Country Music (year of challanges and opportunity) LONG!
Shock N Awe
NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Country Music entered a building
cycle in 2003 with a decline in the number of superstar releases and the
continued push to develop the next round of Country hitmakers. The overall
music industry was down less than one percent from 2002 once Internet and
digital track sales were factored in according to Nielsen SoundScan research,
but after two years of increased sales -- while the bulk of the industry
slumped -- Country Music sales adjusted down 9.8 percent in 2003.
"As an industry, we face the same challenges as all musical formats, but
in 2003 we didn't have the same number of superstar releases that we had in
2002 when Kenny Chesney, the Dixie Chicks, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw and Shania
Twain all had new releases, which have an impact on consumer awareness and the
number of albums sold," said Ed Benson, CMA Executive Director. "Fortunately,
we had success with albums by Alan Jackson and in the fourth quarter with Toby
Keith, Reba McEntire and LeAnn Rimes, which helped bump sales. Overall, I'm
encouraged about the future of the format with several successful debuts
including Dierks Bentley, Buddy Jewell and Josh Turner, as well as the
continued career growth of artists such as Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Joe
Nichols and Rascal Flatts."
Among 2003's Top Ten Selling Albums in all genres, Toby Keith's Shock'n
Y'all, released Nov. 4, was ranked No. 9 with more than 2.3 million albums
sold. In 2003, Shania Twain continues to hold the No. 1 spot in the Top Ten
selling albums of the SoundScan era, which began in 1991, with Come On Over,
selling nearly 15 million units to Dec. 28. In all, consumers purchased 687
million units, which includes CD singles and digital track downloads, in all
music formats in 2003 with Country accounting for 69.3 million. Nielsen
SoundScan, which began counting paid digital tracks this year, announced that
19.2 million tracks have been sold since June 29 -- most to consumers 23 and
younger.
"Instead of a 12-month release cycle, Country Music is experiencing more
of an 18- to 24-month period where albums have a longer shelf life and
extended periods of play at Country radio," Benson said. "We had a 12 percent
increase in 2002 when the rest of the industry dropped nearly 9 percent. The
pendulum is swinging back, but we are still ahead of 2000 and 2001."
What follows is a sampling of what transpired in Country Music in 2003:
Helping Country to remain successful in 2003 was "The 37th Annual CMA
Awards," which aired in November on the CBS Television Network. The fall-
sweeps broadcast, which attracted more than 40 million viewers, became the
highest rated CMA Awards since 1996 and the No. 3 show of the week -- the
highest CMA Awards ranking since 1992. While the broadcast improved in many
key demographics, including adults 25-54 and adults 18-49, perhaps the
greatest proof of the show's success came in the form of album sales.
In the week following "The 37th Annual CMA Awards," the Billboard Top
Country Albums chart, which tracks sales for the top 75 Country albums,
reflected growth of nearly 170 percent. All artists who performed on the
television event saw sales spikes, as did many artist presenters, nominees and
Award-recipients. According to Nielsen SoundScan, sales growth ranged from
approximately 10 percent to 170 percent for various artists, proving the far-
reaching impact of "Country Music's Biggest Night(TM)."
Thanks to a 10.5 percent increase in overall music sales in the fourth
quarter of 2003, as compared to 2002, future releases from top Country sellers
like Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw forecast a promising year in
2004.
Album Sales
- The Top 10 Country albums of 2003, according to Nielsen SoundScan
(year-to-date, ending Dec. 28, 2003):
TOP 10 COUNTRY ALBUMS (in millions)
1. Shock'n Y'all, Toby Keith 2.3 million
2. Greatest Hits, Vol. 2, Alan Jackson 2.1 million
3. Home, Dixie Chicks 2.0 million
4. UP!, Shania Twain 1.8 million
5. Unleashed, Toby Keith 1.7 million
6. No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, Kenny Chesney 1.1 million
7. Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors, Tim McGraw 1.0 million
8. Melt, Rascal Flatts 0.95 million
9. American IV: The Man Comes Around, Johnny Cash 0.85 million
10. Greatest Hits, Lonestar 0.81 million
- The past year also saw many Country artists reach new sales heights.
