2016 in country music
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2016.
{{YYYY music|2016}}
{{Year nav topic5|2016|country music}}
Events
- January 7 – Rachel Reinert announces that she is leaving the band Gloriana.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/rachel-reinert-leaves-gloriana/|title=Rachel Reinert leaves Gloriana|work=Taste of Country|date=January 7, 2016}}
- January 26 – Thomas Rhett's "Die a Happy Man" spends a sixth week at No. 1 on Country Airplay, becoming the first artist to spend six or more weeks atop that chart since Taylor Swift did so with "Our Song" in late 2007.{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/thomas-rhett-die-a-happy-man-charts/|title=Thomas Rhett’s ‘Die a Happy Man’ Ties Taylor Swift Record|work=Taste of Country|date=January 26, 2016}}
- February 11 – Charles Kelley and wife Cassie McConnell welcome first child, son Ward Charles Kelley.{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2016/02/11/charles-kelley-cassie-welcome-son-ward-charles/|title=Charles and Cassie Kelley Welcome Son Ward Charles|work=People Babies|date=February 11, 2016}}
- March 1 – Don Williams announces his retirement after six decades in the music business.{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/03/01/don-williams-announces-retirement/81159156/|title=Don Williams announces retirement|work=The Tennessean|date=March 1, 2016}} He died in September 2017 at age 78.
- March 4 – Loretta Lynn releases her album Full Circle. This album is the first album from Lynn in over a decade since 2004's Van Lear Rose.
- March 7 – Dolly Parton announces plans for her first major North American tour in 25 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/dolly-parton-announces-new-album-tour-20160307|title=Dolly Parton Announces New Album, Tour|work=RS Country|date=March 7, 2016}}
- April 1 – Carrie Underwood quest Kellie Pickler, Kelleigh Bannen, Lauren Alaina and Jana Kramer at the 4th ACM Party for a Cause Festival in Las Vegas Festival Grounds.
- May 12 – ABC cancels musical drama Nashville after four seasons.{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/05/12/nashville-canceled|title=Nashville canceled in surprise move by ABC|work=Entertainment Weekly|date=May 12, 2016}} One month later, the series is picked up by CMT.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/nashville-picked-up-season-5-cmt-hulu-1201769711/|title=‘Nashville’ Picked Up For Season 5 By CMT With Next-Day Play on Hulu|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=June 10, 2016|access-date=June 10, 2016}}
- June 1 – The Dixie Chicks begin their DCX MMXVI World Tour, the first time the band has toured North America in ten years.{{Cite news|title=Dixie Chicks To Launch North American Tour Next Summer|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dixie-chicks-tour_5649d8e9e4b045bf3defcdaf|date=November 16, 2015|work=The Huffington Post|agency=Associated Press|access-date=November 17, 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/dixiechicks/status/727120109043503104|title=Dixie Chicks on Twitter|website=Twitter|access-date=2016-05-16}}
- July 11 – The body of Craig Morgan's 19-year-old son, Jerry Greer, is recovered from Kentucky Lake.{{cite web|url=http://www.wbir.com/mb/news/craig-morgans-son-missing-in-tennessee-river/269677108|title=Body of Craig Morgan's son found after Tennessee River search|last1=Gadd|first1=Chris|last2=Watts|first2=Cindy|last3=Simmons|first3=Andy|date=July 12, 2016|website=wbir.com|access-date=July 12, 2016}}{{Dead link|date=January 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- September 16 – A total of 30 artists gather to record "Forever Country", a single released in honor of the 50th annual Country Music Association awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/forever-country-story-behind-the-song|title=The Story Behind Country Music's Epic Mash-Up! Plus: Hear Blake, Carrie, Miranda and 36 Other Stars Sing 'Forever Country'|last=Finan|first=Eileen|date=September 16, 2016|work=People|access-date=21 September 2016}} The song immediately debuted on country radio and reached the Hot Country Airplay's top 40 in its first week on the chart; on the all-encompassing Hot Country Songs chart, the song debuted at No. 1 the week of October 8, the third song to do so since its inception in 2012.Trust, Gary, "Making Music With Their Friends: 'Forever Country' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs," Billboard, September 26, 2016. Accessed 09-26-2016. [https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7519013/forever-country-artists-then-now-forever-charts]
