1966 in country music
Encyclopedia
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1966.
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^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard
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Events
- March 15 — Roger MillerRoger MillerRoger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs...
wins six Grammy Awards, five of them related to his hit "King of the RoadKing of the Road (song)"King of the Road" is a 1964 song written and originally recorded by country singer Roger Miller.The lyrics tell of a hobo who despite being poor revels in his freedom, describing himself humorously as the "king of the road"...
". The Statler Brothers take two awards for "Flowers on the WallFlowers on the Wall"Flowers on The Wall" is a song made famous by country music group The Statler Brothers. Written and composed by the group's original tenor, Lew DeWitt, the song peaked in popularity in January 1966, spending four weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart, and reaching No....
". - April — One of the last broadcasts of The Jimmy Dean ShowJimmy DeanJimmy Ray Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad...
features the first-ever Academy of Country MusicAcademy of Country MusicThe Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
awards. Big winners include Male Vocalist of the Year Buck OwensBuck OwensAlvis Edgar Owens, Jr. , better known as Buck Owens, was an American singer and guitarist who had 21 No. 1 hits on the Billboard country music charts with his band, the Buckaroos...
, Female Vocalist Bonnie OwensBonnie OwensBonnie Owens , born Bonnie Campbell, was an American country music singer who was married to Buck Owens and later Merle Haggard.-Biography:...
, and New Male Vocalist Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
; Haggard also shared the Vocal Duet/Group award with Bonnie Owens. Taped for later broadcast that year, the ACM Awards would in time become among the most anticipated events of the year by country fans. - October 15 — 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...
increases the length of its Hot Country SinglesHot Country SongsHot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
chart to 75 positions, up from 50. - October 22 — At age 48, 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...
becomes the youngest (to that time) living inductee into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
United States
(as certified by 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...
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Date | Single Name | Artist | Wks. No.1 | Spec. Note |
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January 8 | Giddyup Go Giddyup Go "Giddyup Go" is a country music song made famous by Red Sovine. Released in 1965, the song was the title track to Sovine's album released that same year.A recitation paying homage to the American truck driver, "Giddyup Go" became Sovine's second No... |
Red Sovine Red Sovine Woodrow Wilson Sovine , better known as Red Sovine, was an American country music singer associated with truck driving songs, particularly those recited as narratives but set to music... |
6 |
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February 19 | Waitin' in Your Welfare Line Waitin' in Your Welfare Line "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" is a 1966 single by Buck Owens. The single was Owens' tenth number one on the U.S. country music chart. "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" spent seven weeks at the top and a total of eighteen weeks on the country chart.... / In the Palm of Your Hand |
Buck Owens and the Buckaroos | 7 | |
April 9 | I Want to Go with You I Want to Go with You "I Want to Go with You" is the title of a popular song from 1966 by the American country music singer Eddy Arnold. The song was written by country music singer-songwriter Hank Cochran.... |
Eddy Arnold Eddy Arnold Richard 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... |
6 | |
May 21 | Distant Drums Distant Drums (song) "Distant Drums" is the title of a song which provided US singer Jim Reeves with his only UK number one hit – albeit posthumously – in the United Kingdom in 1966, some two years after his death in a plane crash on 31 July 1964. The song remained in the UK charts for 45 weeks... |
Jim Reeves Jim Reeves James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound... |
4 | |
June 18 | Take Good Care of Her Take Good Care of Her "Take Good Care of Her" is a 1961 debut single by Adam Wade. "Take Good Care of Her" reached number twenty on the R&B charts and number seven on the Hot 100.-Cover versions:*In 1966, Sonny James had a number one country hit with his version of the song.... |
Sonny James Sonny James James Loden , known professionally as Sonny James, is an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, "Young Love". Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including a five-year streak of 16 straight among his 23 No. 1... |
2 | |
