1978 in country music

none May 2015 May 2015 This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1978. 1978 1978 country music Events March 4 — The Public Broadcasting System (PBS) telecasts the first complete Grand Ole Opry show from the new Grand Ole Opry House as it happened from 6–9 pm. The show featured Del Reeves, The Willis Brothers, Billy Grammer, Lonzo and Oscar, Bill Monroe, Porter Wagoner, Roy Acuff, The Crook Brothers, The Fruit Jar Drinkers, Ronnie Milsap, Grandpa Jones, George Hamilton IV and others. The show would run over about 18 minutes the first night. The telecast would repeat from 1979 to 1981. March 25 — "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson becomes the last song for 12 years to spend four weeks at No. 1 on Billboards Hot Country Singles chart. There wouldn't be another four-week No. 1 until "Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart" by Randy Travis in April 1990. The trend of fewer (and shorter) multi-week runs at No. 1 on Billboard, even for the year's biggest hits, is the result of changes in radio programming and the magazine's reporting methods. May 6 — Bob Kingsley takes over hosting duties of "American Country Countdown," a stint that will last 27 years. He had been a producer of the radio countdown show since 1974. May 24 — The United States Postal Service issues a 13-cent commemorative stamp honoring Jimmie Rodgers, one of the genre's pioneers. The Rodgers stamp, designed by artist Jim Sharpe, is the first in the Postal Service's long-running Performing Arts Series. September — The Donna Fargo Show premieres in television syndication. The new show's debut comes around the same time Fargo was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She receives successful medical treatment and with her husband's help, makes it back to excellent health. October 4 — One of Nashville's most mysterious crimes involves the reported abduction and beating of Tammy Wynette. Media reports said that Wynette had been abducted by a masked man at a shopping center before the beating. No suspects were ever named or arrested. While Wynette would insist the story was true, her daughter raised doubts, claiming the incident was fabricated to cover physical abuse from her newlywed husband, songwriter/producer George Richey. October 21 — Fans of Mel Street are saddened when the honky tonk-styled singer, who had long battled clinical depression and alcoholism, committed suicide on his 43rd birthday. He had signed a recording contract with Mercury Records earlier in the year. Top hits of the year Number one hits United States (as certified by Billboard) DateSingle NameArtistWks. No.1CAN peakSpec. NoteJanuary 7Take This Job and Shove ItJohnny Paycheck2ref_C[C]January 21What a Difference You've Made in My LifeRonnie Milsap1January 28Out of My Head and Back in My BedLoretta Lynn2ref_B[B]February 11I Just Wish You Were Someone I LoveLarry Gatlin13ref_A[A]February 18Don't Break the Heart That Loves YouMargo Smith25ref_A[A]March 4Mammas Don't Let Your BabiesGrow Up to Be CowboysWaylon Jenningsand Willie Nelson4ref_1[1]April 1Ready for the Times to Get BetterCrystal Gayle1April 8Someone Loves You HoneyCharley Pride2April 22Every Time Two Fools CollideKenny Rogersand Dottie West2ref_A[A] – Dottie WestMay 6It's All Wrong, But It's All RightDolly Parton2May 20She Can Put Her Shoes Under My Bed (Anytime)Johnny Duncan1ref_B[B]May 27Do You Know You Are My SunshineThe Statler Brothers25ref_A[A]June 10Georgia on My MindWillie Nelson1June 17Two More Bottles of WineEmmylou Harris1June 24I'll Be True to YouThe Oak Ridge Boys18ref_A[A]July 1It Only Hurts for a Little WhileMargo Smith1ref_B[B]July 8I Believe in YouMel Tillis1July 15Only One Love in My LifeRonnie Milsap3August 5Love or Something Like