2015 in country music

none This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2015. 2015 2015 country music Events January 15 – Parodist Cledus T. Judd announces his retirement from the performing aspect of the music business.http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/legal-and-management/6443453/cledus-t-judd-on-his-decision-to-bow-out-of-the-music Cledus T. Judd on His Decision to Bow Out of the Music Business for a 'Higher Purpose' Stark Phyllis 15 January 2015 Billboard 16 January 2015 February 27 – Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher give birth to their son, Isaiah Michael Fisher. March 4 – Shania Twain announces that her Rock This Country tour will be her last but that she intends to continue releasing albums April – A new syndicated radio program, American Country Countdown Rewind with Bob Kingsley, consisting of Kingsley-hosted ACC programs from 1990–2005, is announced by Nash FM (the media brand and network of country music stations owned by Cumulus Media). The first programs aired the weekend of May 2."NASH Icon Partners With Bob Kingsley For ACC-Rewind," Media Confidential, April 17, 2015. Accessed 04-23-2015."NASH To Launch 'American Country Countdown Rewind With Bob Kingsley'," All Access, April 17, 2015. Accessed 04-22-2015. May 26 – Radio consultant Keith Hill is criticized when stating in an interview that music stations should limit the airplay of female country artists. The story, dubbed Tomato-gate is further ignited when Hill compares female artists to that of "tomatoes in a salad". In response, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, and Jennifer Nettles criticize Hill's comments via social media.Yahr Emily One industry expert offers his plan to help country radio: Fewer songs by women https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/05/28/one-industry-expert-offers-his-plan-to-help-country-radio-fewer-songs-by-women/ The Washington Post 31 May 2015Keel Beverly Sexist 'tomato' barb launches country-radio food fight https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/05/29/women-country-radio/28162177/ USA Today 31 May 2015Vinson Christina Sara Evans Responds to Comments About Women on Country Radio: ‘I’m Appalled!’ Read More: Sara Evans Responds to Comments About Women on Country Radio http://theboot.com/sara-evans-responds-to-keith-hill-saladgate/ The Boot 3 June 2015 June 15 – Country Weekly is rebranded as Nash Country Weekly, as part of a co-branding with Nash FM's radio product.http://www.nashcountrydaily.com/ Nash Country Daily Nash Country Daily June 19 – Almost a year after successfully recovering from cervical cancer, Joey Martin Feek of Joey + Rory is diagnosed with stage IV colorectal cancer.http://www.countryweekly.com/news/joey-rorys-joey-martin-feek-battling-stage-iv-cancer Joey + Rory’s Joey Martin Feek Battling Stage IV Cancer June 19, 2015 Nash Country Weekly dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151108015504/http://www.countryweekly.com/news/joey-rorys-joey-martin-feek-battling-stage-iv-cancer November 8, 2015 June 22 – With "Love Me Like You Mean It", Kelsea Ballerini becomes the first female artist to send her debut single to No. 1 on Country Airplay since Carrie Underwood did in 2006, and the first female artist to do so on an independent label.http://www.billboard.com/files/pdfs/country_update_0622.pdf Kelsea Ballerini first female to lead with debut single since 2006 Trust Gary June 22, 2015 Billboard 5 23 June 2015 July 9 – Luke Bryan causes controversy in an interview with "HITS Double Daily" for implying that Outlaw country artists (particularly Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson) spent their career "laying in the gutter, strung out on drugs." Bryan would later call Jennings' widow Jessi Colter, as well as Haggard's son, Ben, to apologize.Lewis Randy Shooter Jennings Praises Luke Bryan's Apology On Outlaw Country Comments http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-luke-bryan-waylon-shooter-jennings-apology-outlaw-country-20150713-story.html Los Angeles Times 15 August 2015 July 18 – "Girl Crush" by Little Big Town makes country music history by breaking the record of weeks spent at number 1 by a group of three or more members, surpassing the current record holders The Browns and their song The Three Bells.https://www.billboard.com/pro/little-big-towns-girl-crush-makes-history-on-hot-country-songs/ Little Big Town's 'Girl Crush' Makes History on Hot Country Songs Billboard July 20 – Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton announce their divorce