2023 in country music explained

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2023.

Events

• January 6 – Marty Stuart invites Henry Cho and Gary Mule Deer to become the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry, the first time comedians have been invited in almost 50 years following Jerry Clower in 1973. Cho is the first Asian person to become a member of the Opry.^[1] They were inducted on February 11 and March 10 respectively.
• January 23 – Gabby Barrett's "Pick Me Up", Lainey Wilson's "Heart Like a Truck" and Carly Pearce's "What He Didn't Do", all reach #4, #8 and #10 respectively at US Country Radio (as measured by Mediabase). This marks the first time since 2020 that three solo women have charted in the top ten simultaneously.^[2]
• February 11 – Kane Brown and his wife Katelyn Brown top the Country Airplay chart with "Thank God", making it the second duet by a married couple to top that chart following Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's "It's Your Love" in 1997.^[3]
• March 15 – Miranda Lambert announces that she is leaving Sony Music Nashville after 19 years.^[4]
• March 20 – Several artists hold Love Rising, a charity concert organized by Allison Russell at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, to raise awareness and funds for the LGBTQIA+ community of Tennessee.^[5]
• March 23 – Record label Arista Nashville closes after 34 years in operation.^[6]
• March 27 – The Band Perry officially announce that they are going on hiatus.^[7]
• March 31 – 4 Runner reunites for the second time and releases their first studio album in 20 years.^[8]
• April 11 – Granger Smith announces that he will be leaving country music in order to focus on ministry at his local church outside of Austin, Texas.^[9]
• April 23 – Morgan Wallen cancels show at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi just minutes before taking the stage due to vocal problems. The cancellation caused outrage in some fans including lawsuits being filed even though tickets were refunded. Rumors quickly spread stating that he was drunk and had to go to the hospital to get his stomach pumped, however those rumors were debunked. Morgan has since postponed the following weeks shows to be on vocal rest.^[10]
• April 28 – While performing on stage at Stagecoach Festival, Alan Jackson appears via video link to invite Jon Pardi to become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry.^[11]
• May 11 – Jimmie Allen, his management company and record producer Ash Bowers have a lawsuit filed against them by an unnamed former manager who alleged that Allen repeatedly verbally and sexually assaulted her and that she was fired for disclosing this abuse. As a result, Allen's record label suspended him immediately and he was dropped from a planned performance slot at the 50th CMA Music Festival.^{[12] [13]} Allen was subsequently dropped from the label after a second accuser came forward.
• May 15 – Reba McEntire is announced as Blake Shelton's replacement for the 24th season of The Voice, set to premiere in the fall of 2023.^[14]
• June 8–11 – CMA Music Festival celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary in Nashville, revolving around the nightly concerts at Nissan Stadium.^[15]
• June 28 – Rosanne Cash and John Leventhal launch their own label, RumbleStrip Records.^[16]
• July 1 – Tracy Chapman becomes the first black woman to have a chart-topping country song as a sole writer when Luke Combs' cover of her 1988 hit "Fast Car" reached number one on the Country Airplay chart. It also becomes the first country cover of a pop hit to top the chart since Blake Shelton's cover of Michael Bublé's 2005 single "Home" did so in July 2008.^[17]
• July 8 – Following the retirement of drummer Brian Prout and mandolinist Gene Johnson from Diamond Rio, they are respectively replaced by Micah Schweinsberg and Carson McKee. This is the first lineup change to Diamond Rio in 25 years, and it results in McKee becoming the band's first female member.^[18]
• July 15 – Miranda Lambert causes controversy during her performance of "Tin Man" at her Velvet Rodeo residency in Las Vegas, by scolding a group of fans taking selfies as she was starting the song. The incident divided fans on social media.^[19]
• July 18 – Jason Aldean receives significant media attention for the lyrical content of his single "Try That in a Small Town", with many listeners criticizing the song for its lyrical content and the imagery used in the music video. In response, CMT withdrew the video from their channel.^[20]
• July 22 – Bill Anderson is honored as the Grand Ole Opry's longest-serving member in the show's history. Anderson's membership has not lapsed in 62 years since his initial induction in 1961.^[21]
• July 31 – For the first time in history, country songs hold the top three positions on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart: Aldean's "Try That in a Small Town", Morgan Wallen's "Last Night", and Combs' "Fast Car". "Try That in a Small Town" becomes the 21st song to reach number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Hot Country Songs charts.^[22]
• August 27 – Ty Herndon marries his husband, Alex Schwartz.^[23]
• September 9 – Luke Combs becomes the first artist to simultaneously occupy the top two positions on the Country Airplay chart as a solo act with no accompanying acts when his singles "Love You Anyway" and "Fast Car" occupy the number one and two positions, respectively. In doing so, he also becomes the second act overall to accomplish such a feat after Luke Bryan achieved the same in May 2014 with his single "Play It Again" and his appearance on Florida Georgia Line's "This Is How We Roll".^[24]
• September 15 – Maren Morris announces her exit from the country music industry.^[25]
• October 3 – Ronnie Milsap performs his final Nashville show at the Bridgestone Arena joined by more than thirty guest artists. Though he is retiring from performing, he will continue to record.^[26]
• October 7 – Sara Evans becomes a member of the Grand Ole Opry and is inducted by Crystal Gayle. She was invited on August 18 by Bill Anderson, Lady A and Carly Pearce during a 25th anniversary concert at the Ryman Auditorium.^[27]
• October 24 – Jon Pardi becomes the first California native to become a member of the Opry. He was inducted by Garth Brooks.
• December 3 – Scotty McCreery is invited by Garth Brooks to become the next Opry member, with his induction set for early 2024.^[28]
• December 5 – Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" hits number one for the first time on the Billboard Hot 100. At 78, the feat makes Lee the oldest artist to have a number one single in the chart's history, and the artist with the longest gap between number ones, following 1960's "I Want to Be Wanted", along with breaking several other major chart records.^[29]
• December 6 – Taylor Swift is named Time magazine's Person of the Year, becoming the first such subject honored specifically for achievement in the arts. The magazine cited her 2023–2024 Eras Tour, which was set to become the highest-grossing concert tour of all time, and its significant cultural and economic impact.^[30] It is Swift's second Person of the Year distinction, after having been named as part of "The Silence Breakers" in 2017.

