2018 in country music explained

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2018.

Events

• January – The critically acclaimed ABC/CMT series Nashville announces it will stop production after its sixth season which premiered on January 4, 2018. The show's last episode aired on July 26, 2018.
• January 17 – Kenny Chesney announces that he has left Sony Music Nashville after 23 years and has subsequently signed with Warner Bros. Records Nashville.^[1]
• February 2 – Montgomery Gentry release their final album together, Here's to You, following the death of Troy Gentry in September 2017.^[2]
• April 14 – Weeks after his impromptu performance of the Hank Williams Sr. hit song "Lovesick Blues" at his local Wal-Mart in southern Illinois had made him a viral country phenomenon, 11 year old Mason Ramsey realizes his dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. Five years later, a teenaged Ramsey would return to the Opry, performing the song again on the 75th anniversary of the country standard.
• April 15 – The Academy of Country Music awards return to Las Vegas for the first time since the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, with Reba McEntire returning as host; Carrie Underwood makes her comeback performance after months out of the public eye while recovering from injuries she suffered in a fall at home.^[3]
• April 30 – USA Network announces Real Country, a reality competition show designed to find the next big country star and featuring Travis Tritt, Jake Owen and Shania Twain as judges.^[4]
• June 8 – Sugarland returns with the release of their first album together since 2010, Bigger.^[5]
• June 25 – Fox announces it will air "iHeartCountry Festival", featuring headliners Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and more in August.^[6]
• June 26 – Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Faith Hill are announced to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.^[7]
• July 25 – Reba McEntire is announced as one of the recipients of the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors.^[8]
• August 8 – Carrie Underwood announces her pregnancy with her second child.^[9]
• September 20 – Carrie Underwood receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.^[10]
• November 20 – Jimmie Allen reaches number one on Country Airplay with "Best Shot", making him the first African American to send a debut single to the top of that chart.^[11]

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 2018:

See also: List of number-one country singles of 2018 (U.S.) and List of number-one country singles of 2018 (Canada).

Singles released by American and Australian artists

Songs	Airplay	Canada	width=auto	Single	width=auto	Artist	width=auto	References
21	11	22	"All Day Long"	Garth Brooks	^[12]
6	2	2	"All on Me"	Devin Dawson	^[13]
8	17	16	"Babe"	Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift	^[14]
5	1	1	"Best Shot"	Jimmie Allen	^[15]
5	1	2	"Blue Tacoma"	Russell Dickerson	^[16]
19	18	26	"Born to Love You"	LANCO	^[17]
14	16	50	"Boy"	Lee Brice	^[18]
4	2	34	"Break Up in the End"	Cole Swindell	^[19]
5	1	3	"Broken Halos"	Chris Stapleton	^[20]
11	3	1	"Coming Home"	Keith Urban featuring Julia Michaels	^[21]
5	9	8	"Cry Pretty"	Carrie Underwood	^[22]
8	13	4	"Desperate Man"	Eric Church	^[23]
14	15	22	"Downtown's Dead"	Sam Hunt	^[24]
3	1	1	"Drowns the Whiskey"	Jason Aldean featuring Miranda Lambert	^[25]
12	7	25	"Drunk Girl"	Chris Janson	^[26]
6	2	2	"Drunk Me"	Mitchell Tenpenny	^[27]
9	1	16	"Everything's Gonna Be Alright"	David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney	^[28]
4	—	—	"Famous"	Mason Ramsey	^[29]
11	12	3	"Female"	Keith Urban
4	1	2	"Five More Minutes"	Scotty McCreery	^[30]
7	1	6	"For the First Time"	Darius Rucker	^[31]
2	1	1	"Get Along"	Kenny Chesney	^[32]
17	15	43	"Get to You"	Michael Ray	^[33]
15	6	10	"A Girl Like You"	Easton Corbin	^[34]
8	2	4	"Hangin' On"	Chris Young	^[35]
18	13	32	"Happens Like That"	Granger Smith	^[36]
22	15	33	"Heart Break"	Lady Antebellum	^[37]
2	1	1	"Heaven"	Kane Brown	^[38]
21	13	13	"Hide the Wine"	Carly Pearce	^[39]
6	2	14	"Hooked"	Dylan Scott	^[40]
5	1	2	"Hotel Key"	Old Dominion	^[41]
7	1	14	"I Could Use a Love Song"	Maren Morris	^[42]
8	3	3	"I Lived It"	Blake Shelton	^[43]
7	1	1	"I Was Jack (You Were Diane)"	Jake Owen	^[44]
28	17	43	"Kinda Don't Care"	Justin Moore	^[45]
11	3	20	"Kiss Somebody"	Morgan Evans	^[46]
12	6	23	"Last Shot"	Kip Moore	^[47]
10	1	3	"Legends"	Kelsea Ballerini	^[48]
6	1	1	"Life Changes"	Thomas Rhett	^[49]
3	1	1	"Like I Loved You"	Brett Young	^[50]
7	3	7	"The Long Way"	Brett Eldredge	^[51]
1	1	1	"Lose It"	Kane Brown
7	1	2	"Losing Sleep"	Chris Young
23	15	12	"Make a Little"	Midland	^[52]
2	1	1	"Marry Me"	Thomas Rhett	^[53]
1	1	7	"Meant to Be"	Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line	^[54]
2	1	8	"Mercy"	Brett Young
4	1	1	"Most People Are Good"	Luke Bryan	^[55]
14	—	—	"Must've Never Met You"	Luke Combs	^[56]
24	20	35	"Neon Church"	Tim McGraw	^[57]
3	1	1	"One Number Away"	Luke Combs
22	15	38	"The Ones That Like Me"	Brantley Gilbert	^[58]
18	25	48	"The Rest of Our Life"	Tim McGraw and Faith Hill	^[59]
8	4	2	"Rich"	Maren Morris
7	2	8	"Round Here Buzz"	Eric Church
2	1	1	"She Got the Best of Me"	Luke Combs
2	1	1	"Simple"	Florida Georgia Line	^[60]
4	1	1	"Singles You Up"	Jordan Davis	^[61]
1	1	2	"Speechless"	Dan + Shay	^[62]
4	1	2	"Sunrise, Sunburn, Sunset"	Luke Bryan
12	8	3	"Take Back Home Girl"	Chris Lane featuring Tori Kelly	^[63]
1	1	1	"Tequila"	Dan + Shay	^[64]
14	10	20	"Turnin' Me On"	Blake Shelton
5	1	1	"Up Down"	Morgan Wallen featuring Florida Georgia Line	^[65]
7	1	1	"Woman, Amen"	Dierks Bentley	^[66]
3	1	1	"Written in the Sand"	Old Dominion	^[67]
9	10	17	"You Broke Up with Me"	Walker Hayes	^[68]
2	1	1	"You Make It Easy"	Jason Aldean
3	1	2	"Yours"	Russell Dickerson	^[69]