after four years of marriage.http://www.cmt.com/news/1756166/blake-shelton-miranda-lambert-are-divorcing/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150722123703/http://www.cmt.com/news/1756166/blake-shelton-miranda-lambert-are-divorcing/ dead July 22, 2015 Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert Are Divorcing July 20, 2015 CMT.com August 3 – Reba McEntire announces the separation from long-time husband and manager Narvel Blackstock. Although they will be ending their marriage, they will continue to support one another professionally.Nashville Insiders Shocked By Reba McEntire and Narvel Blackstock's Separation http://www.people.com/article/reba-mcentire-separation-shocks-nashville-insiders People 15 August 2015Dukes Billy Reba McEntire, Narvel Blackstock Announce Separation http://tasteofcountry.com/reba-mcentire-narvel-blackstock-separate/ Taste of Country 15 August 2015 September 25 – Kenny Rogers announces his plans to retire following a Christmas album and a 2016 farewell tour September 27 – Producer Dave Brainard is hospitalized after being found unconscious with a broken jaw from a beating.http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2015/09/28/nashville-producer-dave-brainard-severely-injured-beating/72999250/ Nashville producer Dave Brainard severely injured in beating 28 September 2015 The Tennessean 29 September 2015 October – Joey Martin Feek of Joey + Rory ends treatment for stage IV colorectal cancer after treatments fail to control growth of tumors.http://www.cmt.com/news/1759610/joey-feek-of-joey-rory-ends-cancer-treatment/ https://web.archive.org/web/20151025135644/http://www.cmt.com/news/1759610/joey-feek-of-joey-rory-ends-cancer-treatment/ dead October 25, 2015 Joey Feek of Joey + Rory Ends Cancer Treatment Samantha Stephens 10/23/2015 CMT News November 2 – Chris Cagle announces his retirement from the music business.http://www.countryweekly.com/news/chris-cagle-announces-retirement-country-music Chris Cagle Announces Retirement From Country Music - News - Nash Country Weekly 2015-11-02 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20151103175125/http://www.countryweekly.com/news/chris-cagle-announces-retirement-country-music 2015-11-03 November 4 - Chris Stapleton becomes an overnight sensation after his performance with Justin Timberlake of "Tennessee Whiskey" and "Drink You Away" at the Country Music Association Awards; the performance is considered the best of the show, and one of the best performances in CMA history. Stapleton wins New Artist, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year for Traveller. November 9 – Joey Martin Feek of Joey and Rory enters Hospice care after terminal cancer diagnosishttps://www.roryfeek.com/ RORY FEEK RORY FEEK November 21- Jean Shepard celebrates her 60th Grand Ole Opry anniversary Top hits of the year The following songs placed within the Top 20 on the Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay or Canada Country charts in 2015: List of number-one country singles of 2015 (U.S.) List of number-one country singles of 2015 (Canada) Singles released by American artists SongsAirplayCanadaSingleArtistReferences3110Ain't Worth the WhiskeyCole Swindell 161033Already Callin' You MineParmalee631Anything GoesFlorida Georgia Line1135Baby Be My Love SongEaston Corbin313Break Up with HimOld Dominion232Buy Me a BoatChris Janson211Crash and BurnThomas Rhett1596Crushin' ItBrad Paisley11310Diamond Rings and Old BarstoolsTim McGraw with Catherine Dunn411Don't ItBilly Currington3211Drinking ClassLee Brice 9918FlyMaddie & Tae241617FreestyleLady Antebellum212032GamesLuke Bryan1311Girl CrushLittle Big Town71642God Made GirlsRaeLynn411GonnaBlake Shelton522Gonna Know We Were HereJason Aldean10216Gonna Wanna TonightChase Rice719A Guy Walks Into a BarTyler Farr718Hell of a NightDustin Lynch211HomegrownZac Brown Band6211Homegrown HoneyDarius Rucker112House PartySam Hunt111I See YouLuke Bryan16——I'd Just Love to Lay You DownBarrett Baber211I'm Comin' OverChris Young242040I'm to BlameKip Moore221John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16Keith Urban512Just Gettin' StartedJason Aldean111Kick the Dust UpLuke Bryan10113Kiss You in the MorningMichael Ray2517—Kiss You TonightDavid Nail928Let Me See Ya GirlCole Swindell936Like a CowboyRandy Houser61132Like a Wrecking BallEric Church51622Little Red WagonMiranda Lambert627Little Toy GunsCarrie Underwood425Lonely EyesChris Young211Lonely TonightBlake Shelton featuring Ashley Monroe231634Long Stretch of LoveLady Antebellum212Lose My MindBrett Eldredge1933—Love Is Your