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 2023:

See also: List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2023.

See also: List of number-one country singles of 2023 (Canada).

Singles released by American and Australian artists

Songs	Airplay	Canada	Single	Artist	References
11	35	—	"5 Leaf Clover"	Luke Combs
11	56	–	"'98 Braves"	Morgan Wallen
6	–	–	"Ain't That Some"	Morgan Wallen
17	1	4	"Angels (Don't Always Have Wings)"	Thomas Rhett
15	–	–	"Born with a Beer in My Hand"	Morgan Wallen
9	—	—	"Boys of Faith"	Zach Bryan featuring Bon Iver
31	11	7	"Brown Eyes Baby"	Keith Urban	^[31]
8	1	1	"Bury Me in Georgia"	Kane Brown
19	4	2	"But I Got a Beer in My Hand"	Luke Bryan
10	1	6	"Can't Have Mine (Find You a Girl)"	Dylan Scott
6	2	1	"Dancin' in the Country"	Tyler Hubbard
11	–	–	"Dawns"	Zach Bryan featuring Maggie Rogers	^[32]
12	—	—	"Deep Satin"	Zach Bryan
13	–	–	"Devil Don't Know"	Morgan Wallen
16	2	27	"Down Home"	Jimmie Allen
22	13	4	"Drinkaby"	Cole Swindell
7	—	—	"East Side of Sorrow"	Zach Bryan
15	—	—	"El Dorado"	Zach Bryan
7	3	1	"Everything I Love"	Morgan Wallen
24	17	2	"Everything She Ain't"	Hailey Whitters
1	1	1	"Fast Car"	Luke Combs
12	—	—	"Fear and Friday's"	Zach Bryan
19	—	—	"Fear and Friday's (Poem)"	Zach Bryan
19	3	8	"Girl in Mine"	Parmalee
15	2	7	"God Gave Me a Girl"	Russell Dickerson
5	1	1	"Going, Going, Gone"	Luke Combs
20	2	1	"Gold"	Dierks Bentley
–	18	38	"Good Day for Living"	Joe Nichols
18	58	–	"Growin' Up and Gettin' Old"	Luke Combs
10	2	4	"Handle on You"	Parker McCollum	^[33]
–	20	24	"Hate My Heart"	Carrie Underwood
7	2	1	"Heart Like a Truck"	Lainey Wilson	^[34]
14	—	—	"Heartbroken"	Diplo, Jessie Murph and Polo G	^[35]
5	—	—	"Hey Driver"	Zach Bryan featuring The War and Treaty
17	—	—	"Holy Roller"	Zach Bryan featuring Sierra Ferrell
20	–	–	"Hope That's True"	Morgan Wallen
–	16	–	"How It Oughta Be"	Shane Profitt
15	8	3	"Human"	Cody Johnson
9	60	–	"I Wrote the Book"	Morgan Wallen
32	17	2	"If You Go Down (I'm Goin' Down Too)"	Kelsea Ballerini
13	3	4	"It Matters to Her"	Scotty McCreery
1	1	1	"Last Night"	Morgan Wallen
26	13	23	"Looking for You"	Chris Young
3	1	1	"Love You Anyway"	Luke Combs
7	4	1	"Memory Lane"	Old Dominion
3	1	1	"Need a Favor"	Jelly Roll
7	2	1	"Next Thing You Know"	Jordan Davis	^[36]
15	—	—	"Nine Ball"	Zach Bryan
25	18	3	"No Body"	Blake Shelton
2	8	1	"One Thing at a Time"	Morgan Wallen
10	—	—	"Overtime"	Zach Bryan
18	—	—	"Pain, Sweet Pain"	Zach Bryan
14	6	14	"Pick Me Up"	Gabby Barrett
16	–	–	"Red"	Hardy featuring Morgan Wallen
4	1	1	"Religiously"	Bailey Zimmerman
1	40	—	"Rich Men North of Richmond"		^[37]
2	1	1	"Rock and a Hard Place"	Bailey Zimmerman
5	—	—	"Sarah's Place"	Zach Bryan featuring Noah Kahan
6	1	1	"Save Me"	Jelly Roll with Lainey Wilson
18	—	—	"Smaller Acts"	Zach Bryan
1	20	28	"Something in the Orange"	Zach Bryan
8	1	7	"Son of a Sinner"	Jelly Roll
6	—	—	"Spotless"	Zach Bryan featuring The Lumineers
14	2	3	"Standing Room Only"	Tim McGraw	^[38]
13	2	2	"Stars Like Confetti"	Dustin Lynch
11	—	—	"Summertime's Close"	Zach Bryan
11	–	–	"Sunrise"	Morgan Wallen
18	–	–	"Tennessee Numbers"	Morgan Wallen
10	4	3	"Tennessee Orange"	Megan Moroney
2	1	3	"Thank God"	Kane Brown with Katelyn Brown	^[39]
19	5	9	"That's What Tequila Does"	Jason Aldean	^[40]
3	1	1	"Thinkin' Bout Me"	Morgan Wallen
1	1	1	"Thought You Should Know"	Morgan Wallen
14	—	—	"Ticking"	Zach Bryan
8	—	—	"Tourniquet"	Zach Bryan
1	2	49	"Try That in a Small Town"	Jason Aldean
5	2	2	"Wait in the Truck"	Hardy featuring Lainey Wilson
27	15	33	"Water Under the Bridge"	Sam Hunt
7	1	1	"Watermelon Moonshine"	Lainey Wilson
28	12	21	"We Got History"	Mitchell Tenpenny
11	2	5	"What He Didn't Do"	Carly Pearce	^[41]
8	1	3	"What My World Spins Around"	Jordan Davis
16	–	–	"Whiskey Friends"	Morgan Wallen
11	1	1	"Whiskey on You"	Nate Smith
12	3	–	"Wild as Her"	Corey Kent
8	—	—	"Wild Ones"	Jessie Murph with Jelly Roll
7	1	1	"World on Fire"	Nate Smith
20	—	—	"Wreckage"	Nate Smith
22	3	27	"You"	Dan + Shay
18	10	26	"You Didn't"	Brett Young
8	3	2	"You, Me, & Whiskey"	Justin Moore featuring Priscilla Block
11	4	3	"Your Heart or Mine"	Jon Pardi

