2024 in country music explained
This is a list of notable events in country music that will take place in 2024.
Events
- January 2 – John Michael Montgomery announces his retirement from touring, with his final tour dates scheduled for the end of 2025.[1]
- January 3 – Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys announces his retirement from touring; Ben James finished the Oaks farewell tour in his place.[2]
- January 19 – Elle King made headlines after taking to the Grand Ole Opry stage while heavily intoxicated during a Dolly Parton tribute show, in honor of Parton's 78th birthday. She later cancelled several of her own concerts in the wake of the incident. Parton subsequently came to King's defense during an interview with Extra, and King resumed performing in March.[3]
- March 10 – The UK Country Airplay chart, the first ever genre-specific radio chart in the United Kingdom, debuts its inaugural list, with "Creek Will Rise" by Conner Smith claiming the title of first number one single.[4]
- April 8 – Morgan Wallen is arrested for reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct after throwing a chair off the sixth floor of Eric Church's rooftop bar in downtown Nashville. He was charged with three felonies and a misdemeanor and is due to appear in court on May 3 in between performances at Nissan Stadium.[5]
- April 20 – Scotty McCreery is inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry by his childhood hero Josh Turner. McCreery was invited in December 2023 by Garth Brooks.[6]
- April 24 – Miranda Lambert signs a joint record deal with Republic Records and Big Loud.[7]
- April 26–28 – The 2024 edition of Stagecoach Festival takes place at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, featuring headline performances from Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, and Morgan Wallen.[8]
- May 3 – T. Graham Brown is inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He was invited by Vince Gill earlier in the year during his guest appearance on Brown's Sirius XM radio show.[9]
- May 3 – Randy Travis releases "Where That Came From", his first new recording in over a decade with the help of AI software to recreate his vocals following a series of strokes and health issues that left him unable to sing.[10] It would go on to chart on both the Billboard Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay charts, becoming Travis' first solo charting single in nearly two decades since "Angels" in 2005.
- May 21 – Lainey Wilson is surprised by Reba McEntire on the season finale of NBC's The Voice with an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry.[11] She was subsequently inducted by Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks on June 7.
- June 4 – Lukas Nelson announces that his band, Promise of the Real, would be going on hiatus so that the members can pursue their own projects.[12]
- June 15 – George Strait's concert at Kyle Field in Texas becomes the most-attended ticketed show in US history, with 110,905 fans in attendance. The record was previously held by the Grateful Dead, who played for 107,019 people at Raceway Park in 1977.[13]
- June 27 – Raul Malo, lead singer of the Mavericks, announces that he has been diagnosed with colon cancer and that the band will have to reschedule or cancel several shows in 2024 while he undergoes treatment.[14]
- June 30 – Shania Twain performed in the traditional Legend's slot at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival, the first country artist to perform in the slot since Dolly Parton in 2014.[15]
- July 5 – The War and Treaty go public about a racist incident where a cotton plant was placed in their dressing room at the Coca-Cola Sips and Sounds Music Festival in Austin, Texas. The band stated that this was only in their dressing room and left them angry and upset based on the history of the plant in regards to black American history. They left the festival immediately after their set and spoke to their young son, who encouraged them to speak up.[16]
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 2024:
See also: List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2024.
See also: List of number-one country singles of 2024 (Canada).
Singles released by American and Australian artists
Singles released by Canadian artists
Top new album releases
See also: List of Top Country Albums number ones of 2024.
See also: List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2024.