July 2 | Think of Me Think of Me (Buck Owens song) "Think of Me" is a 1966 single by Buck Owens. The single reached number one on the country charts and stayed at the top for six weeks. "Think of Me" spent a total of twenty weeks on the country charts .-Chart performance:... |
Buck Owens and the Buckaroos | 6 | |
August 13 | Almost Persuaded Almost Persuaded "Almost Persuaded" is a song written by Glenn Sutton and Muscle Shoals songwriter Billy Sherrill and first recorded by David Houston in 1966. It is not to be confused with the Christian hymn of the same name.... |
David Houston David Houston (singer) Charles David Houston was an American country music singer. His peak in popularity came between the mid-1960s through the early 1970s.-Biography:... |
9 | [1], [A]
Lonestar Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Richie McDonald , Michael Britt , Keech Rainwater , Dean Sams , and Michael Hill . McDonald left the band in November 2007 for a solo career before returning in 2011... 's single, "Amazed Amazed "Amazed" is the title of a song written by Marv Green, Aimee Mayo and Chris Lindsey. The first version of the song was recorded by the American country music group Lonestar, whose version was released in March 1999 as the second single from their 1999 album Lonely Grill... " in 1999. |
October 15 | Blue Side of Lonesome Blue Side of Lonesome "Blue Side of Lonesome" is a song by Leon Payne, released in 1966 as a single by Jim Reeves . The single was Reeves' fifth posthumous release to reach number one on the U.S. country music chart. "Blue Side of Lonesome" stayed at number one for a single week and spent a total of nineteen weeks on... |
Jim Reeves | 1 | |
October 22 | Open Up Your Heart Open Up Your Heart (song) "Open Up Your Heart" is a 1966 single by Buck Owens. "Open Up Your Heart" was a number one country hit for Buck Owens, spending four weeks at the top spot and total of twenty weeks on the country charts .-Chart performance:... |
Buck Owens and the Buckaroos | 4 | |
November 19 | I Get the Fever I Get the Fever "I Get the Fever is a 1966 single by Bill Anderson. "I Get the Fever" was Bill Anderson's third number one on the country charts. The single spent one week at number one and a total of nineteen weeks on the country charts.-Chart performance:... |
Bill Anderson | 1 | |
November 26 | Somebody Like Me Somebody Like Me "Somebody Like Me" is a 1966 single by Eddy Arnold. "Somebody Like Me" was a number one country song spending four weeks at the top spot and a total of eighteen weeks on the chart .-Chart performance:... |
Eddy Arnold | 4 | |
December 24 | There Goes My Everything There Goes My Everything (song) "There Goes My Everything" is a popular song by Dallas Frazier, published in 1965. The song is best known in a 1966 version by Jack Greene whose version spent seven weeks at the top and a total of twenty-one weeks on the chart. The song also won several awards, including Single of the Year and... |
Jack Greene Jack Greene Jack Greene is an American country musician nicknamed the "Jolly Green Giant" and well known for his 1966 hit "There Goes My Everything."-Early career:... |
8 | [A] |
^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard
Billboard (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...
.
- 2^ Song dropped from No. 1 and later returned to top spot.
- A^ First Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist.
Canada
(as certified by RPMRPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
)
Date | Single Name | Artist | Wks. No.1 | Spec. Note |
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January 3 | Shadows of Your Heart | Dianne Leigh Dianne Leigh Dianne Leigh is a Canadian country music performer. She was the first recipient of the Gold Leaf Award in 1970.... |
2 | [A] |
January 17 | Iron Town | Rhythm Pals Rhythm Pals Rhythm Pals is a Canadian music television series which aired on CBC Television in 1956.-Premise:This Vancouver-produced series featured country music group The Rhythm Pals who would later be known for their frequent appearances on The Tommy Hunter Show.-Scheduling:This series occupied a 20-minute... |
5 | [A] |
February 21 | Don’t Knock on My Door | The Canadian Sweethearts The Canadian Sweethearts The Canadian Sweethearts were a Canadian singing duo, who were popular during the 1960s, but disbanded in 1977. The duo consisted of vocalist Lucille Starr, and her guitar playing husband, Bob Regan... |
1 | [C] |
February 28 | This They Say Is Me | Rhythm Pals | 2 | [B] |
March 14 | The Auctioneer | Irwin Prescott | 1 | [C] |
December 5 | Whistling on the River | Mercey Brothers Mercey Brothers The Mercey Brothers was a Canadian country music group active from 1957 to 1989.-Before they were famous:The Mercey family grew up to music in their household at an early age. Brothers Larry, Ray, and Lloyd Mercey formed a country-infused musical group in 1966... |
4 | [A] |
^ First RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
No. 1 hit for that artist.
- B^ Last RPM No. 1 hit for that artist.
- C^ Only RPM No. 1 hit for that artist.