Trace Adkins had a banner year with two albums debuting in the Top 5 on
Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. Adkins' Greatest Hits Collection,
Vol. 1 debuted at No. 1 on the Country chart in July with 56,000 units
sold in the first week, according to Nielsen SoundScan. This career
high was bested when Adkins' Comin' On Strong sold in excess of 62,000
in December. Others experiencing a banner year include newcomers Jeff
Bates, Dierks Bentley, Billy Currington, Buddy Jewell, Jennifer Hanson,
Josh Turner and Jimmy Wayne, who each released debut albums in 2003,
selling more than a million copies among them. Reigning CMA Horizon
Award winner Joe Nichols' debut Man With A Memory has sold more than
600,000 copies since its release and earned Nichols a CMA Album of the
Year nod. Sophomore efforts proved popular, too, as Chris Cagle's self-
titled follow-up became his second Gold album; Pat Green sold 379,000
of Wave on Wave, his second major label release; Craig Morgan released
the 200,000-plus selling I Love It; CMA Vocal Group of the Year winner
Rascal Flatts' Melt topped 1.6 million copies by year's end and Blake
Shelton's The Dreamer scanned more than 340,000. Career-building
stories like these characterized 2003.
Album Sales Certifications
- The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified 16 Gold,
8 Platinum, 16 multi-Platinum and 1 Diamond Country albums in 2003.
Gold indicates sales of 500,000 units; Platinum indicates sales of
1 million units; multi-Platinum is for each successive million units
sold; and Diamond indicates sales of 10 million albums. The RIAA
continues to award these rankings throughout the life of the album
release; an album does not have to be released in the same year it
achieves one or more of these rankings. For more information on album
certifications, logon to the searchable databaseon http://www.RIAA.com .
RIAA
- The percentage of Americans who download music online decreased during
2003 thanks in large part to the Recording Industry Association of
America's strategy of suing individual song-swappers. The RIAA has sued
nearly 400 people for copyright violations since September, settling
most cases out of court. Appointed in 2003, RIAA chief executive Mitch
Bainwol said that lawsuits against individual users would continue in
2004.
CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair(R)
- More than 45 hours of live concerts took place at CMA's 32nd Annual Fan
Fair in June. The event, which attracted 124,300 people over four days,
featured 42 artist performances during the Nightly Concerts at The
Coliseum; 82 artist performances on the daytime concerts at the Greased
Lightning Riverfront Park Stages; and more than 500 artists appearing
in the fan-favorite Wrangler Exhibit Hall. The stars of NBC Daytime
dramas "Days of our Lives" and "Passions" returned to greet fans; Andy
Griggs hit a bull's-eye with year two of his popular celebrity archery
tournament; the Fan Fair Celebrity Lecture Series was introduced with
artists including Wynonna, Randy Owen of Alabama, Vince Gill, 'N Sync's
Lance Bass and more; and popular staples like Fan Fair After Hours and
the free-to-the-public Family Zone continued to grow.
- Fan Fair's charitable benefit program "Cause For Celebration!"
guaranteed $100,000 in donations to charities designated by artists who
participated in Fan Fair 2003. Total contributions for the three-year
program reached $300,000 in 2003. Prior to Fan Fair 2003, the Country
Music Association led a trip to Fort Campbell, Ky., to donate 2,500
event tickets to military families. Artists joining the effort included
Sherrie Austin, Eddie Bayers, Clint Daniels, Hometown News, Brad
Martin, Lila McCann and Chalee Tennison.
- CMA Music Festival/Fan Fair returns to Downtown Nashville, Thursday
through Sunday, June 10-13, 2004.
Country Radio
- Country radio remained the dominant format in 2003 with 2,055 radio
stations in the United States according to M Street Journal. Three new
major market Country stations debuted in 2003 including KZBR-FM in San
Francisco market No. 4; KTYS-FM in Dallas market No. 5; and KTHT-FM in
Houston market No. 7.
Touring Events
- Fans came out in droves to the top tours of 2003. Listed below are the
Top 10 all-genre tours of the past year, as well as the Top 5 Country
tours based on attendance, according to Pollstar magazine for shows
played between Jan. 1, 2003 and Dec. 31, 2003:
ALL GENRE TOP 10
1. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band 1,719,908
2. Toby Keith 1,164,931
3. Dave Matthews Band 1,068,328
4. Cher 1,034,057
5. Dixie Chicks 1,001,015
6. Kenny Chesney 932,941
7. Fleetwood Mac 850,881
8. Aerosmith / KISS 841,199
9. Pearl Jam 735,364
10. 50 Cent 730,070
COUNTRY TOP 5
1. Toby Keith 1,164,931
2. Dixie Chicks 1,001,015
3. Kenny Chesney 932,941
4. Shania Twain 692,137
5. Tim McGraw 549,896
- Legendary Country group Alabama hit the road for the last time with
their 40-city "American Farewell Tour." The tour grossed $20 million in
ticket sales and will be extended to another 30 cities in 2004 before
the tour officially ends.