- December 17 – Benny Birchfield, the widower of country music singer Jean Shepard, is injured following an attack at his home, where two others died. One of the victims was Icie Hawkins, granddaughter of Shepard and Hawkshaw Hawkins.Garrison, Joey, "2 killed in attack at home of late country music star Jean Shepard," The Tennessean, Dec. 19, 2016. Accessed 12-19-2016. [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2016/12/18/2-killed-attack-home-late-country-music-star-jean-shepard/95600712/]
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 2016:
{{see also|List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2016|List of number-one country singles of 2016 (Canada)}}
=Singles released by American artists=
class="wikitable sortable" |
width=45|Songs
!width=45|Airplay !width=45|Canada !width=auto|Single !width=auto|Artist !width=auto|References |
---|
align=center|19
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Ain't No Stopping Us Now" | |
align=center|6
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 | |
align=center|11
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"At Last" | |
align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 | |
align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 | |
align=center|6
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Break on Me" | |
align=center|2
|align=center|2 |align=center|3 | |
align=center|2
|align=center|2 |align=center|2 |Cam | |
align=center|4
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Burning House" | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 | |
align=center|17
|align=center|14 |align=center|6 |"Castaway" |Zac Brown Band | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |"Church Bells" | |
align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Confession" | |
align=center|18
|align=center|12 |align=center|30 | |
align=center|4
|align=center|— |align=center|— |Sundance Head | |
align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|8 |"Dibs" | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Dierks Bentley | |
align=center|2
|align=center|2 |align=center|1 | |
align=center|10
|align=center|1 |align=center|8 |"Fix" | |
align=center|1
|align=center|32 |align=center|34 |Artists of Then, Now & Forever | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|10 | |
align=center|13
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Go Ahead and Break My Heart" |Blake Shelton | |
align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Heartbeat" |Carrie Underwood | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"H.O.L.Y." |Florida Georgia Line | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Luke Bryan | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day" |Luke Bryan | |
align=center|5
|align=center|6 |align=center|22 | |
align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|7 | |
align=center|8
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 | |
align=center|5
|align=center|2 |align=center|4 |LoCash | |
align=center|8
|align=center|2 |align=center|13 |"I Met a Girl" | |
align=center|18
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"I'm Sorry" | |
align=center|19
|align=center|— |align=center|— |Emily Ann Roberts | |
align=center|22
|align=center|15 |align=center|48 | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"It Don't Hurt Like It Used To" | |
align=center|18
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Jolene" |Pentatonix | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 | |