NameSteven Tyler513Love Me Like You Mean ItKelsea Ballerini6120Love You Like ThatCanaan Smith412Loving You EasyZac Brown Band2111Make Me WannaThomas Rhett413Mean to MeBrett Eldredge1——My Baby's Got a Smile on Her FaceCraig Wayne Boyd514Nothin' Like YouDan + Shay5116One Hell of an AmenBrantley Gilbert411Perfect StormBrad Paisley811Raise 'Em UpKeith Urban featuring Eric Church171723Real LifeJake Owen2720—RiotRascal Flatts1711—Run Away with YouBig & Rich311SangriaBlake Shelton411Save It for a Rainy DayKenny Chesney514Say You DoDierks Bentley151428She Don't Love YouEric Paslay311Sippin' on FireFlorida Georgia Line511SmokeA Thousand Horses421Smoke BreakCarrie Underwood133Something in the WaterCarrie Underwood111Strip It DownLuke Bryan312Sun DazeFlorida Georgia Line16919Take It On BackChase Bryant112Take Your TimeSam Hunt211TalladegaEric Church 159—Tennessee WhiskeyChris Stapleton811Til It's GoneKenny Chesney611Tonight Looks Good on YouJason Aldean1156Top of the WorldTim McGraw17——TravellerChris Stapleton191430What We Ain't GotJake Owen913Wild ChildKenny Chesney featuring Grace Potter813Young & CrazyFrankie Ballard Singles released by Canadian artists SongsAirplayCanadaSingleArtistReferences——1AirwavesBrett KisselBrett Kissel Canada Country Brett Kissel Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media November 24, 2013——6Before You Drive Me CrazyWes MackWes Mack Canada Country Wes Mack Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media February 11, 2015——4BlameAutumn HillAutumn Hill Canada Country Autumn Hill Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media May 13, 2015——7Bring Down the HouseDean BrodyDean Brody Canada Country Dean Brody Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media March 11, 2015——5Cheap SeatsDallas SmithDallas Smith Canada Country Dallas Smith Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media April 10, 2014——6Country SideJason BlaineWes Mack Canada Country Jason Blaine Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media February 18, 2015——3Don't Let Her Be GoneGord BamfordGord Bamford Canada Country Gord Bamford Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media December 31, 2014——20Go BackLeah Danielshttp://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname%3ALeah%20Daniels&f%5B1%5D=itm_field_chart_id%3A1240&f%5B2%5D=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Leah%20Daniels Leah Daniels Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media March 11, 2015——7Gone Long GoneJason Benoithttp://www.billboard.com/music/jason-benoit/chart-history/canada-country https://web.archive.org/web/20180509112625/https://www.billboard.com/music/jason-benoit/chart-history/canada-country dead May 9, 2018 Jason Benoit Chart History (Canada Country) Billboard December 24, 2022——17Groovin' with YouGord Bamford——7I'm an Open RoadPaul Brandt featuringJess MoskalukePaul Brandt Canada Country Paul Brandt Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media May 27, 2015——10It's All GoodJojo Masonhttp://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname%3AJojo%20Mason&f%5B1%5D=itm_field_chart_id%3A1240&f%5B2%5D=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Jojo%20Mason Jojo Mason Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media September 1, 2015——14Just Like LoveSteven Lee OlsenSteven Lee Olsen Canada Country Steven Lee Olsen Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media January 21, 2015——7Kiss Me QuietJess MoskalukeJess Moskaluke Canada Country Jess Moskaluke Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media March 25, 2015——5LiftedDallas Smith——5Make You MineHigh ValleyHigh Valley Canada Country High Valley Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media January 21, 2015——20MoonshineAleeAlee Canada Country Alee Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media August 11, 2015——17Night We Won't ForgetJess Moskaluke——17NothingPaul Brandt——7Our TownCold Creek Countyhttp://www.billboard.com/biz/search/charts?f%5B0%5D=ts_chart_artistname%3ACold%20Creek%20County&f%5B1%5D=itm_field_chart_id%3A1240&f%5B2%5D=ss_bb_type%3Achart_item&type=2&artist=Cold%20Creek%20County Cold Creek County Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media May 27, 2015—573Raised by a Good TimeSteven Lee Olsen——19Shake It If Ya Got ItKira IsabellaKira Isabella Canada Country Kira Isabella Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media March 18, 2015——10She Don't Drink Whiskey AnymoreTim HicksTim Hicks Canada Country Tim Hicks Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media February 13, 2014——6She's with