Other top albums
Announced
Hall of Fame inductees
(announced on March 18, 2024)[126]
(announced on June 26, 2024)[127]
Deaths
- January – Audie Blaylock, 61, American bluegrass singer and guitarist (death announced on January 12).[128]
- January 5 – Larry Collins, 79, American rockabilly guitarist, songwriter ("Delta Dawn") and member of the Collins Kids, natural causes.[129]
- January 13 – Jo-El Sonnier, 77, American singer-songwriter and accordionist ("Tear Stained Letter", "No More One More Time"), heart attack.[130]
- January 23 – Margo Smith, 84, American country singer ("Don't Break the Heart That Loves You", "It Only Hurts for a Little While"), complications of stroke.[131]
- February 5 – Toby Keith, 62, American country singer-songwriter and one of the most successful artists of the 1990s and 2000s ("Red Solo Cup", "How Do You Like Me Now?!", "Should've Been a Cowboy" and a plethora of other hits), stomach cancer.[132]
- February 22 – Roni Stoneman, 85, bluegrass musician, member of the Stoneman Family, and Hee Haw cast member.[133]
- March 31 – Norah Lee Allen, 76, background singer at the Grand Ole Opry and wife of Duane Allen.[134]
- April 2 – Jerry Abbott, 81, American country songwriter and musician.[135]
- May 6 – Wayland Holyfield, 82, American songwriter ("Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)", "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer", "You're My Best Friend").[136]
- June 8 – Mark James, 83, American songwriter ("Suspicious Minds", "Always on My Mind").[137]
- June 27 – Kinky Friedman, 79, American singer-songwriter and humorist, Parkinson's disease.[138]
- July 1 – Rusty Golden, 65, American singer, son of the Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden and member of the Goldens.[139]
- July 9 – Joe Bonsall, 76, longtime member of the Oak Ridge Boys (tenor vocal), complications from ALS.[140]
- July 10 – Dave Loggins, 76, pop and country singer ("Please Come to Boston", "Nobody Loves Me Like You Do").[141]
- July 20 – Sandy Posey, 80, American pop, country and gospel singer, complications from dementia.[142]
- August 16 – Bobby Hicks, 91, American Hall of Fame bluegrass fiddler, complications from a heart attack.[143]
Notes and References
- Web site: Country Hitmaker John Michael Montgomery Reveals Retirement With Farewell Tour Announcement. Clayton. Edwards. January 3, 2024. American Songwriter.
- Web site: 2024-01-03 . Oak Ridge Boys' Joe Bonsall Announces Retirement . 2024-01-05 . countryrebel.com . en-US.
- Web site: Elle King Addresses Her Tipsy Conduct At Grand Ol' Opry Dolly Parton Tribute. Bruce. Haring. March 10, 2024. Deadline.
- Web site: Conner Smith tops UK's first ever Country Radio Airplay Chart. Tom. Eames. March 11, 2024. Smooth Radio.
- Web site: Country singer Morgan Wallen arrested for throwing a chair off rooftop bar. Adrian. Horton. April 8, 2024. The Guardian.
- Web site: Scotty McCreery invited by Garth Brooks to become newest Grand Ole Opry member. The Tennessean.
- Web site: Willman . Chris . 2024-04-23 . Miranda Lambert Signs With Republic, With Partner Label Big Loud Set to Handle Country Promotion . 2024-04-24 . Variety . en-US.
- Web site: Stagecoach 2024 Lineup to Feature Morgan Wallen, Eric Church, Miranda Lambert, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Jelly Roll . . 7 September 2023 .
- Opry . 1773697611653914653 . Someone tell "Darlene"! @TGrahamBrown is joining the Opry family on May 3rd! . March 29, 2024.
- Web site: Making Of Randy Travis' AI-Generated Single Explored In CBS News 'Sunday Morning' Segment. Liza Anderson. May 3, 2024. Music Row. May 3, 2024.
- Web site: Dowling . Marcus K. . Lainey Wilson surprised by Reba during 'The Voice' finale with invite to join the Grand Ole Opry . 2024-05-22 . The Tennessean . en-US.
- Web site: Lukas Nelson's Promise of the Real to Take Hiatus While Singer-Songwriter Continues Solo . 4 June 2024 .
- Dave. Brooks. George Strait Breaks Attendance Record With Largest Concert Ever Held in the U.S.. Billboard. 2024-06-18.
