1965 in country music

none May 2015 May 2015 This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1965. 1965 1965 country music Events January — Leo Fender, founder of Fender Guitars, sells his company to a subsidiary of Columbia Records for $13 million. February 17 — "The Tennessee Waltz" is declared the state song of Tennessee. October — Country Music Association president Tex Ritter awards Leo Fender the President's Award for "outstanding contributions to the sound of country music." No dates The Vietnam War, which by now was making daily headlines, brings about the second wave of patriotic-themed songs. One of the first big songs was Johnnie Wright's "Hello Vietnam," a No. 1 hit in October. Late in the year, Dave Dudley records and releases "What We're Fighting For," an early response to the growing number of anti-Vietnam War protests. The trend continues through the rest of the 1960s and early 1970s, with songs such as "Distant Drums" by Jim Reeves; "The Ballad of the Green Berets" by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler; "Dear Uncle Sam" by Loretta Lynn; and others. By the late 1960s, the tone of the songs became darker, most notably the Mel Tillis-penned "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town" (first a hit for Johnny Darrell, but more famously in 1969 by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition). Country singer Merle Haggard marries fellow country singer and former wife of Buck Owens, Bonnie Owens, they will stay married until their divorce in 1978 but go on to be great friends and Owens will continue to tour with Haggard until her death in 2006. Dolly Parton signs her first national recording contract with Monument Records. Initially pitched to the teen market as a bubblegum pop singer, she makes her first Billboard magazine chart appearance, peaking at No. 8 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart in October with a cover of The Tune Weavers' "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby." A second single, "Busy Signal", is released in December but does not reach any of the Billboard charts. Also during the year, she writes "Put It Off Until Tomorrow", recording both a solo version and backing Bill Phillips on his own version, the latter which became a hit in 1966 and would lead to her being allowed to change her style from pop to country (a reverse of what would happen a decade later, after she had become a superstar). Ernest Tubb debuts his new weekly TV show, which airs in syndication through 1969, mainly in southern U.S. markets. The show features his backing band the Texas Troubadours, and regular vocalists Jack Greene and Cal Smith. Top hits of the year Number one hits United States (as certified by Billboard) DateSingle NameArtistWks. No.1Spec. NoteJanuary 23You're the Only World I KnowSonny James4Sonny's first Number One since "Young Love" in 1957.February 20I've Got a Tiger By the TailBuck Owens5March 27King of the RoadRoger Miller5Also reached Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and Number One on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks charts and in the United Kingdom.May 1This Is ItJim Reeves3ref_2[2] Returns to Number One May 29.May 15Girl on the BillboardDel Reeves2June 5What's He Doing in My WorldEddy Arnold2ref_1[1]June 19Ribbon of DarknessMarty Robbins1Written by Gordon Lightfoot.June 26Before You GoBuck Owens6August 7The First Thing Ev'ry Morning (And the Last Thing Ev'ry Night)Jimmy Dean2ref_B[B]August 21Yes, Mr. PetersRoy Drusky with Priscilla Mitchell2ref_C[C]September 4The Bridge Washed OutWarner Mack1ref_B[B]September 11Is It Really Over?Jim Reeves3October 2Only You (Can Break My Heart)Buck Owens1October 9Behind the TearSonny James3ref_2[2] Returns to Number One November 13.October 23Hello VietnamJohnnie Wright3ref_C[C] Originally half member of the duo Johnnie & Jack, Wright went solo following Jack's death in 1963. This song marked a feat Wright could not do with Jack, reach Number One. This was one of the first country music songs to discuss the conflicts about the Vietnam War.November 20May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your NoseLittle Jimmy Dickens2ref_C[C]December 4Make the World Go AwayEddy Arnold3December 25BuckarooBuck Owens and the Buckaroos2ref_A[A] – The Buckaroos Notes 1endnote_1^ No. 1 song of the year, as determined by Billboard. 