ItKenny Rogers1August 12You Don't Love Me AnymoreEddie Rabbitt13August 19Talking in Your SleepCrystal Gayle2September 2Blue SkiesWillie Nelson1September 9I've Always Been CrazyWaylon Jennings3September 30HeartbreakerDolly Parton3October 21Tear TimeDave & Sugar13October 28Let's Take the Long Way Around the WorldRonnie Milsap1November 4Sleeping Single In a Double BedBarbara Mandrell3ref_A[A]November 25Sweet Desire/Old Fashioned LoveThe Kendalls12December 2I Just Want to Love YouEddie Rabbitt12December 9On My KneesCharlie Richand Janie Fricke12ref_B[B] – Charlie Richref_A[A] – Janie FrickeDecember 16The GamblerKenny Rogers32 Notes 1endnote_1^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard. Aendnote_A^ First Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist. Bendnote_B^ Last Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist. Cendnote_C^ Only Billboard No. 1 hit for that artist to date. Canada (as certified by RPM) DateSingle NameArtistWks. No.1U.S. peakSpec. NoteJanuary 14Take This Job and Shove ItJohnny Paycheck1ref_C[C]January 21My WayElvis Presley22February 4What a Difference You've Made in My LifeRonnie Milsap2February 18Out of My Head and Back in My BedLoretta Lynn1ref_B[B]February 25You're the OneThe Oak Ridge Boys22ref_A[A]March 11To DaddyEmmylou Harris13March 18Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be CowboysWaylon Jennings andWillie Nelson3ref_A[A] – Willie NelsonApril 8I Might as Well Believe (I'll Live Forever)Carroll Baker1—April 15Do I Love You (Yes in Every Way)Donna Fargo12ref_B[B]April 22Ready for the Times to Get BetterCrystal Gayle1April 29Someone Loves You HoneyCharley Pride2May 13Every Time Two Fools CollideKenny Rogers andDottie West1May 20It's All Wrong, But It's All RightDolly Parton1May 27She Can Put Her Shoes Under my Bed (Anytime)Johnny Duncan1ref_B[B]June 3Georgia on My MindWillie Nelson2June 17Night Time MagicLarry Gatlin12ref_A[A]June 24Two More Bottles of WineEmmylou Harris1July 1I Can't Wait Any LongerBill Anderson24ref_B[B]July 15Portrait in the WindowCarroll Baker1—ref_1[1]July 22It Only Hurts for a Little WhileMargo Smith1ref_C[C]July 29I Believe in YouMel Tillis1August 5You Needed MeAnne Murray14August 12HomefolksBob Murphy & Big Buffalo1—ref_C[C]August 19Love or Something Like ItKenny Rogers1August 26Only One Love in My LifeRonnie Milsap1September 2Talking in Your SleepCrystal Gayle1September 9When I Stop Leaving (I'll Be Gone)Charley Pride13September 16Boogie Grass BandConway Twitty12September 23Blue SkiesWillie Nelson1September 30I've Always Been CrazyWaylon Jennings1October 7HeartbreakerDolly Parton3October 28It's Been a Great AfternoonMerle Haggard12RPM didn't publish on November 4 or November 11.November 18Let's Take the Long Way Around the WorldRonnie Milsap1November 25Cryin' AgainThe Oak Ridge Boys13December 2Sleeping Single In a Double BedBarbara Mandrell2ref_A[A]December 16That's What You Do to MeCharly McClain18ref_A[A]December 23Hooked on a FeelingCarroll Baker2— Notes 1endnote_1^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by RPM. Aendnote_A^ First RPM No. 1 hit for that artist. Bendnote_B^ Last RPM No. 1 hit for that artist. Cendnote_C^ Only RPM No. 1 hit for that artist. Other major hits Singles released by American artists USCANSingleArtist1612'57 ChevroletBillie Jo Spears42Ain't No CaliforniaMel Tillis34All of MeWillie Nelson2110Another Fine MessGlen Campbell108Another GoodbyeDonna Fargo210Anyone Who Isn't Me TonightKenny Rogers and Dottie West2119Baby It's YouJanie Fricke20—Baby, Last Night Made My DaySusie Allanson1713Back to the LoveSusie Allanson68Bartender's BluesGeorge Jones 3616Be Your Own Best FriendRay Stevens102Beautiful WomanCharlie Rich18—Bedroom EyesDon Drumm2034Better MeTommy Overstreet1317Break My MindVern Gosdin1312Bucket