- Web site: Mavericks singer announces he has cancer and then goes to work at Syracuse's Jazz Fest (photos) . Syracuse.com . June 28, 2024 . 28 June 2024 . June 28, 2024.
- News: Beaumont-Thomas . Ben . Dua Lipa, Coldplay and SZA to headline 2024 Glastonbury festival. 2024-03-14. The Guardian. 14 March 2024 . en-US.
- Web site: Joe. Taysom. The War and Treaty detail racist incident backstage at major American festival. Far Out. 2024-07-05.
- Country Airplay. Billboard. April 5, 2024. April 5, 2024.
- Country Songs. Billboard. April 5, 2024. April 5, 2024.
- Canada Country. Billboard. April 5, 2024. April 5, 2024.
- Luke Combs - Chart History. Billboard. August 16, 2024.
- Chris Janson - Chart History. Billboard. February 11, 2024.
- Country Songs chart for June 23, 2024 . August 13, 2024. Billboard.
- Tyler Hubbard - Chart History. Billboard. May 18, 2024.
- Country Songs chart for June 16, 2024 . July 26, 2024 . Billboard.
- Thomas Rhett - Chart History. Billboard. August 13, 2024.
- Nate Smith - Chart History. Billboard. August 9, 2024.
- Parker McCollum - Chart History. Billboard. April 5, 2024.
- Scotty McCreery - Chart History. Billboard. May 5, 2024.
- Old Dominion - Chart History. Billboard. April 28, 2024.
- Dustin Lynch - Chart History. Billboard. August 16, 2024.
- Riley Green - Chart History. Billboard. February 11, 2024.
- Cody Johnson - Chart History. Billboard. August 6, 2024.
- Parmalee - Chart History. Billboard. August 16, 2024.
- Jelly Roll - Chart History. Billboard. June 25, 2024.
- Lainey Wilson - Chart History. Billboard. August 18, 2024.
- Jelly Roll - Chart History. Billboard. August 9, 2024.
- Kane Brown - Chart History. Billboard. March 17, 2024.
- Zach Bryan - Chart History. Billboard. February 6, 2024.
- Tyler Childers - Chart History. Billboard. April 12, 2024.
- Jason Aldean - Chart History. Billboard. July 14, 2024.
- Morgan Wallen - Chart History. Billboard. August 18, 2024.
- Luke Bryan - Chart History. Billboard. August 11, 2024.
- Keith Urban - Chart History. Billboard. July 26, 2024.
- Marshmello - Chart History. Billboard. August 16, 2024.
- Country Airplay: Week of January 6, 2024 . Billboard . January 3, 2024.
- Hot Country Songs: Week of December 30, 2023. Billboard. December 27, 2023.
- Canada Country: Week of January 27, 2024. Billboard. January 23, 2024.
- Tim McGraw - Chart History. Billboard. August 2, 2024.
- Sam Hunt - Chart History. Billboard. May 5, 2024.
- Carrie Underwood - Chart History. Billboard. April 30, 2024.
- Post Malone - Chart History. Billboard. August 16, 2024.
- Dan + Shay - Chart History. Billboard. February 6, 2024.
- Drew Baldridge - Chart History. Billboard. August 18, 2024.
- Kenny Chesney - Chart History. Billboard. June 16, 2024.
- Beyoncé- Chart History. Billboard. March 22, 2024.
- Justin Moore - Chart History. Billboard. August 18, 2024.
- Hardy - Chart History. Billboard. March 22, 2024.
- Jordan Davis - Chart History. Billboard. June 2, 2024.
- Carly Pearce- Chart History. Billboard. June 30, 2024.
- Bailey Zimmerman - Chart History. Billboard. May 24, 2024.
- Chris Stapleton - Chart History. Billboard. February 6, 2024.
- Chris Young - Chart History. Billboard. June 28, 2024.
- Ashley Cooke - Chart History. Billboard. June 25, 2024.
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- Dallas Smith - Chart History . Billboard . July 20, 2024.
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- Brett Kissel - Chart History. Billboard. August 11, 2024.
- High Valley - Chart History . Billboard . May 31, 2024.
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- Kacey Musgraves - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 9, 2024.
- Kenny Chesney - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 9, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. . April 13, 2024. April 9, 2024.
- Anne Wilson - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 30, 2024.
- Shaboozey - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. June 10, 2024.
- Luke Combs - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. June 25, 2024.
- Zach Bryan Biography, Music & News . 2024-07-14 . Billboard . en-US.
- Nicholson . Jessica . 2024-05-02 . Megan Moroney Reveals New Album 'Am I Okay?' Is Coming: 'I Love These Songs So Much' . 2024-05-17 . Billboard . en-US.
- Web site: Cantrell . LB . April 29, 2024 . Koe Wetzel Reveals Details For New Album '9 Lives' . July 19, 2024 . MusicRow.
- Nicholson . Jessica . 2024-05-16 . Luke Combs, Jelly Roll & More Share New Music For 'Twisters' Movie Companion Album . 2024-05-17 . Billboard . en-US.
- Web site: s3.amazonaws.com/bulletins.billboard.com/country/country_update_2024_0805.pdf .
- Web site: Instagram . 2024-06-20 . www.instagram.com.
- Top Country Albums. Billboard. February 10, 2024.
- Gabby Barrett - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. February 17, 2024.
- Blackberry Smoke - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 9, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. . April 13, 2024. April 9, 2024.
- Chris Young - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 9, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. . April 20, 2024. April 23, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. . April 27, 2024. April 23, 2024.
- Riley Green - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 23, 2024.
- Tyler Hubbard - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. April 23, 2024.
- Scotty McCreery - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. May 24, 2024.
- Willie Nelson - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. June 11, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 15, 2024. June 25, 2024.
- Carly Pearce - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. June 22, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. Billboard. June 22, 2024. June 25, 2024.
- Luke Bryan - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. June 24, 2024.
- Top Country Albums. Billboard. July 6, 2024. July 2, 2024.
- Johnny Cash - Chart History (Top Country Albums). Billboard. July 16, 2024.
- Web site: May 10, 2024 . Tigirlily Gold locks in debut album, Blonde . May 11, 2024 . Deltaplex News.
- Web site: LB Cantrell . June 7, 2024 . Ella Langley Readies Debut Album, 'Hungover' . July 17, 2024 . Music Row.
- Web site: Thomas Rhett Details New Album, 'About A Woman', Inpired By His Wife Lauren. Country Now. 7 June 2024 . June 8, 2024.
- Lainey Wilson Talks Creating New Album 'Whirlwind' Amid Chaos: 'We Had to Cut the S–t' . Newman . Melinda . May 9, 2024 . May 9, 2024 . Billboard.
- Web site: MUSIC· . Mary Claire Crabtree·COUNTRY . 2024-05-05 . George Strait Debuts New Song "Honky Tonk Hall Of Fame" With Chris Stapleton, Confirms New Album 'Cowboys & Dreamers' Coming "Soon" . 2024-05-05 . Whiskey Riff . en-US.
- Web site: Old Dominion To Release Curated 'Odies But Goodies' Collection. 7 August 2024. MusicRow . August 18, 2024.
- Miranda Lambert Readies New Album 'Postcards From Texas,' Looks Back at 20 Years of 'Kerosene'. Garret K. Woodward. July 24, 2024. Rolling Stone. July 24, 2024.
- Web site: Brantley Gilbert Previews Forthcoming 'Tattoos' Album With Country-Rap Track, 'Me And My House' Ft. Struggle Jennings And Demun Jones. Country Now. August 16, 2024.
- Web site: Keith Urban Readies Brand-New Album, 'High'. Country Now. July 8, 2024.
- Web site: Dylan Marlowe To Drop Introspective Debut Album, Mid-Twenties Crisis, on September 27. The Country Note. 26 July 2024 . August 16, 2024.
- Web site: Luke Bryan Announces Eighth Studio Album 'Mind of a Country Boy'. Jessica Nicholson. August 8, 2024. Billboard. August 8, 2024.
- Web site: Lana Del Rey announces new country album Lasso. Dunworth. Liberty. NME. February 1, 2024. February 1, 2024.
- Cory Marks // Announce New Album "Sorry For Nothing" And New Single "(Make My) Country Rock". Jace Media. July 27, 2024. July 28, 2024.
- Web site: Justin Moore Announces New Album, 'This Is My Dirt,' Drops New Song, 'The Worst' Featuring Randy Houser. Country Now. August 16, 2024.
- Kelsea Ballerini Reveals Upcoming Album 'Patterns' Is Coming Soon. Nicholson. Jessica. August 8, 2024. August 9, 2024. Billboard.
- Web site: Brad Paisley Releases 'Son Of The Mountains: The First Four Tracks'. 2 October 2023. MusicRow . December 24, 2023.
- Toby Keith Elected Into Country Music Hall of Fame, in Voting That Wrapped Up Days Before His Death. Chris. Willman. Variety. March 18, 2024.
- Web site: Pride of the Prairies k.d. lang to join Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. CTV News. June 26, 2024.
- https://bluegrasstoday.com/audie-blaylock-passes/ Audie Blaylock passes
- News: Renowned Guitarist Larry Collins Passes . 8 January 2024 . Vintage Guitar Magazine . 8 January 2024.
- Web site: Digital . DJ. 2024-01-14 . Louisiana Cajun and Country Legend Jo-El Sonnier Passes Away After Show in Texas . 2024-01-14 . KPEL 96.5 . en.
- News: Former Clark County resident who had No. 1 country hits dies at 84. Springfield News-Sun. January 26, 2024.
- Web site: Country singer Toby Keith dies at 62. Smith. Patrick. February 5, 2024. February 5, 2024. NBC News.
- https://www.remindmagazine.com/article/11192/roni-stoneman-dead-hee-haw-first-lady-of-banjo/ Roni Stoneman, The First Lady of the Banjo, Dies at 85
- Web site: Colurso . Mary . Country legend mourns wife's death over Easter weekend: 'Norah Lee went to be with Jesus' . AL.com . 1 April 2024 . 1 April 2024.
- Web site: Kennelty . Greg . April 3, 2024 . Jerry Abbott, Father Of Dimebag & Vinnie Paul, Dead At 80 . April 4, 2024 . Metal Injection . en-US.
- https://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2024/may/08/writer-of-arkansas-you-run-deep-in-me-dies-at-82/ Writer of ‘Arkansas, You Run Deep in Me’ dies at 82
- Mark James, Songwriter of 'Suspicious Minds,' 'Always on My Mind' and 'Hooked on a Feeling,' Dies at 83. Variety. June 12, 2024.
- News: Kinky Friedman, 79, Dies; Musician and Humorist Slew Sacred Cows . The New York Times . Risen . Clay . 27 June 2024 .
- Web site: Rusty Golden Dies: Country Musician & Songwriter, Son of Oak Ridge Boys' William Lee Golden Was 65 . 2 July 2024 .
- News: Joe Bonsall, Mainstay of Country Music's Oak Ridge Boys for 50 Years, Dies at 76. Willman. Chris. July 9, 2024. July 9, 2024. Variety.
- Web site: David Allen Loggins . . July 11, 2024 . July 11, 2024.
- https://www.msn.com/en-au/health/other/60s-singer-sandy-posey-dies-aged-80-following-dementia-battle/ar-BB1qre2U Sandy Posey, known for iconic 60s hit Born A Woman, dies aged 80
- https://bluegrasstoday.com/bobby-hicks-passes/ Bobby Hicks passes