Singles released by Canadian artists

Songs	Airplay	Canada	Single	Artist	References
–	–	10	"Back to Drinkin' Whiskey"	Tyler Joe Miller	^[42]
–	–	20	"Budweiser"	Nate Haller	^[43]
–	–	3	"Chasing Tornadoes"	MacKenzie Porter	^[44]
–	–	20	"Country Dance"	Aaron Goodvin	^[45]
–	–	4	"Do This Life"	High Valley (with Alison Krauss)	^[46]
–	–	10	"Girl to Girl"	Tenille Arts	^[47]
–	–	12	"Good Ol' Days"	The Reklaws	^[48]
–	–	15	"Greatest Show on Dirt"	Meghan Patrick	^[49]
–	–	10	"Heartbreaker"	Jess Moskaluke	^[50]
–	–	1	"Honky Tonkin' About"	The Reklaws (with Drake Milligan)
–	–	14	"I Run on Country"	The Washboard Union	^[51]
–	–	5	"The Last Time"	Tenille Townes	^[52]
–	–	20	"Love Me Like an Outlaw"	Kalsey Kulyk	^[53]
–	–	3	"Meet Your Mama"	James Barker Band	^[54]
–	–	10	"Never Met a Beer"	Tyler Joe Miller and Matt Lang	^[55]
–	–	4	"On a Different Night"	Josh Ross	^[56]
–	–	6	"On the Water"	James Barker Band (featuring Dalton Dover)
–	–	5	"Outta Yours"	Steven Lee Olsen	^[57]
–	–	5	"Rodeo Queen"	Jade Eagleson	^[58]
–	–	10	"Second Guessing"	Griffen Palmer	^[59]
–	–	8	"Settle for a Drink"	Shawn Austin	^[60]
–	–	11	"Shoulda Known Better"	Tyler Joe Miller
–	–	5	"Singing in a Beer"	Dallas Smith	^[61]
–	–	6	"Slide"	Madeline Merlo	^[62]
–	–	10	"Slip"	Shawn Austin
–	–	6	"Small Town Somethin'"	High Valley
–	–	7	"Talk to Time"	Tim Hicks	^[63]
–	–	5	"Take Me Backroad"	Tim and the Glory Boys (featuring High Valley)
–	–	8	"The Road That Raised You Up"	Jason Blaine	^[64]
43	—	1	"Trouble"	Josh Ross
–	–	11	"Watch It"	Brett Kissel	^[65]
–	–	15	"You Ain't"	Aaron Goodvin (featuring Meghan Patrick)	^[66]
–	–	4	"You Got the Wrong Guy"	Dean Brody	^[67]

Top new album releases

See also: List of Top Country Albums number ones of 2023.

See also: List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2023.

	Album	Artist	Record Label	Release Date	Reference
1	The Mockingbird & the Crow	Hardy	Big Loud	January 20	^[68]
8	Tyler Hubbard	Tyler Hubbard	EMI Nashville	January 27	^[69]
2	Queen of Me	Shania Twain	Republic	February 3	^[70]
3	Bluebird Days	Jordan Davis	MCA Nashville	February 17	^[71]
1	One Thing at a Time	Morgan Wallen	Big Loud/Republic/Mercury	March 3	^[72]
2	Gettin' Old	Luke Combs	Columbia Nashville	March 24	^[73]
5	Nate Smith	Nate Smith	Arista Nashville	April 28	^[74]
10	Lucky	Megan Moroney	Columbia Nashville	May 5	^[75]
3	Religiously. The Album.	Bailey Zimmerman	Warner Nashville	May 12	^[76]
2	Whitsitt Chapel	Jelly Roll	BBR Music Group	June 2	^[77]
1	Speak Now (Taylor's Version)	Taylor Swift	Republic	July 7	^[78]
1	Zach Bryan	Zach Bryan	Warner	August 25	^[79]
9	A Cat in the Rain	Turnpike Troubadours	Bossier City/Thirty Tigers	August 25	^[80]
4	Rustin' in the Rain	Tyler Childers	Hickman Holler/RCA	September 8	^[81]
9	Bigger Houses	Dan + Shay	Warner Nashville	September 15	^[82]
3	Boys of Faith (EP)	Zach Bryan	Warner	September 22
7	20 Number Ones	Thomas Rhett	Valory	September 29	^[83]
2	Equal Strain On All Parts	Jimmy Buffett	Mailboat/Sun	November 3	^[84]
6	Highway Desperado	Jason Aldean	Macon/Broken Bow/BMG	November 3	^[85]
5	Leather	Cody Johnson	CoJo/Warner Nashville	November 3	^[86]
1	Higher	Chris Stapleton	Mercury Nashville	November 10	^[87]
1	Rockstar	Dolly Parton	Butterfly/Big Machine	November 17	^[88]

