From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place, or will take place, in 2021.
Overview of the events of 2021 in country music
Events
January 4 – Florida Georgia Line announce plans to release solo music, but will not be separating.[ 1]
January 20 – Following the release of his album Dangerous: The Double Album Morgan Wallen becomes the first artist to have six songs in the top ten of the Hot Country Songs charts at the same time.[ 2] [ 3]
January 27 – At the age of 84, legendary singer-songwriter and actor Kris Kristofferson officially announces his retirement from performing after more than five active decades in the entertainment industry.[ 4]
February 3 –
Morgan Wallen , whose album Dangerous Billboard 200 at the time, has his recording contract with Big Loud Records indefinitely suspended after a video emerges of him using a racial slur. Wallen was also removed from numerous playlists and dropped from more than 400 radio stations. The Academy of Country Music Awards subsequently announced that he would be removed from eligibility for their forthcoming 2021 ceremony.[ 5] [ 6] T.J Osborne, frontman and half of successful duo Brothers Osborne , comes out as gay, making him the first openly gay male artist signed to a major country label.[ 7]
February 23 – Taylor Swift 's "Love Story (Taylor's Version) ", a re-recorded version of her 2008 hit "Love Story", debuts at #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, becoming the first artist to hit #1 twice on that chart with a single song, since Dolly Parton 's "I Will Always Love You ", in 1974 and 1982.
March 5 – Lonestar lead singer Richie McDonald announces that he will be leaving the band to pursue a career with The Frontmen of Country, a trio also consisting of Tim Rushlow and Larry Stewart , the former lead singers of Little Texas and Restless Heart , respectively, and will be replaced with former Sons of the Desert lead singer Drew Womack. McDonald previously departed Lonestar in 2007 to pursue a solo career, but then returned in 2011.[ 8]
April 1 – Confederate Railroad lead singer Danny Shirley breaks his back in an undisclosed accident.[ 9]
Top hits of the year
The following songs placed within the Top 20 on the Hot Country Songs , Country Airplay , and/or Canada Country charts in 2021:
Singles released by American and Australian artists
Singles released by Canadian artists
Top new album releases
Other top albums
US
Album
Artist
Record Label
Release Date
Reference
38
Straight Outta the Country
Justin Moore
Valory
April 23
18
29 Carly Pearce
Big Machine
February 19
[ 69]
12
& Eric Church
EMI Nashville
April 20
Announced
Deaths
January 1 – Misty Morgan, 75, American country music singer (Jack Blanchard & Misty Morgan ), cancer.[ 85]
January 7 – Jamie O'Hara , 70, American country music singer-songwriter (The O'Kanes ), "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days) ", cancer.[ 86]
January 8 – Ed Bruce , 81, American actor, country music-songwriter ("Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys ", "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had "), natural causes.[ 87]
January 14 – Larry Willoughby , 73, American country singer-songwriter ("Building Bridges ", "Operator, Operator ") and music executive, vice-president of A&R at Capitol Records , COVID-19.[ 88]
January 16 – Jason “Rowdy” Cope, 42, guitarist for The Steel Woods .
January 18 – Jimmie Rodgers , 87, American pop singer ("Honeycomb ", "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine ") who also had Country hits.[ 89]
January 21 – Randy Parton , 67, American country music singer-songwriter ("Hold Me Like You Never Had Me", "Shot Full of Love"), younger brother of Dolly Parton , cancer.[ 90]
February 3 – Jim Weatherly , 77, songwriter ("Midnight Train to Georgia ", "Someone Else's Star "), natural causes[ 91]
February 9 – Richie Albright, 81, American drummer (Waymore's Outlaws ).[ 92]
February 10 – Lee Sexton , 92, American banjo player.[ 93]
March 12 – Scott Whitehead, 61, member of Hometown News (natural causes)[ 94]
April 23 – Charlie Black , 71, songwriter ("A Little Good News ", "You Lie ", "Come Next Monday ")[ 95]
Hall of Fame inductees
Major awards
References
^ ago, Alison Bonaguro 6h. "Florida Georgia Line's Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley to Release Solo Music, But Insist "FGL's Not Breaking Up" . CMT News . Retrieved 2021-01-05 . {{cite web }}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link )^ Jim Asker (January 19, 2021). "Billboard Country Update: On the Charts" (PDF) . Billboard. p. 4. Retrieved January 20, 2021 . ^ Jim Asker (January 19, 2021). "Morgan Wallen Makes Record-Setting Start on Country Charts With 'Dangerous': 'This Is Absolutely Insane' . Billboard. Retrieved January 20, 2021 . ^ "Kris Kristofferson announces his retirement after more than five decades in the entertainment industry | NME" . January 30, 2021.^ "Morgan Wallen's Label Suspends Him as Country Radio Drops Songs After He Used Racial Slur" . PEOPLE.com .^ "Morgan Wallen: US radio stations drop country star over racial slur" . February 3, 2021 – via www.bbc.co.uk.^ "T.J. Osborne Is Ready to Tell His Story" . Time .^ Parton, Chris (March 5, 2021). "Richie McDonald Departs Lonestar for Second Time" . Sounds Like Nashville . Retrieved March 5, 2021 . ^ "Danny Shirley, Confederate Railroad Lead Singer, Suffers Broken Back" . Taste of Country .^ "JUST IN: Lady A Invited to Join the Grand Ole Opry" . Taste of Country .^ "Tweet" . twitter.com . Retrieved 2021-02-22 .^ a b c d e f g h i "Morgan Wallen - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ "Brothers Osborne - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ "Jordan Davis - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ "Darius Rucker - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ a b "Luke Combs - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Jason Aldean - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Sam Hunt - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Lady Antebellum - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Ryan Hurd - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Luke Bryan - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Elle King - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ "Chris Young - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ a b "Dan + Shay - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Dierks Bentley - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Gabby Barrett - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Niko Moon - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Kenny Chesney - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Eric Church - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Kelsea Ballerini - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Rascal Flatts - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ "Parmalee - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Brett Young - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Nelly - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 26, 2021 .