align=center|16
|align=center|4 |align=center|22 | |
align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |Jason Aldean | |
align=center|20
|align=center|12 |align=center|37 | |
align=center|14
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Lonesome Broken and Blue" |Adam Wakefield | |
align=center|19
|align=center|14 |align=center|— |Big & Rich | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |Sam Hunt | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"May We All" |Florida Georgia Line | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 | |
align=center|8
|align=center|1 |align=center|8 |"Mind Reader" | |
align=center|15
|align=center|15 |align=center|7 | |
align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Move" |Luke Bryan | |
align=center|5
|align=center|9 |align=center|3 |"My Church" | |
align=center|17
|align=center|14 |align=center|32 | |
align=center|13
|align=center|10 |align=center|11 | |
align=center|14
|align=center|6 |align=center|5 |"Noise" | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|4 |"Peter Pan" |Kelsea Ballerini | |
align=center|28
|align=center|17 |align=center|44 | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Record Year" |Eric Church | |
align=center|9
|align=center|2 |align=center|16 |"Rock On" | |
align=center|25
|align=center|13 |align=center|31 | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Kenny Chesney | |
align=center|8
|align=center|7 |align=center|2 |Blake Shelton | |
align=center|3
|align=center|2 |align=center|7 | |
align=center|4
|align=center|2 |align=center|1 |"Snapback" | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Dierks Bentley | |
align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 |Old Dominion | |
align=center|4
|align=center|2 |align=center|26 | |
align=center|23
|align=center|18 |align=center|49 | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"T-Shirt" |Thomas Rhett | |
align=center|13
|align=center|10 |align=center|38 | |
align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Think of You" |Chris Young | |
align=center|15
|align=center|35 |align=center|— |Kane Brown | |
align=center|19
|align=center|30 |align=center|39 |"Vacation" |Thomas Rhett | |
align=center|2
|align=center|11 |align=center|4 |"Vice" | |
align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Brett Eldredge | |
align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Wasted Time" |Keith Urban | |
align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 |"We Went" | |
align=center|17
|align=center|56 |align=center|— |"Whisper" | |
align=center|23
|align=center|16 |align=center|11 |Brad Paisley | |
align=center|12
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"You Look Like I Need a Drink" | |
align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 |Cole Swindell | |
=Singles released by Canadian artists=
{{refbegin}}
;Notes
- "—" denotes releases that did not chart
{{refend}}
Top new album releases
The following albums placed on the Top Country Albums charts in 2016:
{{see also|List of number-one country albums of 2016 (U.S.)}}
{{see also|List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2016}}
class="wikitable sortable" |
width=45|US
! Album ! Artist ! Record Label ! Release Date ! Reference |
---|
align=center| 10
| The Album Collection | Vanguard/Sugar Hill | April 1 | |
align=center| 3
| All Night Party | Almost Country | August 19 | |
align=center| 1
| RCA Nashville | July 29 | |
align=center| 10
| Behind This Guitar | Curb | October 7 | |
align=center| 8
| Warner Bros. Nashville | June 10 | |
align=center| 1
| Black | Capitol Nashville | May 27 | |
align=center| 7
| Boots on the Ground | Lone Chief | January 15 | |
align=center| 5
| Bury Me in Boots | Big Machine | August 5 | |
align=center| 1
| Capitol Nashville | June 17 | |
align=center| 9
| Call Me Old-Fashioned | Bradley Walker | Gaither Music Group | September 23 | |
align=center| 3
| Chapter 1 (EP) | RCA Nashville | March 18 | |
align=center| 1
| Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood | Pearl/Gwendolyn | November 11 | |