MeHigh Valley——8So Do ITim Hicks——5Something You Just Don't ForgetBrett Kissel——15Till the Wheels Come OffCold Creek County——13UndressedBobby WillsBobby Wills Canada Country Bobby Wills Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media March 20, 2014——5Upside DownDean Brody——1Wastin' GasDallas Smith——12The Way You Let Me DownWes Mack——16When the Buzz Wears OffTebeyTebey Canada Country Tebey Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media June 24, 2015——11When the Lights Go DownChad BrownleeChad Brownlee Canada Country Chad Brownlee Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media February 4, 2015——9Who We AreEmerson DriveEmerson Drive Canada Country Emerson Drive Album & Song Chart History – Canada Country Billboard Prometheus Global Media March 25, 2015——11Young, Alive and In LoveTim Hicks Top new album releases The following albums placed on the Top Country Albums charts in 2015: List of number-one country albums of 2015 (U.S.) List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2015 US Album Artist Record label Release date Reference 6 4X4 (EP) Granger Smith Pioneer Music May 5 8 35 Biggest Hits Tim McGraw Curb June 16 2 35 MPH Town Toby Keith Show Dog-Universal October 9 1 About to Get Real Easton Corbin Mercury Nashville June 30 1 Angels and Alcohol Alan Jackson ACR/EMI Nashville July 17 7 Between the Pines Sam Hunt MCA Nashville October 27 2 The Blade Ashley Monroe Warner Bros. Nashville July 24 4 Bronco Canaan Smith Mercury Nashville June 23 4 Buy Me a Boat Chris Janson Warner Bros. Nashville October 30 1 Cass County Don Henley Capitol September 25 7 Closer (EP) Kane Brown Kane Brown June 2 1 Cold Beer Conversation George Strait MCA Nashville September 25 4 Country Evolution Home Free Columbia Nashville September 18 3 Damn Country Music Tim McGraw Big Machine November 6 1 Django & Jimmie Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard Legacy June 2 2 Elvis Forever Elvis Presley USPS/RCA August 12 10 Elvis: Ultimate Christmas Elvis Presley RCA November 6 4 The First Time Kelsea Ballerini Black River May 19 9 Front Row Seat Josh Abbott Band Pretty Damn Tough November 6 10 Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions Robert Earl Keen Dualtone February 10 9 HippieLovePunk Cody Canada and the Departed Underground Sound January 13 10 Hits & Hymns Jimmy Fortune Gaither Music Group October 23 4 Hold My Beer Vol. 1 Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers Lil' Buddy Toons April 20 1 Holding All the Roses Blackberry Smoke Rounder February 10 5 Home Pat Green Greenhorse August 14 1 I'm Comin' Over Chris Young RCA Nashville November 13 1 Illinois Brett Eldredge Atlantic September 11 1 Jekyll + Hyde Zac Brown Band Southern Ground/Big Machine April 28 1 Kill the Lights Luke Bryan Capitol Nashville August 7 1 Love Somebody Reba McEntire Nash Icon April 14 7 Me (EP) RaeLynn Valory Music Group January 13 3 Meat and Candy Old Dominion RCA Nashville November 6 4 Michael Ray Michael Ray Warner Bros. Nashville August 7 5 Mono The Mavericks Valory Music Group February 17 2 Mr. Misunderstood Eric Church EMI Nashville November 3 3 The Music of Nashville: Season 3, Volume 2 Various Artists Big Machine May 12 3 Nashville: On the Record, Volume 2 Various Artists Big Machine March 24 3 NOW That's What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years Various Artists Universal March 31 8 NOW That's What I Call Country Christmas Various Artists Universal October 23 1 NOW That's What I Call Country Volume 8 Various Artists Universal June 9 3 Outlaw in Me The Lacs Backroad May 26 1 Pageant Material Kacey Musgraves Mercury Nashville June 23 4 Precious Memories Collection Alan Jackson Arista Nashville November 6 2 Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits Blake Shelton Warner Bros. Nashville October 23 2 Second Hand Heart Dwight Yoakam Warner Bros. Nashville April 14 1 Something More Than Free Jason Isbell Southeastern July 17 2 Southern Drawl Alabama BMG Chrysalis North America September 18 1 Southern Style Darius Rucker Capitol Nashville March 31 3 Southernality A Thousand Horses Republic Nashville June 9 1 Spring Break...Checkin' Out Luke Bryan Capitol Nashville March 10 5 Spring Break...The Set List: The Complete Spring Break Collection ZinePak Luke Bryan Capitol Nashville March 10 2 Start Here Maddie & Tae Dot August 28 2 Still the One: Live from Vegas Shania Twain Mercury Nashville March 3 1 Storyteller Carrie Underwood Arista Nashville October 23 2 Suffer in Peace Tyler Farr Columbia Nashville April 28 3 Summer Forever Billy Currington Mercury Nashville