Other top albums

	Album	Artist	Record Label	Release Date	Reference
30	Strays	Margo Price	Loma Vista	January 13	^[89]
11	Come Get Your Wife	Elle King	RCA Nashville	January 27	^[90]
36	I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell	Chase Rice	Broken Bow	February 10	^[91]
11	Rolling Up the Welcome Mat (EP)	Kelsea Ballerini	Black River	February 10	^[92]
14	Gravel & Gold	Dierks Bentley	Capitol Nashville	February 24	^[93]
23	Celebrants	Nickel Creek	Repair/Thirty Tigers	March 24	^[94]
46		Carly Pearce	Big Machine	March 24	^[95]
43	The Monument Singles Collection: 1964-1968	Dolly Parton	Monument/Legacy	April 21
38	Damn Love	Kip Moore	MCA Nashville	April 28	^[96]
25	Stray Dog	Justin Moore	Valory	May 5	^[97]
12	Never Enough	Parker McCollum	MCA Nashville	May 12	^[98]
13	Memory Lane	Old Dominion	Three Up Three Down/Columbia Nashville	June 23 October 6	^[99]
27	Blacktop	Corey Kent	RCA Nashville	June 2	^[100]
17	Little Songs	Colter Wall	La Honda/RCA	July 14	^[101]
39	Across the Sheets	Brett Young	BMLG	August 4	^[102]
12	Pretty Little Poison	Warren Zeiders	Warner Nashville	August 18	^[103]
17	Standing Room Only	Tim McGraw	Big Machine	August 25	^[104]
45	Psychopath	Morgan Wade	Ladylike/RCA Nashville	August 25
28	The Devil I Know	Ashley McBryde	Warner Nashville	September 8	^[105]
28	Brothers Osborne	Brothers Osborne	EMI Nashville	September 15	^[106]
40	Million Eyes	Sam Barber	Atlantic/Lockeland Springs	September 22	^[107]
47	Killed the Cowboy	Dustin Lynch	BBR Music Group	September 29	^[108]
27	Carolyn's Boy	Darius Rucker	Capitol Nashville	October 6	^[109]
37	I'll Be a Bartender (EP)	Dylan Scott	Curb	October 6	^[110]
25	Not That Fancy	Reba McEntire	MCA Nashville	October 6	^[111]
15	Ain't My Last Rodeo	Riley Green	BMLG	October 13	^[112]
39	No Better Time	Dylan Gossett	Mercury/Republic	October 27	^[113]
45	A Tribute to The Judds	Various artists	Broken Bow/BMG	October 27
34	Greatest Hits	Willie Nelson	Legacy	November 3	^[114]
15		Various artists	Lionsgate/Geffen/IGA	November 17	^[115]

Hall of Fame inductees

(announced on April 3, 2023)^[116]

• Bob McDill
• Patty Loveless
• Tanya Tucker

(announced on July 18, 2023)^[117]

• Jason McCoy
• Brian Edwards

(announced on July 19, 2023)^[118]

• Sam Bush
• Wilma Lee Cooper
• David Grisman

(announced on August 3, 2023)^[119]

• Casey Beathard
• Kix Brooks
• Rafe Van Hoy
• David Lee Murphy
• Keith Urban

Deaths

• January 4 – Stan Hitchcock, 86, singer-songwriter and co-founder of CMT^[120]
• January 5 – Mark Capps, 54, sound engineer, record producer and son of musician Jimmy Capps (shot by SWAT team)^[121]
• January 8 – Slim Newton, 90, Australian country music singer-songwriter (The Redback on the Toilet Seat)^[122]
• January 9 – Dick Flood, 90, singer-songwriter and naturalist^[123]
• January 12 – Lisa Marie Presley, 54, singer-songwriter and only child of Elvis Presley.^[124]
• January 26 – Peter McCann, 74, singer-songwriter ("Nobody Falls Like a Fool", "She's Single Again") ^[125]
• January 30 – Pat Bunch, 83, songwriter ("I'll Still Be Loving You", "Safe in the Arms of Love", "Wild One") ^[126]
• February 8 – Burt Bacharach, 94, pianist-composer ("The Story of My Life" and "Any Day Now" on the country charts)^[127]
• February 17 – Kyle Jacobs, 49, songwriter ("More Than a Memory") and husband of Kellie Pickler^{[128] [129]}
• March 4 – Michael Rhodes, 69, session bass guitarist^[130]
• March 26 – Ray Pillow, 85, veteran Grand Ole Opry member ("I'll Take the Dog")^[131]
• April 23 – Keith Gattis, 52, singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer^[132]
• April 28 – Claude Gray, 91, American singer-songwriter ("Family Bible)".^[133]
• May 1 – Gordon Lightfoot, 84, Canadian singer-songwriter ("If You Could Read My Mind", "Sundown", "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald")^[134]
• May 16 – Richard Landis, 77, American record producer, songwriter, and record executive^[135]
• May 25 – Joy McKean, 93, singer-songwriter and manager known as the "Queen of Australian country music", notable for penning the hit "Lights on the Hill", and her work with her husband Slim Dusty and daughter Anne Kirkpatrick.^[136]
• June 23 – Jesse McReynolds, 93, innovative bluegrass singer and mandolinist and the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• June 27 – Bobby Osborne, 91, American bluegrass singer, co-founder of the Osborne Brothers and a member of the Grand Ole Opry. (Rocky Top).^[137]
• July 17 – Jerry Bradley, 83, music executive and producer^[138]
• August 11 – Shoji Tabuchi, 79, Japanese-American fiddler, cancer.^[139]
• August 18 – Vernon Oxford, 81, American country music singer.
• September 1 – Jimmy Buffett, 76, American singer-songwriter ("Come Monday", "Margaritaville", "Cheeseburger in Paradise"), Merkel-cell carcinoma
• September 10 – Charlie Robison, 59, singer-songwriter, cardiac arrest.^[140]
• September 18 – Bob Corbin, 72, songwriter ("Can't Keep a Good Man Down") and former member of Corbin/Hanner^[141]
• September 22 – Mike Henderson, 70, singer-songwriter and guitarist known for his work with Chris Stapleton and the SteelDrivers^[142]
• October 9 – Buck Trent, 85, American country music instrumentalist.^[143]
• October 23 – Mervin Shiner, 102, American country singer ("Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me"), songwriter and guitarist.^[144]
• October 28 – Bill Rice, 84, American country music singer and songwriter.^[145]
• December 7 – Terry Baucom, 71, American bluegrass singer and banjo player (Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out), complications from Alzheimer's disease.^[146]
• December 22 – Laura Lynch, 65, American country music singer and musician & founding member of the Dixie Chicks, car crash.^[147]