to the SouthAva Barber825The Bull and the BeaverMerle Haggard and Leona Williams1618Can You FoolGlen Campbell1820CaribbeanSonny James42Come a Little Bit CloserJohnny Duncan and Janie Fricke1044Come on InJerry Lee Lewis1728Come See Me and Come LonelyDottie West169Come to MeRoy Head2316Country Lovin'Eddy Arnold1114Cowboys Don't Get Lucky All the TimeGene Watson2016Danger Heartbreak AheadZella Lehr79DaylightT. G. Sheppard133Do It Again TonightLarry Gatlin1318Don't Ever Say GoodbyeT. G. Sheppard125Easy From Now OnEmmylou Harris1118Fadin' In, Fadin' OutTommy Overstreet2036Four Little LettersStella Parton1015The First TimeBilly "Crash" Craddock78Friend, Lover, WifeJohnny Paycheck62From Seven Till TenLoretta Lynn and Conway Twitty176Georgia in a JugJohnny Paycheck1112God Made LoveMel McDaniel49Gotta Quit Lookin' at You BabyDave & Sugar1612Grandest Lady of Them AllConway Twitty19—Handcuffed to a HeartacheMary K. Miller29Hearts on FireEddie Rabbitt47Hello Mexico (And Adios Baby to You)Johnny Duncan943Here Comes the Hurt AgainMickey Gilley1526Here Comes the Reason I LiveRonnie McDowell20—Here in LoveDottsy2033High and DryJoe Sun2014Hopelessly Devoted to YouOlivia Newton-John226How Can I Leave You AgainJohn Denver1414Hubba HubbaBilly "Crash" Craddock44I Cheated on a Good Woman's LoveBilly "Crash" Craddock84I Don't Need a Thing at AllGene Watson156I Fought the LawHank Williams Jr.1423I Just Want to Be Your EverythingConnie Smith55I Love You, I Love You, I Love YouRonnie McDowell107I Love You (What Can I Say)Jerry Reed1817I Promised Her a RainbowBobby Borchers816I Never Will MarryLinda Ronstadt1329I Wish I Loved Somebody ElseTom T. Hall1223I Would Like to See You AgainJohnny Cash10—I'll Find It Where I CanJerry Lee Lewis1141I'll Just Take It Out in LoveGeorge Jones1127I'll Never Be FreeJim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius22I'm Always on a Mountain When I FallMerle Haggard10—I'm Gonna Love You AnywayCristy Lane2620I'm Leaving It All Up to YouFreddy Fender710I've Got a Winner in YouDon Williams1726I've Got to GoBillie Jo Spears9—If I Had a Cheating HeartMel Street67If the World Ran Out of Love TonightJim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius55If You Can Touch Her at AllWillie Nelson69If You've Got Ten Minutes (Let's Fall in Love)Joe Stampley22It Don't Feel Like Sinnin' to MeThe Kendalls102It's a HeartacheBonnie Tyler1319Let Me Be Your BabyCharly McClain9—Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'Kenny O'Dell36Little Things Mean a LotMargo Smith189Lonely Hearts ClubBillie Jo Spears814Lonely StreetRex Allen, Jr.2619Love, Love, LoveSandy Posey713Love Me with All Your Heart (Cuando Caliente El Sol)Johnny Rodriguez36A Lover's QuestionJacky Ward135May the Force Be with You AlwaysTom T. Hall714Maybe BabySusie Allanson43Middle Age CrazyJerry Lee Lewis1327Mister D.J.T. G. Sheppard930Never My LoveVern Gosdin84No, No, No (I'd Rather Be Free)Rex Allen, Jr.1018No Sleep TonightRandy Barlow19—Now You See 'Em, Now You Don'tRoy Head1429Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to YouJoe Sun86One Sided ConversationGene Watson74Penny ArcadeCristy Lane628Pittsburgh StealersThe Kendalls1717Please Don't Play a Love SongMarty Robbins124Please Help Me, I'm Falling (in Love with You)Janie Fricke87The Power of Positive Drinkin'Mickey Gilley83Puttin' in Overtime at HomeCharlie Rich1921Ragamuffin ManDonna Fargo32Rake and Ramblin' ManDon Williams17—Red Hot MemoryKenny Dale67Red Wine and Blue MemoriesJoe Stampley68Return to MeMarty Robbins119Rhythm of the RainJacky Ward56Rose Colored GlassesJohn Conlee1210Running KindMerle Haggard1628Shake Me I RattleCristy Lane1314Shine on Me (The Sun Still Shines When It Rains)John Wesley Ryles118Sleep Tight Good Night ManBobby Bare1975Slippin' AwayThe Bellamy Brothers10—Slow