June 2 2 Tangled Up Thomas Rhett Valory Music Group September 25 3 Terraplane Steve Earle New West February 17 3 Thirty One Jana Kramer Warner Music Nashville October 9 9 Today Is Christmas LeAnn Rimes Kobalt October 16 8 The Traveling Kind Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell Nonesuch May 12 1 Traveller Chris Stapleton Mercury Nashville May 5 3 The Turnpike Troubadours Turnpike Troubadours Bossier City September 18 1 The Underdog Aaron Watson Big Label February 17 2 Untamed Cam Arista Nashville/RCA December 11 2 Wild Ones Kip Moore MCA Nashville August 21 Other top albums US Album Artist Record label Release date Reference 16 The 21 Project Hunter Hayes Atlantic November 6 16 35 Biggest Hits Hank Williams, Jr. Curb June 16 40 717 Jason Cassidy JC Music May 19 28 Alive! In Concert Dailey & Vincent Cracker Barrel April 27 30 All-Time Greatest Hits LeAnn Rimes Curb February 3 14 Answer to No One: The Colt Ford Classics Colt Ford Average Joes October 23 16 The Average Joes DJ's Present: Mud in the Club, Volume 1 Various Artists Average Joes March 3 26 The B-Sides, 2011–2014 (EP) Jon Pardi Capitol Nashville May 19 49 Bittersweet Kasey Chambers Sugar Hill July 24 13 Blacked Out Moonshine Bandits Backroad July 17 27 Bottom of the Fifth (EP) Curtis Grimes Curtis Grimes August 21 12 Bringin' It Home (EP) Big Smo Elektra Nashville June 16 16 Canaan Smith (EP) Canaan Smith Mercury Nashville March 24 20 Change: The Lost Record Vol. 1 – EP Josh Thompson Ole October 9 29 Cheatham County (EP) Upchurch Black Fly May 12 26 Christmas Time Rhonda Vincent Upper Management October 30 31 Clare Dunn (EP) Clare Dunn MCA Nashville September 18 49 Classic #1 Hits Buck Owens Cracker Barrel/Omnivore 39 Cole Taylor Cole Taylor Cole Taylor March 3 23 Country Faith Christmas Various Artists Word/Curb September 25 11 Down Home Sessions II Cole Swindell Warner Bros. Nashville November 6 26 Down to Believing Allison Moorer eOne March 17 28 Dylan, Cash and the New Nashville Cats: A New Music City Various Artists Legacy June 16 39 Faded Gloryville Lindi Ortega Last Gang August 7 42 Firewater Redneck Souljers Play Make Believe November 6 23 Fix (EP) Chris Lane Big Loud Mountain November 13 13 Folks Like Us Montgomery Gentry Blaster June 9 37 Forever Changed T. Graham Brown Mansion January 27 19 Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story Alan Jackson Arista Nashville/Legacy November 6 15 Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me Various Artists Big Machine February 17 36 Goldmine John Anderson Bayou Boys Music May 26 45 The Good Fight Cory Morrow Write On June 16 28 Greatest Hits Rodney Atkins Curb February 3 41 Gulf Coast Time (EP) Roger Creager Fun All Wrong September 25 30 Hard to Please The Black Lillies Black Lilly October 2 44 Her (EP) Blaire Hanks Perfect Storm June 30 49 Hymns & Gospel Favorites Loretta Lynn Gaither Music Group April 14 38 I Love This Life (EP) LoCash Reviver October 30 44 Jake Worthington (EP) Jake Worthington W3 October 16 25 Jon Langston (EP) Jon Langston Jon Langston December 11 32 Just One Look: Classic Linda Ronstadt Linda Ronstadt Rhino August 21 37 Kiss You in the Morning EP Michael Ray Warner Bros. Nashville April 28 42 Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams Red House June 23 28 Lauren Alaina (EP) Lauren Alaina 19/Interscope/Mercury Nashville October 2 22 Maren Morris (EP) Maren Morris Columbia Nashville November 6 33 Mixtape JB and the Moonshine Band Light It Up June 30 18 Mixtape: 'Til Summer's Gone (EP) Lee Brice Curb July 17 15 Mud Digger, Volume 6 Various Artists Average Joes August 28 17 The Music of Nashville: Season 4, Volume 1 Various Artists Big Machine December 4 25 Natural Man Jon Wolfe Fool Hearted March 31 25 Nothing but the Silence Striking Matches I.R.S. Nashville March 24 13 On Purpose Clint Black Thirty Tigers/Black Top September 25 26 On the Other Hand: All the Number Ones Randy Travis Warner Bros. Nashville April 21 17 Once Again It's Christmas Kenny Rogers Warner Bros. Nashville September 25 43 Panhandle Rambler Joe Ely Rack'em September 18 12 Paradise The Wood Brothers Honey Jar October 2 32 Pawn Shop Guitar (EP) Logan Mize Arista Nashville May 19 14 Ralph Stanley & Friends: Man of Constant Sorrow Ralph Stanley Cracker Barrel January 19 45 The Right Combination Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton Sony/Cracker Barrel 18 Ringling Road William Clark Green Bill Grease April 21 26 Rock of Ages: Hymns and Gospel Favorites The Oak Ridge Boys Gaither Music Group May 26 26 Showtime (EP) Jon Langston Treehouse May 5 37 Shuteye Logan