Singles released by American artists
US | Single | Artist |
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2 | Ain't Had No Lovin' | Connie Smith Connie Smith Connie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson... |
6 | Almost Persuaded Almost Persuaded "Almost Persuaded" is a song written by Glenn Sutton and Muscle Shoals songwriter Billy Sherrill and first recorded by David Houston in 1966. It is not to be confused with the Christian hymn of the same name.... No. 2 |
Ben Colder Sheb Wooley Shelby F. "Sheb" Wooley was a character actor and singer, best known for his 1958 novelty song "Purple People Eater"... |
17 | Anita, You're Dreaming | Waylon Jennings Waylon Jennings Waylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL... |
16 | Another Story | Ernest Tubb Ernest Tubb Ernest 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... |
13 | At Easy Heart | Ernest Ashworth |
7 | Baby | Wilma Burgess Wilma Burgess Wilma Burgess was an American country music singer. She rose to fame in the mid 1960s and charted fifteen singles on the Billboard C&W charts between 1965 and 1975.-Background:... |
15 | Baby, Ain't That Fine | Gene Pitney Gene Pitney Eugene Francis Alan Pitney, known as Gene Pitney , was an American singer-songwriter, musician and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the... and Melba Montgomery Melba Montgomery Melba Montgomery is an American country music singer. She is best known for duet hit recordings in the 1960s with country music singer George Jones.... |
10 | Back Pocket Money | Jimmy C. Newman Jimmy C. Newman Jimmy Yves Newman , better known as Jimmy C. Newman , is an American singer and a long time star of the Grand Ole Opry.-Biography:Newman was born near Big Mamou, Louisiana... |
10 | Bad Seed | Jan Howard Jan Howard Lula Grace Johnson , known professionally as Jan Howard, is an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star. She attained moderate success as a country female vocalist during the 1960s and early 1970s... |
2 | Ballad of the Green Berets Ballad of the Green Berets "The Ballad Of The Green Berets" is a patriotic song in the ballad style about the Green Berets, an elite special force in the U.S. Army. It is one of the very few songs of the 1960s to cast the military in a positive light, yet it became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard charts for five... |
Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler Barry Sadler Barry Sadler was an American soldier, author and musician. Sadler served as a Green Beret medic with the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War... |
12 | Blues Plus Booze (Means I Lose) | Stonewall Jackson Stonewall Jackson (musician) Stonewall Jackson is an American country singer and musician who achieved his greatest fame during country's "golden" honky tonk era in the 1950s and early 1960s.-Early years:... |
12 | A Born Loser | Don Gibson Don Gibson Donald Eugene "Don" 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... |
3 | The Bottle Let Me Down The Bottle Let Me Down "The Bottle Let Me Down" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist Merle Haggard. The single peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles.-Chart performance:... |
Merle Haggard Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,... |
18 | Bottom of a Mountain | Tex Williams Tex Williams Sollie Paul Williams , known professionally as Tex Williams, was an American Western swing musician from Ramsey, Illinois.... |
18 | The Box It Came In | Wanda Jackson Wanda Jackson Wanda Lavonne Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, pianist 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... |
13 | Catch a Little Raindrop | Claude King Claude King Claude King is an American country music singer and songwriter, best known for his million selling 1962 hit, "Wolverton Mountain".-Biography:... |
19 | Coming Back to You | The Browns The Browns The Browns were an American country and folk music vocal trio best known for their 1959 Grammy-nominated hit, "The Three Bells". The group, composed of Jim Ed Brown and his sisters Maxine and Bonnie Brown, had a close, smooth harmony characteristic of the Nashville sound, though their music also... |
8 | The Company You Keep | Bill Phillips Bill Phillips (singer) Bill Phillips was an American country music singer. His professional music career started with the Old Southern Jamboree on WMIL in Miami in 1955. He moved to Nashville in 1957 and worked with Johnnie Wright and Kitty Wells until the late 1970s... |
14 | Count Me Out | Marty Robbins Marty Robbins Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist... |
14 | Day for Decision | Johnny Sea |
4 | Dear Uncle Sam | Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn is an American country music singer-songwriter, author and philanthropist. Born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner father, Lynn married at 13 years old, was a mother soon after, and moved to Washington with her husband, Oliver Lynn. Their marriage was sometimes tumultuous; he... |
2 | Don't Touch Me Don't Touch Me "Don't Touch Me" is the name of a classic country music song originally recorded and made famous by Jeannie Seely in 1966.-History:"Don't Touch Me" was written by Jeannie Seely's husband, Hank Cochran, the songwriter who wrote Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" and Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go... |
Jeannie Seely Jeannie Seely Jeannie Seely is an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star. She is best-known for her 1966 Grammy award-winning Country hit, "Don't Touch Me", which peaked at No... |