Major awards

(presented on September 16, 2023)^[148]

• Entertainer of the Year - Jade Eagleson
• Fans' Choice - James Barker Band
• Album of the Year - Tim and the Glory Boys (Tim and the Glory Boys)
• Alternative Country Album of the Year - A Traveler's Lament (Kyle McKearney)
• Male Artist of the Year - Jade Eagleson
• Female Artist of the Year - Tenille Townes
• Group or Duo of the Year - James Barker Band
• Breakthrough Artist or Group of the Year - Josh Ross
• Single of the Year - "Right on Time" (Lindsay Ell)
• Songwriter of the Year - "The Thing That Wrecks You" (Bryan Adams, Daniel Tashian, Kate York, Tenille Townes)
• Musical Collaboration of the Year - "Do This Life" (High Valley and Alison Krauss) and "One Too" (Dallas Smith and MacKenzie Porter)
• Video of the Year - "Float" (Tim and the Glory Boys)
• Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year - Good Ol' Days (The Reklaws)
• Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year - "Dear Alcohol" (Dax)
• Producer of the Year - Danick Dupelle
• Guitar Player of the Year - Brennan Wall
• Bass Player of the Year - Justin Kudding
• Drummer of the Year - Rich DaSilva
• Fiddle Player of the Year - Julie Kennedy
• Steel Guitar Player of the Year - Doug Johnson
• Keyboard Player of the Year - Brendan Waters
• Specialty Instrument Player of the Year - Mitch Jay
• Top Selling International Album - One Thing at a Time (Morgan Wallen)

(presented on April 2, 2023)

• Video of the Year

"Thank God" (Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown)

• Male Video of the Year: "Son of a Sinner" (Jelly Roll)
• Female Video of the Year: "Heart Like a Truck" (Lainey Wilson)
• Duo/Group Video of the Year: "Out in the Middle" (Zac Brown Band)
• Collaborative Video of the Year: "Wait in the Truck" (Hardy featuring Lainey Wilson)
• Male Breakthrough Video of the Year: "Son of a Sinner" (Jelly Roll)
• Female Breakthrough Video of the Year: "Tennessee Orange" (Megan Moroney)
• CMT Performance of the Year: "'Til You Can't" (Cody Johnson)
• CMT Digital-First Performance of the Year: "Son of a Sinner" (Jelly Roll)
• Equal Play Award: Shania Twain

(presented on February 4, 2024)

• Best Country Solo Performance – "White Horse" (Chris Stapleton)
• Best Country Duo/Group Performance – "I Remember Everything" (Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves)
• Best Country Song – "White Horse" (Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson)
• Best Country Album – Bell Bottom Country (Lainey Wilson)
• Best Bluegrass Album – City of Gold (Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway)
• Best Americana Album – Weathervanes (Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit)
• Best American Roots Performance – "Eve was Black" (Allison Russell)
• Best Americana Performance – "Dear Insecurity" (Brandy Clark featuring Brandi Carlile)
• Best American Roots Song – "Cast Iron Skillet" (Jason Isbell)

(presented on March 24, 2023)^[149]

• Country Album of the Year - Ahead of Our Time (James Barker Band)

