This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1988.

Events

* May 21 – Country music stars highlight a concert at

Madison Square Garden Madison Square Garden, colloquially known as The Garden or by its initials MSG, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in New York City. It is located in Midtown Manhattan between Seventh and Eighth avenues from 31st to 33rd Street, above Pennsylva ...

in New York City. Featured:

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...

The Judds The Judds were an American country music duo composed of lead vocalist Wynonna Judd and her mother, Naomi Judd. The duo signed to RCA Nashville in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most success ...

George Strait George Harvey Strait Sr. (born May 18, 1952) is an American country music singer, songwriter, actor, and music producer. Strait is considered one of the most influential and popular recording artists of all time. In the 1980s, he was credited for ...

and

Randy Travis Randy Bruce Traywick (born May 4, 1959), known professionally as Randy Travis, is an American country music and gospel music singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor. Active from 1978 until being incapacitated by a stroke in 2013, he has recor ...

. * December – Record producer Jimmy Bowen establishes the Universal Records label.

No dates

* Time-Life Records releases the first volume of its " Country USA" series. The series, which would eventually include 23 volumes, each chronicles one year per volume – 1950 through 1972. Each volume – offered on two record albums, or one

cassette Cassette may refer to: Technology * Cassette tape (or ''musicassette'', ''audio cassette'', ''cassette tape'', or ''tape''), a worldwide standard for analog audio recording and playback ** Cassette single (or "Cassingle"), a music single in the ...

or compact disc – contains liner notes from some of country music's most respected historians. In many cases, the songs offered on each volume represented the first time they had ever been re-released on compact disc. "Country USA" was offered through television and magazine advertisements. *The Country Music Association Awards introduced a new award, ''Vocal Event of the Year'', awarding collaborative efforts by two or more artists who normally don't work together (previously such efforts had to be included with ''Best Duo or Group'' nominations). The first recipient was the group of

Emmylou Harris Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She has released dozens of albums and singles over the course of her career and has won 14 Grammys, the Polar Music Prize, and numerous other honors, including ...

Dolly Parton Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...

, and

Linda Ronstadt Linda Maria Ronstadt (born July 15, 1946) is a retired American singer who performed and recorded in diverse genres including rock, country, light opera, the Great American Songbook, and Latin. She has earned 11 Grammy Awards, three American ...

for their ''Trio'' album. *

MTM Records MTM Records was an American independent record label specializing in country music. It was founded in 1984 as a subsidiary of the production company of the same name owned by actress Mary Tyler Moore. Howard Stark was the label's President, and ...

is sold and disestablished after four years. During its short stay in the music business, two songs released by MTM will top the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' Hot Country Singles chart:

Judy Rodman Judy Mae Rodman (née Robbins; May 23, 1951)California Birth Index, 1905-1995 is an American country music singer and songwriter. In the mid-1980s, she was a successful recording artist; making it all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot C ...

's "

Until I Met You "Until I Met You" is a song written by Hank Riddle and recorded by American country music artist Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six de ...

" (1986) and

S-K-O S-K-O, originally known as Schuyler, Knobloch and Overstreet, was an American country music vocal group consisting of Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch, and Paul Overstreet. The original line-up recorded one album for MTM Records and charted three c ...

's "

Baby's Got a New Baby "Baby's Got a New Baby" is a song written by J. Fred Knobloch and Dan Tyler, and recorded by American country music Country (also called country and western) is a genre of popular music that originated in the Southern and Southwestern Unit ...

" (1987). *

Real Country Real Country is a 24-hour radio format produced by Westwood One. Real Country is marketed at the demographic of men aged 35 to 64. Its programming consists of a fairly broad playlist of "Today's Stars and the Legends." Classic country is the st ...

, a 24-hour satellite music network focusing on

classic country Classic country is a music radio format that specializes in playing mainstream country and western music hits from past decades. Repertoire The radio format specializes in hits from the 1950s through the early 1980s, and focus primarily on innov ...

and

neotraditional country Neotraditional country (also known as new traditional country and hardcore country) is a country music style that emphasizes the instrumental background and a traditional country vocal style. Neo-traditional country artists often dress in the fash ...

, is planned for a 1989 launch by country star Buck Owens out of his Phoenix Arizona radio studios and carried by the Satellite Music Network. It is heard primarily in smaller- and medium-sized markets. Real Country was later sold to ABC Disney which then moved the operations to its radio headquarters in Dallas, Texas. Real Country was later sold to Citadel and is now owned and distributed by Cumulus Media.

Top hits of the year

Singles released by American artists

Singles released by Canadian artists

Top new album releases

Other top albums

On television

Regular series

* ''

Dolly Dolly may refer to: Tools *Dolly (tool), a portable anvil * A posser, also known as a dolly, used for laundering * A variety of wheeled tools, including: **Dolly (trailer), for towing behind a vehicle **Boat dolly or launching dolly, a device fo ...