align=center| 3
| Christmas Together / Gunslinger | Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood | Pearl/Gwendolyn | November 18 | |
align=center| 5
| CMA Awards 50 Zinepak | Various Artists | CMA/Zinepak | October 21 | |
align=center| 1
| Blue Chair/Columbia | October 28 | |
align=center| 4
| The Critics Give It 5 Stars | Bobby Bones and the Raging Idiots | Black River | March 18 | |
align=center| 4
| Detour | Sire | May 6 | |
align=center| 1
| BMLG | August 26 | |
align=center| 5
| Down Home Sessions III (EP) | Warner Bros. Nashville | October 28 | |
align=center| 4
| MCA Nashville | February 12 | |
align=center| 2
| Capitol Nashville | February 5 | |
align=center| 5
| Dylan Scott | Curb | August 12 | |
align=center| 9
| El Río | Warner Bros. Nashville | June 10 | |
align=center| 6
| Elvis: Way Down in the Jungle Room | RCA Legacy | August 5 | |
align=center| 1
| Farm Tour... Here's to the Farmer (EP) | Capitol Nashville | September 23 | |
align=center| 3
| Fighter | MCA Nashville | July 15 | |
align=center| 3
| Fired Up | Stoney Creek | March 11 | |
align=center| 2
| For Better, or Worse | Oh Boy | September 30 | |
align=center| 5
| For the Good Times: A Tribute to Ray Price | Legacy | September 16 | |
align=center| 4
| Legacy | March 4 | |
align=center| 9
| Big Loud | August 5 | |
align=center| 2
| Glow | Atlantic Nashville | October 28 | |
align=center| 2
| Gotta Be Me | CoJo | August 5 | |
align=center| 7
| The Greatest Gift of All | Big Machine | October 21 | |
align=center| 4
| Pearl | November 25 | |
align=center| 2
| Full Of (Even More) Cheer | Columbia | November 11 | |
align=center| 1
| Hero | Columbia Nashville | June 3 | |
align=center| 1
| Hymns That Are Important to Us | Gaither Music Group | February 14 | |
align=center| 1
| Warner Bros. Nashville | May 20 | |
align=center| 4
| Thirty Tigers | August 12 | |
align=center| 4
| It Must Be Christmas | RCA Nashville | October 14 | |
align=center| 2
| Nash Icon | January 15 | |
align=center| 1
| Kane Brown | RCA Nashville | December 2 | |
align=center| 1
| Valory | August 12 | |
align=center| 4
| Croakin' Poets | February 19 | |
align=center| 1
| Like an Arrow | Rounder | October 14 | |
align=center| 2
| Hillary Scott & the Scott Family | EMI Nashville | July 29 | |
align=center| 10
| Third Man | March 25 | |
align=center| 4
| Mr. Misunderstood: On the Rocks, Live and (Mostly) Unplugged (EP) | EMI Nashville | November 4 | |
align=center| 4
| Mud | Wiggy Thump | September 9 | |
align=center| 10
| Oliveme | April 15 | |
align=center| 7
| My Kind of Christmas | Cracker Barrel/Nash Icon/Starstruck | September 6 | |
align=center| 5
| Tommy Jackson | January 15 | |
align=center| 5
| Now That's What I Call Country #1's | Various Artists | Sony/Universal | November 4 | |
align=center| 3
| Now That's What I Call Country Volume 9 | Various Artists | Universal | June 10 | |
align=center| 2
| Obsessed | Warner Bros. Nashville | June 3 | |
align=center| 3
| EMI Nashville | January 15 | |
align=center| 2
| Big Machine | May 13 | |
align=center| 1
| Dolly/RCA Nashville | August 19 | |
align=center| 2
| Reckless | Nash Icon | April 29 | |
align=center| 9
| Redneck Shit | Pepper Hill | February 12 | |
align=center| 3
| Wheelhouse | March 4 | |
align=center| 1
| Ripcord | Capitol Nashville | May 6 | |
align=center| 1
| Atlantic | April 15 | |
align=center| 1
| Sinner | Dot | September 16 | |
align=center| 5
| Southern Family | Various Artists | Elektra Nashville | March 18 | |
align=center| 4
| Spark | Dot | August 19 | |
align=center| 3
| Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 | MCA Nashville | November 18 | |
align=center| 6
| Swimmin' Pools, Movie Stars | Sugar Hill | September 23 | |
align=center| 3
| Nash Icon | November 11 | |
align=center| 1
| Broken Bow | September 9 | |
align=center| 8
| The Things That We Are Made Of | Lambent Light | May 6 | |
align=center| 6
| 'Tis the Season | Mailboat | October 28 | |
align=center| 7