and EasyRandy Barlow1315Soft Lights and Hard Country MusicMoe Bandy1745Some I WroteThe Statler Brothers915Something to Brag AboutMary Kay Place and Willie Nelson1210Spring FeverLoretta Lynn1420Standard Lie Number OneStella Parton16—Starting All Over AgainDon Gibson2025Sweet FantasyBobby Borchers86Sweet, Sweet SmileThe Carpenters1310Talk to MeFreddy Fender1110That's What Makes the Juke Box PlayMoe Bandy25There Ain't No Good Chain GangJohnny Cash and Waylon Jennings18—Things I Do for YouMundo Earwood1810Think About MeFreddy Fender1637This Is the LoveSonny James20—Three Sheets in the WindJacky Ward and Reba McEntire525TonightBarbara Mandrell2817Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)Roy Head2915Too Many Nights AloneBobby Bare75Two Doors DownZella Lehr1831Two Hearts Tangled in LoveKenny Dale74Two Lonely PeopleMoe Bandy66Unchained MelodyElvis Presley712We Believe in Happy EndingsJohnny Rodriguez24We Belong TogetherSusie Allanson2617We Got LoveLynn Anderson106We've Come a Long Way BabyLoretta Lynn1328Week-End FriendCon Hunley42What Did I Promise Her Last NightMel Tillis914What Have You Got to LoseTom T. Hall920What Time Do You Have to Be Back to HeavenRazzy Bailey529When Can We Do This AgainT. G. Sheppard165Whiskey TripGary Stewart360Who Am I to SayThe Statler Brothers107With LoveRex Allen, Jr.45Woman to WomanBarbara Mandrell33WomanhoodTammy Wynette1215Yes Ma'amTommy Overstreet2035You Know WhatJerry Reed and Seidina1420You've Still Got a Place in My HeartCon Hunley Singles released by Canadian artists USCANSingleArtist—11All Cried OutVan Dyke—19Caribou to NashvilleGary Fjellgaard929The Circle Is Small (I Can See It in Your Eyes)Gordon Lightfoot—10Comin' on StrongerMercey Brothers—12Does the Rain Only Fall on My MansionJerry Palmer—7Dream MakerSheila Ann—9The Fastest GunDallas Harms—12George the HermitJack Hennig—14Goin' HomeBurton & Honeyman—4Here's Your Watch JohnCanadian Zephyr—14Hold Me Like a BabyTim Daniels—10Living in the Best of Two WorldsRondini—6Love Is a Contact SportFamily Brown—18Master of the Classical GuitarDallas Harms—18MindyJack Hennig—16My Good WomanDick Damron—14Ol' AmosOrval Prophet—16Riding HighVan Dyke—18Sun Always ShinesLaura Vinson—14There's More Love Where That Came FromJoyce Seamone—16Truck Driver's GirlThe Good Brothers42Walk Right BackAnne Murray—19Where Have All the Cowboy Songs GoneOrval Prophet—9Whiskey JackDick Damron—3You're the LightFamily Brown Top new album releases AlbumArtistRecord LabelBurgers and Fries/When I Stop Leaving (I'll Be Gone)Charley PrideRCADark Eyed LadyDonna FargoWarner Bros.The GamblerKenny RogersUnited ArtistsHeartbreakerDolly PartonRCAI've Always Been CrazyWaylon JenningsRCAI've Cried the Blue Right Out of My EyesCrystal GayleMCA1Night Time MagicLarry GatlinMonumentQuarter Moon in a Ten Cent TownEmmylou HarrisWarner/RepriseStardustWillie NelsonColumbia/CBSSomeone Loves You HoneyCharley PrideRCATGT. G. SheppardWarner Bros./CurbTNTTanya TuckerMCAWaylon & WillieWaylon Jennings and Willie NelsonRCAWhen I DreamCrystal GayleUnited Artists 1 A collection of Crystal Gayle's earliest recordings from the early 1970s. Other albums AlbumArtistRecord LabelAin't Living Long Like ThisRodney CrowellWarner Bros.Bartender's BluesGeorge JonesEpic/CBSBilly "Crash" CraddockBilly "Crash" CraddockCapitolCountry SoulMel StreetPolydor/PolygramDon't Break the Heart That Loves YouMargo SmithWarner Bros.Entertainers On and Off the RecordStatler BrothersMercury/PolygramEvery Time Two Fools CollideKenny Rogers and Dottie WestUnited ArtistsExpressionsDon WilliamsABC/DotI Still Believe in LoveCharlie RichUnited ArtistsLonely Hearts ClubBillie Jo SpearsUnited ArtistsLove LiesCristy LaneLSLove's Ups and DownsBarbara MandrellABC/DotA Lover's QuestionJacky WardMercury/PolygramOnly One Love in My LifeRonnie MilsapRCAOh Brother!Larry GatlinMonumentLet's Keep It That WayAnne MurrayCapitolLove...