^ "Florida Georgia Line - Chart History" . Billboard . Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2021 .^ a b c d "Taylor Swift - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Jake Owen - Chart History" . Billboard . Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021 .^ "Blake Shelton - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Dustin Lynch - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Carly Pearce - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Dylan Scott - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Keith Urban - Chart History" . Billboard . Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Miranda Lambert - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Cole Swindell - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Chris Stapleton - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Tim McGraw - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Thomas Rhett - Chart History" . Billboard . Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Jade Eagleson - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Dean Brody - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved March 29, 2021 .^ "Gord Bamford - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "MacKenzie Porter - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "Aaron Goodvin - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved March 15, 2021 .^ a b "Brett Kissell - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ a b "Tenille Arts - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Madeline Merlo - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "Jess Moskaluke - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "Andrew Hyatt - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved March 22, 2021 .^ "The Reklaws - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "Matt Lang - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 5, 2021 .^ "High Valley - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved April 12, 2021 .^ "Tebey - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2021 .^ "Dallas Smith - Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ Tim & the Glory Boys chart peaks:
^ "Morgan Wallen - Top Country Albums" . Billboard . Retrieved January 21, 2021 .^ "Barry Gibb - Top Country Albums" . Billboard . Retrieved January 21, 2021 .^ "Florida Georgia Line - Top Country Albums" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "Carrie Underwood Releasing Gospel Album 'My Savior' . www.billboard.com . 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2021-01-21 .^ Sodomsky, Sam. "Loretta Lynn Announces New Album Still Woman Enough" . Pitchfork . ^ "Carly Pearce - Top Country Albums" . Billboard . Retrieved February 22, 2021 .^ "Ashley Monroe Announces New 'Rosegold' Album" . Taste of Country .^ https://musicrow.com/2021/02/ronnie-milsap-returns-with-a-better-word-for-love/ ^ Stefano, Angela (March 5, 2021). "Thomas Rhett's Big News: 'Country Again,' a Double Album" . Taste of Country. ^ Nicholson 2/24/2021, Jessica. "Travis Tritt Returns to His "No-Frills Classic Outlaw-Country Sound" on Upcoming Album" . CMT News . Retrieved 2021-02-28 . {{cite web }}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link )^ "Miranda Lambert Announces New Album The Marfa Tapes With Jack Ingram and Jon Randall" . Pitchfork. 2021-03-05. Retrieved 2021-03-16 .^ "Alan Jackson to Release New 21-Song Album "Where Have You Gone" . Saving Country Music . April 2, 2021.^ Hudak, Joseph (March 29, 2021). "Blake Shelton Announces New Album 'Body Language' . Rolling Stone ^ Stefano, Angela (April 23, 2021). "Brett Young Announces New Album, 'Weekends Look a Little Different These Days' . Taste of Country . Retrieved April 24, 2021 . ^ https://tasteofcountry.com/the-oak-ridge-boys-front-porch-singin-album/ ^ https://countryfancast.com/rory-feeks-album/ ^ "Meghan Patrick Announces New 'Heart On My Glass' Album Out June 25th With New Single, "Mama Prayed For" Out Today (5.7)" . Shore Fire Media . May 7, 2021.^ Houghton, Cillea (April 2, 2021). "Chase Bryant to Release Debut Album 'Upbringing' This Summer" . Taste of Country . Retrieved April 24, 2021 . ^ https://eu.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2021/04/22/yola-new-album-stand-myself-hear-new-song-diamond-studded-shoes/7332758002/ ^ Whitaker, Sterling (April 9, 2021). "Clay Walker Sets Release for Upcoming Album, 'Texas to Tennessee' . Taste of Country . Retrieved April 24, 2021 . ^ Packaging: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl). "Proper Music Broken Hearts & DIrty Windows Vol. 2" . Propermusic.com. Retrieved 2021-03-16 . ^ Cashmere, Paul (January 3, 2021). "Country Star Misty Morgan Dies Aged 75" . Noise11.com . ^ Whitaker, Sterling (January 7, 2021). "Singer-Songwriter Jamie O'Hara Dead at 70" . Taste of Country . Retrieved January 7, 2021 . ^ Evans, Greg (January 8, 2021). "Ed Bruce Dies: Country Songwriter, 'Bret Maverick' Actor Was 81" . Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 8, 2021 . ^ "Larry Willoughby, A&R Exec Who Signed Luke Bryan, Dies of COVID" . Taste of Country .^ "Jimmie Rodgers, Early Rock 'n' Roll Star, Dies at 87" . January 19, 2021.^ Dukes, Billy (January 21, 2021). "Dolly Parton's Brother, Singer Randy Parton, Has Died" . Taste of Country . Retrieved January 21, 2021 . ^ "Jim Weatherly, famed 'Midnight Train to Georgia' singer-songwriter, dies at 77" . The Tennesseean. February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021 .^ Hudak, Joseph (February 10, 2021). "Richie Albright, Waylon Jennings' Longtime Drummer, Dead at 81" . ^ Marshall, Brooke. "Lee Sexton, famous Letcher County musician, dies at 92" . www.wymt.com . ^ "Scott Whitehead" . NWTN Today . Retrieved 2021-04-03 .^ "Country Songwriting Great Charlie Black Passes" . MusicRow. April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021 .