12 | Don't Touch Me Don't Touch Me "Don't Touch Me" is the name of a classic country music song originally recorded and made famous by Jeannie Seely in 1966.-History:"Don't Touch Me" was written by Jeannie Seely's husband, Hank Cochran, the songwriter who wrote Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" and Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go... |
Wilma Burgess |
11 | Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me) Don't You Ever Get Tired (Of Hurting Me) "Don't You Ever Get Tired " is a country song written by Hank Cochran that was a hit single for Ray Price in 1965, reaching No. 11 on the Billboard chart. A later version by Ronnie Milsap in 1989 became Milsap's thirty-third number one single as a solo artist. The single went to number one for one... |
Ray Price Ray Price (musician) Ray Price is an American country music singer, songwriter and guitarist. His wide-ranging baritone has often been praised as among the best male voices of country music... |
9 | Early Morning Rain | George Hamilton IV George Hamilton IV George Hege Hamilton IV is an American country musician. He began performing in the late 1950s as a teen idol, later switching to country music in the early 1960s.-Biography:Hamilton was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina... |
3 | England Swings England Swings "England Swings " is a 1965 country music song written and performed by Roger Miller. The single was Miller's eleventh hit on the US country chart where it peaked at number three. On the Billboard Hot 100, it peaked at number eight and was Miller's second number one on the Easy Listening chart... |
Roger Miller Roger Miller Roger Dean Miller was an American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for his honky tonk-influenced novelty songs... |
17 | Everybody Loves a Nut | Johnny Cash Johnny Cash John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century... |
5 | Evil on Your Mind Evil on Your Mind "Evil on Your Mind" is the name of a popular Country music song, originally made famous by Grand Ole Opry star, Jan Howard in 1966.In the mid-60s, Jan Howard was not acquiring any significant hits. Only one of her songs hit the Top 20, which was in 1960 with, "The One You Slip Around With", which... |
Jan Howard |
2 | Flowers on the Wall Flowers on the Wall "Flowers on The Wall" is a song made famous by country music group The Statler Brothers. Written and composed by the group's original tenor, Lew DeWitt, the song peaked in popularity in January 1966, spending four weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart, and reaching No.... |
The Statler Brothers |
5 | Four-O-Thirty Three | George Jones 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 | The Game of Triangles | Bobby Bare Bobby Bare Robert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:... , Norma Jean Norma Jean (singer) Norma Jean Beasler , better known as Norma Jean, is an American country music singer who was a member of The Porter Wagoner Show from 1961–1967. She had a number of country singles in the Top 10 and Top 20 between 1963 and 1967, including "Go Cat Go" and "The Game of Triangles", and was... and Liz Anderson Liz Anderson Liz Anderson was anAmerican country music singer/songwriter who was one of a wave of a new generation of female vocalists in the genre during the 1960's to write and record her own songs on a regular basis. Writing in The New York Times Bill Friskics-Warren noted, "Like her contemporary Loretta... |
14 | Get Your Lie the Way You Want It | Bonnie Guitar Bonnie Guitar Bonnie Guitar is an American Country-Pop Singer. She is best remembered for her 1957 Country-Pop crossover hit "Dark Moon"... |
10 | Giddyup Go - Answer | Minnie Pearl Minnie Pearl Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon , known professionally as Minnie Pearl, was an American country comedienne who appeared at the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years and on the television show Hee Haw from 1969 to 1991.-Early life:Sarah Colley was born in Centerville, in Hickman County, Tennessee,... |
11 | Golden Guitar | Bill Anderson |
18 | Guess My Eyes Were Bigger Than My Heart | Conway Twitty Conway Twitty Conway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006... |
9 | Happy to Be with You | Johnny Cash |
2 | History Repeats Itself | Buddy Starcher Buddy Starcher Buddy Starcher was an American country singer. He starred on his own show on WCHS-TV from 1960 to 1966. However, he is best known for his 1966 spoken word recording entitled "History Repeats Itself", written with Minnie Pearl and released on Boone Records... |
6 | How Long Has It Been | Bobby Lewis Bobby Lewis (country singer) Bobby Lewis is an American country music singer-songwriter. Between 1963 and 1985, Lewis released ten albums and charted more than twenty-five songs on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. His biggest hit, "How Long Has It Been," peaked at Number 6 in 1966.-Albums:-Singles:-External links:*[... |
3 | The Hurtin's All Over | Connie Smith |
5 | Husbands and Wives Husbands and Wives (song) Country music duo Brooks & Dunn covered the song on their 1998 album If You See Her. Featuring lead vocals from Ronnie Dunn, their version was the album's third single, reaching the top of the country singles charts in December 1998. It was also a Top 40 pop hit, peaking at #36 on the Billboard Hot... |
Roger Miller |
13 | I Can't Keep Away from You | The Wilburn Brothers The Wilburn Brothers The Wilburn Brothers were a popular American country music duo from the 1950s to the 1970s consisting of brothers Doyle Wilburn and Teddy Wilburn .-Biography:... |