Singles released by Canadian artists

Songs	Airplay	Canada	width=auto	Single	width=auto	Artist	width=auto	References
—	—	1	"8th Day"	Dean Brody	^[70]
—	—	15	"18 Ends"	Petric	^[71]
—	—	9	"All About Her"	Paul Brandt	^[72]
—	—	8	"Anthem"	Brett Kissel	^[73]
—	—	12	"The Bad Guy"	Meghan Patrick	^[74]
—	—	16	"Bittersweet"	Paul Brandt featuring Lindsay Ell
—	—	19	"Blame It on the Neon"	Leaving Thomas	^[75]
—	—	9	"Born and Raised"	Hunter Brothers	^[76]
—	—	7	"Camouflage"	Jess Moskaluke	^[77]
—	—	5	"Country Music Made Me Do It"	Meghan Patrick
28	19	1	"Criminal"	Lindsay Ell	^[78]
—	—	3	"Dear Drunk Me"	Chad Brownlee	^[79]
—	—	5	"Denim on Denim"	Tebey	^[80]
—	—	1	"Dive Bar"	Gord Bamford	^[81]
—	—	8	"Do It with You"	Andrew Hyatt	^[82]
—	—	13	"Downtown Kids"	David James	^[83]
—	—	11	"Feel Like That"	Washboard Union	^[84]
—	—	10	"Forever Rebels"	Tim Hicks	^[85]
—	—	18	"Get Me There"	Shawn Austin	^[86]
—	—	6	"Good Goodbye"	Dean Brody
—	—	6	"Good Together"	James Barker Band	^[87]
—	—	6	"Got Your Name on It"	Jade Eagleson	^[88]
—	—	8	"Guitars and Gasoline"	Brett Kissel	^[89]
—	—	12	"Habit"	Andrew Hyatt
—	—	16	"Little Girl"	Kira Isabella	^[90]
—	—	6	"Long Live the Night"	The Reklaws	^[91]
—	—	4	"Loud"	Tim Hicks
—	—	1	"Make 'Em Like You"	Dallas Smith	^[92]
—	—	9	"Miss Me Yet"	Aaron Goodvin	^[93]
—	—	13	"Money"	Cold Creek County	^[94]
—	—	11	"Neon Love"	Madeline Merlo	^[95]
—	—	10	"Neon Smoke"	Gord Bamford
—	—	3	"One Drink Ago"	Dallas Smith & Terri Clark
—	—	6	"The Road"	Emerson Drive	^[96]
11	7	—	"She's with Me"	High Valley	^[97]
—	—	1	"Sleepin' Around"	Dallas Smith
—	—	16	"Sun Set on It"	David James
—	—	9	"Those Were the Nights"	Hunter Brothers
—	—	1	"Walls Come Down"	Meghan Patrick
—	—	15	"What We're Made Of"	Washboard Union
—	—	1	"Who's Gonna Love You"	Tebey
—	—	17	"The Worst Kind"	Tim Hicks & Lindsay Ell
—	—	6	"Worth a Shot"	Aaron Pritchett	^[98]
—	—	10	"Young Forever"	High Valley	^[99]

Notes

• "—" denotes releases that did not chart
• A^ Current singles.

Top new album releases

The following albums placed on the Top Country Albums charts in 2018:

See also: List of number-one country albums of 2018 (U.S.).