'' (1987–1988, ABC) * '' Hee Haw'' (1969–1993, syndicated)

Specials

Births

*March 24 – Blanco Brown, country rap/ trap performer best known for 2019's " The Git Up." *March 30 – Jordan Davis, singer of the 2010s (" Singles You Up") *April 29 – Michael Ray, singer-songwriter known for his 2015 debut hit "

Kiss You in the Morning "Kiss You in the Morning" is a song recorded by American country music artist Michael Ray. It was released on February 16, 2015 as the first single from Ray's major-label debut album. The album, self-titled, was released on August 7. The song was ...

". *May 24 – Billy Gilman, the youngest artist to ever have a country hit record (2000's "One Voice"). *July 20 – Julianne Hough, rising country music star and professional dancer, best known for her appearances on ''

Dancing with the Stars ''Dancing with the Stars'' is the name of various international television series based on the format of the British TV series '' Strictly Come Dancing'', which is distributed by BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the forma ...

''. *August 21 – Kacey Musgraves, rising country music star of the 2010s. *November 17 – Reid Perry, member of

The Band Perry The Band Perry are an American band composed of siblings Kimberly Perry (lead vocals, guitar), Reid Perry (bass guitar, background vocals), and Neil Perry (mandolin, bouzouki, background vocals). They signed to Republic Nashville in August 2009 ...

Deaths

*August 24 – Nat Stuckey, 54, singer-songwriter whose biggest hit-making time was the 1960s and 1970s (lung cancer). *September 20 – Leon McAuliffe, 71, prominent member of

Bob Wills James Robert Wills (March 6, 1905 – May 13, 1975) was an American Western swing musician, songwriter, and bandleader. Considered by music authorities as the founder of Western swing, he was known widely as the King of Western Swing (although S ...

' Texas Playboys and a star in his own right. *December 6 –

Roy Orbison Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his impassioned singing style, complex song structures, and dark, emotional ballads. His music was described by critics as ...

, 52, American singer-songwriter and a pioneer of

rock and roll Rock and roll (often written as rock & roll, rock 'n' roll, or rock 'n roll) is a Genre (music), genre of popular music that evolved in the United States during the late 1940s and early 1950s. It Origins of rock and roll, originated from Africa ...

Hall of Fame inductees

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

* Loretta Lynn (born 1932) * Roy Rogers (1911–1998)

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Jack Feeney Jack may refer to: Places * Jack, Alabama, US, an unincorporated community * Jack, Missouri, US, an unincorporated community * Jack County, Texas, a county in Texas, USA People and fictional characters * Jack (given name), a male given name, ...

Major awards

Grammy Awards

*Best Female Country Vocal Performance – " Hold Me",

K. T. Oslin Kay Toinette Oslin (May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer-songwriter. She had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. Oslin had four number one hits and ...

*Best Male Country Vocal Performance – ''

Old 8×10 Old 8×10 is the third studio album by American country music artist Randy Travis. It was released on July 12, 1988 by Warner Records. The album produced the singles "Honky Tonk Moon", "Deeper Than the Holler", "Is It Still Over", and "Promises". ...

'',

*Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal – " Give a Little Love".

*Best Country Collaboration with Vocals – " Crying",

and

k.d. lang Kathryn Dawn Lang (born November 2, 1961), known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop (music), pop and country music, country singer-songwriter and occasional actress. Lang has won Juno Awards and Grammy Awards for her musical perfor ...

*Best Country Instrumental Performance – "Sugarfoot Rag",

Asleep at the Wheel Asleep at the Wheel is an American Western swing group that was formed in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and is based in Austin, Texas. The band has won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception, released over twenty albums, and has charted more t ...

*Best Country Song – "Hold Me", K. T. Oslin *Best Bluegrass Recording – "

Southern Flavor ''Southern Flavor'' is the eighteenth studio album by Bill Monroe, released through MCA Records in 1988. In 1989, the album won Monroe the Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Recording (Vocal or Instrumental), an award currently known as Best Bluegr ...

", Bill Monroe

Juno Awards

*Country Male Vocalist of the Year – Murray McLauchlan *Country Female Vocalist of the Year –

*Country Group or Duo of the Year –

Family Brown Family Brown was a Canadian country music band founded in 1967 by Joe Brown (vocals, bass guitar), along with his son Barry (vocals, guitar) and daughters Lawanda and Tracey (vocals), as well as Dave Dennison (guitar) and Ron Sparling (drums). Betw ...

Academy of Country Music

*Entertainer of the Year –

Hank Williams Jr. Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style is often considered a blend of southern rock, blues, and country. He is the son of ...

