1949 in country music
Encyclopedia
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1949.
Events
- December 10 — 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...
begins a "Country & Western Records Most Played by Folk Disk Jockeys" chart - the first chart ever to track a song's popularity by radio airplay. The first No. 1 song on the new chart is "Mule TrainMule Train"Mule Train" is a popular song written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, Doc Tommy Scott and Fred Glickman. It is a cowboy song, supposedly sung by an Old West wagon driver spurring on his team of mules as he recites the mail-order goods he is delivering to far-flung customers.-Charting versions:Charting...
" by Tennessee Ernie FordTennessee Ernie FordErnest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
. With the new chart, there are three charts gauging a song's popularity, with the sales and jukebox charts also being used.
Number one hits
(As certified by Billboard magazine)- January 22 - "I Love You So Much It HurtsI Love You So Much It Hurts"I Love You So Much It Hurts" is a song written and recorded by Floyd Tillman in 1948. His version reached number six on the Folk Best Seller charts and spent a total of nineteen weeks on the chart.-Notable cover versions:...
" - Jimmy WakelyJimmy 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... - March 5 - "Don't Rob Another Man's CastleDon't Rob Another Man's Castle"Don't Rob Another Man's Castle" is a song written by Jenny Lou Carson. The song was first performed by Eddy Arnold who reached #1 on the Folk Best Seller charts in 1949. Later that same year, Ernest Tubb and The Andrews Sisters along with The Texas Troubadors, took their version of the song to...
" - Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more... - March 19 - "Tennessee Saturday NightTennessee Saturday Night"Tennessee Saturday Night" is a Western swing ballad written by Billy Hughes. The song tells of Tennesseans having a good time on a Saturday night. Each verse ends with the refrain:...
" - Red Foley and the Cumberland Valley BoysRed FoleyClyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II.... - April 2 - "Candy KissesCandy KissesCandy Kisses can refer to the following songs:*"Candy Kisses" , a 1949 American folk song*"Candy Kisses" , a 2007 American R&B songCandy kiss or candy kisses can refer to:...
" - George MorganGeorge Morgan (singer)George Thomas Morgan was a mid-20th century American country music singer. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a former member of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:... - May 7 - "Lovesick BluesLovesick Blues"Lovesick Blues" is a show tune written by composer Cliff Friend and co-lyricist & producer Irving Mills. It has become a pop standard and an even more popular country song since it helped make Hank Williams famous in the 1940s. Published through Tin Pan Alley in 1922, the song was first recorded...
" - Hank Williams with His Drifting Cowboys - June 18 - "One Kiss Too Many" - Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
- July 30 - "I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl That I Love)I'm Throwing Rice (At the Girl That I Love)" I'm Throwing Rice " is a 1949 hit first performed by Eddy Arnold. The Eddy Arnold version went to number one on the Country & Western Best Seller Lists for four weeks. Later in the year, Red Foley recorded his own version of the song which peaked at number eleven on the Country & Western Best...
" - Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more... - September 10 - "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love MeWhy Don't You Haul Off and Love Me"Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me" is a song first recorded by Wayne Raney, written by Raney and his musical partner Lonnie Glosson. Wayne Raney had the most successful release of his career when his version of "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me" went to number one on the Country & Western...
" - Wayne RaneyWayne RaneyWayne Raney was an American country singer and harmonica player.-Biography:Raney was born on a farm with a foot deformity and could not do heavy labor. After learning to play harmonica at an early age, he moved to Piedras Negras, Mexico at age 13, where he played on radio station XEPN... - September 24 - "Slipping Around" - Ernest TubbErnest TubbErnest 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...
- October 8 - "Slipping Around" - Margaret WhitingMargaret WhitingMargaret Whiting was a singer of American popular music and country music who first made her reputation during the 1940s and 1950s.-Youth:...
and Jimmy WakelyJimmy 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... - December 10 - "Mule TrainMule Train"Mule Train" is a popular song written by Johnny Lange, Hy Heath, Doc Tommy Scott and Fred Glickman. It is a cowboy song, supposedly sung by an Old West wagon driver spurring on his team of mules as he recites the mail-order goods he is delivering to far-flung customers.-Charting versions:Charting...
" - Tennessee Ernie FordTennessee Ernie FordErnest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
- Note: Several songs were simultaneous No. 1 hits on the separate "Most Played Juke Box Folk (later Country & Western) Records," "Best Selling Retail Folk (later Country & Western) Records) and - starting December 10 - "Country & Western Records Most Played by Folk Disk Jockeys" charts.
Other major hits
- "Anticipation Blues" — Tennessee Ernie FordTennessee Ernie FordErnest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
- "Blue Skirt Waltz" — Frank Yankovic
- "C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S" — Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
- "Country Boy" — Little Jimmy DickensLittle Jimmy DickensJames Cecil Dickens , better known as Little Jimmy Dickens, is an American country music singer famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4'11" , and his rhinestone-studded outfits...