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gary Mule Deer, Henry Cho invited to join Grand Ole Opry . 2023-01-08 . 2023-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304111340/https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2023/01/07/gary-mule-deer-henry-cho-invited-to-join-grand-ole-opry/69787019007/ . live .
2. Gabby Barrett, Lainey Wilson, And Carly Pearce Achieve Chart Milestone At Country Radio: 'Let's Go Girls'. Madeleine. O'Connell. Country Now. January 23, 2023. January 23, 2023. January 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123181425/https://countrynow.com/gabby-barrett-lainey-wilson-and-carly-pearce-achieve-chart-milestone-at-country-radio-lets-go-girls/. live.
3. Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown Top Country Airplay Chart With 'Thank God'. Asker. Jim. February 10, 2023. February 11, 2023. subscription. Billboard. February 11, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230211004931/https://www.billboard.com/pro/kane-brown-katelyn-brown-top-country-airplay-chart-thank-god/. live.
4. Lambert . Miranda . Miranda Lambert . mirandalambert . 1636098741089325058 . March 15, 2023 . https://t.co/iuKlT4IXoa . March 28, 2023.
5. Web site: How Nashville's Livestreaming 'Love Rising' Concert is Taking on Tennessee's LGBTQ-Targeting Laws with Music and Joy . 20 March 2023 .
6. Web site: Sony Music Dissolves Arista Nashville Label . Variety . March 23, 2023 . March 27, 2023 . Jem Aswad.
7. Web site: The Band Perry Announces Hiatus and Says Members Will Focus on 'Individual Creative Pursuits' . 2023-03-27 . Peoplemag . en.
8. Web site: 4 Runner Is 'Back Runnin" With New Album After Two Decades . MusicRow . March 16, 2023 . March 31, 2023.
9. Web site: Granger Smith Is Leaving Country Music to Focus on Ministry: 'A New Direction for My Life' (Exclusive) . 2023-04-11 . Peoplemag . en.
10. Web site: Simmons . Scott . 2023-04-24 . Country music star Morgan Wallen cancels Oxford show as fans waited for the performance to begin . 2023-04-28 . WAPT . en-US.
11. opry . 1652170941504319500 . BREAKING: @OfficialJackson has just invited @JonPardi to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry via video at @Stagecoach!.
12. Web site: Country Star Jimmie Allen Sued for Assault and Sexual Abuse by Former Manager (EXCLUSIVE) . Variety . May 11, 2023 . May 11, 2023 . Elizabeth Wagmeister.
13. Web site: Country Star Jimmie Allen Suspended by Label Following Sexual Assault Lawsuit From Ex-Manager. Melinda Newman. May 11, 2023. Billboard.com. May 11, 2023.
14. Web site: Rosenbloom . Alli . Reba McEntire joins 'The Voice' as a coach as Blake Shelton wraps up final season . CNN . 15 May 2023 . 15 May 2023.
15. Web site: CMA Fest Celebrates Milestone 50th Anniversary June 8–11 In Nashville. March 6, 2023. Country Music Association. May 12, 2023.
16. Web site: Rosanne Cash, John Leventhal Launch New Label RumbleStrip Records. Tina Benitez-Eves. June 28, 2023. American Songwriter. June 28, 2023.
17. Tracy Chapman Will Become the First Black Woman to Score a Number One Country Song as Sole Writer . . 30 June 2023 .
18. Web site: Diamond Rio Returns With 'The Kick' & Two New Members . MusicRow . July 7, 2023 . July 8, 2023 . Lorie Hollabaugh.
19. Web site: Kaur . Brahmjot . Miranda Lambert fan says she was called out called out for taking a photo during concert . NBC News . 17 July 2023 . 17 July 2023.
20. Web site: Jason Aldean Sees Backlash For Music Video About Guns And Police Protesters . Forbes . July 18, 2023 . July 19, 2023 . William Skipworth.
21. Web site: Bill Anderson to be Honored as Longest-Serving Grand Ole Opry Member . 6 July 2023 .
22. Jason Aldean's 'Try That in a Small Town' Tops Hot 100, as Country Hits Rank at Nos. 1, 2 & 3 for First Time . .
23. Web site: Ty Herndon Marries Alex Schwartz in Scenic Tennessee Farm Wedding: All the Details! (Exclusive) . People . August 27, 2023 . August 27, 2023 . Jordan Greene, Emily Strohm.
24. Luke Combs Makes History by Claiming Top Two Spots on Country Airplay Chart. Asker. Jim. September 1, 2023. September 29, 2023. Billboard. subscription.
25. Web site: Maren Morris Says She's Leaving Country Music: 'Chosen to Step Outside' of 'Drama Within the Community' . 2023-09-15 . Peoplemag . en.
26. Web site: GMEmusic . 2023-06-06 . RONNIE MILSAP ANNOUNCES FINAL NASHVILLE SHOW . 2023-07-06 . Ronnie Milsap . en-US.
27. Web site: Sara Evans inducted as latest member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Tennessean.
28. Web site: Scotty McCreery invited by Garth Brooks to become newest Grand Ole Opry member. The Tennessean.
29. New Old-Fashioned No. 1: Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Tops Hot 100, 65 Years After Its Release. Gary. Trust. . December 4, 2023.
30. Shah, Simmone (December 6, 2023). "Taylor Swift Makes History as Person of the Year". TIME. Retrieved December 6, 2023. https://time.com/6343069/taylor-swift-history-person-of-the-year/
31. Keith Urban - Chart History. Billboard. May 14, 2023.
32. Zach Bryan - Chart History. Billboard. March 27, 2023.
33. Parker McCollum - Chart History. Billboard. May 14, 2023.
34. Lainey Wilson - Chart History. Billboard. March 31, 2023.
35. Diplo - Chart History. Billboard. September 26, 2023.
36. Jordan Davis - Chart History. Billboard. June 25, 2023.
37. Web site: Oliver Anthony Music's 'Rich Men North of Richmond' Makes Historic Start at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs Chart . Billboard . 2023-08-22 . 2023-09-24.
38. Tim McGraw - Chart History. Billboard. November 26, 2023.
39. Kane Brown - Chart History. Billboard. March 27, 2023.
40. Jason Aldean - Chart History. Billboard. March 27, 2023.
41. Carly Pearce - Chart History. Billboard. March 27, 2023.
42. • "Back to Drinkin' Whiskey": Canada Country chart for July 15, 2023. Billboard . July 11, 2023. subscription.
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43. • "Budweiser": Canada Country chart for April 1, 2023. Billboard . March 28, 2023. subscription.
44. • "Chasing Tornadoes": Canada Country chart for September 30, 2023. Billboard . September 26, 2023. subscription.
45. • "You Ain't": Canada Country chart for March 25, 2023. Billboard . March 22, 2023. subscription.
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46. High Valley - Chart History. Billboard. December 15, 2023. November 25, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231125175518/https://www.billboard.com/artist/high-valley/chart-history/ . live.