| Trio: The Ultimate Collection | Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris | Warner Bros. Nashville | September 9 | |
align=center| 1
| Garth Brooks | Pearl | November 11 | |
align=center| 1
| RCA Nashville | November 18 | |
align=center| 5
| Vinyl | Warner Bros. Nashville | September 30 | |
align=center| 1
| We're All Somebody from Somewhere | Dot | July 15 | |
align=center| 2
| Warner Bros. Nashville | May 6 | |
=Other top albums=
class="wikitable sortable" |
width=45|US
! Album ! Artist ! Record Label ! Release Date ! Reference |
---|
align=center| 49
| And Then There's This... | Mountain Home | January 8 | |
align=center| 16
| All American Mutt | Jamie Kent | Road Dog | October 21 | |
align=center| 35
| All I've Been Through | Charlie Farley | BackRoad | April 8 | |
align=center| 14
| All Night Live, Volume 1 | Valory Music Co. | October 14 | |
align=center| 42
| Bad Mutha Fucka | Upchurch | RHEC | December 9 | |
align=center| 19
| The Bird & the Rifle | Thirty Tigers | July 29 | |
align=center| 30
| Boots No. 1: The Official Revival Bootleg | Acony | November 25 | |
align=center| 12
| Breathless | Deep Creek | February 19 | |
align=center| 31
| Republic Nashville | February 12 | |
align=center| 46
| Bringing Country Back | Be Music & Entertainment | October 21 | |
align=center| 30
| Cayamo: Sessions at Sea | New West | January 29 | |
align=center| 41
| Celebrate Christmas | Gaither Music Group | October 21 | |
align=center| 43
| A Chrisley Christmas | Holy Graffiti | November 4 | |
align=center| 11
| Circlin' Back, Celebrating 50 Years, Live at the Ryman Auditorium, TN | NGDB/Warner Bros. Nashville | September 30 | |
align=center| 13
| Colvin & Earle | Fantasy | June 10 | |
align=center| 21
| Coming to a Honky Tonk Near You | Kevin Fowler | October 21 | |
align=center| 50
| A Country Boy Can Survive (Box Set) | Curb | October 21 | |
align=center| 41
| Couchville Sessions | Full Light | May 13 | |
align=center| 42
| Dance with Me (EP) | CFC | June 10 | |
align=center| 37
| Atlantic Nashville | November 18 | |
align=center| 22
| Deep Tracks | Warner Bros. Nashville | November 18 | |
align=center| 42
| Del and Woody | McCoury | April 15 | |
align=center| 39
| Deux (EP) | Hidden Cow | March 11 | |
align=center| 11
| Dirt on Us | Cold River | June 10 | |
align=center| 35
| Warner Bros. Nashville | August 19 | |
align=center| 43
| Drifted | Backroad | October 28 | |
align=center| 23
| Exodus of Venus | Agent Love Records | June 17 | |
align=center| 25
| Extended Play (EP) | LANco | Arista Nashville | April 15 | |
align=center| 14
| Fight Like Hell (EP) | Dot | October 7 | |
align=center| 14
| LoCash | Reviver Music | June 17 | |
align=center| 44
| Forever a Cowboy (EP) | Ned LeDoux | Powder River | December 2 | |
align=center| 13
| Good Country Music | Lone Chief | October 28 | |
align=center| 30
| Heart of America | Upchurch | Johnny Cashville | January 15 | |
align=center| 42
| House on Fire | BFD | November 11 | |
align=center| 38
| Humble Folks | Flatland Cavalry | April 1 | |
align=center| 13
| I Am the Rain | MRI Entertainment/Sony | September 9 | |
align=center| 22
| I Call BS on That (EP) | Buddy Brown Music | October 7 | |
align=center| 27
| I'm Leavin' | RCA/Legacy | April 15 | |
align=center| 49
| It's So Good Live | eOne Entertainment | April 22 | |
align=center| 25
| Kid Sister | Rounder | September 9 | |
align=center| 44
| Ladies & Gentlemen | Compass | February 5 | |
align=center| 47
| Shanachie | February 12 | |
align=center| 28
| The Life & Songs of Emmylou Harris: An All-Star Concert Celebration | Various Artists | Rounder | November 11 | |
align=center| 16
| Live: American Outlaws | Legacy | May 20 | |
align=center| 29
| Live Dinner Reunion | Dualtone | November 18 | |
align=center| 42
| Long Way | Backwoods | May 27 | |
align=center| 49
| D&B Masterworks | July 15 | |
align=center| 44
| A Man and His Guitar: Live from the Franklin Theatre | Post Oak | November 18 | |
align=center| 50
| McGraw: The Ultimate Collection | Curb | October 21 | |
align=center| 38
| Midland (EP) | Midland | Big Machine | October 28 | |
align=center| 24