& Other Sad StoriesBill AndersonMCALove or Something Like ItKenny RogersUnited ArtistsRoom ServiceOak Ridge BoysABC/DotRose Colored GlassesJohn ConleeABC/DotShe Can Put Her Shoes Under My Bed (Anytime)Johnny DuncanColumbia/CBSStella PartonStella PartonElektraTear TimeDave & SugarRCAVariationsEddie RabbittElektraWhite MansionsWaylon JenningsRCA Christmas albums Christmas Card – Statler Brothers (Mercury/Polygram) Births February 25 — Shawna Thompson, of Thompson Square. April 15 — Chris Stapleton, male vocalist who helped revive the blues-soul sound of country music in the 2010s, most notably with the album Traveller. June 13 – Jason Michael Carroll, late 2000s-to-early 2010s male vocalist best known for "Alyssa Lies." July 21 — Brad Mates, lead singer of Canadian band Emerson Drive. July 31 — Zac Brown, lead singer of his eponymously named band, who began having hits in the late 2000s. August 8 — Gary Nichols, country music singer September 14 — Danielle Peck, up-and-coming country music star Deaths June 12 — Johnny Bond, 63, singer of the 1940s through 1960s, best known for his novelty songs about drunkenness (heart attack). October 21 — Mel Street, 43, honky tonk-styled artist and one of the most promising new artists of the 1970s (suicide). October 23 — Maybelle Carter, 69, singer and songwriter of the Carter Family and mother of Anita, Helen and June Carter Cash. December 16 — Jenny Lou Carson, 63, first female to write a #1 country hit ("You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often"). Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Grandpa Jones (1913–1998) Major awards Grammy AwardsBest Female Country Vocal Performance — "Here You Come Again", Dolly PartonBest Male Country Vocal Performance — "Georgia on My Mind", Willie NelsonBest Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", Waylon Jennings and Willie NelsonBest Country Instrumental Performance — "One O'Clock Jump", Asleep at the WheelBest Country Song — "The Gambler", Don Schlitz (Performer: Kenny Rogers) Juno AwardsCountry Male Vocalist of the Year — Ronnie ProphetCountry Female Vocalist of the Year — Carroll BakerCountry Group or Duo of the Year — The Good Brothers Academy of Country MusicEntertainer of the Year — Kenny RogersSong of the Year — "You Needed Me", Randy Goodrum (Performer: Anne Murray)Single of the Year — "Tulsa Time", Don WilliamsAlbum of the Year — Y'all Come Back Saloon, The Oak Ridge BoysTop Male Vocalist — Kenny RogersTop Female Vocalist — Barbara MandrellTop Vocal Group — The Oak Ridge BoysTop New Male Vocalist — John ConleeTop New Female Vocalist — Cristy Lane Country Music AssociationEntertainer of the Year — Dolly PartonSong of the Year — "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", Richard Leigh (Performer: Crystal Gayle)Single of the Year — "Heaven's Just a Sin Away", The KendallsAlbum of the Year — It Was Almost Like a Song, Ronnie MilsapMale Vocalist of the Year — Don WilliamsFemale Vocalist of the Year — Crystal GayleVocal Duo of the Year — Kenny Rogers and Dottie WestVocal Group of the Year — The Oak Ridge BoysInstrumentalist of the Year — Roy ClarkInstrumental Group of the Year' — The Oak Ridge Boys Band Hollywood walk of Fame Country stars who got a star in 1978 Loretta Lynn 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 (0-8118-3572-3) Millard, Bob, "Country Music: 70 Years of America's Favorite Music," HarperCollins, New York, 1993 (0-06-273244-7) Whitburn, Joel, "Top Country Songs 1944–2005 – 6th Edition." 2005. Other links Country Music Association Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame External links Country Music Hall of Fame Country Category:Country music by year