Country History - Page 3
1. Peak popularity perfectly overlapped the peak of the 8-track format. 8-tracks were hottest from 1968–1978. Kenny Rogers’ monster albums hit right then:The Gambler (1978)Kenny (1979)Daytime Friends (1977)Love Lifted Me (1976)These albums were massive sellers on every format, but 8-tracks were still a dominant retail product. 2. Crossover appeal = more salesHe wasn’t just country—he was everywhere: pop radio, adult contemporary, supermarkets, truck […]
The Country Music Association Awards has been a fixture in country music since its first show, which was untelevised, in 1967. The awards show has almost exclusively taken place in Nashville, aside from 2005’s show at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Many musicians have etched their names into the history of the genre […]
Country music and Hollywood seem like a perfect match, big personalities, big stories and that all-American charm. When some of country’s biggest stars traded their cowboy hats for movie sets, the results were often more cringeworthy than charming. Take Dolly Parton. While she’s beloved for 9 to 5 and Steel Magnolias, not every role was […]
As the curtain falls on their legendary Farewell Tour, The Oak Ridge Boys aren’t just saying goodbye, they’re cementing their legacy as more than just a country act. We’re talking titans of music, the kind of group whose harmony-driven sound and good-time anthems cross every line, from gospel revivals to packed-out stadiums. For over 50 years, […]
Breaker, breaker one-nine! Sometimes you’re just cruising down the road and for some strange reason, you think about Bill Fries. Maybe it’s the rumble of an 18-wheeler passing by, or maybe it’s the memory of a simpler time when a CB radio was the original social media. Known to every good buddy as C.W. McCall, […]
When you hear the name Charlie Daniels, chances are your brain jumps straight to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” and that famous fiddle showdown. But let’s get one thing straight: Charlie Daniels was no one-trick pony and he sure as hell wasn’t just some jolly bearded guy in a cowboy hat spinning Southern yarns. […]
Country outlaw, denim legend, and all-around honky-tonk heartthrob Dwight Yoakam turns another year older today and we’re raising a glass of bourbon to the man who made it cool to be country and rock ‘n’ roll at the same time. Born October 23, 1956, Dwight didn’t come out of Nashville like most of the big […]
7 Outrageously Expensive Pieces of Country Music Memorabilia – And Yes, One Includes Elvis’ Sweat! Let’s face it, being a country music fan isn’t just about the music, it’s about the legacy. For those lucky (and rich) enough to own a piece of history? Well, partner, that’s next-level devotion. From whiskey-soaked guitars to rhinestone-studded relics, […]
Before they were selling out stadiums and topping the charts, these country legends were answering a different kind of call — Uncle Sam’s! From boot camp to battlefield, these stars served with honor before finding fame. Some even kept their service top secret! Here’s a roundup of 9 country stars who proudly wore the uniform […]
Country Stars Who Crashed the Top 40 Country ain’t just for back roads and beer anymore—these 9 stars took their twang and turned it into crossover gold. From honky-tonk to Hollywood, they didn’t just make it, they dominated. Whether you’re loyal to classic country or secretly blast Top 40 in your truck, these names prove […]
Man, now that Alan Jackson has officially announced his final show next summer, it’s high time we lay down why this guy deserves a carved spot on the Mt. Rushmore of country music, no argument. For a guy who grew up on real country, Jackson isn’t just a superstar, he’s the kind of legend people […]