| Midnight Motel | Rounder | August 26 | |
align=center| 12
| The Music of Nashville: Season 4, Volume 2 | Various Artists | Big Machine | May 13 | |
align=center| 50
| My Gospel | Paul Cauthen | Lightning Rod | October 14 | |
align=center| 48
| Never Enders | Lonestar | Shanachie | April 29 | |
align=center| 23
| New City Blues | Carnival | January 29 | |
align=center| 29
| New Lane Road | Sugar Hill | April 22 | |
align=center| 42
| Post Monroe (EP) | Post Monroe | KCH | May 13 | |
align=center| 34
| Precious Memories: Collection | EMI Nashville | November 25 | |
align=center| 46
| Rain Crow | Yep Roc | May 27 | |
align=center| 39
| Red, White & Blue (Live) | Van Zant | Loud & Proud | July 1 | |
align=center| 41
| Rx | St. Beaver | May 6 | |
align=center| 17
| Shine on a Rainy Day | Elektra Nashville | October 7 | |
align=center| 45
| Simple (EP) | Travis Marvin | Independent | July 22 | |
align=center| 43
| Silent Night: A Country Christmas | Various Artists | Sony Music Nashville | August 23 | |
align=center| 38
| Steve Moakler (EP) | Creative Nation | March 11 | |
align=center| 11
| Strait for the Holidays | MCA Nashville | October 28 | |
align=center| 14
| Republic Nashville | June 3 | |
align=center| 12
| Sunset Motel | Thirty Tigers | September 23 | |
align=center| 25
| Tailgate Country | Kismet | February 26 | |
align=center| 18
| Then Sings My Soul: Songs for My Mother | Bowen Sounds | March 18 | |
align=center| 49
| Blue Cadillac | September 9 | |
align=center| 19
| Timeless (EP) | TSB | January 29 | |
align=center| 13
| Big Machine | October 28 | |
align=center| 31
| To Joey, with Love (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | Various Artists | Reunion | November 11 | |
align=center| 44
| Tougher | Lone Chief | April 8 | |
align=center| 22
| Tradition Lives | Row Entertainment | July 8 | |
align=center| 28
| The Truth (EP) | Royal Bliss | June 3 | |
align=center| 12
| Blaster | February 26 | |
align=center| 40
| The Ultimate Collection | Legacy | October 28 | |
align=center| 12
| Underground (EP) | MCA Nashville | October 28 | |
align=center| 24
| Cimorelli | May 18 | |
align=center| 22
| The Very Best of the Highwaymen | Legacy | May 20 | |
align=center| 11
| Mercury Nashville | October 28 | |
align=center| 28
| The Voice: The Complete Season 10 Collection | Republic | May 24 | |
align=center| 36
| The Voice: The Complete Season 11 Collection | Republic | December 9 | |
align=center| 21
| Watch This | Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers | Lil' Buddy Toons | June 3 | |
align=center| 48
| Wayfaring Strangers: Cosmic American Music | Various Artists | Numero | March 18 | |
align=center| 13
| We the People | Big Smo | Elektra Nashville | July 22 | |
align=center| 47
| Which Way Is Up | Jackson Taylor & the Sinners | Sin House | June 3 | |
align=center| 26
| White Christmas Blue | Legacy | October 7 | |
align=center| 16
| Black River | June 3 | |
align=center| 28
| William Michael Morgan EP | Warner Bros. Nashville | March 18 | |
align=center| 48
| Wrong Side of the River | Hard Luck | May 13 | |
align=center| 14
| Wynonna | Curb | February 12 | |
align=center| 14
| Yours, EP | Dent | January 18 | |
align=center| 25
| Zach Seabaugh (EP) | Open Roads Highway | June 1 | |
align=center| 37
| 17 (EP) | Dylan Schneider | October 9 | |
Deaths
- January 8 – Red Simpson, 81, singer-songwriter best known for the 1971 hit "I'm a Truck." (heart attack){{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Edward|title=Red Simpson, Pioneer of Bakersfield Sound, Dead at 81|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1761648/red-simpson-pioneer-of-bakersfield-sound-dead-at-81/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113022812/http://www.cmt.com/news/1761648/red-simpson-pioneer-of-bakersfield-sound-dead-at-81/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 13, 2016|access-date=January 10, 2016|work=CMT|date=January 9, 2016}}