See also: List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2018.

width=45	US	Album	Artist	Record Label	Release Date	Reference
1	All of It	Cole Swindell	Warner Bros. Nashville	August 17	^[100]
5	Amos	Michael Ray	Atlantic Nashville	June 1	^[101]
2	Bigger	Sugarland	Big Machine	June 8	^[102]
5	Creeker	Upchurch	Redneck Nation	April 20	^[103]
1	Cry Pretty	Carrie Underwood	19/Capitol Nashville	September 14	^[104]
1	Dan + Shay	Dan + Shay	Warner Bros. Nashville	June 22	^[105]
5	Dark Horse	Devin Dawson	Warner Bros. Nashville	January 19	^[106]
1	Experiment	Kane Brown	RCA Nashville	November 9	^[107]
1	Desperate Man	Eric Church	EMI Nashville	October 5	^[108]
3	Find a Light	Blackberry Smoke	3 Legged Records	April 6	^[109]
10	Florida Georgia Line (EP)	Florida Georgia Line	Republic Nashville	June 1	^[110]
7	Girl Going Nowhere	Ashley McBryde	Warner Bros. Nashville	March 30	^[111]
1	Golden Hour	Kacey Musgraves	MCA Nashville	March 30	^[112]
1	Graffiti U	Keith Urban	Capitol Nashville	April 27	^[113]
1	Hallelujah Nights	LANCO	Arista Nashville	January 19	^[114]
3	Here's to You	Montgomery Gentry	Average Joes	February 2	^[115]
6	Home State	Jordan Davis	MCA Nashville	March 23	^[116]
2	I Serve a Savior	Josh Turner	MCA Nashville	October 26	^[117]
1	If I Know Me	Morgan Wallen	Big Loud Mountain	April 27	^[118]
1	Interstate Gospel	Pistol Annies	RCA Nashville	November 2	^[119]
9	Johnny Cash: Forever Words	Various Artists	Legacy	April 6
8	Laps Around the Sun	Chris Lane	Big Loud	July 13	^[120]
3	Last Man Standing	Willie Nelson	Legacy	April 27	^[121]
2	Lifers	Cody Jinks	Rounder	July 27	^[122]
3	Live from the Ryman	Jason Isbell	Thirty Tigers	October 19	^[123]
1	The Mountain	Dierks Bentley	Capitol Nashville	June 8	^[124]
6	Now That's What I Call Country, Volume 11	Various Artists	Sony Music/Universal	June 8
2	Port Saint Joe	Brothers Osborne	EMI Nashville	April 20	^[125]
1	Rearview Town	Jason Aldean	Broken Bow	April 13	^[126]
4		Various Artists	UMG Nashville	April 6
1	Seasons Change	Scotty McCreery	Triple Tigers	March 16	^[127]
1	Songs for the Saints	Kenny Chesney	Warner Music Nashville	July 27	^[128]
6	Supernatural	Upchurch	Redneck Nation	September 7	^[129]
5	Telling All My Secrets	Mitchell Tenpenny	Riser House/Columbia Nashville	December 14	^[130]
9	Things That We Drink To	Morgan Evans	Warner Music Nashville	October 12	^[131]
1	Ticket to L.A.	Brett Young	Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment	December 7	^[132]
2	The Tree of Forgiveness	John Prine	Oh Boy Records	April 13	^[133]
9	Water (EP)	Sister Hazel	Croakin' Poets	February 9	^[134]
8	Wouldn't It Be Great	Loretta Lynn	Legacy	September 28	^[135]

Other top albums

width=45	US	Album	Artist	Record Label	Release Date	Reference
13	Ameracal	Adam Calhoun	Adam Calhoun	March 16	^[136]
40	The Anthology Part III, LIVE	Garth Brooks	Pearl Records	November 20	^[137]
29	The Biggest Hits of Tim McGraw	Tim McGraw	Curb Records	June 15	^[138]
24	Dirt Rock	The Lacs	Average Joes	May 4	^[139]
41	Downey to Lubbock	Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore	Yep Roc	June 1	^[140]
16	Dumplin'	Dolly Parton	RCA Nashville/Dolly Records	November 30	^[141]
38	Elvis: '68 Comeback Special: 50th Anniversary Edition (soundtrack)	Elvis Presley	RCA Legacy	November 30	^[142]
17	Elvis Presley: The Searcher (Soundtrack)	Elvis Presley	RCA Legacy	April 6	^[143]
19	Hard Times and White Lines	Whitey Morgan and the 78's	Whitey Morgan Music	October 26	^[144]
11	Mercury Lane	Jimmie Allen	Broken Bow/Stoney Creek	October 12	^[145]
35	Mitchell Tenpenny (EP)	Mitchell Tenpenny	Riser House	February 23	^[146]
35	No Zip Code	David Lee Murphy	Reviver	April 6	^[147]
41	One Drop of Truth	The Wood Brothers	Honey Jar	February 2	^[148]
27	Project X, Volume 1	Upchurch x Bottleneck	Redneck Nation	January 26	^[149]
21	River Rat	Upchurch	Redneck Nation	December 21	^[150]
20	Room to Spare: The Acoustic Sessions	Kip Moore	MCA Nashville	November 16	^[151]
16	She Remembers Everything	Rosanne Cash	Blue Note Records	November 2	^[152]
42	Shooter	Shooter Jennings	Low Country Sound	August 10	^[153]
27	Solid Ground	Wade Bowen	Lil' Buddy Toons	February 9	^[154]
29	Sometimes Just the Sky	Mary Chapin Carpenter	Lambent Light	March 30	^[155]
17	Songs of the Plains	Colter Wall	Young Mary's	October 12	^[156]
21	Sparrow	Ashley Monroe	Warner Bros. Nashville	April 20	^[157]
23	They Were There: A Hero's Documentary (soundtrack)	Granger Smith	Wheelhouse Records	November 30	^[158]
20	Things Change	American Aquarium	New West Records	June 1	^[159]
21	The Throne	Adam Calhoun	Adam Calhoun	November 2	^[160]
16	Til I'm Gone	Frank Foster	Lone Chief	September 21	^[161]
39	The Tree	Lori McKenna	CN Records	July 20	^[162]
32	The Voice: The Season 15 Collection	Kirk Jay		December 14
49	The Voice: The Season 15 Collection	Chevel Shepherd		December 14
14	Volunteer	Old Crow Medicine Show	Columbia Nashville	April 20	^[163]
46	Wind (EP)	Sister Hazel	Croakin' Poets	September 7	^[164]
20	WW III	Wheeler Walker Jr.	Thirty Tigers	November 30	^[165]
34	You Got 'Em All	Trent Harmon	Big Machine Label Group	May 18	^[166]

