artist. ... Keith Lionel Urban (born 26 October 1967 in Whangarei, New Zealand) is a country singer. ... Blake Shelton is an American country music singer. ... Darryl Worley (born October 31, 1964 in Pyburn, Tennessee) is an American country music artist. ... Rascal Flatts performing in Iraq in 2005(Joe Don Rooney, left)(Gary LeVox, center)(Jay DeMarcus,right) Rascal Flatts is an American country music group comprised of lead vocalist Gary LeVox (born July 10, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio), bassist Jay DeMarcus (born April 27, 1971 in Columbus, Ohio) and electric... Shania Twain, OC (born August 28, 1965) is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has been very successful in the country and pop music genres, setting several sales records for female artists and for country artists. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Brooks & Dunn are a country music singer/songwriter duo, one of the most successful in the history of country music. ... Gretchen Wilson on the cover of Here for the Party Gretchen Renée Wilson (born 26 June, 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois, ca. ... Big Kenny(left), and John Rich(right) Big & Rich are an American genre-busting country music duo comprising Big Kenny (Kenny Alphin) and John Rich. ... Tim McGraw performing for the United States Air Force. ... 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. ... Kelsi, Kristyn and Kassidy Osborn enjoy a laugh with Capt. ... Sugarland is a country music duo. ... Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (born April 14, 1935) is an American country singer who was the leading country female vocalist during much of the 1960s and 1970s. ... Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits Kenneth Arnold Kenny Chesney (born March 26, 1968 in Luttrell, Tennessee) is a popular country music singer and songwriter, known for such works as No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems and When the Sun Goes Down. ...

Deaths

• June 10 — Ray Charles, 74, multi-talented artist who combined elements of pop, rhythm and blues, soul and jazz with country music.
• September 19 — Skeeter Davis, 72, best known for "The End of the World."
• September 23 — Roy Drusky, 74, Grand Ole Opry star and smooth countrypolitan stylist of the 1960s.
• December 27 — Hank Garland, 74, country and jazz guitar pioneer.

June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... For Ray Charles of the Ray Charles Singers, and longtime vocal conductor for Perry Como, see Ray Charles (elder). ... September 19 is the 262nd day of the year (263rd in leap years). ... Skeeter Davis Mary Frances Skeeter Davis (December 30, 1931 – September 19, 2004) was an American country music singer and a member of the Grand Ole Opry radio show for more than 40 years. ... September 23 is the 266th day of the year (267th in leap years). ... The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly Saturday night country music radio program broadcast live on WSM Radio in Nashville, Tennessee. ... December 27 is the 361st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees

• Jim Foglesong (1922- )
• Kris Kristofferson (1936- )

1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Kris Kristofferson (born June 22, 1936) is an influential country music songwriter, singer and actor. ... 1936 (MCMXXXVI) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Major Awards

Grammy awards

• Best Female Country Vocal Performance -- "Keep on the Sunny Side," June Carter Cash.
• Best Male Country Vocal Performance -- "Next Big Thing," Vince Gill.
• Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal -- "A Simple Life," Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder.
• Best Country Collaboration with Vocals -- "How's the World Treating You," Alison Krauss and James Taylor.
• Best Country Instrumental Performance -- "Cluck Old Hen," Alison Krauss & Union Station.
• Best Country Song -- "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Jim "Moose" Brown and Don Rollins.
• Best Country Album -- Livin', Lovin', Losin' – Songs of the Louvin Brothers, Various Artists (Carl Jackson, producer).
• Best Bluegrass Album -- Live, Alison Krauss & Union Station.

June Carter Cash June Carter Cash (June 23, 1929 – May 15, 2003) was a singer, songwriter, a member of the first family of country music, the Carter Family, and the wife of legendary singer Johnny Cash. ... Vince Gill Vince Gill (born April 12, 1957) is an American country music musician, songwriter, and singer. ... Ricky Skaggs, April 1988 Ricky Skaggs (born July 18, 1954 in Lawrence County, Kentucky) is a country music musician, singer and composer. ... Alison Krauss on the cover of her album Forget About It Alison Krauss (born on July 23, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois), is a bluegrass singer and world-renowned fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. ... The Best of James Taylor album cover James Vernon Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist, born in Boston, Massachusetts. ... Alison Krauss on the cover of her album Forget About It Alison Krauss (born on July 23, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois), is a bluegrass singer and world-renowned fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. ... Alison Krauss on the cover of her album Forget About It Alison Krauss (born on July 23, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois), is a bluegrass singer and world-renowned fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. ...

Academy of Country Music

Country Music Association

• Entertainer of the Year -- Kenny Chesney
• Male Vocalist of the Year -- Keith Urban
• Female Vocalist of the Year -- Martina McBride
• Horizon Award -- Gretchen Wilson
• Vocal Group of the Year -- Rascal Flatts
• Vocal Duo of the Year -- Brooks & Dunn
• Vocal Event of the Year -- "Whiskey Lullaby" Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss
• Single of the Year -- "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim McGraw
• Song of the Year -- "Live Like You Were Dying", Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman
• Album of the Year -- When the Sun Goes Down, Kenny Chesney
• Video of the Year -- "Whiskey Lullaby" Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss (Director: Rick Schroder)
• Musician of the Year -- Dann Huff

Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits Kenneth Arnold Kenny Chesney (born March 26, 1968 in Luttrell, Tennessee) is a popular country music singer and songwriter, known for such works as No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems and When the Sun Goes Down. ... Keith Lionel Urban (born 26 October 1967 in Whangarei, New Zealand) is a country singer. ... Martina McBride at the 2003 American Music Awards. ... Gretchen Wilson on the cover of Here for the Party Gretchen Renée Wilson (born 26 June, 1973 in Pocahontas, Illinois, ca. ... Rascal Flatts performing in Iraq in 2005(Joe Don Rooney, left)(Gary LeVox, center)(Jay DeMarcus,right) Rascal Flatts is an American country music group comprised of lead vocalist Gary LeVox (born July 10, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio), bassist Jay DeMarcus (born April 27, 1971 in Columbus, Ohio) and electric... Brooks & Dunn are a country music singer/songwriter duo, one of the most successful in the history of country music. ... Brad Paisley - Time Well Wasted album cover Brad Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter from Glen Dale, West Virginia. ... Alison Krauss on the cover of her album Forget About It Alison Krauss (born on July 23, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois), is a bluegrass singer and world-renowned fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. ... Tim McGraw performing for the United States Air Force. ... Kenny Chesney, Greatest Hits Kenneth Arnold Kenny Chesney (born March 26, 1968 in Luttrell, Tennessee) is a popular country music singer and songwriter, known for such works as No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems and When the Sun Goes Down. ... Brad Paisley - Time Well Wasted album cover Brad Paisley (born October 28, 1972) is an American country music singer and songwriter from Glen Dale, West Virginia. ... Alison Krauss on the cover of her album Forget About It Alison Krauss (born on July 23, 1971 in Decatur, Illinois), is a bluegrass singer and world-renowned fiddle player who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. ... Rick Schroder (born Richard Schroder on April 13, 1970 on Staten Island, New York) (also known as Ricky Schroder) is an American actor who began his career as a child actor. ... Dann Huff (born 1960) is a well-known singer, guitarist, songwriter and producer. ...

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