17 | I Hear Little Rock Calling | Ferlin Husky Ferlin Husky Ferlin Eugene Husky was an early American country music singer who was equally adept at the genres of traditional honky honk, ballads, spoken recitations, and rockabilly pop tunes... |
4 | I Love You Drops | Bill Anderson |
16 | I'd Just Be Fool Enough | The Browns |
9 | I'll Take the Dog I'll Take the Dog "I'll Take the Dog" is a single by American country music artists Ray Pillow and Jean Shepard. Released in April 1966, it was the first single and title track from their album I'll Take the Dog. The song reached #9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.- Chart performance :... |
Jean Shepard 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. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the #1 spot... and Ray Pillow Ray Pillow Ray Pillow is an American country music singer who has also worked as a music publisher and A&R representative. In his career, he has charted eighteen times on the Billboard country singles charts, with his highest-peaking song being the #9 "I'll Take the Dog," a duet with Jean Shepard... |
18 | I'm a Nut | Leroy Pullins |
6 | I'm a People | George Jones |
9 | I'm Living in Two Worlds | Bonnie Guitar |
13 | I've Been a Long Time Leavin' (But I'll Be a Long Time Gone) | Roger Miller |
10 | If Teardrops Were Silver If Teardrops Were Silver "If Teardrops Were Silver" is a single by American country music artist Jean Shepard. Released in June 1966, it was released on the album, Heart, We Did All We Could. The song reached #10 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.... |
Jean Shepard |
7 | If You Can't Bite, Don't Growl | Tommy Collins Tommy Collins (country music) Leonard Raymond Sipes , better known as Tommy Collins, was an American country music singer and songwriter.... |
4 | It Takes a Lot of Money | Warner Mack Warner Mack Warner MacPherson , known professionally as Warner Mack, is an American country music singer-songwriter. Mack had many hits on the country charts from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, some of which crossed over to the pop charts.... |
14 | It's All Over (But the Crying) | Kitty Wells Kitty Wells Ellen 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... |
15 | It's Only Love | Jeannie Seely |
2 | Last Word in Lonesome Is Me | Eddy Arnold Eddy Arnold Richard 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... |
17 | Little Buddy | Claude King |
13 | Lonelyville | Dave Dudley Dave Dudley Dave Dudley , born David Darwin Pedruska, was an American country music singer best-known for his truck-driving country anthems of the 1960s and 1970s and his semi-slurred baritone. His signature song was "Six Days on the Road," and he is also remembered for "Vietnam Blues," "Truck Drivin'... |
15 | Long Time Gone | Dave Dudley |
8 | The Lovin' Machine | Johnny Paycheck Johnny Paycheck Johnny Paycheck was the legal name of Donald Eugene Lytle , a country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member most famous for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It"... |
13 | Many Happy Hangovers to You Many Happy Hangovers to You "Many Happy Hangovers to You" is a single by American country music artist Jean Shepard. Released in January 1964, it was the first single from the album Many Happy Hangovers. The song reached #13 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.... |
Jean Shepard |
16 | The Men in My Little Girl's Life | Archie Campbell Archie Campbell Archie Campbell was an American writer and star of Hee Haw, a popular long-running country-flavored network television variety show... |
2 | A Million and One | Billy Walker Billy Walker (musician) William Marvin Walker , better known as Billy Walker, was an American country music singer and guitarist best-known for his 1962 hit, " Charlie's Shoes"... |
4 | Misty Blue Misty Blue "Misty Blue" is a song written by Bob Montgomery in 1966 which has become a hit in the pop, C&W and soul fields through various versions, the most successful being the 1976 pop/soul hit by Dorothy Moore.-C&W hit versions:... |
Wilma Burgess |
14 | My Dreams | Faron Young 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 successful and colorful stars... |
4 | Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You) Nobody But a Fool (Would Love You) "Nobody But a Fool " is a song written by Bill Anderson and released as a single by American country artist Connie Smith. It was the second single spawned from her 1966 album Miss Smith Goes to Nashville and was produced by Bob Ferguson... |
Connie Smith |
19 | One in a Row | Willie Nelson Willie Nelson Willie Hugh Nelson is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie , combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger and Stardust , made Nelson one of the most recognized... |
2 | The One on the Right Is on the Left The One on the Right Is on the Left "The One on the Right Is on the Left" is a country song written by Jack Clement. It was recorded by Johnny Cash on November 29, 1965 and included on his album Everybody Loves a Nut . It was the album's third and most successful single , reaching number two on the U.S... |
Johnny Cash |
6 | Put It Off Until Tomorrow | Bill Phillips |
20 | Rainbows and Roses | Roy Drusky Roy Drusky Roy Frank Drusky Jr., was an American country music singer popular from the 1960s through the early 1970s. Known for his baritone voice, he was known for incorporating the Nashville sound. His highest-charting single was the No. 1 "Yes Mr. Peters", a duet with Priscilla Mitchell.-Early life and... |
2 | Room in Your Heart | Sonny James Sonny James James Loden , known professionally as Sonny James, is an American country music singer and songwriter best known for his 1957 hit, "Young Love". Dubbed the Southern Gentleman, James had 72 country and pop chart hits from 1953 to 1983, including a five-year streak of 16 straight among his 23 No. 1... |