2endnote_2^ Song dropped from No. 1 and later returned to top spot. 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.1Spec. NoteJanuary 18Hitch Hikin’Dick Damron2ref_A[A]February 1Bitty BabyHoward Sisters3ref_C[C]February 22AfraidDonn Reynolds2ref_C[C]March 8Texas Leather and Mexican LaceBob King8ref_C[C]April 26I Wish That I Could FallSandy Selsie3ref_2[2], ref_C[C] Returned to Number One on June 14.May 10Klondike MikeHal Willis3ref_B[B]June 7Skip, Hop and WobbleArtie McLearen1ref_C[C]June 21Can't Live with HimMyrna Lorrie1ref_A[A]June 28Picking Up My HatDebbie Lori Kaye9ref_C[C]August 30Cathy Keep PlayingStu Phillips3ref_C[C]September 20My Good LifeCy Anders3ref_C[C]October 18Break the News to LizaGary Buck2ref_A[A]November 1My Tennessee BabyDanny Harrison3ref_C[C]November 22MarjolainaJimmy James6ref_C[C] Notes 2endnote_2^ Song dropped from No. 1 and later returned to top spot. 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 USSingleArtist19AgainDon Gibson8Artificial RoseJimmy C. Newman13Back in CirculationJimmy C. Newman18Because I CaredErnest Ashworth4The Belles of Southern BellDel Reeves7Blue Kentucky GirlLoretta Lynn11Bright Lights and Country MusicBill Anderson12CertainBill Anderson17Close All the Honky TonksCharlie Walker16Country GuitarPhil Baugh12Crystal ChandelierCarl Belew8The DJ CriedErnest Ashworth11A Dear John LetterSkeeter Davis and Bobby Bare15Do-Wacka-DoRoger Miller7Do What You Do Do WellNed Miller2Engine Engine Number 9Roger Miller3Four Strong WindsBobby Bare6All My Friends Are Gonna Be StrangersRoy Drusky10Gonna Have LoveBuck Owens4Green, Green Grass of HomePorter Wagoner3Happy BirthdayLoretta Lynn9HicktownTennessee Ernie Ford10The Home You're Tearing DownLoretta Lynn9I Can't RememberConnie Smith8I Thank My Lucky StarsEddy Arnold8I Washed My Hands In Muddy WaterStonewall Jackson3I Won't Forget YouJim Reeves8I Wouldn't Buy a Used Car from HimNorma Jean2I'll Keep Holding On (Just to Your Love)Sonny James8I'll Repossess My HeartKitty Wells19I'm Gonna Tie One On TonightThe Wilburn Brothers15I'm Letting You GoEddy Arnold16I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday NightGeorge Jones and Gene Pitney4If I Talk to HimConnie Smith16If It Pleases YouBilly Walker4It Ain't Me BabeJohnny Cash and June Carter7It's AlrightBobby Bare5It's Another WorldThe Wilburn Brothers7Kansas City StarRoger Miller15Least of AllGeorge Jones3Livin' in a House Full of LoveDavid Houston6Love BugGeorge Jones8MatamorosBilly Walker9Meanwhile, Down at Joe'sKitty Wells15Mister GarfieldJohnny Cash10(My Friends Are Gonna Be) StrangersMerle Haggard8More Than YesterdaySlim Whitman19My Old Faded RoseJohnny Sea3Ode to the Little Brown Shack Out BackBilly Edd Wheeler10One Dyin' and a Buryin'Roger Miller3Orange Blossom SpecialJohnny Cash2The Other Woman (In My Life)Ray Price15Pass the BoozeErnest Tubb11Pushed in a CornerErnest Ashworth5Queen of the HouseJody Miller7See the Big Man CryCharlie Louvin12She's Gone Gone GoneLefty Frizzell4Sittin' in an All Nite CafeWarner Mack12Six Times a Day (The Trains Come Down)Dick Curless10The Sons of Katie ElderJohnny Cash16Stop the World (And Let Me Off)Waylon Jennings18Sweet, Sweet JudyDavid Houston210 Little BottlesJohnny Bond20That Ain't AllJohn D. Loudermilk4Then and Only ThenConnie Smith9Things Have Gone to PiecesGeorge Jones8Three A.M.Bill Anderson15A Tiger in My TankJim Nesbitt6Tiger WomanClaude King5A Tombstone Every MileDick Curless3Truck Drivin' Son-of-a-GunDave Dudley11Truck Drivin' ManGeorge Hamilton IV15Two Six Packs AwayDave Dudley10Walk TallFaron Young18Walking the Floor Over YouGeorge Hamilton IV10Watch Where You're GoingDon Gibson13Who Do You Think I AmWebb Pierce8Wild as a WildcatCharlie Walker14WineMel Tillis14Wrong NumberGeorge Jones4Yakety AxeChet Atkins4You Don't HearKitty Wells Singles released by Canadian artists USCANSingleArtist—5Backstreets of LifeGary Buck—10Badger BodineLennie Siebert—6Big TreatyScotty Stevenson—2Born to LoveDanny Coughlin—5Bottoms UpJimmy James—6Bring on My LoveMac Wiseman—2Cadillacin' AroundAngus Walker—2Come on in Mr. HeartacheLennie Siebert—6Country CornJimmy Doyle—2Do You Wish You Were FreeMyrna Lorrie—10Don't Lead Me OnRay Griff—2Everybody's Looking at MyJimmy James—4Freckles, FrecklesSkip Evans—3Girl with the Sad Lonely LookBob King—2Golden RocketDick Nolan—2Golden YearsRay Griff—10Heartache No. 5Sharon Strong—3I'll Count Every HourPat Hervey—2I'm Not Sayin'Gordon Lightfoot—9If Loving You Did ThisRuthie McLean—3Isle of NewfoundlandBert Cuff—6Just Look Behind YouGary Buck—4Little TotArt Young—2Lookin' Back to SeeThe Canadian Sweethearts—4LoreleiDonn Reynolds—3The ManLorne Greene—7Nickel Piece of CandyWimmen—6NighthawkGary Buck—7Nopper the TopperHal Willis—4Saddle Shootin' BuddyJohnny Rocker—10Seven Days a WeekBert Cuff—2She Taught Me How to YodelDonn Reynolds—4Sittin' and Thinkin'Jerry Hatton—6Spring RainsRita Curtis—5Stand Upon the MountainThe Canadian Sweethearts—4A Taste of LoveDoug Hutton—7That's the Way It HappensSandy Selsie—6This Old HeartDusty King—8Twisting the PickRoy Penney—6Victim of LoveJimmy James—2What Will Tomorrow BringDanny Coughlin—6Weeping Willow TreeRay Griff7—The Wishing Well (Down in the Well)Hank Snow—6Wrapped Around Your FingerMacKay Brothers Top new album releases AlbumArtistRecord LabelBefore You GoBuck OwensCapitolBehind the TearSonny JamesCapitolBlues in My HeartWanda JacksonCapitolBreakin' in Another HeartHank ThompsonCapitolBright Lights and Country MusicBill AndersonDeccaChet Atkins Picks on The BeatlesChet AtkinsRCAConnie SmithConnie SmithRCACountry Willie: His Own SongsWillie NelsonRCACute 'n' CountryConnie SmithRCADoodle oo Doo DooDel ReevesUnited ArtistsThe Easy WayEddy ArnoldRCAFrom This PenBill AndersonDeccaGirl on The BillboardDel ReevesUnited ArtistsGolden HitsRoger MillerSmashHere Comes My BabyDottie WestRCAHot Rod LincolnJohnny BondStardayI Heard the Bluebirds SingThe BrownsRCAI Want to Live and LoveCarl SmithColumbiaIt's a Man Every TimeJean ShepardCapitolThe Race Is OnGeorge JonesUnited Artists Other Album Releases AlbumArtistRecord LabelHank Locklin Sings Eddy ArnoldHank LocklinRCAI'll Keep Holding OnSonny JamesCapitolI've Got a Tiger By the TailBuck OwensCapitolThe Instrumental Hits of Buck Owens and His BuckaroosBuck Owens and the BuckaroosCapitolKisses Don't LieCarl SmithColumbiaLuckiest Heartache in TownHank ThompsonCapitolMany Happy HangoversJean ShepardCapitolMy Favorite GuitarsChet AtkinsRCAMy Kind of Country MusicHank LocklinRCA My WorldEddy ArnoldRCANew Country HitsGeorge JonesMusicorOnce Over LightlyHank LocklinRCA VictorPretty Miss Norma JeanNorma JeanRCAQueen of the HouseJody MillerCapitolSings Jim ReevesDel ReevesUnited ArtistsSkeeter Sings StandardsSkeeter DavisRCATen Little BottlesJohnny BondStardayThe Thin Man from West PlainsPorter WagonerRCAThree Shades of BrownThe BrownsRCAWhen Love is GoneThe BrownsRCAYou're the Only World I KnowSonny JamesCapitolYour Favorite Country HitsHank SnowRCA Births January 20 — John Michael Montgomery, honky tonk-styled singer of the 1990s and 2000s (decade); younger brother of Eddie Montgomery (of Montgomery Gentry). May 13 — Lari White, country singer of the 1990s (died 2018). July 16 — Craig Morgan, singer-songwriter since the 2000s (decade). August 7 — Raul Malo, lead singer of the alternative country band The Mavericks. August 28 — Shania Twain, mega country star since the latter half of the 1990s. Deaths June 20 — Ira Louvin, 41, tenor half of 2001 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees The Louvin Brothers. Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Ernest Tubb (1914–1984) Major awards Grammy Awards Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Female — "Queen of the House", Jody Miller Best Country and Western Vocal Performance, Male — "King of the Road", Roger Miller Best Country and Western Single — "King of the Road", Roger Miller Best Country and Western Album — The Return of Roger Miller, Roger Miller Best Country and Western Artist — The Statler Brothers Academy of Country Music Top Male Vocalist — Buck Owens Top Female Vocalist — Bonnie Owens Top Vocal Duo — Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens Top New Male Vocalist — Merle Haggard Top New Female Vocalist — Kay Adams 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