47. Tenille Arts - Chart History. Billboard. March 11, 2023. January 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230128232045/https://www.billboard.com/artist/tenille-arts/chart-history/. live.
48. • "Good Ol' Days": Canada Country chart for June 17, 2023. Billboard . June 13, 2023. subscription.
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49. • "Greatest Show on Dirt": Canada Country chart for September 16, 2023. Billboard . September 13, 2023. subscription.
50. • "Heartbreaker": Canada Country chart for October 21, 2023. Billboard . October 17, 2023. subscription.
51. • "I Run on Country": Canada Country chart for August 12, 2023. Billboard . August 8, 2023. subscription.
52. Tenille Townes - Chart History. Billboard. December 31, 2022. January 4, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230104161150/https://www.billboard.com/artist/tenille-townes/chart-history/. live.
53. • "Love Me Like an Outlaw": Canada Country chart for December 23, 2023. Billboard. December 19, 2023. subscription.
54. • "Meet Your Mama": Canada Country chart for May 20, 2023. Billboard . May 16, 2023. subscription.
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55. Matt Lang - Chart History. Billboard. January 29, 2023. October 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221031192128/https://www.billboard.com/artist/matt-lang/chart-history/. live.
56. • "On a Different Night": Canada Country chart for February 18, 2023. Billboard. February 14, 2023. subscription. February 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230214134414/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canada-country/2023-02-18/. live.
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57. • "Outta Yours": Canada Country chart for July 29, 2023. Billboard . July 25, 2023. subscription.
58. • "Rodeo Queen": Canada Country chart for August 5, 2023. Billboard . August 3, 2023. subscription.
59. • "Second Guessing": Canada Country chart for May 6, 2023. Billboard . May 2, 2023. subscription.
60. • "Slip": Canada Country chart for February 18, 2023. Billboard. February 14, 2023. subscription. February 14, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230214134414/https://www.billboard.com/charts/canada-country/2023-02-18/. live.
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61. Dallas Smith - Chart History . live . Billboard . https://web.archive.org/web/20231125175732/https://www.billboard.com/artist/dallas-smith/chart-history/. November 25, 2023 . December 22, 2023.
62. • "Slide": Canada Country chart for April 29, 2023. Billboard . April 25, 2023. subscription.
63. • "Talk to Time": Canada Country chart for July 15, 2023. Billboard . July 11, 2023. subscription.
64. • "The Road That Raised You Up": Canada Country chart for October 7, 2023. Billboard . October 3, 2023. subscription.
65. Brett Kissel - Chart History. Billboard. December 15, 2023. December 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231208183644/https://www.billboard.com/artist/brett-kissel/chart-history/ . live.
66. • "You Ain't": Canada Country chart for March 25, 2023. Billboard . March 22, 2023. subscription.
67. • "You Got the Wrong Guy": Canada Country chart for March 11, 2023. Billboard . March 7, 2023. subscription.
68. Hardy - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
69. Tyler Hubbard - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
70. Shania Twain - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
71. Jordan Davis - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
72. Morgan Wallen - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
73. Luke Combs - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
74. Top Country Albums: Week of May 13, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
75. Top Country Albums: Week of May 20, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
76. Bailey Zimmerman - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
77. Jelly Roll - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
78. Taylor Swift - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
79. Zach Bryan - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
80. Top Country Albums: Week of September 9, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
81. Tyler Childers - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
82. Dan + Shay - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
83. Thomas Rhett - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
84. Jimmy Buffett - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 14, 2023.
85. Jason Aldean - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 14, 2023.
86. Cody Johnson - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 14, 2023.
87. Chris Stapleton - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 14, 2023.
88. Dolly Parton - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 27, 2023.
89. Margo Price - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
90. Elle King - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
91. Chase Rice - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
92. Kelsea Ballerini - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
93. Dierks Bentley - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
94. Nickel Creek - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
95. Carly Pearce - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
96. Kip Moore - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
97. Justin Moore - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
98. Parker McCollum - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
99. Old Dominion - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 16, 2023.
100. Top Country Albums: Week of June 17, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
101. Top Country Albums: Week of July 29, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
102. Brett Young - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
103. Top Country Albums: Week of September 2, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
104. Tim McGraw - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
105. Ashley McBryde - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
106. Brothers Osborne - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