3 | The Shoe Goes On the Other Foot Tonight | Marty Robbins |
3 | Sittin' On a Rock (Crying in a Creek) | Warner Mack |
3 | Skid Row Joe | Porter Wagoner 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 the young Dolly Parton near the beginning of her career on his long-running television show, and they were a well-known duet throughout the late 1960s and... |
2 | Snowflake | Jim Reeves Jim Reeves James Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound... |
8 | Someone Before Me | The Wilburn Brothers |
10 | Stand Beside Me | Jimmy Dean Jimmy Dean Jimmy Ray Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad... |
5 | Standing in the Shadows | 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... |
17 | Stateside | Mel Tillis Mel Tillis Lonnie Melvin Tillis , known professionally as Mel Tillis, is an American country music singer. Although he recorded songs since the late 1950s, his biggest success occurred in the 1970s, with a long list of Top 10 hits.... |
15 | Steel Rail Blues | George Hamilton IV |
15 | Stop the Start (Of Tears in My Heart) | Johnny Dollar Johnny Dollar (musician) Johnny Dollar was an American country and rockabilly musician.-Biography:Dollar relocated to Dallas in the early 1950s, where he worked in trucking and in a lumber yard. In 1952 he recorded a single for D Records, but it didn't catch on, and Dollar then found work as a DJ in Louisiana and New Mexico... |
5 | Streets of Baltimore Streets of Baltimore "Streets of Baltimore" is a heavily covered country song written by Tompall Glaser and Harlan Howard in 1966.Although Glaser co-wrote the song, his group, Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers, were not the first to record the song... |
Bobby Bare |
4 | Sweet Thing | Nat Stuckey Nat Stuckey Nathan Stuckey was an American country singer. He recorded for various labels between 1966 and 1978, charting in the top 10 of Hot Country Songs with "Sweet Thang", "Plastic Saddle", "Sweet Thang and Cisco" and "Take Time to Love Her"-Biography:Raised in Atlanta, Texas, in Cass County, Nat Stuckey... |
5 | Swinging Doors Swinging Doors (song) "Swinging Doors" is the title of a song written and recorded by Merle Haggard. The single peaked at number five on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles.-Content:... |
Merle Haggard |
8 | Take Me | George Jones |
3 | Talkin' to the Wall | Warner Mack |
17 | Thank You Ma'am | Ray Pillow |
9 | (That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me | Waylon Jennings |
17 | Time to Bum Again | Waylon Jennings |
3 | The Tip of My Fingers The Tip of My Fingers "The Tip of My Fingers," also titled "The Tips of My Fingers," is the title of a song written and originally recorded by American country music singer Bill Anderson... |
Eddy Arnold |
2 | Tippy Toeing | The Harden Trio The Harden Trio The Harden Trio was an American country music group. It comprised Bobby Harden and his sisters, Robbie and Arlene Harden. The trio recorded for Columbia Records between 1966 and 1968, charting six times on the Hot Country Songs charts. The trio's highest-peaking single was the #2 country and #44... |
3 | Touch My Heart | Ray Price |
3 | True Love's a Blessing | Sonny James |
17 | The Twelfth of Never | Slim Whitman Slim Whitman Ottis Dewey Whitman, Jr. , known professionally as Slim Whitman, is an American country music singer and songwriter, known for his yodelling abilities. He has sold in excess of 120 million albums in unit sales and has had numerous successful recordings... |
7 | Unmitigated Gall | Faron Young |
12 | Viet Nam Blues | Dave Dudley |
7 | Walking on New Grass | Kenny Price Kenny Price James Kenneth "Kenny" Price was a singer, songwriter, and actor. Nicknamed the "Round Mound of Sound," Price recorded for the Boone and RCA Victor, MRC and Dimension record labels, charting thirty-four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts between 1966 and 1980... |
7 | A Way to Survive | Ray Price |
4 | What Kinda Deal Is This | Bill Carlisle Bill Carlisle William Toliver Carlisle was an American country music singer, songwriter, comedian and guitarist popular in the late 1940s and 1950s but who influenced the genre for more than 50 years. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.-Biography:Bill Carlisle was born in Wakefield, Kentucky... |
4 | What We're Fighting For | Dave Dudley |
15 | Where Is the Circus | Hank Thompson |
14 | Where'd Ya Stay Last Night | Webb Pierce 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. His biggest hit was "In The Jailhouse Now," which charted for 37 weeks in 1955, 21 of them at number one... |
15 | A Woman Half My Age | Kitty Wells |
9 | Women Do Funny Things to Me | Del Reeves Del Reeves Franklin Delano Reeves , better known as Del Reeves, was an American country music singer, best known for his "girl-watching" novelty songs of the 1960s including "Girl on the Billboard" and "The Belles of Southern Bell"... |
10 | The World Is Round | Roy Drusky |
5 | Would You Hold It Against Me Would You Hold It Against Me "Would You Hold It Against Me" is the name of a popular Country Music song by Country Music singer Dottie West, released in 1966.By 1966, Dottie West's professional career in Country music was only getting started. However, two years before, West achieved her first Top 10 hit with "Here Comes My... |
Dottie West Dottie West Dottie West was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and co-recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most influential and groundbreaking female artists... |
16 | Write Me a Picture | George Hamilton IV |