Brill Carnival June 2 15 Small Town Dreams Will Hoge Cumberland April 7 27 Something in the Water Pokey LaFarge Rounder April 7 30 Sonic Ranch Whitey Morgan and the 78's Whitey Morgan May 19 16 Southern Gravity Kristian Bush Streamsound April 7 11 Squelch Jason Boland & The Stragglers Proud Souls October 9 39 The State I'm In Leigh Nash One Son September 18 11 Still the King: Celebrating the Music of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys Asleep at the Wheel Bismeaux March 3 31 Texas Like That Zane Williams Be Music & Entertainment April 14 37 Things That Can't Be Undone Corb Lund New West October 9 16 This Christmas (EP) Jessie James Decker Big Yellow Dog December 4 36 This One's for You (EP) Luke Combs Luke Combs November 27 13 Three Gloriana Emblem/Warner Bros. June 2 34 Torn (EP) Backroad Anthem Backroad Anthem September 4 11 Turn It On (EP) Eli Young Band Republic Nashville March 10 22 Us Time Stoney LaRue eOne October 16 46 Walkin a Wire Pete Scobell Band FrogBonz September 11 31 Welcome to Cam Country (EP) Cam Arista Nashville/RCA March 31 37 What Color Is Your Sky Jason Michael Carroll Kickstarter May 5 23 While the Gettin' Is Good Corey Smith Sugar Hill June 23 26 Whiskey on My Breath Love and Theft Hate & Purchase Music February 10 39 Willie Nelson and Friends Willie Nelson Cracker Barrel Deaths January 2 – Little Jimmy Dickens, 94, Grand Ole Opry member best known for "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose", "Take an Old Cold Tater (and Wait)", and standing at only 4.2 feet tall, as well as for his cameos in videos by artists such as Brad Paisley and Vince Gill. (cardiac arrest)Grand Ole Opry performer Little Jimmy Dickens Dies at 94 http://www.opry.com/jimmydickens January 2, 2014 January 2, 2015 January 12 – A. J. Masters, 64, singer-songwriter (prostate cancer)Thanki Juli Songwriter A.J. Masters, who co-wrote ‘Change My Mind,’ dies http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/01/13/songwriter-aj-masters-co-wrote-change-mind-dies/21713079/ January 23, 2015 The Tennessean January 13, 2015 January 16 – Dixie Hall, 80, bluegrass songwriter and wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall (brain tumor) January 17 – Don Harron, 90, Canadian comedian and playwright best known to country audiences as "Charlie Farquharson" on television's Hee Haw (cancer).Don Harron, Canadian entertainment icon, dead at 90 http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/don-harron-canadian-entertainment-icon-dead-at-90-1.2916802 January 17, 2015 CBC News January 17, 2015 March 9 – Wayne Kemp, 74, writer of Johnny Cash's "One Piece at a Time" among others; also a recording artist for MCA Nashville (various ailments)Betts Stephen L. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/wayne-kemp-dead-dies-20150310 'Love Bug' Songwriter Wayne Kemp Dead at 74 Rollingstone.com 2015-03-10 2015-04-29 April 30 – Steven Goldmann, 53, music video director who directed a plethora of videos for many acts in the 90's and 2000's. (cancer)Oermann Robert K. LifeNotes: Film, Video Director Steven Goldmann Dies http://www.musicrow.com/2015/04/lifenotes-film-video-director-steven-goldmann-dies/ https://archive.today/20150501082028/http://www.musicrow.com/2015/04/lifenotes-film-video-director-steven-goldmann-dies/ dead May 1, 2015 May 1, 2015 MusicRow April 30, 2015 May 18 – Elbert West, 46, singer-songwriterSkates Sarah Lifenotes: Songwriter Elbert West http://www.musicrow.com/2015/05/lifenotes-songwriter-elbert-west/ May 19, 2015 MusicRow May 19, 2015 June 11 – Jim Ed Brown, 81, Grand Ole Opry star and member of The Browns (cancer)http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/06/11/country-singer-jim-ed-brown-dies/71097224/ Country singer Jim Ed Brown dies at 81 11 June 2015 The Tennessean July 20 – Wayne Carson, 72, writer of Elvis Presley's "Always on My Mind," later covered by Willie Nelsonhttps://www.billboard.com/music/country/wayne-carson-songwriter-always-on-my-mind-country-dead-72-6634763/ July 20, 2015 Wayne Carson, 'Always On My Mind' Songwriter, Dead at 72 Billboard July 22 – Daron Norwood, 49, country singer from the 1990sVinson Christina ‘Cowboys Don’t Cry’ Singer Daron Norwood Dead at 49 http://theboot.com/daron-norwood-dead-dies/ July 23, 2015 The Boot July 23, 2015 July 29 – Buddy Emmons, 78, steel guitaristDauphin Chuck Buddy Emmons, Steel Guitar Legend, Dies at 78 http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/6648515/buddy-emmons-steel-guitar-legend-dies-at-78 July 30, 2015 Billboard July 29, 2015 July 30 – Lynn Anderson, 67, singer best known