107. Top Country Albums: Week of October 7, 2023. Billboard. October 13, 2023.
108. Dustin Lynch - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 13, 2023.
109. Darius Rucker - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 16, 2023.
110. Dylan Scott - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 17, 2023.
111. Reba McEntire - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. October 16, 2023.
112. Riley Green - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 14, 2023.
113. Top Country Albums: Week of November 11, 2023. Billboard. November 14, 2023.
114. Willie Nelson - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. November 14, 2023.
115. Top Country Albums: Week of December 2, 2023. Billboard. December 5, 2023.
116. Tanya Tucker, Patty Loveless Lead Country Music Hall of Fame's 2023 Inductees. Stephen L.. Betts. Rolling Stone. April 3, 2023.
117. Web site: Canadian Country Music Assoc. To Induct Jason McCoy into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame . 23 July 2023 .
118. Web site: SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2023 IBMA AWARDS NOMINEES AND BLUEGRASS MUSIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES. 19 July 2022 .
119. Web site: The Tennessean .
120. Web site: Country-TV Singing Star Stan Hitchcock Passes. MusicRow. January 11, 2023. January 13, 2023. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113024808/https://musicrow.com/2023/01/country-tv-singing-star-stan-hitchcock-passes/. live.
121. Web site: Grammy-winning recording engineer fatally shot by Nashville police . . 6 January 2023 . 2023-01-06 . 2023-01-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230106215529/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/mark-capps-death-grammy-nashville-police-shot-b2257478.html . live .
122. Web site: Slim Newton dies: Country star known for redback on toilet seat dies at 90 . 2023-01-13 . 2023-01-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230110113133/https://newstimesuk.com/2023/01/10/slim-newton-dies-country-star-known-for-redback-on-toilet-seat-dies-at-90/ . live .
123. Web site: Remembering GPB TV documentarian Okefenokee Joe. Georgia Public Broadcasting. January 10, 2023. January 13, 2023. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113025018/https://www.gpb.org/news/2023/01/10/remembering-gpb-tv-documentarian-okefenokee-joe. live.
124. Web site: Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after hospitalization. Associated Press. January 12, 2023. January 13, 2023. January 13, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230113024916/http://apnews.com/article/health-lisa-marie-presley-priscilla-elvis-los-angeles-4cbc26cfe1a7bf0b41f21f0f0f6c677b. live.
125. Web site: Hit Songwriter Peter McCann Dies At Age 74. February 1, 2023. MusicRow. February 4, 2023. February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201222817/https://musicrow.com/2023/02/hit-songwriter-peter-mccann-dies-at-age-74/. live.
126. Web site: Hit Songwriter Pat Bunch Passes. Oermann. Robert K. MusicRow. February 8, 2023. February 9, 2023. February 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230209060500/https://musicrow.com/2023/02/hit-songwriter-pat-bunch-passes/. live.
127. News: Burt Bacharach, Composer Who Added a High Gloss to the '60's, Dies at 94 - The New York Times . The New York Times . February 11, 2023 . February 11, 2023 . February 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230211071907/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/09/arts/music/burt-bacharach-dead.html . live . Holden . Stephen .
128. Web site: Kellie Pickler's Husband Kyle Jacobs Dead After Apparent Suicide at Age 49. Patterson. Charmaine. People.com. February 17, 2023. February 17, 2023. February 18, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230218011234/https://people.com/music/kellie-pickler-husband-kyle-jacobs-dead-apparent-suicide/. live.
129. Web site: Hume . Ashley . 2023-02-17 . Kellie Pickler's husband Kyle Jacobs dead at 49 after apparent suicide: police . 2023-02-18 . Fox News . en-US . 2023-02-18 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230218023457/https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/kellie-picklers-husband-kyle-jacobs-dead-apparent-suicide-police . live .
130. Michael Rhodes, Esteemed Bassist and Nashville Session Musician, Dies at 69 . .
131. Web site: Ray Pillow Obituary. March 27, 2023. March 28, 2023. legacy.com.
132. Web site: Country Music Artist Keith Gattis Dead at 52 . April 23, 2023 . . April 24, 2023.
133. Web site: Mr. Claude Gray Jr. . Crawford-A.Crim . April 29, 2023 . April 29, 2023.
134. News: May 1, 2023 . Canadian folk music icon Gordon Lightfoot dead at 84 . CBC News . May 1, 2023.
135. Web site: Renowned Nashville Music Exec. Richard Landis Passes . 17 May 2023 .
136. Joy McKean, Australian Country Music Trailblazer, Dies at 93 . .
137. Web site: Bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne dies at 91 . 2023-06-27 . The Tennessean . en-US.
138. Web site: Country Music Hall Of Famer Jerry Bradley Passes . 18 July 2023 .
139. Web site: Longtime Branson entertainer dies at age 79. August 12, 2023.
140. Web site: 2023-09-10 . Country singer-songwriter Charlie Robison dies in Texas at age 59 . 2023-09-10 . KXAN Austin . en-US.
141. Web site: Renowned singer/songwriter Bob Corbin is remembered, along with his wife . The Leader Times . September 22, 2023 . October 8, 2023.
142. Web site: Mike Henderson, Hit Country Songwriter and Founding Member of The SteelDrivers, Dead at 69. Lorie. Liebig. September 23, 2023. American Songwriter.
143. 2023-10-10 . Buck Trent, Country Music Instrumentalist, Dies at 85 . 2023-10-11 . Billboard.
144. Web site: Merv Shiner Obituary - Tampa, FL. Dignity Memorial.
145. Web site: Country Songwriting Great Bill Rice Passes. Robert K.. Oermann. November 1, 2023.
146. Web site: Terry Baucom, Duke of Drive, passes. John. Lawless. December 7, 2023.
147. Web site: Dixie Chicks founding member Laura Lynch dies in head-on Texas car crash . 2023-12-23 . USA TODAY . en-US.
148. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20230918033611/https://ccma.org/2023-ccma-award-winners/. September 18, 2023. September 16, 2023. Canadian Country Music Association. OFFICIAL 2023 CCMA AWARDS PRESENTED BY TD WINNERS.
149. Web site: Junos 2024: full list of winners". CBC Music. March 23, 2024.