*Song of the Year – "

Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses" is a song written by Paul Nelson and Gene Nelson, and recorded by American country music artist Kathy Mattea. It was released in March 1988 as the second single from her album ''Untasted Honey ''Untasted Hone ...

", Charles Nelson and Paul Nelson (Performer: Kathy Mattea) *Single of the Year – "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses," Kathy Mattea *Album of the Year – '' This Woman'',

*Top Male Vocalist –

*Top Female Vocalist – K. T. Oslin *Top Vocal Duo –

*Top Vocal Group –

Highway 101 Highway 101 was an American country music band founded in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. The initial lineup consisted of Paulette Carlson (lead vocals), Jack Daniels (guitar), Curtis Stone (bass guitar, vocals), and Scott "Cactus" Moser (drums) ...

*Top New Male Vocalist –

Rodney Crowell Rodney Crowell (born August 7, 1950) is an American musician, known primarily for his work as a singer and songwriter in country music. Crowell has had five number one singles on Hot Country Songs, all from his 1988 album '' Diamonds & Dirt''. ...

*Top New Female Vocalist –

Suzy Bogguss Susan Kay Bogguss (born December 30, 1956) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She began her career in the 1980s as a solo singer. In the 1990s, six of her songs were Top 10 hits, three albums were certified gold, and one album re ...

*Video of the Year – " Young Country",

(Director: Bill Fishman)

ARIA Awards

''(presented in Sydney on February 29, 1988)'' * Best Country Album – '' This Town'' (

Flying Emus Flying Emus are an Australian country/ bluegrass band that formed in 1984 and released four studio albums, including, '' This Town'', which won an ARIA Award for Best Country Album in 1988. They disbanded in 1990. At the Country Music Awards o ...

) *

ARIA Hall of Fame In music, an aria (Italian: ; plural: ''arie'' , or ''arias'' in common usage, diminutive form arietta , plural ariette, or in English simply air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrumental or orchestral accompanime ...

–

Slim Dusty Slim Dusty, AO MBE (born David Gordon Kirkpatrick; 13 June 1927 – 19 September 2003) was an Australian country music singer-songwriter, guitarist and producer. He was an Australian cultural icon and one of the country's most awarded stars, ...

Canadian Country Music Association

*Entertainer of the Year –

*Male Artist of the Year – Ian Tyson *Female Artist of the Year – k.d. lang *Group of the Year –

*SOCAN Song of the Year – "One Smokey Rose", Tim Taylor (Performer: Anita Perras) *Single of the Year – "One Smokey Rose", Anita Perras *Album of the Year – '' Shadowland'', k.d. lang *Top Selling Album – '' Always & Forever'',

*Vista Rising Star Award –

Blue Rodeo Blue Rodeo is a Canadian country rock band formed in 1984 in Toronto, Ontario. They have released 16 full-length studio albums, four live recordings, one greatest hits album, and two video/DVDs, along with multiple solo albums, side projects, a ...

*Duo of the Year – Anita Perras and Tim Taylor

Country Music Association

*Entertainer of the Year –

*Song of the Year – "

80's Ladies ''80's Ladies'' is the debut studio album by American country music artist K. T. Oslin. It was released by RCA Records in July 1987. "Wall of Tears", the title track, "Do Ya'" and "I'll Always Come Back" were released as singles. The album reached ...

(Performer: K. T. Oslin) *Single of the Year – "

", Kathy Mattea *Album of the Year – ''

Born to Boogie ''Born to Boogie'' is a 1972 British concert film about a concert at the Empire Pool starring T. Rex, Marc Bolan, Ringo Starr and Elton John. Directed by Starr himself, the movie was released on The Beatles' Apple Films label. Content '' ...

'', Hank Williams Jr. *Male Vocalist of the Year –

*Female Vocalist of the Year – K. T. Oslin *Vocal Duo of the Year –

*Vocal Group of the Year –

*Horizon Award –

Ricky Van Shelton Ricky Van Shelton (born January 12, 1952) is an American retired country music singer. Active between 1986 and 2006, he charted more than 20 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Songs charts. This figure includes 10 Number One hits: "Somebod ...

*Vocal Event of the Year –

, and

*Musician of the Year – Chet Atkins

References

External links

Country Music Hall of Fame
{{List of years in country music

Country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

Country music by year

Events

No dates

Top hits of the year

Singles released by American artists

Singles released by Canadian artists

Top new album releases

Other top albums

On television

Regular series

Specials

Births

Deaths

Hall of Fame inductees

Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees

Major awards

Grammy Awards

Juno Awards

Academy of Country Music

ARIA Awards

Canadian Country Music Association

Country Music Association

Further reading

Other links

References

External links