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Hank Williams Country Superstar
Hank Williams picked up a guitar at age eight and is known as a country superstar. He signed with MGM Records in 1947 and died in 1953. He was one of the first inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame. -
Grand Ole Opry Founded
The Grand Ole Opry began five years after commercial radio was born in the United States. The National Life and Accident Insurance Company built a radio station as a public service to the local community and with the hope that the new medium could advertise insurance policies. -
Country Music Begins
Ralph Peer signed Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family to recording contracts for Victor Records in Bristol, Tenn. -
Johnny Cash Records for Sun Records
Johnny Cash recorded "Wide Open Road" and "You're My Baby" at Sun Records. He will become a huge country music legend. -
Elvis Launches Tour
Elvis signed with Sun Record Company and his popularity grows. He signed a one-year contract with the Grand Ole Opry. -
Country Music Hall of Fame Established
In 1961, the Country Music Hall of Fame was established. The Country Music Hall of Fame recognizes artists for their outstanding contrabutions. The first three inductees were, Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, and Fred Rose -
Dolly Parton Debuts
Dolly Parton releases her first singles "Happy Birthday, Baby" and "Dumb Blonde". -
Willie Nelson Releases "Red Headed Stranger"
Willie Nelson releases one of his best known albums. In 1986 Nelson starred as the Red Headed Stranger based off the story of the album. -
John Travolta Stars in Urban Cowboy
The 1980 film featured western wear and country western line dancing that urbanized country music. Country music hit the urban mainstream after the release of this film. -
Garth Brooks Scores First Hit
This song was Brook's first number one on the Billboard charts. Brooks went on to be on of country's top performers throughout the 90's and presently is coming out of retirement and back on tour. -
Dixie Chicks Release Debut Album
The Dixie Chicks debut their album "Wide Open Spaces" which went on to be 12x certified platiunum. In 2003, Natalie Maines made a comment about George W. Bush and that they were ashamed he was also from Texas. In 2006, their album "Taking the Long Way" was more rock orientated. The band is currently on hiatus and Maines has started a solo career. -
Country Crossovers
Bon Jovi releases a single with Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland titled "Who Says You Can't Go Home". Artists such as Kid Rock and Hootie and the Blowfish frontman, Darius Rucker join the country music scene throughout the 2000s. -
Taylor Swift's Debut Album
When Swift was 16 she signed with Big Machine Records and released her self titled debut album. She has won eleven Country Music Association Awards and is the second person to recieve the Country Music Association's Pinnacle Award. In 2008 she released her second album Fearless, which brought her pop crossover success. -
Rap & Spoken Word Enters Country Music
Artists like Cowboy Troy and Colt Ford enter the country music scene. In 2008 Colt Ford released their debut album. They have gone on to collaborate with artists like Jason Aldean and Eric Church. -
Teen Actresses & Country Music
Since 2009 to the present teen stars like Miley Cyrus, Jennette McCurdy, Jana Kramer, and Lucy Hale have given country music a go and have released singles and/or albums, some have even reached the top 40 country charts. -
Nashville Premieres on ABC
Nashville is created by Academy Award winner Callie Khouri and is a musical drama series surrounding the lives of country music stars Rayna James (Connie Britton) and Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere) and those involved in their lives. On May, 10 2013, the show was renewed for its second and current season.