Deaths

• January 2 – Rick Hall, 85, record producer and owner of FAME Studios^{[167] [168]}
• January 23 – Lari White, 52, singer-songwriter and actress best known for the hit "Now I Know" (advanced peritoneal cancer).^[169]
• February 12 – Daryle Singletary, 46, neotraditionalist singer-songwriter with hits including "I Let Her Lie", "Amen Kind of Love" and "Too Much Fun".^[170] (blood clot)
• February 25 – Bruce Nelson Stratton, 74, American radio personality (throat cancer).^[171]
• March 2 – Ronnie Prophet, 80, Canadian country music singer (multiple organ failure).^[172]
• March 18 – Hazel Smith, 83, American country music journalist, publicist and songwriter; first to coin the phrase "outlaw" in relation to country music.^[173]
• March 27 – Kenny O'Dell, 73, American country singer-songwriter ("Behind Closed Doors", "Lizzie and the Rainman", "Mama He's Crazy"), Grammy winner (1974).^[174]
• April 17 – Tom McBride, 81, Irish country star and lead singer of Big Tom and The Mainliners.^[175]
• April 18 – Randy Scruggs, 64, multiple Grammy-winning songwriter and guitarist; son of Earl Scruggs.^[176]
• June 2 – Wayne Secrest, 68, bassist for Confederate Railroad^[177]
• June 5 – Billy ThunderKloud, 70, Native American country music singer.^[178] (complications from stroke and pneumonia).
• August 4 – Lorrie Collins, 76, American rockabilly singer, member of The Collins Kids.^{[179] [180]}
• October 27 – Freddie Hart, 91, singer-songwriter ("Easy Loving", "My Hang-Up Is You", "Trip to Heaven", "Hang In There Girl") (pneumonia).
• November 1 – Dave Rowland, 74, lead singer of Dave & Sugar (stroke).
• November 15 – Roy Clark, 85, country music singer, musician and host of Hee Haw (complications from pneumonia).
• December 15 – Jerry Chesnut, 87, songwriter ("It's Four in the Morning", "T-R-O-U-B-L-E")^[181]
• December 22 – Jimmy Work, 94, American country singer-songwriter ("Making Believe").^{[182] [183]}
• December 31 – Ray Sawyer, 81, American country singer Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show (short illness).^{[184] [185]}

Hall of Fame inductees

Bluegrass Hall of Fame

• Tom T. Hall and Dixie Hall^[186]
• Ricky Skaggs^[186]
• Paul Williams^[186]

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

• Ricky Skaggs, bluegrass-influenced-and-styled singer-songwriter-musician and leading figure in the neotraditionalist movement of the 1980s onward (born 1954).^[187]
• Dottie West, leading singer of the 1960s and early 1970s, enjoyed pop-styled resurgence in late 1970s and early 1980s (1932–1991).^[187]
• Johnny Gimble, Western swing-styled musician and member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys (1926–2015).^[187]

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

• Terri Clark, singer (born 1968)^[188]
• Jackie Rae Greening, broadcaster^[188]

Major awards

Academy of Country Music

(presented in Las Vegas on April 7, 2019)

• Entertainer of the Year – Keith Urban
• Male Vocalist of the Year – Thomas Rhett
• Female Vocalist of the Year – Kacey Musgraves
• Vocal Duo of the Year – Dan + Shay
• Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
• New Male Vocalist of the Year – Luke Combs
• New Female Vocalist of the Year – Ashley McBryde
• New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year – Lanco
• Songwriter of the Year – Shane McAnally
• Album of the Year – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
• Single of the Year – "Tequila" (Dan + Shay)
• Song of the Year – "Tequila" (Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds Dan Smyers)
• Vocal Event of the Year – "Burning Man" (Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
• Video of the Year – "Drunk Girl" (Chris Janson)
• Artist of the Decade – Jason Aldean

ACM Honors^[189]
(presented August 22 in Nashville)

• Cliffie Stone Icon Award – Alan Jackson
• Merle Haggard Spirit Award – Dierks Bentley
• Mae Boren Axton Award – Mickey Christensen, Chris Christensen and Eddie Miller
• Poet's Award – Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson
• Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award – Darius Rucker
• Gene Weed Milestone Award – Sam Hunt
• Songwriter of the Year – Rhett Akins
• Producer of the Year – Dave Cobb
• Jim Reeves International Award – Rob Potts

Americana Music Honors & Awards

(presented on September 12, 2018)^[190]

• Album of the Year – The Nashville Sound (Jason Isbell)
• Artist of the Year – John Prine
• Duo/Group of the Year – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
• Song of the Year – "If We Were Vampires" (Jason Isbell)
• Emerging Artist of the Year – Tyler Childers
• Instrumentalist of the Year – Molly Tuttle
• Spirit of Americana/Free Speech Award – Rosanne Cash
• Lifetime Achievement: Trailblazer – k.d. lang
• Lifetime Achievement: Performance – Irma Thomas
• Lifetime Achievement: Instrumentalist – Buddy Guy
• Lifetime Achievement: Executive – Judy Dlugacz and Cris Williamson

American Music Awards

(presented in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018)

• Favorite Male Artist – Kane Brown
• Favorite Female Artist – Carrie Underwood
• Favorite Group or Duo – Florida Georgia Line
• Favorite Album – Kane Brown (Kane Brown)
• Favorite Song – "Heaven" (Kane Brown)

ARIA Awards

(presented in Sydney on November 28, 2018)^[191]

• Best Country Album – Campfire (Kasey Chambers)
• ARIA Hall of Fame – Kasey Chambers

Billboard Music Awards

(presented in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018)

• Top Country Artist – Chris Stapleton
• Top Male Country Artist – Chris Stapleton
• Top Female Country Artist – Maren Morris
• Top Country Duo/Group – Florida Georgia Line
• Top Country Album – (Chris Stapleton)
• Top Country Song – "Body Like a Back Road" (Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
• Top Country Tour – Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day Tour (Luke Bryan)

CMT Awards

(presented on June 7, 2018, in Nashville)^[192]

• Video of the Year – "I'll Name the Dogs" (Blake Shelton)
• Male Video of the Year – "I'll Name the Dogs" (Blake Shelton)
• Female Video of the Year – "The Champion" (Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris)
• Duo Video of the Year – "Tequila" (Dan + Shay)
• Group Video of the Year – "When Someone Stops Loving You" (Little Big Town)
• Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Every Little Thing" (Carly Pearce)
• Collaborative Video of the Year – "What Ifs" (Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina)
• CMT Performance of the Year – "Everybody" (Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line) from CMT Crossroads

CMT Artists of the Year
(presented on October 17, 2019, in Nashville)^[193]

• Kelsea Ballerini
• Karen Fairchild
• Miranda Lambert
• Maren Morris
• Kimberley Schlapman
• Hillary Scott
• Carrie Underwood
• Artist of a Lifetime: Shania Twain

Country Music Association Awards

(presented on November 15, 2018, in Nashville)^[194]

• Entertainer of the Year – Keith Urban
• Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
• Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
• New Artist of the Year – Luke Combs
• Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
• Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
• Musician of the Year – Mac McAnally
• Single of the Year – "Broken Halos" (Chris Stapleton)
• Song of the Year – "Broken Halos" (Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton)
• Album of the Year – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
• Musical Event of the Year – "Everything's Gonna Be Alright (David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney)
• Music Video of the Year – "Marry Me" (Thomas Rhett)
• International Artist Achievement Award – Little Big Town
• Global Artist Achievement Award – Dean Brody (Canada)

Grammy Awards

(presented in Los Angeles on February 10, 2019)

• Album of the Year – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
• Best Country Solo Performance – "Butterflies" (Kacey Musgraves)
• Best Country Duo/Group Performance – "Tequila" (Dan + Shay)
• Best Country Song – "Space Cowboy" (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves)
• Best Country Album – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
• Best Bluegrass Album – The Travelin' McCourys (The Travelin' McCourys)
• Best Americana Album – By the Way, I Forgive You (Brandi Carlile)
• Best American Roots Performance – "The Joke" (Brandi Carlile)
• Best American Roots Song – "The Joke" (Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth)
• Best Roots Gospel Album – Unexpected (Jason Crabb)

International Bluegrass Music Association Awards

(presented on September 27, 2018)^[195]

• Entertainer of the Year – Balsam Range
• Male Vocalist of the Year – Buddy Melton
• Female Vocalist of the Year – Brooke Aldridge
• Vocal Group of the Year – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
• Instrumental Group of the Year – The Travelin' McCourys
• Emerging Artist of the Year – The Po' Ramblin' Boys
• Guitar Player of the Year – Molly Tuttle
• Banjo Player of the Year – Ned Luberecki
• Mandolin Player of the Year – Sierra Hull
• Fiddle Player of the Year – Michael Cleveland
• Bass Player of the Year – Tim Surrett
• Dobro Player of the Year – Justin Moses
• Album of the Year – Rivers & Roads (The Special Consensus)
• Song of the Year – "If I'd Have Wrote That Song" (Larry Cordle, Larry Shell, James Silvers)
• Recorded Event of the Year – "Swept Away" (Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle)
• Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year – "Squirrel Hunters" (The Special Consensus with John Hartford, Rachel Baiman, Christian Sedelmyer and Alison Brown)
• Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year – "Speakin' To That Mountain" (Becky Buller)

Juno Awards

(presented in London on March 16–17, 2019)

• Country Album of the Year – We Were That Song (Brett Kissel)
• Contemporary Roots Album of the Year – Both Ways (Donovan Woods)
• Traditional Roots Album of the Year – Sweet Old Religion (Pharis and Jason Romero)
• Breakthrough Group of the Year – The Washboard Union
• Recording Engineer of the Year – Shawn Everett (Golden Hour)

See also

• Country Music Association
• Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kenny Chesney Moves to Warner Music Nashville, Exiting Sony Music. Billboard.com. June 5, 2018.
2. Web site: Whitaker . Sterling . Montgomery Gentry Releasing New Album 'Here's to You' in February . Taste of Country . September 5, 2018 . November 8, 2017.
3. 2018 ACM Awards Open With Tribute to Las Vegas Shooting. Warner. Denise. . April 15, 2018.
4. Web site: USA Announces 'Real Country' with Shania Twain and Jake Owen | Blog. April 30, 2018. USA Network.
5. Web site: Album Review: Sugarland's 'Bigger'. Reuter. Annie. June 5, 2018.
6. Web site: All-New Special 'iHeartCountry Festival,' Celebrating the Best in Country Music, To Air 8/5, on FOX . June 25, 2018 . September 5, 2018.
7. Web site: Faith Hill, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt Set for Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars. https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034148/http://www.cmt.com/news/1796398/faith-hill-dolly-parton-emmylou-harris-linda-ronstadt-set-for-hollywood-walk-of-fame-stars/. dead. June 27, 2018. CMT com. ((Staff 6/26/2018)). CMT News.
8. Web site: Reba McEntire to receive the Kennedy Center Honors. Whitaker. Sterling. Taste of Country. July 26, 2018. September 5, 2018.
9. Web site: Juneau. Jen. Carrie Underwood Is Pregnant! Singer and Husband Mike Fisher 'Adding Another Fish to Our Pond'. People. September 5, 2018. August 8, 2018.
10. Web site: Whitaker. Sterling. Carrie Underwood Tears Up During Hollywood Walk of Fame Induction – See Pictures!. Taste of Country. September 20, 2018. November 11, 2018.
11. Web site: JIMMIE ALLEN MAKES HISTORY WITH NO.1 SINGLE 'BEST SHOT' . Sounds Like Nashville . 19 November 2018 . November 20, 2018.
12. Garth Brooks – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
13. Devin Dawson – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
14. Sugarland – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
15. Jimmie Allen – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
16. Russell Dickerson – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
17. Lanco – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
18. Lee Brice – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
19. Cole Swindell – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
20. Chris Stapleton – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
21. Keith Urban – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
22. Carrie Underwood – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
23. Eric Church – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
24. Sam Hunt – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
25. Jason Aldean – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
26. Chris Janson – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
27. Mitchell Tenpenny – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
28. David Lee Murphy – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
29. Mason Ramsey – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
30. Scotty McCreery – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
31. Darius Rucker – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
32. Kenny Chesney – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
33. Michael Ray – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
34. Easton Corbin – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
35. Chris Young – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
36. Granger Smith – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
37. Web site: Lady Antebellum – Chart History. Billboard.com. December 31, 2018.
38. Kane Brown – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
39. Carly Pearce – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
40. Dylan Scott – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
41. Old Dominion – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
42. Maren Morris – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
43. Blake Shelton – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
44. Jake Owen – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
45. Justin Moore – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
46. Morgan Evans – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
47. Kip Moore – Chart History. Billboard. January 14, 2019.
48. Kelsea Ballerini – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
49. Web site: Thomas Rhett Chart History. Billboard.com. December 31, 2018.
50. Brett Young – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
51. Brett Eldredge – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
52. Midland – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
53. Thomas Rhett – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
54. Bebe Rexha – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
55. Luke Bryan – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
56. Luke Combs – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
57. Tim McGraw – Chart History. Billboard. January 28, 2019.
58. Brantley Gilbert – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
59. Faith Hill – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
60. Florida Georgia Line – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
61. Jordan Davis – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
62. Dan + Shay – Chart History. Billboard. January 14, 2019.
63. Chris Lane – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
64. Dan + Shay – Chart History. Billboard. January 28, 2019.
65. Morgan Wallen – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
66. Dierks Bentley – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
67. Old Dominion – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
68. Walker Hayes – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
69. Russell Dickerson – Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
70. Dean Brody – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
71. Petric – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512060239/https://www.billboard.com/music/petric/chart-history/canada-country. dead. May 12, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
72. Paul Brandt – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
73. Brett Kissell – Canada Country. Billboard. December 17, 2018.
74. Meghan Patrick – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
75. Leaving Thomas – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180514031412/https://www.billboard.com/music/leaving-thomas/chart-history/canada-country. dead. May 14, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
76. Hunter Brothers – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
77. Jess Moskaluke – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
78. Lindsay Ell – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
79. Chad Brownlee – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
80. Tebey – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
81. Gord Bamford – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
82. • "Do It with You": Canada Country chart for March 17, 2018. Billboard. March 22, 2024. subscription.
    • "Habit": Canada Country chart for September 22, 2018. Billboard. March 20, 2024. subscription.
83. David James – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512150905/https://www.billboard.com/music/david-james/chart-history/canada-country. dead. May 12, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
84. Washboard Union – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180620213917/https://www.billboard.com/music/washboard-union/chart-history/canada-country. dead. June 20, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
85. Tim Hicks – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180511123422/https://www.billboard.com/music/tim-hicks/chart-history/canada-country. dead. May 11, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
86. Shawn Austin – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
87. James Barker Band Chart History (Canada Country) . . August 2, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211201062400/https://www.billboard.com/artist/james-barker-band/chart-history/ccw/ . December 1, 2021. dead.
88. Jade Eagleson – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
89. Brett Kissel – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
90. Kira Isabella – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
91. Reklaws – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180519093242/https://www.billboard.com/music/reklaws/chart-history/canada-country. dead. May 19, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
92. Dallas Smith – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
93. Aaron Goodvin – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
94. Cold Creek Country – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
95. Madeline Merlo – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
96. Emerson Drive – Canada Country. https://web.archive.org/web/20180509070052/https://www.billboard.com/music/emerson-drive/chart-history/canada-country. dead. May 9, 2018. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
97. High Valley – Chart History. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
98. Aaron Pritchett – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
99. High Valley – Canada Country. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
100. Cole Swindell – Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 27, 2018.
101. Michael Ray – Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 11, 2018.
102. Sugarland – Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 18, 2018.
103. Upchurch – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518100345/https://www.billboard.com/music/upchurch/chart-history/country-albums. dead. May 18, 2018. Billboard. April 30, 2018.
104. Carrie Underwood – Top Country Albums. Billboard. September 14, 2018.
105. Dan + Shay – Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 2, 2018.
106. Devon Dawson – Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 13, 2018.
107. Kane Brown – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 19, 2018.
108. Eric Church – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 15, 2018.
109. Blackberry Smoke – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 16, 2018.
110. Florida Georgia Line – Top Country Albums. Billboard. September 4, 2018.
111. Ashley McBryde – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 9, 2018.
112. Kacey Musgraves – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 9, 2018.
113. Keith Urban – Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 7, 2018.
114. Lanco – Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 13, 2018.
115. Montgomery Gentry – Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 13, 2018.
116. Jordan Davis – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 2, 2018.
117. Josh Turner – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 5, 2018.
118. Morgan Wallen – Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 10, 2020.
119. Pistol Annies – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 12, 2018.
120. Chris Lane – Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 23, 2018.
121. Willie Nelson – Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 7, 2018.
122. Cody Jinks – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180807063359/https://www.billboard.com/music/cody-jinks/chart-history/country-albums. dead. August 7, 2018. Billboard. August 6, 2018.
123. Jason Isbell – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 29, 2018.
124. Dierks Bentley – Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 18, 2018.
125. Brothers Osborne – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 30, 2018.
126. Jason Aldean – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 23, 2018.
127. Scotty McCreery – Top Country Albums. Billboard. March 26, 2018.
128. Kenny Chesney – Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 6, 2018.
129. Upchurch – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518100345/https://www.billboard.com/music/upchurch/chart-history/country-albums. dead. May 18, 2018. Billboard. September 17, 2018.
130. Mitchell Tenpenny – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 24, 2018.
131. Morgan Evans – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 22, 2018.
132. Brett Young – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 17, 2018.
133. John Prine – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 23, 2018.
134. Sister Hazel – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512141605/https://www.billboard.com/music/sister-hazel/chart-history/country-albums. dead. May 12, 2018. Billboard. February 20, 2018.
135. Loretta Lynn – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 8, 2018.
136. Adam Calhoun – Top Country Albums. Billboard. March 26, 2018.
137. Garth Brooks – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 26, 2018.
138. Tim McGraw – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 2, 2019.
139. The Lacs – Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 14, 2018.
140. Dave Alvin – Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 11, 2018.
141. Dolly Parton – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 10, 2018.
142. Elvis Presley – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 10, 2018.
143. Elvis Presley – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 16, 2018.
144. Whitey Morgan and the 78's – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 5, 2018.
145. Jimmie Allen – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 22, 2018.
146. Mitchell Tenpenny – Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 27, 2018.
147. David Lee Murphy – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 16, 2018.
148. The Wood Brothers – Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 20, 2018.
149. Upchurch – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518100345/https://www.billboard.com/music/upchurch/chart-history/country-albums. dead. May 18, 2018. Billboard. February 20, 2018.
150. Upchurch – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180518100345/https://www.billboard.com/music/upchurch/chart-history/country-albums. dead. May 18, 2018. Billboard. December 31, 2018.
151. Kip Moore – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 26, 2018.
152. Rosanne Cash – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 12, 2018.
153. Shooter Jennings – Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 20, 2018.
154. Wade Bowen – Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 20, 2018.
155. Mary Chapin Carpenter – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 9, 2018.
156. Colter Wall – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 22, 2018.
157. Ashley Monroe – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 30, 2018.
158. Granger Smith – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 10, 2018.
159. American Aquarium – Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 11, 2018.
160. Adam Calhoun – Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 12, 2018.
161. Frank Foster – Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 1, 2018.
162. Lori McKenna – Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 30, 2018.
163. Old Crow Medicine Show – Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 30, 2018.
164. Sister Hazel – Top Country Albums. https://web.archive.org/web/20180512141605/https://www.billboard.com/music/sister-hazel/chart-history/country-albums. dead. May 12, 2018. Billboard. September 17, 2018.
165. Wheeler Walker Jr. – Top Country Albums. Billboard. December 10, 2018.
166. Trent Harmon – Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 29, 2018.
167. Web site: Shoals music pioneer Rick Hall dies at 85 | Local News . Timesdaily.com . January 2, 2018. January 9, 2018.
168. Web site: 'Father of Muscle Shoals Music' dead at 85. Amanda . Jarrett. Lauren. Scharf. Waff.com. 2 January 2018 .
169. Lari White, 'Now I Know' Country Singer and Actress, Dead at 52. Rolling Stone. January 23, 2018.
170. News: Singletary . Daryle . Daryle Singletary's Family Tells All On Singer's Sudden Death: 'He Just Died Quick' . 18 November 2018 . Radar Online . 3.
171. Web site: Country music legend Dr. Bruce dies in sleep. Kztv10.com. 2018-02-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20180227034357/http://www.kztv10.com/story/37589184/country-music-legend-dr-bruce-dies-in-sleep. 2018-02-27. dead.
172. Web site: Canadian country star Ronnie Prophet dead at 80 – CBC News. Cbc.ca. June 5, 2018.
173. Web site: Country Music Journalist Hazel Smith Dies at Age 83. Usnews.com. June 5, 2018.
174. Web site: Grammy-winning country songwriter Kenny O'Dell dies at 73. Businessinsider.com. June 5, 2018. March 30, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180330013148/http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-grammy-winning-country-songwriter-kenny-odell-dies-at-73-2018-3. dead.
175. Web site: Country music singer Big Tom dies. April 17, 2018. June 5, 2018. Bbc.co.uk.
176. Randy Scruggs, Award-Winning Musician and Songwriter, Dead at 64 . Stephen L. . Betts . . April 18, 2018 . 0035-791X.
177. Web site: Confederate Railroad Founding Member Wayne Secrest Dies At Age 68. Allaccess.com. June 5, 2018.
178. Web site: Oermann . Robert K. . Country Singer Billy ThunderKloud Dies . Music Row . 11 June 2018 . 5 July 2018.
179. Web site: Lorrie Collins, Rockabilly Singer (Collins Kids), Dies at 76 . 13 June 2015. Bestclassicbands.com. 5 August 2018.
180. News: Lorrie Collins, Dynamic Rockabilly Singer, Dies at 76. The New York Times. 8 August 2018 . August 9, 2018 . Friskics-Warren . Bill .
181. Web site: Harlan County native, Hall of Fame songwriter dies in Nashville. Wymt.com. 17 December 2018 . 17 December 2018.
182. Web site: Heartland musician, songwriter Jimmy Work dies at 94 . Hinton . Kyle . kfvs12.com. 25 December 2018 .
183. Web site: Obituary for Jimmy Work at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel. hornbeakfuneralchapel.com. 2019-11-02. 2019-11-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20191102045820/https://www.hornbeakfuneralchapel.com/obituary/jimmy-work%3Flud%3DE48EDF1DB42A916CD80B2DFFA02D8CD1. dead.
184. News: Ray Sawyer, 'Cover of Rolling Stone' Singer, Dies at 81. The New York Times. Neil. Genzlinger. January 2, 2019. January 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190103034802/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/obituaries/ray-sawyer-dead.html. January 3, 2019. live. mdy-all.
185. News: Dr. Hook singer Ray Sawyer dead at 81. Bob. D'Angelo. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. January 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190101194046/https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/hook-singer-ray-sawyer-dead/3xk1DdacpfCfsmfMlv6mEL/. January 1, 2019. live. mdy-all.
186. Bluegrass Hall of Fame Announces 2018 Inductees & Nominees. Billboard. July 25, 2018.
187. Web site: Country Music Hall of Fame Elects Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West, Johnny Gimble. CMT. March 27, 2018. November 29, 2018. April 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180401044910/http://www.cmt.com/news/1792529/country-music-hall-of-fame-elects-ricky-skaggs-dottie-west-johnny-gimble/. dead.
188. Web site: Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Terri Clark, broadcaster Jackie Rae Greening honoured with exhibit at National Music Centre. Calgary Herald. September 26, 2018.
189. Web site: special awards. Academy of Country Music. June 5, 2018.
190. Jason Isbell Is the Big Winner at 2018 Americana Honors & Awards. Joseph. Hudak. . September 13, 2018.
191. News: Aria awards 2018: Amy Shark, Gurrumul and Kasey Chambers win big in moving ceremony. Steph. Harmon. The Guardian . November 28, 2018. www.theguardian.com.
192. 2018 CMT Music Awards: The Complete Winners List. Joseph. Hudak. . June 7, 2018.
193. Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert Set for 2018 CMT Artists of the Year. Stephen L.. Betts. . September 11, 2018.
194. CMA Awards 2018: The Complete Winners List. Rolling Stone. November 14, 2018.
195. Web site: IBMA Awards 2018: Read the Full Winners List. September 28, 2018. The Bluegrass Situation.