- "Cry Baby Heart" — George MorganGeorge Morgan (singer)George Thomas Morgan was a mid-20th century American country music singer. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and a former member of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:...
- "Death Of Kathy Fiscus" — Jimmy OsborneJimmy Osborne-Club career:In 1929 Osborne joined Wallsend. After a season with Wallsend he transferred to Weston where he only spent a year before moving back to Wallsend. In 1934 he moved to Granville, staying two seasons before signing for Metters...
- "Echo Of Your Footsteps" — Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
- "I Never See Maggie Alone" — Kenny RobertsKenny Roberts (musician)Kenny Roberts was a country music singer, born in Lenoir City, Tennessee, but raised on a farm outside of Greenfield, Massachusetts....
- "I'm Bitin' My Fingernails" — Ernest TubbErnest TubbErnest 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...
and the Andrews Sisters - "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It" — Hank Williams
- "Panhandle Rag" — Leon McAuliffeLeon McAuliffeLeon McAuliffe , born William Leon McAuliffe, was an American Western swing musician from Houston, Texas...
- "Room Full of RosesRoom Full of Roses"Room Full of Roses", written by Tim Spencer, is a song first recorded in 1949 by country music singer George Morgan, and famously covered in 1974 by up-and-coming singer Mickey Gilley...
" – George Morgan - "Riders In The Sky" — Vaughn MonroeVaughn MonroeVaughn Wilton Monroe was an American baritone singer, trumpeter and big band leader and actor, most popular in the 1940s and 1950s. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for recording and radio.-Biography:...
- "Smokey Mountain Boogie" — Tennessee Ernie FordTennessee Ernie FordErnest Jennings Ford , better known as Tennessee Ernie Ford, was an American recording artist and television host who enjoyed success in the country and Western, pop, and gospel musical genres...
- "Take An Old Cold Tater And Wait" — Little Jimmy DickensLittle Jimmy DickensJames Cecil Dickens , better known as Little Jimmy Dickens, is an American country music singer famous for his humorous novelty songs, his small size, 4'11" , and his rhinestone-studded outfits...
- "Tennessee Border" — Red FoleyRed FoleyClyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II....
- "Tennessee Border #2" — Red FoleyRed FoleyClyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II....
and Ernest TubbErnest TubbErnest 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... - "There's Not A Thing" — Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
- "Warm Red Wine" — Ernest TubbErnest TubbErnest 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...
- "Wedding Bells" — Hank Williams
- "Whoa Sailor" — Hank ThompsonHank Thompson (music)Henry William Thompson , known professionally as Hank Thompson, was an American country music entertainer whose career spanned seven decades...
- "Please Don't Let Me Love You — George Morgan
- "Tennessee Polka" Red Foley
- "Slipping Around" Floyd Tillman
- "I'll Never Slip Around Again" Jimmy Wakely & Margaret WhitingMargaret WhitingMargaret Whiting was a singer of American popular music and country music who first made her reputation during the 1940s and 1950s.-Youth:...
- "Will Santa Come To Shanty Town" — Eddy ArnoldEddy ArnoldRichard Edward Arnold , known professionally as Eddy Arnold, was an American country music singer who performed for six decades. He was a so-called Nashville sound innovator of the late 1950s, and scored 147 songs on the Billboard country music charts, second only to George Jones. He sold more...
- "You're Gonna Change" — Hank Williams
- "Mind Your Own Business" Hank Williams
- "Candy KissesCandy Kisses (George Morgan song)"Candy Kisses" is a 1949 song written and first recorded by American country crooner George Morgan. "Candy Kisses" was George Morgan's debut release on the charts and became his only number one on the Best Selling Folk charts, where it stayed for three weeks...
" Eltom Britt
Births
- May 26 — Hank Williams, Jr.Hank Williams, Jr.Randall Hank Williams , better known as Hank Williams, Jr. and Bocephus, is an American country singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of Southern rock, blues, and traditional country...
, son of country music pioneer Hank Williams who became a star in his own right, fusing elements of honky tonk and blues with rock. - August 27 — Jeff CookJeff Cook (musician)Jeffery A. "Jeff" Cook is an American musician who is best known as one of the founding members of the country music group Alabama....
, member of AlabamaAlabama (band)Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
. - December 13 — Randy OwenRandy OwenRandy Owen is an American country music artist. He is known primarily for his role as the lead singer of Alabama, a country rock band which saw considerable mainstream success throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Although Alabama only records new albums on occasion, Owen himself has maintained a career...
, member of AlabamaAlabama (band)Alabama is a country music and southern rock band from Fort Payne, Alabama, United States. The band was founded in 1969 by Randy Owen and his cousin Teddy Gentry , soon joined by Jeff Cook...
.
Deaths
- December 11 — Fiddlin' John CarsonFiddlin' John CarsonFiddlin' John Carson was an American old time fiddler and an early-recorded country musician.-Early life:...
, 81, one of country music's first popular recording artist on a nationwide basis.
Further reading
- 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.