- January 18 – Glenn Frey, 67, founding member of the Eagles (numerous complications){{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/glenn-frey-eagles-guitarist-dead-at-67-20160118|title=Glenn Frey, Eagles Guitarist, Dead at 67|last1=Kreps|first1=Daniel|work=Rolling Stone|date=January 18, 2016}}
- February 22 – Sonny James, 87, singer and Country Music Hall of Fame member (natural causes).{{cite news|last1=Hanks`|first1=Henry|title=Country music legend Sonny James dies at 87|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/22/entertainment/sonny-james-obit-feat/|website=CNN|access-date=25 February 2016}}
- March 4 – Joey Martin Feek, 40, one-half of husband-and-wife duo Joey + Rory (cervical cancer){{cite web|url=http://fox59.com/2016/03/04/joey-feek-from-joey-rory-passes-away-after-battle-with-cancer/|title=Joey Feek from Joey + Rory passes away after battle with cancer|last1=Margason|first1=Greg|website=Fox 59|access-date=4 March 2016}}
- March 9 – Ray Griff, 75, Canadian singer-songwriter (aspiration pneumonia){{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/music/legendary-calgary-country-gentleman-ray-griff-dies-at-the-age-of-75|title=Legendary Calgary 'country gentleman' Ray Griff dies at the age of 75|work=Calgary Herald|date=March 11, 2016}}
- March 18 – Ned Miller, 90, singer of the 1960s, best known for "From a Jack to a King."
- April 6 – Merle Haggard, 79, singer-songwriter with many hits between the 1960s and 1980s, known as a pioneer of the Bakersfield sound (pneumonia).{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1764853/merle-haggard-dead-at-age-79/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410023812/http://www.cmt.com/news/1764853/merle-haggard-dead-at-age-79/|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2016|title=Merle Haggard Dead at Age 79|date=April 6, 2016|work=CMT}}
- May 16 – Emilio Navaira, 53, Tejano and country music singer, best known for the 1995 hit "It's Not the End of the World" (heart attack).{{cite web|last1=NPR|first1=Camila Domonoske|title=Tejano Music Legend Emilio Navaira Dies At 53|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/05/17/478351867/tejano-music-legend-emilio-navaira-dies-at-53|website=npr.org|publisher=The Two Way by NPR|access-date=May 17, 2016}}
- May 17 – Guy Clark, 74, singer-songwriter best known for hits recorded by Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Wariner and others (cancer).{{cite news|last=Cooper|first=Peter|title=Guy Clark dead at 74|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/05/17/guy-clark-dead-74/80932338/|publisher=The Tennessean|date=May 17, 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016}}
- June 23 – Ralph Stanley, 89, legendary bluegrass pioneer who was a member of The Stanley Brothers and the Grand Ole Opry (skin cancer){{cite web|url=http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Bluegrass-legend-Ralph-Stanley-dies-at-the-age-of-88-384205011.html |title=Bluegrass legend Ralph Stanley dies at the age of 89 |publisher=Wdbj7.com |date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016}}
- July 16 – Bonnie Brown, 77, member of The Browns (lung cancer){{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/07/16/country-music-hall-famer-bonnie-brown-dead-77/74691904/ |title=Country Music Hall of Famer Bonnie Brown dead at 77 |website=Tennessean.com |date=2015-07-16 |access-date=2016-07-16}}
- August 5 – Richard Fagan, 69, songwriter best known for co-writing two of John Michael Montgomery's number one hits: "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" and "Be My Baby Tonight" (liver cancer).{{cite web|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/songwriter-richard-fagan-dead-dies/|title=Songwriter Richard Fagan Dead at 69|work=Taste of Country}}
- September 1 – Kacey Jones, 66, singer-songwriter and humorist, writer of the Mickey Gilley hit "I'm the One Mama Warned You About", cancer.{{cite web|title=Singer-Comedian Kacey Jones Dead at 66|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/singer-comedian-kacey-jones-dead-at-66-w437680|website=Rolling Stone}}
- September 21 – John D. Loudermilk, 82, singer and songwriter.