- Vince Gill and wife Amy Grant, Martina McBride, Lorrie Morgan, Kenny
Rogers, Ricky Skaggs and more celebrated the holidays this year by
hosting holiday concerts throughout the country.
Television
- "The 37th Annual CMA Awards" ranked No. 3 in the Top 10 Nielsen ratings
for the first week of November sweeps, just behind CBS favorites "CSI"
and "Survivor." The CMA Awards won every half hour of the three-hour
primetime block. The CMA Awards won all but one demographic going up in
adults 25-54 and adults 18-49 and was CBS's best Wednesday delivery in
households and viewers since the GRAMMYS in February 2001, helping CBS
become the most-watched television network for the first full week of
November sweeps.
- "48 Hours Investigates" on CBS aired an entire episode dedicated to
Country Music in November leading up to the CMA Awards. Show host
Leslie Stahl taped segment stand-ups on the CMA Awards stage at the
Grand Ole Opry House for the episode, which featured Brooks & Dunn,
Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes and Shania Twain. The popular
program was rebroadcast on CMT.
- Super Bowl XXXVII featured both the Dixie Chicks singing the national
anthem and Shania Twain singing during the halftime festivities.
- NBC's "American Dreams," which recruits today's top music stars to
portray the stars of the 50s and 60s as "American Bandstand"
performers, taped performances with Brad Paisley as Ricky Nelson and
LeAnn Rimes as Connie Francis. Blake Shelton also became the first
music artist to appear on the show as himself. "American Idol" winner
Kelly Clarkson portrayed Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee.
- Game shows were popular places to find Country stars in 2003. "Wheel
of Fortune" added a little Nashville flavor with Country Music Week in
January. Billy Ray Cyrus, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, George Jones, Alison
Krauss, Brenda Lee, Barbara Mandrell, Richie McDonald, Lorrie Morgan,
Joe Nichols, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, Pam Tillis,
Mark Wills, Darryl Worley and Wynonna were paired with contestants to
spin the wheel and win prizes. Trace Adkins, Tracy Byrd, Lila McCann,
Brad Paisley and Ty Herndon appeared on "Pyramid," a revival of the
popular game show hosted by Donny Osmond. Paisley also appeared as a
celebrity contestant on "Jeopardy!" raising money for the Michael J.
Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Naomi Judd, Reba McEntire and
Tanya Tucker each appeared on "Hollywood Squares." Judd also served on
the judges' panel for "Star Search."
- Reality television got a dose of Country when the USA Network debuted
"Nashville Star" in February. Thousands of Country Music hopefuls
auditioned for a chance to win a recording contract with Sony Music
Nashville. Judges Tracy Gershon, Robert K. Oermann and Charlie Robison
chose the 12 finalists and viewers whittled them down and picked the
ultimate winner, Buddy Jewell. Jewell's subsequent album, produced by
Clint Black, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart
in July. Stars appearing on the show throughout the season included
Trace Adkins, Jo Dee Messina, Brad Paisley and Wynonna. "Nashville
Star" returns for season two in 2004.
- Reba McEntire starred in the third season of her WB sitcom "Reba," for
which she earned a 2003 Golden Globe nomination. Also, Billy Ray Cyrus
celebrated a fourth season of PAX TV's "Doc."
- Trace Adkins, Deana Carter, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, George Strait
and Travis Tritt lent their voices to the FOX animated show "King of
the Hill." Jessica Andrews appeared on the WB sitcom "Greetings from
Tucson." Clint Black guest starred on ABC's "Hope & Faith." Brooks &
Dunn taped an episode of NBC's "Las Vegas." The Dixie Chicks served as
musical guest on "Saturday Night Live," which included a skit with host
Matthew McConaughey. Tim McGraw showed his athletic ability on the
basketball court during the "TNT NBA All-Star Celebrity Game." Brad
Paisley made his second appearance on "According to Jim" on ABC. Phil
Vassar appeared on NBC's "Days of our Lives" in June as a tie-in to
CMA's Fan Fair. Lee Ann Womack guested on CBS's "The District," and
Wynonna and Randy Travis appeared on the final season of CBS's "Touched
by an Angel." Jimmy Wayne was featured in an episode of ABC Family's
"Switched."
- Shania Twain hosted two concert specials for NBC -- "Shania Twain: UP!
Live From Chicago" and "Shania Twain: UP! Close and Personal" with
Alison Krauss and Union Station. Twain and Krauss joined Melissa
Etheridge and Dolly Parton on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in November.
- The CMT "100 Greatest Songs of Country Music" series, presented by
Keith Urban and actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, debuted in June and
culminated with a broadcast concert special. The special, hosted by
LeAnn Rimes and Brad Paisley, featured Glen Campbell, Deana Carter,
Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Vince Gill, George Jones, Martina McBride,
Marty Stuart and Steve Wariner.
- "CMT Crossroads," which pairs Country artists with artists from other
genres, delivered some exciting collaborations including Kenny Chesney
and John Mellencamp; Martina McBride and Pat Benatar; Dolly Parton and
Melissa Etheridge; and an upcoming episode featuring Emmylou Harris and
Dave Mathews.
- Great American Country gained steam in 2003, adding several new
programs including "Lorianne Crook's Celebrity Kitchen," the Aaron
Tippin-hosted "Made In America," and "Country Music Across America," a
bi-weekly Country Music news program hosted by Storme Warren with an
artist co-host. The cable network began airing "Grand Ole Opry Live" in
October.
- Summer event Farm Aid was made into a television special for CBS last
year. The Willie Nelson-hosted "Farm Aid 2003: A Soundstage Special
Event," aired Thanksgiving night and featured performances from Brooks
& Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris, Dave Matthews, John Mellencamp,
Billy Bob Thornton and Trick Pony.
- "Johnny Cash Memorial Tribute: A Celebration of Friends and Family"
became CMT's highest-rated program drawing more than 6 million viewers.
The special, which was taped at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, featured
artists from Country and pop, including Brooks & Dunn, Sheryl Crow,
Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, George Jones, Kid Rock, Kris
Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart, Travis
Tritt and Hank Williams Jr.
- Brad Paisley made a surprise appearance on "Trista & Ryan's Wedding" on
ABC. Paisley sang two songs at the wedding reception for "The
Bachelorette" stars Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter. Rehn appeared in
Paisley's "Celebrity" music video and, with William Shatner, introduced
Paisley's performance on the CMA Awards in November.
Commercials/Advertising/Business Ventures
- Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and Reba McEntire urged consumers to end
illegal music downloading in commercials for the "I Download ...
Legally" campaign. Toby Keith starred in a commercial for Mr. Coffee,
and he continued his partnership with Ford, penning a new song for the
truck-maker's redesigned F-150 pickup and appearing in TV ads. Tim
McGraw promoted designated driving for Anheuser-Busch in a spot that
debuted during the Super Bowl in January. Willie Nelson also appeared
in a Super Bowl ad -- his for H&R Block. Lee Ann Womack remained the
face of Sparkle paper towels and also appeared in ads for Banquet
Homestyle Bakes. LeAnn Rimes paid homage to Reba McEntire as part of a
new series of ads for Dr. Pepper that launched in January 2004.
- NBC Television enlisted Country Music for new programming in 2003.
Shania Twain's "She's Not Just A Pretty Face" was played in commercials
for the Alicia Silverstone show "Miss Match," and newcomer Brad Wolf's
debut single "Strictly Business" was used in promos for the Donald
Trump reality series "The Apprentice."
- Clint Black announced the opening of new record label Equity Records
with partners Mike Kraski, Jim Morey and Charles Sussman. Black is the
first artist signed to the label and will release a new album in early
2004.
- Tracy Byrd launched a food product line that included an assortment of
marinades and seasonings in November. Tracy Byrd's Tiny Town Products
are available in Wal-Mart stores. George Jones introduced his own line
of breakfast sausage, George Jones' Country Sausage, which made its
debut in more than 2,000 in August.
- George Strait worked with Wrangler to launch a shirt collection
inspired by the singer.
Motion Pictures
- Hollywood once again came calling for many Country artists in 2003.
Trace Adkins signed on to narrate "The Dance," an independent film
about boxing trainer Billy Roth. Deana Carter began training to play
the lead in the upcoming "Shadow Boxer." Faith Hill joined Glenn Close,
Nicole Kidman and Bette Midler to film "The Stepford Wives" remake. Tim
McGraw made his acting debut in the Rick Schroder-scripted and directed
"Black Cloud." The Warren Brothers offered a cameo in the independent
film "Heicke and the Mermaid." Dwight Yoakam hit the big screen
opposite Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett in the summer flick "Hollywood
Homicide."
- "Our Country," a heritage-rich, IMAX feature film about Country Music,
featured performances by Alabama, Charlie Daniels, Sara Evans, Vince
Gill, Alan Jackson, Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn, Martina McBride, Jo
Dee Messina, Dolly Parton, Trisha Yearwood and Dwight Yoakam. CMA
Award-winning director Steven Goldmann directed the film.
- Artists are contributing to movies behind the scenes, too. Garth
Brooks' Red Strokes Entertainment partnered with Sandra Bullock's
production company to jointly produce the upcoming Bullock romantic
comedy "Sprinkler Queen." And Willie Nelson has signed on to create
songs for a forthcoming "Gumby" movie.
Soundtracks
- Chris Cagle, Brad Paisley and Leon Russell all contributed songs to the
soundtrack for the Jeff Foxworthy-led comedy feature "Blue Collar
Comedy Tour." Jo Dee Messina, LeAnn Rimes and CMT personality Katie
Cook had cuts on the soundtrack to the Gwyneth Paltrow film "A View
From The Top." Rimes also provided "We Can," the theme song to "Legally
Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde." Alison Krauss covered Blind Faith's
"Can't Find My Way Home" for NBC-TV's "Crossing Jordan" soundtrack, as
well as two tracks for the Country-dominant "Cold Mountain" feature
film album. Keith Urban's smash "Somebody Like You" was selected as the
first single off the soundtrack for the Kate Hudson feature "How to
Lose a Guy in 10 Days."
Books and Magazines
- In 2003, Country songs continued to inspire book projects including
books based on Trace Adkins' "Then They Do," Toby Keith's "My List" and
Phil Vassar's "This Is God."
- David Cantwell and Bill Friskics-Warren teamed to author the February
release Heartaches by the Number: Country Music's 500 Greatest Singles.
Country Music critic for USA Today Brian Mansfield released Remembering
Patsy in March and Ring of Fire: A Tribute to Johnny Cash in December.
Country Music critic Alanna Nash offered The Colonel: The Extraordinary
Story of Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis Presley. Brad Paisley and M.B.
Roberts co-authored Jug Fishing for Greazy and Other Brad Paisley
Fishing Stories. LeAnn Rimes offered her first children's book, Jag,
and inked a deal to write a sequel. Meanwhile, Charlie Daniels released
Ain't No Rag: Freedom, Family, and the Flag in July. Terri Clark's
collection of personal essays, Phases & Stages: The Terri Clark
Journals, hit streets in October. Finding Her Voice: Women in Country
Music 1800-2000, by Country Music critic and historian Robert K.
Oermann and Mary A. Bufwack, was reissued in 2003. The Country Music
Hall of Fame and Museum released The Country Music Pop-Up Book in
November; Douglas B. Green offered Singing in the Saddle: The History
of the Singing Cowboy; and Colin Escott submitted a collection of
photographs titled Lost Highway: The True Story of Country Music. Naomi
Judd took time to pen Naomi's Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to
Transform Your Life, released Jan. 1, 2004.
- Jimmy Wayne is the only Country artist in 2003 to make People
magazine's list of the "Sexiest Men Alive." And Playboy readers voted
Shania Twain Country's Sexiest Songbird. Rounding out the top five were
Terri Clark, Alison Moorer, Faith Hill and LeAnn Rimes.
Broadway
- The popular 1980 film "Urban Cowboy" made its way to Broadway in 2003.
The updated tale featured music from Clint Black, Brooks & Dunn, Dixie
Chicks and Shania Twain. Clint Black, Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn and
Martie Maguire of the Dixie Chicks all earned Tony Award nominations
for Best Original Score in 2003.
USO Tours/Patriotism
- In a year of heavy military activity, Country stars stepped up to do
their parts by traveling to entertain troops, participating in honorary
programs, visiting military bases and more. A partial list of artists
who contributed includes Sherrie Austin, Deana Carter, Tammy Cochran,
Billy Ray Cyrus, Clint Daniels, Diamond Rio, Sara Evans, Lee Greenwood,
Jennifer Hanson, Faith Hill, Hometown News, Rebecca Lynn Howard, Toby
Keith, Lonestar, Brad Martin, Kathy Mattea, Lila McCann, Neal McCoy,
Tim McGraw, Memarie, Craig Morgan, Steve Wariner, Restless Heart, Kenny
Rogers, Rushlow, Chalee Tennison, Aaron Tippin, Travis Tritt, Steve
Wariner, Mark Wills and Darryl Worley.
Tributes
- 2003 saw many stars join forces to pay tribute to their predecessors.
RCA Nashville and Dualtone Records each released a Waylon Jennings
tribute album in 2003. Universal South released Livin', Lovin', Losin'
-- Songs of the Louvin Brothers, paying tribute to the Country Music
Hall of Fame duo, while different women from the Country and pop worlds
came together for Just Because I'm A Woman: The Songs of Dolly Parton
album, as well as Remembering Patsy Cline.
- Some of Willie Nelson's most famous friends wished him a happy 70th
birthday by holding a tribute concert in April. Among those who
performed were Kenny Chesney, Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard,
Toby Keith, John Mellencamp, Shania Twain and ZZ Top. This concert
aired on USA Network in May.
- George Jones was among nine recipients to receive the National Medal of
Arts in 2003. Jones visited the Oval Office in March, where President
Bush and first lady Laura Bush presented the honor.
- In 2003, Loretta Lynn became the fourth Country artist to receive a
Kennedy Center Honor for her contributions to the arts. Paying tribute
to Lynn during the ceremony were Garth Brooks, Patty Loveless, Lyle
Lovett, Reba McEntire, actress Sissy Spacek and Trisha Yearwood. The
Kennedy Center Honors aired on CBS in late December.
In Memoriam
In 2003, the Country Music community lost seven Country Music Hall of
Fame members:
- "Jumpin'" Bill Carlisle, 94, died March 17 at his home in
Goodlettsville, Tenn. after years of declining health. Carlisle wrote
and recorded his biggest hit "No Help Wanted," which went to No. 1 in
January 1953.
- Renowned songwriter Felice Bryant, 77, died April 22 at her home in
Gatlinburg, Tenn. Bryant and her husband, Boudleaux, formed a
powerhouse songwriting duo responsible for an estimated 800 songs that
resulted in sales of more than 500 million worldwide.
- Rock 'n' roll and Country pioneer Sam Phillips, 80, died July 30 of
respiratory failure. Phillips was best known for discovering Elvis
Presley and founded Sun Studios in 1952. He bolstered the careers of
some of music's greatest legends, including Johnny Cash, B.B. King,
Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Charlie Rich.
- Singer-songwriter Floyd Tillman, 88, died Aug. 22 of leukemia. Tillman
is known for penning "It Makes No Difference Now," a song he sold to
Jimmy Davis in 1938 that became a hit for Cliff Bruner, Bing Crosby,
Gene Autry and others.
- A legend in all genres of music, Johnny Cash died Sept. 12 of kidney
failure in a Nashville hospital. Cash started his career under the
tutelage of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips and had his first hit with
"Cry Cry Cry." In his long career, Cash sold more than 50 million
albums and recorded more than 1,500 songs. Cash posthumously won three
CMA Awards in 2003 for Album, Single and Music Video of the Year for
"Hurt."
- One of CMA's founders, Roy Horton, died Sept. 23 from failing health
battling diabetes, congestive heart failure and the after-affects of a
stroke. Ralph Peer, Sr., hired Horton in 1947 as a song plugger for
Peer-Southern Music Publishing Company, where he worked for 49 years.
He promoted the repertoires of Country Music legends The Carter Family,
Johnny Cash, Floyd Tillman, Jimmie Rodgers, Brenda Lee, Bill Monroe,
George Jones, Dolly Parton and more.
- Singer-songwriter Don Gibson, 75, died Nov. 17 of natural causes in a
Nashville hospital. Gibson penned some of the biggest Country hits in
the 50s and 60s, including "Sweet Dreams," "Oh Lonesome Me" and "I
Can't Stop Loving You."