6 | (Yes) I'm Hurting | Don Gibson |
2 | You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Man) | Loretta Lynn |
15 | You Finally Said Something Good (When You Said Goodbye) | Charlie Louvin Charlie Louvin Charles Elzer Loudermilk , known professionally as Charlie Louvin, was an American country music singer and songwriter. He is best known as one of the Louvin Brothers, and was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1955.-Biography:Born in Henagar, Alabama, Louvin was one of 7 children... |
Singles released by Canadian artists
US | CAN | Single | Artist |
---|---|---|---|
— | 3 | Chew Tobacco Road | Irwin Prescott |
— | 3 | Come Home Newfoundlander | Tom Jim Garth |
— | 2 | Goodbye My Friend | Bob King |
— | 10 | I Don't Never | Odie Workman |
18 | — | I've Cried a Mile | Hank Snow Hank Snow Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was a Canadian-American country music artist. He charted more than 70 singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980... |
— | 7 | Ice on the Road | Graham Townsend |
— | 2 | Lost Love | Artie MacLaren |
— | 4 | Loving You Again | Johnny Burke |
— | 6 | Muddy Water | Bert Cuff |
— | 8 | Play Me One More Country Song | Ron McMunn |
— | 4 | Rambling Shoes | Bob King |
— | 8 | Take This Heart of Mine | Odie Workman |
— | 3 | Three Plays for a Quarter | Ralph Carlson |
— | 2 | The Weatherman | Gary Buck |
— | 5 | Why Can't He Be You | Dianne Leigh Dianne Leigh Dianne Leigh is a Canadian country music performer. She was the first recipient of the Gold Leaf Award in 1970.... |
— | 2 | Working on the Country Road | Bob King |
— | 7 | Your Special Day | Myrna Lorrie Myrna Lorrie Myrna Lorrie is a Canadian country singer.Lorrie first sang publicly at age 12 on Fort William radio station CKPR. At age 14 she recorded the song "Are You Mine" with Buddy DuVall, which was released on Abbott Records... |
Top new album releases
- The Best of Bobby Bare - Bobby BareBobby BareRobert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:...
(RCA) - Born to Sing - Connie SmithConnie SmithConnie Smith is an American country music artist. She began her career in 1963 after winning a local talent contest near Columbus, Ohio, which attracted the attention of country songwriter Bill Anderson...
(RCA) - Confessions of a Broken Man – Porter WagonerPorter WagonerPorter Wayne Wagoner was a popular American country music singer known for his flashy Nudie and Manuel suits and blond pompadour. He introduced the young Dolly Parton near the beginning of her career on his long-running television show, and they were a well-known duet throughout the late 1960s and...
(RCA) - Distant Drums - Jim ReevesJim ReevesJames Travis Reeves , better known as Jim Reeves, was an American country and popular music singer-songwriter. With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well-known for being a practitioner of the Nashville sound...
(RCA) - Don't Touch Me - Wilma BurgessWilma BurgessWilma Burgess was an American country music singer. She rose to fame in the mid 1960s and charted fifteen singles on the Billboard C&W charts between 1965 and 1975.-Background:...
(Decca) - Evil on Your Mind - Jan HowardJan HowardLula Grace Johnson , known professionally as Jan Howard, is an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star. She attained moderate success as a country female vocalist during the 1960s and early 1970s...
(Decca) - Folk-CountryFolk-CountryFolk-Country is the major-label debut album by Waylon Jennings, released in 1966 on RCA Victor. It is his first collaboration with producer Chet Atkins. "Stop the World " was released as a single.-Track listing:...
- Waylon JenningsWaylon JenningsWaylon Arnold Jennings was an American country music singer, songwriter, and musician. Jennings began playing at eight. He began performing at twelve, on KVOW radio. Jennings formed a band The Texas Longhorns. Jennings worked as a D.J on KVOW, KDAV and KLLL...
(RCA) - I Want to Go With You - 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...
(RCA) - Jimmy Dean's Greatest Hits - Jimmy DeanJimmy DeanJimmy Ray Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad...
(Columbia) - The Seely Style - Jeannie SeelyJeannie SeelyJeannie Seely is an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star. She is best-known for her 1966 Grammy award-winning Country hit, "Don't Touch Me", which peaked at No...
(Monument) - Somebody Like Me - 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...
(RCA) - The Streets of Baltimore - Bobby BareBobby BareRobert Joseph Bare is an American country music singer and songwriter. He is the father of Bobby Bare, Jr., also a musician.-Early career:...
(RCA) - Suffer TimeSuffer TimeSuffer Time is the name of an album by Country Music singer, Dottie West, released in 1966.This album was Dottie West's most successful album in her whole 20-year career of releasing albums. The album peaked all the way at #3 on Billboards "Top Country Albums" list in 1966...
- Dottie WestDottie WestDottie West was an American country music singer and songwriter. Along with her friends and co-recording artists Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, she is considered one of the genre's most influential and groundbreaking female artists...
(RCA) - Conway Twitty Sings - Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
(Decca) - Look Into My Teardrops - Conway TwittyConway TwittyConway Twitty , born Harold Lloyd Jenkins, was an American country music artist. He also had success in early rock and roll, R&B, and pop music. He held the record for the most number one singles of any act with 55 No. 1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006...
(Decca)
Births
- January 4 — Deana CarterDeana CarterDeana Carter is a country music artist who broke through in 1996 with the release of debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, which was certified 5× Multi-Platinum in the United States for sales of over five million...
, singer-songwriter who enjoyed a string of hits in the mid-to-late 1990s. - May 13 — Darius RuckerDarius RuckerDarius Rucker is an American musician. He first gained fame as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Hootie & the Blowfish, which he founded in 1986 at the University of South Carolina along with Mark Bryan, Jim "Soni" Sonefeld and Dean Felber...
, African-American singer and Hootie & the BlowfishHootie & the BlowfishHootie & the Blowfish is an American rock band that enjoyed popularity in the second half of the 1990s. They were originally formed in 1986 at the University of South Carolina by Darius Rucker, Dean Felber, Jim Sonefeld, and Mark Bryan. The band has recorded five studio albums to date, and has...
lead vocalist who became a rising country star in the late 2000s. - July 29 — Martina McBrideMartina McBrideMartina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
, crossover-styled female vocalist who rose to fame in the 1990s. - August 19 — Lee Ann WomackLee Ann WomackLee Ann Womack is an American country music singer and songwriter, who is best known for her old fashioned-styled country music songs that often discuss subjects such as cheating and lost love....
, new traditionalist-styled singer of the 1990s and 2000s most famous for her crossover hit "I Hope You DanceI Hope You DanceI Hope You Dance is the title of the third studio release by American country music singer Lee Ann Womack. It was released on May 23, 2000 as her first album for MCA Nashville...
." - December 17 — Tracy Byrd, male honky tonk-styled vocalist since the 1990s.
Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees
- 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...
(1918–2008) - James R. Denny (1911–1963)
- George D. HayGeorge D. HayGeorge Dewey Hay was an American radio personality. He was the founder of the original Grand Ole Opry radio program on WSM-AM in Nashville, Tennessee, from which the country music stage show of the same name evolved....
(1895–1968) - Uncle Dave MaconUncle Dave MaconUncle Dave Macon , born David Harrison Macon—also known as "The Dixie Dewdrop"—was an American banjo player, singer, songwriter, and comedian...
(1870–1952)
Grammy Awards
- Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Female — "Don't Touch MeDon't Touch Me"Don't Touch Me" is the name of a classic country music song originally recorded and made famous by Jeannie Seely in 1966.-History:"Don't Touch Me" was written by Jeannie Seely's husband, Hank Cochran, the songwriter who wrote Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" and Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go...
," Jeannie SeelyJeannie SeelyJeannie Seely is an American country music singer and Grand Ole Opry star. She is best-known for her 1966 Grammy award-winning Country hit, "Don't Touch Me", which peaked at No... - Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Male — "Almost PersuadedAlmost Persuaded"Almost Persuaded" is a song written by Glenn Sutton and Muscle Shoals songwriter Billy Sherrill and first recorded by David Houston in 1966. It is not to be confused with the Christian hymn of the same name....
," David HoustonDavid Houston (singer)Charles David Houston was an American country music singer. His peak in popularity came between the mid-1960s through the early 1970s.-Biography:... - Best Country and Western Recording — "Almost Persuaded," David Houston
- Best Country and Western Song — "Almost Persuaded," Billy SherrillBilly SherrillBilly Sherrill is a record producer and arranger who is most famous for his association with a number of country artists, most notably Tammy Wynette...
and Glenn SuttonGlenn SuttonGlenn Sutton was a country music songwriter and producer. Born Royce Glenn Sutton in Hodge, Louisiana, he was one of two chief architects of the countrypolitan sound .Sutton wrote or co-wrote many of Tammy Wynette's early hits including, "You're Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad",...
(Performer: David Houston)
Academy of Country Music
- Top Male Vocalist — Merle HaggardMerle HaggardMerle Ronald Haggard is an American country music singer, guitarist, fiddler, instrumentalist, and songwriter. Along with Buck Owens, Haggard and his band The Strangers helped create the Bakersfield sound, which is characterized by the unique twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, vocal harmonies,...
- Top Female Vocalist — Bonnie GuitarBonnie GuitarBonnie Guitar is an American Country-Pop Singer. She is best remembered for her 1957 Country-Pop crossover hit "Dark Moon"...
- Top New Male Vocalist — Billy MizeBilly MizeBilly Mize is a steel guitarist, band leader, vocalist, songwriter, and TV show host.-Biography:...
- Top New Female Vocalist — Cathie TaylorCathie TaylorCathie Taylorwas born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on 7/26/1944. As a child Taylor had moved with her family from Canada to Morgan Hill, California. At age 12, a talent contest appearance led to her singing western folk songs on San Francisco’s KQED-TV. After some time raising blue-ribbon cows, she landed...
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.