- September 25 – Jean Shepard, 82, pioneering female country artist and the only woman to be a member of the Opry for sixty years (Parkinson's disease).{{cite web|url=http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2016/09/25/country-music-hall-famer-jean-shepard-dead-82/76568704|title=Country Music Hall of Famer Jean Shepard dead at 82|website=Tennessean.com|access-date=September 25, 2016}}
- October 30 – Curly Putman, 85, songwriter, known for writing or co-writing classics such as "Green, Green Grass of Home", "D-I-V-O-R-C-E" and "He Stopped Loving Her Today".
- November 14 – Holly Dunn, 59, singer-songwriter and former Opry member best known for this hits "Daddy's Hands", "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me" and "You Really Had Me Going" (ovarian cancer).{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2016/11/15/arts/ap-us-obit-holly-dunn.html?ref=aponline |title='Daddy's Hands' Singer Holly Dunn Dead at 59 |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The New York Times |date=15 November 2016}}
- December 2 – Mark Gray, 64, singer-songwriter and member of Exile from 1979 and 1982.{{cite news |url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1774247/mark-gray-80s-hitmaker-dead-at-64/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205125701/http://www.cmt.com/news/1774247/mark-gray-80s-hitmaker-dead-at-64/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2016|title=Mark Gray, ‘80s Hitmaker, Dead at 64|work=CMT|date=December 4, 2016}}
- December 18 – Gordie Tapp, 94, comedian and longtime cast member of the television series Hee Haw.{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/gordie-tapp-obituary-1.3903148?cmp=rss |title=Canadian entertainer Gordie Tapp passes away at 94 |date=December 18, 2016 |publisher=CBC News |access-date=December 19, 2016}}
Hall of Fame inductees
=Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame Inductees=
- Ken Irwin
- Marian Leighton-Levy
- Bill Nowlin
- Clarence White
=Country Music Hall of Fame inductees=
- Fred Foster, music executive and founder of Monument Records (born 1931).
- Charlie Daniels, singer-songwriter and musician (born 1936).
- Randy Travis, singer-songwriter and leading figure in the neotraditionalist movement of the 1980s (born 1959).
=Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees=
- Murray McLauchlan
- Paul Mascioli
Major awards
=Academy of Country Music=
(presented April 2, 2017 in Las Vegas)
- Entertainer of the Year – Jason Aldean
- Top Male Vocalist – Thomas Rhett
- Top Female Vocalist – Miranda Lambert
- Top Vocal Group – Little Big Town
- Top Vocal Duo – Brothers Osborne
- New Male Vocalist – Jon Pardi
- New Female Vocalist – Maren Morris
- New Vocal Duo or Group – Brothers Osborne
- Album of the Year – The Weight of These Wings, Miranda Lambert
- Single Record of the Year – "H.O.L.Y.", Florida Georgia Line
- Song of the Year – "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett
- Video of the Year – "Forever Country", Artists of Then, Now & Forever
- Vocal Event of the Year – "May We All", Florida Georgia Line feat. Tim McGraw
ACM Honors
(presented August 30, 2016)
- Career Achievement Award – Glen Campbell
- Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award – Crystal Gayle, The Statler Brothers and Tanya Tucker
- Jim Reeves International Award – Jeff Walker
- Merle Haggard Spirit Award – Miranda Lambert
- Poet's Award – Jimmy Webb and Eddie Rabbitt
- Crystal Milestone Award – Little Big Town
- Mae Boren Axton Award – Keith Urban
- Gary Harber Lifting Lives Award – Carrie Underwood
- Songwriter of the Year – Ross Copperman
=Americana Music Honors & