2020 in country music explained
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2020.
Events
COVID-19
- March 16 – The 55th Academy of Country Music Awards, originally scheduled for April 5, was postponed to September 16. A few weeks later, the 2020 CMT Music Awards were pushed back to October 21, from their original date of June 3.[1]
- March 20 - The Grand Ole Opry announces it will continue hosting performances, but without a live audience attending in the Ryman Auditorium.[2]
- March 29 – Joe Diffie, a country music superstar who scored many Top Ten hits during the 1990s and early 2000s, dies from complications of COVID-19, two days after announcing he had fallen ill.[3]
- March 31 – The Country Music Association announces that the 2020 CMA Fest, scheduled for June 4–7, is officially canceled.[4]
- October 7 – Morgan Wallen is dropped as a musical guest by Saturday Night Live after a video of him attending a party without wearing a face mask surfaces. Jack White eventually is called to be the replacement musical guest.[5]
- December 12 – Charley Pride dies from complications of COVID-19 one month after receiving the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award at the CMA Awards, an event that would turn out to be his final public appearance.[6]
Other
- January 2 – Capitol Records Nashville signs Hot Country Knights, a fictitious band portrayed by Dierks Bentley and members of his road band.[7]
- January 4 – Radio personality Fitz takes over as permanent host of Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40, succeeding the longtime radio host who died in 2019. Affiliates of Fitz's previous programs – The Fitz Show, The Hit List with Fitz, and Nashville Minute with Fitz – were replaced with programs from KCCS Productions, which produces CT40.[8]
- January 7 – Rascal Flatts announced that they would be disbanding following a farewell tour after 20 years together. The tour (in addition to several other tours) would later be cancelled due to COVID-19.[9]
- March 7 – Jimmie Allen's "Make Me Want To" tops the Billboard Country Airplay chart in its 58th week, setting a record for both the slowest ascent to the top and the longest overall run in that chart's history.[10]
- March 23 – Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd announce the birth of their first child, Hayes Andrew Hurd.[11]
- May 5 – Travis Denning's "After a Few" charts on Country Airplay for the 60th week, breaking the longevity record set on that chart only two months prior.[12] It would later reach the top on June 13 in its 65th week, also setting a record for the longest climb to Number One since the inception of Nielsen Soundscan in 1990.[13]
- May 14–15 – Vocalist Hannah Mulholland quits the group Runaway June and is replaced by Natalie Stovall, formerly of Natalie Stovall and the Drive.[14]
- June – Amid the fallout from the George Floyd protests, two groups change their names. On June 11, Lady Antebellum announces their name will change to Lady A,[15] the group's longstanding nickname. On June 25, the Dixie Chicks become known as The Chicks.[16] Both moves were announced amid criticism that the words "Antebellum" and "Dixie" had connotations of American slavery.
- June 13 – Hank Williams Jr.'s 27-year-old daughter, Katharine Williams-Dunning, is killed in a car accident in Henry County, Tennessee.
- June 19 – Carly Pearce and Michael Ray announce their divorce after less than eight months of marriage.
- July 3 – Kacey Musgraves and husband Ruston Kelly divorce after years of marriage.
- July 4 – Kenny Chesney's "Here and Now" becomes his 31st number-one single on the Country Airplay chart, making Chesney the artist with the most number one singles on that chart.
- July 17 – The Chicks release their first studio album in 14 years, Gaslighter.
- July 29 – Garth Brooks withdraws himself from consideration for the CMA Entertainer of the Year category after seven wins.
- August 1 – Luke Combs marries Nicole Hocking in Florida, after 4 years of dating.
- August 16 - Singer Gabby Barrett announces her pregnancy with her first daughter with husband Cade Foeher.[17]
- August 17 – Taylor Swift marks her return to country music radio in three years with the release of "Betty", off her Folklore album.
- August 25 - Singer Mickey Guyton announces her pregnancy for her first child with husband Grant Savoy.[18]
- August 31 - Blanco Brown is involved in a motorcycle accident in which he breaks both arms, both legs, and his pelvis. He undergoes a twelve-hour surgery.[19]
- September 16 – For the first time in history, the Academy of Country Music declares a tie for the Entertainer of the year award - Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood.
- October 27 – Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani become engaged after 5 years of dating.
- November 21 – Jon Pardi marries Summer Duncan in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, after announcing their engagement in October 2019.
- November 30 – Jake Owen and Erica Hartlein become engaged after 3 years of dating.
Top hits of the year
See also: List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2020.
See also: List of number-one country singles of 2020 (Canada). The following songs placed within the Top 20 on the Hot Country Songs, Country Airplay, or Canada Country charts in 2020:
Singles released by American and Australian artists
Singles released by Canadian artists
Top new album releases
The following albums placed on the Top Country Albums charts in 2020:
See also: List of Billboard number-one country albums of 2020.
See also: List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2020.
Other top albums
Deaths
- January 15 – Chris Darrow, 75, American musician (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), complications from a stroke.[151]
- January 18 – David Olney, 71, American singer-songwriter, heart attack.[152]
- January 29 – Eddie Setser, 77, American songwriter ("Seven Spanish Angels")[153]
- February 12 – Paul English, 87, American drummer (Willie Nelson), pneumonia.[154]
- March 1 – Jan Vyčítal, 77, Czech caricaturist and country music singer-songwriter.[155]
- March 7 – Jim Owen, 78, American country singer-songwriter.[156]
- March 20 – Kenny Rogers, 81, American country singer and songwriter who was responsible for having major crossover success in the 1970s and 1980s (natural causes).[157]
- March 22 – Eric Weissberg, 80, American folk musician ("Dueling Banjos", The Tarriers), complications from Alzheimer's disease.[158]
- March 28 – Jan Howard, 91, country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member, natural causes.[159]
- March 29 – Joe Diffie, 61, country music singer-songwriter who was responsible for a plethora of hits throughout the '90s and early '00s such as "Pickup Man", "John Deere Green" and "Third Rock from the Sun". (COVID-19)[3]
- April 7 – John Prine, 73, American country-folk singer-songwriter. (COVID-19)[160]
- April 15 – Gary McSpadden, 77, American gospel singer, former member of The Oak Ridge Boys.[161]
- April 24 – Harold Reid, 80, member of The Statler Brothers (kidney failure)[162]
- May 11 - Fuzzy Owen, 91, Pioneer of the Bakersfield Sound; songwriter and longtime manager of Merle Haggard
- June 2 – Jimmy Capps, 81, Nashville musician; member of the Grand Ole Opry house band and The Nashville A-Team.[163]
- June 8 – James Hand, 67, American country music singer-songwriter.[164]
- June 12 – Larry W. Johnson, 69, songwriter ("Don't Take the Girl")
- July 3 – Craig J. Martin, 52, songwriter ("Don't Take the Girl") (heart attack)
- July 6 – Charlie Daniels, 83, country music and Southern rock legend best known for "The Devil Went Down to Georgia", "Long Haired Country Boy", "The South's Gonna Do It" and many others. (stroke)
- July 15 - Kenny Dale, 67, American singer (COVID-19)
- July 16 – Jamie Oldaker, 68, American drummer (Eric Clapton, The Tractors).[165]
- July 30 — Randy Barlow, 77, American country singer-songwriter (cancer)
- July 31 — Bill Mack, 91, American country disc jockey and songwriter ("Blue", "Drinking Champagne") (COVID-19)
- August 18 — Steve Gulley, 57, American bluegrass singer-songwriter, pancreatic cancer.[166]
- August 23 — Justin Townes Earle, 38, American singer-songwriter, son of Steve Earle.
- September 11 — Troy Jones, 64, Nashville songwriter (“People Are Crazy”, “Shiftwork”, "Pretty Good at Drinkin' Beer")
- September 21 — Roy Head, 79, American singer-songwriter best known for his 1965 pop hit "Treat Her Right" and charted several country hits in the 1970s and 1980s. (heart attack)
- September 23 — W. S. Holland, 85, American drummer (The Tennessee Three).[167]
- September 29 — Mac Davis, 78, American singer-songwriter known for many hits such as "In the Ghetto", "Baby, Don't Get Hooked on Me", and "It's Hard to Be Humble" (complications from heart bypass surgery)
- October 7 — Ray Pennington, 86, American singer-songwriter ("I'm a Ramblin' Man") (house fire)
- October 16 — Johnny Bush, 85, American singer-songwriter ("Whiskey River").[168]
- October 22 – Margie Bowes, 79, American singer
- October 23 — Jerry Jeff Walker, 78, American singer-songwriter ("Mr. Bojangles"), throat cancer.[169]
- October 24 — J. T. Corenflos, 56, session guitarist (cancer)[170]
- October 28 — Billy Joe Shaver, 81, American singer-songwriter ("I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)" (stroke).
- November 13 — Doug Supernaw, 60, American singer-songwriter who netted several 1990s hits ("I Don't Call Him Daddy", "Reno", "Not Enough Hours in the Night"), lung and bladder cancer.[171]
- November 23 — Hal Ketchum, 67, American singer-songwriter who scored a string of hits during the 1990s ("Small Town Saturday Night", "Past the Point of Rescue", "Hearts Are Gonna Roll"), dementia.[172]
- December 12 — Charley Pride, 86, American singer-songwriter; known as country music's first African-American superstar (“Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’”, “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” and many others), COVID-19.[6]
- December 21 — K. T. Oslin, 78, American singer-songwriter who scored a string of hits during the late 1980s and early 90's ("80's Ladies", "I'll Always Come Back", "Do Ya" and others), Parkinson's disease and COVID-19.[173]
- December 25 — Tony Rice, 69, American guitarist and bluegrass singer and member of the New South and Bluegrass Album Band known for his elegant flatpicking style.[174]
- December 29 — Hugh X. Lewis, 90, American singer-songwriter.[175]
Hall of Fame inductees
- J. T. Gray - owner of the Station Inn in Nashville which opened in 1974 and noted as one of the best bluegrass venue in the world
- Johnson Mountain Boys - a popular group in the 1980s known for their neotraditional style
- New Grass Revival - progressive band that produced many of the genres most respected musicians
(presented on November 21, 2021)
Major awards
(presented on April 18, 2021)
- Entertainer of the Year – Luke Bryan
- Male Artist of the Year – Thomas Rhett
- Female Artist of the Year – Maren Morris
- Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- Duo of the Year – Dan + Shay
- New Male Artist of the Year – Jimmie Allen
- New Female Artist of the Year – Gabby Barrett
- Songwriter of the Year – Hillary Lindsey
- Single of the Year – "I Hope You're Happy Now" (Carly Pearce and Lee Brice)
- Song of the Year – "The Bones" (Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz)
- Album of the Year – Starting Over (Chris Stapleton)
- Musical Event of the Year – "I Hope You're Happy Now" (Carly Pearce and Lee Brice)
- Video of the Year – "Worldwide Beautiful" (Kane Brown)
(presented on November 22, 2020)
(presented on November 25, 2020)
(presented on October 14, 2020)[176]
(presented on October 21, 2020, in Nashville)[177]
CMT Artists of the Year
(presented June 3, 2020 in Nashville)[178]
(presented on November 11, 2020)[179]
(presented in Los Angeles on March 14, 2021)
(presented on October 1, 2020)[180]
- Entertainer of the Year – Sister Sadie
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Danny Paisley
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Brooke Aldridge
- Vocal Group of the Year – Sister Sadie
- Instrumental Group of the Year – Michael Cleveland and Flamekeeper
- New Artist of the Year – Mile Twelve
- Guitar Player of the Year – Jake Workman
- Banjo Player of the Year – Scott Vestal
- Mandolin Player of the Year – Alan Bibey
- Fiddle Player of the Year – Deanie Richardson
- Bass Player of the Year – Missy Raines
- Dobro Player of the Year – Justin Moses
- Album of the Year – Live in Prague (Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver)
- Song of the Year – "Chicago Barn Dance" (Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Missy Raines)
- Collaborative Recording of the Year – "The Barber's Fiddle" (Becky Buller with Shawn Camp, Jason Carter, Laurie Lewis, Kati Penn, Sam Bush, Michael Cleveland, Johnny Warren, Stuart Duncan, Deanie Richardson, Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, Jason Barie, Fred Carpenter, Tyler Andal, Nate Lee, Dan Boner, Brian Christianson, and Laura Orshaw
- Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year – "Tall Fidler" (Michael Cleveland and Tommy Emmanuel)
- Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year – "Gonna Rise and Shine" (Alan Bibey and Grasstowne)
(presented on June 6, 2021 in Toronto)
Notes and References
- Levenson, Eric; Forrest, Steve, "Academy of Country Music Awards postponed because of coronavirus," CNN, March 16, 2020. Retrieved 03-16-2020 https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/15/us/academy-country-music-awards-coronavirus/index.html
- Web site: Leimkuehler. Matthew. Coronavirus: Grand Ole Opry to perform without live audience. 2021-01-05. The Tennessean.
- Joe Diffie, Nineties Country's 'Pickup Man,' Dead at 61 . Rolling Stone . March 29, 2020 . March 29, 2020 . Stephen L. Betts . https://web.archive.org/web/20200329194845/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/joe-diffie-country-singer-dead-obituary-974556/ . March 29, 2020 . live .
- Limekuehler, Matthew, "CMA Fest 2020 canceled due to ongoing coronavirus pandemic," The Tennessean, April 1, 2020. Accessed 04-02-2020. https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2020/03/31/cma-fest-nashville-2020-canceled-due-coronavirus-pandemic/2881819001/
- News: Yahr. Emily. SNL drops country star Morgan Wallen as musical guest after he's seen partying mask-less a week before show. Washington Post. 2020-10-22. 0190-8286.
- Web site: Charley Pride, Country's First Black Superstar, Dies of Covid-19 Complications. https://web.archive.org/web/20201212205220/http://www.cmt.com/news/1828520/charley-pride-countrys-first-black-superstar-dies-of-covid-19-complications/. dead. December 12, 2020. CMT com. Staff 12/12/2020. CMT News. Jan 9, 2021.
- Dierks Bentley's Faux Band Hot Country Knights Signs Real Record Deal . Rolling Stone . January 2, 2020 . March 2, 2020 . Jon Freeman . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216040438/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/dierks-bentley-band-hot-country-knights-record-deal-933070/ . February 16, 2020 . live .
- Web site: fitz-named-new-host-for-bob-kingsleys-country-top-40. MusicRow.com. 19 December 2019. 2019-12-29. https://web.archive.org/web/20191220103433/https://musicrow.com/2019/12/fitz-named-new-host-for-bob-kingsleys-country-top-40/. 20 December 2019. live.
- Web site: Rascal Flatts to Disband After "Farewell Tour" in 2020. 2020-01-07. Nash Country Daily. 2020-01-08. https://web.archive.org/web/20200309113348/https://www.nashcountrydaily.com/2020/01/07/rascal-flatts-to-disband-after-farewell-tour-in-2020/. 2020-03-09. live.
- Jimmie Allen Celebrates 'Make Me Want To' Topping Country Airplay Chart: 'Never Give Up on Your Dreams'. Asker. Jim. March 4, 2020. March 6, 2020. Billboard. https://web.archive.org/web/20200305222020/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/country/9327269/jimmie-allen-make-me-want-to-no-1-country-airplay-chart. March 5, 2020. live.
- News: It's a Boy! Maren Morris and Husband Ryan Hurd Welcome Son Hayes Andrew: 'Love of Our Lives'. People. Jan 9, 2021.
- 'In Between' — And In The Top 10 At Last: Scotty McCreery's Latest Hits Country Airplay Top 10 In 56th Week . Billboard . May 5, 2020.
- Web site: After a 65-Week Climb to No. 1, Travis Denning Sets Two Chart Records. https://web.archive.org/web/20200902081846/http://www.cmt.com/news/1821861/after-a-65-week-climb-to-no-1-travis-denning-sets-two-chart-records/. dead. 2020-09-02. CMT. June 8, 2020. January 20, 2022.
- Web site: Natalie Stovall Joins Runaway June to Replace Hannah Mulholland. Angela Stefano. May 15, 2020. Taste of Country. May 15, 2020.
- Freeman, Jon, "Lady A Drop 'Antebellum' From Their Name," Rolling Stone, June 11, 2020. Accessed 06-26-2020. [www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/lady-antebellum-change-name-1013602/]
- Web site: Willman. Chris. Dixie Chicks Officially Change Name to 'The Chicks'. Variety. June 25, 2020.
- Web site: 2020-08-17. 'American Idol' Alums Gabby Barrett & Cade Foehner Have a Baby on the Way. 2021-01-05. Billboard.com.
- Web site: Country star Mickey Guyton reveals she's pregnant with her 1st child.
- Web site: Blanco Brown's First Interview Since Near-Fatal Motorcycle Accident: 'I Was Broken, But It Didn't Break My Spirit' . Billboard . March 1, 2021 . March 16, 2021.
- Dan + Shay - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Travis Denning - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Jon Pardi - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Thomas Rhett - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190517151236/https://www.billboard.com/music/thomas-rhett/chart-history. May 17, 2019. live.
- Taylor Swift - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Chris Lane - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Miranda Lambert - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190616112207/https://www.billboard.com/music/miranda-lambert/chart-history. June 16, 2019. live.
- Maren Morris - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329024758/https://www.billboard.com/music/maren-morris/chart-history. March 29, 2019. live.
- Brett Young - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328235629/https://www.billboard.com/music/brett-young/chart-history. March 28, 2019. live.
- Morgan Wallen. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Kane Brown - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Maddie & Tae - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Garth Brooks - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Luke Combs - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Chris Janson - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Carrie Underwood. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190904215640/https://www.billboard.com/music/carrie-underwood/chart-history. September 4, 2019. live.
- Chris Young - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200331033327/https://www.billboard.com/music/chris-young/chart-history. March 31, 2020. live.
- Matt Stell - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Dixie Chicks - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200404135419/https://www.billboard.com/music/dixie-chicks/chart-history. April 4, 2020. live.
- Keith Urban - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190606083552/https://www.billboard.com/music/keith-urban/chart-history. June 6, 2019. live.
- Jason Aldean - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Blake Shelton - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Sam Hunt - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190724094055/https://www.billboard.com/music/sam-hunt/chart-history. July 24, 2019. live.
- Diplo - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Kenny Chesney - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Kelsea Ballerini - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Jake Owen - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328184649/https://www.billboard.com/music/jake-owen/chart-history. March 28, 2019. live.
- Tim McGraw - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Gabby Barrett - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Carly Pearce - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200114015213/https://www.billboard.com/music/carly-pearce/chart-history. January 14, 2020. live.
- Florida Georgia Line - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191217171817/https://www.billboard.com/music/florida-georgia-line/chart-history. December 17, 2019. live.
- Riley Green - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200402233157/https://www.billboard.com/music/riley-green/chart-history. April 2, 2020. live.
- Scotty McCreery - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328225441/https://www.billboard.com/music/scotty-mccreery/chart-history. March 28, 2019. live.
- Chase Rice - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Russell Dickerson - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Jimmie Allen - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Eric Church - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191211140950/https://www.billboard.com/music/eric-church/chart-history. December 11, 2019. live.
- Ingrid Andress - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Hardy - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- LoCash - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Luke Bryan - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Lee Brice - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Ashley McBryde - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Parker McCollum - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Dustin Lynch - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200402150403/https://www.billboard.com/music/dustin-lynch/chart-history. April 2, 2020. live.
- Kip Moore - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Jordan Davis - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190327132256/https://www.billboard.com/music/jordan-davis/chart-history. March 27, 2019. live.
- Jameson Rodgers - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Lady Antebellum - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Justin Moore - Chart History. Billboard. December 21, 2020.
- Jojo Mason - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Dean Brody - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Jade Eagleson - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Tenille Townes - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Jess Moskaluke - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190419051413/https://www.billboard.com/music/jess-moskaluke/chart-history. April 19, 2019. live.
- Washboard Union - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190521013731/https://www.billboard.com/music/washboard-union/chart-history. May 21, 2019. live.
- Brett Kissell - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328090505/https://www.billboard.com/music/brett-kissel/chart-history. March 28, 2019. live.
- Tenille Arts - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Matt Lang - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Meghan Patrick - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Aaron Goodvin - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329104217/https://www.billboard.com/music/aaron-goodvin/chart-history. March 29, 2019. live.
- Tebey - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- High Valley - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Hunter Brothers - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Lindsay Ell - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20180504210401/https://www.billboard.com/music/lindsay-ell/chart-history. May 4, 2018. live.
- Canada Country chart for October 31, 2020 . Billboard . 6 March 2013 . January 8, 2021.
- Madeline Merlo - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Dallas Smith - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Chad Brownlee - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200329142350/https://www.billboard.com/music/chad-brownlee/chart-history. March 29, 2020. live.
- Tim Hicks - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- Reklaws - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329111822/https://www.billboard.com/music/reklaws/chart-history. March 29, 2019. live.
- Canada Country chart for May 16, 2020 . Billboard . 6 March 2013 . January 8, 2021.
- MacKenzie Porter - Chart History. Billboard. December 14, 2020.
- 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.
- Florida Georgia Line - Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 1, 2020.
- Chase Rice - Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20190421211733/https://www.billboard.com/music/chase-rice/chart-history/country-albums. April 21, 2019. live.
- Kelsea Ballerini - Top Country Albums. Billboard. September 21, 2020.
- Luke Bryan - Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 17, 2020.
- Carly Pearce - Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200225013037/https://www.billboard.com/music/carly-pearce/chart-history/country-albums. February 25, 2020. live.
- Chris Tomlin - Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 10, 2020.
- Sturgill Simpson - Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 26, 2020.
- Diplo - Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 15, 2020.
- Upchurch - Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 27, 2020.
- Willie Nelson - Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 13, 2020.
- Garth Brooks - Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 30, 2020.
- The Chicks - Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 27, 2020.
- Gabby Barrett - Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 29, 2020.
- Kenny Chesney - Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 11, 2020.
- Tim McGraw - Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 31, 2020.
- Lee Brice - Top Country Albums. Billboard. January 11, 2021.
- Parker McCollum - Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 26, 2020.
- Ingrid Andress - Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 6, 2020.
- Jimmy Buffett - Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 8, 2020.
- Tyler Childers - Top Country Albums. Billboard. September 28, 2020.
- Kane Brown - Top Country Albums. Billboard. August 24, 2020.
- Ashley McBryde - Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 13, 2020.
- Little Big Town - Top Country Albums. Billboard. January 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200128024910/https://www.billboard.com/music/Little-Big-Town/chart-history/country-albums. January 28, 2020. live.
- Jason Isbell - Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 26, 2020.
- Hardy - Top Country Albums. Billboard. September 14, 2020.
- Brothers Osborne - Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 26, 2020.
- Sam Hunt - Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 13, 2020.
- Keith Urban - Top Country Albums. Billboard. September 28, 2020.
- Chris Stapleton - Top Country Albums. Billboard. November 30, 2020.
- Brett Eldredge - Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 20, 2020.
- Dustin Lynch - Top Country Albums. Billboard. January 27, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200128030600/https://www.billboard.com/music/Dustin-Lynch/chart-history/country-albums. January 28, 2020. live.
- Rascal Flatts - Top Country Albums. Billboard. October 26, 2020.
- Maddie & Tae - Top Country Albums. Billboard. April 24, 2020.
- Billboard Country Update – September 8, 2020. Billboard.
- Kip Moore - Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 29, 2020.
- Web site: My Gift. 13 March 2023. Universal Music Group Nashville.
- Travis Denning - Top Country Albums. Billboard. May 26, 2020.
- Jimmie Allen = Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 20, 2020.
- Web site: Gone West Announces New Album 'Canyons,' Shares New Track. Mar 2, 2020. Apr 9, 2020.
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- Steve Earle - Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 1, 2020.
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- Web site: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Alum Chris Darrow Dies. Wendy. Hermanson. Taste of Country. January 17, 2020 . Apr 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200124224340/https://tasteofcountry.com/nitty-gritty-dirt-band-chris-darrow-dies/. January 24, 2020. live.
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- Tony Rice, Innovative Bluegrass Guitarist, Dead at 69. Joseph. Hudak. Rolling Stone. Dec 27, 2020. Jan 9, 2021.
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