for the 1970 crossover hit "Rose Garden." (heart attack)https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/lynn-anderson-dead-dies-20150731 Country Legend Lynn Anderson Dead at 67 Rolling Stone July 31, 2015 August 4 – Billy Sherrill, 78, record producer best known for his work with George Jones and Tammy Wynettehttp://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2015/08/04/breaking-legendary-producer-billy-sherrill-dies/31110363/ Legendary producer Billy Sherrill dies 4 August 2015 The Tennessean September 4 – Hal Willis, 82, Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for the song "The Lumberjack"Oermann Robert K. LifeNotes: Canadian Country Star Hal Willis Passes http://www.musicrow.com/2015/09/lifenotes-canadian-country-star-hal-willis-passes/ March 13, 2016 MusicRow September 9, 2015 September 25 – Hugh Wright, 63, drummer for Boy Howdy (natural causes)Oermann Robert K. LifeNotes: Boy Howdy Co-Founder, Drummer Hugh Wright Passes http://www.musicrow.com/2015/10/boy-howdy-co-founder-drummer-hugh-wright-passes/ October 9, 2015 MusicRow October 8, 2015 October 6 – Billy Joe Royal, 73, country and rock singer best known for his hits "Down in the Boondocks" and "Tell It Like It Is"http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/6721896/billy-joe-royal-dies Billy Joe Royal dies Billboard October 6, 2015 October 17 – John Jennings, 62, record producer and guitarist best known for his work with Mary Chapin Carpenter (kidney cancer)https://musicrow.com/2015/10/lifenotes-producerguitarist-john-jennings-passes/ LifeNotes: Producer/Guitarist John Jennings Passes October 19, 2015 November 2 – Tommy Overstreet, 78, country singer from the 1970sDauphin Chuck Tommy Overstreet, 1970s Country Hitmaker, Dies at Age 78 https://www.billboard.com/music/country/tommy-overstreet-dead-obituary-6752929/ November 3, 2015 Billboard November 3, 2015 November 8 – Charlie Dick, 81, widower of Patsy Cline who helped keep alive her legacy in the decades following her death; became a record promoter and publisher in his own righthttps://www.billboard.com/music/country/charlie-dick-widower-of-patsy-cline-dies-at-81-6754076/ Charlie Dick, Widower of Patsy Cline, Dies at 81 Billboard November 15 – Ron Hynes, 64, Canadian country-folk artist, best known for the songs "Sonny's Dream" and "Cryer's Paradise" (cancer)Michael MacDonald https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/music/newfoundland-and-labrador-folk-legend-ron-hynes-dead-at-64/article27381444/ Newfoundland and Labrador folk legend Ron Hynes dead at 64 The Globe and Mail 2015-11-20 December 6 – Don Chapel, songwriter of hits by George Jones, Conway Twitty, ex-wife Tammy Wynette, and othershttp://tasteofcountry.com/don-chapel-dead/ Country Songwriter Don Chapel, Ex-Husband of Tammy Wynette, Dies Taste of Country December 9, 2015 December 7 – Don Pfrimmer, 78, songwriter known for co-writing many modern hits including "Meet in the Middle" and "My Front Porch Looking In" (leukemia)http://www.cmt.com/news/1760999/hit-songwriter-don-pfrimmer-dead-at-78/ https://web.archive.org/web/20151213095705/http://www.cmt.com/news/1760999/hit-songwriter-don-pfrimmer-dead-at-78/ dead December 13, 2015 Hit Songwriter Don Pfrimmer Dead at 78 Morris Edward 9 December 2015 CMT 13 December 2015 Hall of Fame inductees Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Inductees Larry Sparks Bill Keith Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Jim Ed Brown and The Browns (Jim Ed (1934–2015), Bonnie (1937–2016); and Maxine (1932–2019). Grady Martin (1929–2001) The Oak Ridge Boys (multiple members – currently Duane Allen (born 1943), Joe Bonsall (born 1948), William Lee Golden (born 1939) and Richard Sterban (born 1943)). Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Dianne Leigh Elizabeth "Ma" Henning Major awards Academy of Country Music (presented April 3, 2016 in Las Vegas) Entertainer of the Year – Jason Aldean Top Male Vocalist – Chris Stapleton Top Female Vocalist – Miranda Lambert Top Vocal Group – Little Big Town Top Vocal Duo – Florida Georgia Line New Male Vocalist – Chris Stapleton New Female Vocalist – Kelsea Ballerini New Vocal Duo or Group – Old Dominion Album of the Year – Traveller, Chris Stapleton Single Record of the Year – "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett Song of the Year – "Nobody to Blame", Chris Stapleton Video of the Year – "Mr. Misunderstood", Eric Church Vocal Event of the Year – "Smokin' and Drinkin'", Miranda Lambert feat. Little Big Town ACM Honors Career Achievement Award – Alabama Crystal Milestone Award – Loretta Lynn Gene Weed Special Achievement Award – Luke Bryan Jim Reeves International Award – Eric Church Mae Boren Axton Award – Barry Adelman Mae Boren Axton Award – Tim DuBois Poet's Award – Bob McDill Poet's Award – Felice and Boudleaux Bryant Songwriter of the Year – Luke Laird Americana Music Honors & Awards Album of the Year – Down Where the Spirit Meets the Bone (Lucinda Williams) Artist of the Year – Sturgill Simpson Duo/Group of the Year – The Mavericks Song of the Year – "Turtles All the Way Down" (Sturgill Simpson) Emerging Artist of the Year – Shakey Graves Instrumentalist of the Year – John Leventhal Spirit of Americana/Free Speech Award – Buffy Sainte-Marie Lifetime Achievement: Trailblazer – Don Henley Lifetime Achievement: Songwriting – Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Lifetime Achievement: Performance – Los Lobos Lifetime Achievement: Instrumentalist – Ricky Skaggs American Music Awards (presented November 22 in Los Angeles) Favorite Country Male Artist – Luke Bryan Favorite Country Female Artist – Carrie Underwood Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group – Florida Georgia Line Favorite Country Album – Anything Goes, Florida Georgia Line ARIA Awards (presented in Sydney on November 26, 2015) Best Country Album – All Hell Breaks Loose (Shane Nicholson) Canadian Country Music Association (presented September 13 in Halifax) Fans' Choice Award – Johnny Reid Male Artist of the Year – Gord Bamford Female Artist of the Year – Jess Moskaluke Group or Duo of the Year – High Valley Songwriter(s) of the Year – "Where a Farm Used to Be", written by Gord Bamford, Buddy Owens and Phil O'Donnell Single of the Year – "Where a Farm Used to Be", Gord Bamford Album of the Year – Lifted, Dallas Smith Top Selling Album – Crash My Party, Luke Bryan Top Selling Canadian Album – Yoan, Yoan CMT Video of the Year – "Upside Down", Dean Brody Rising Star Award – Madeline Merlo Roots Artist or Group of the Year – Lindi Ortega Interactive Artist of the Year – Brett Kissel Country Music Association (presented November 4 in Nashville) Single of the Year – "Girl Crush", Little Big Town Song of the Year – "Girl Crush", Liz Rose, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna Vocal Group of the Year – Little Big Town New Artist of the Year – Chris Stapleton Album of the Year – Traveller, Chris Stapleton Musician of the Year – Mac McAnally Vocal Duo of the Year – Florida Georgia Line Music Video of the Year – "Girl in a Country Song", Maddie & Tae Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton Female Vocalist of the Year – Miranda Lambert Musical Event of the Year – "Raise 'Em Up", Keith Urban and Eric Church Entertainer of the Year – Luke Bryan CMT Music Awards (presented June 10 in Nashville) Video of the Year – "Something in the Water", Carrie Underwood Male Video of the Year – "Play It Again", Luke Bryan Female Video of the Year – "Something in the Water", Carrie Underwood Group Video of the Year – "Bartender", Lady Antebellum Duo Video of the Year – "Dirt", Florida Georgia Line Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Leave the Night On", Sam Hunt Collaborative Video of the Year – "Somethin' Bad", Miranda Lambert with Carrie Underwood Performance of the Year – "Turn the Page", Bob Seger and Jason Aldean from CMT Crossroads CMT Artists of the Year (presented on December 2, 2015)https://www.billboard.com/music/country/2015-cmt-artists-of-the-year-honorees-6760829/ Blake Shelton, Little Big Town & More to Be Honored at CMT Artists of the Year Billboard Luke Bryan Florida Georgia Line Sam Hunt Little Big Town Blake Shelton Grammy Awards (presented February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles) Best Country Solo Performance – "Traveller" (Chris Stapleton) Best Country Duo/Group Performance – "Girl Crush" (Little Big Town) Best Country Song – "Girl Crush" (Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose) Best Country Album – Traveller (Chris Stapleton) Best Bluegrass Album – The Muscle Shoals Recordings (The SteelDrivers) Best Americana Album – Something More Than Free (Jason Isbell) Best American Roots Song – "24 Frames" (Jason Isbell) Best American Roots Performance – "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" (Mavis Staples) Best Roots Gospel Album – Still Rockin' My Soul (The Fairfield Four) Juno Awards (presented April 3, 2016 in Calgary) Country Album of the Year – Gypsy Road, Dean Brody References 30em Other links Country Music Association Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame Country Category:Country music by year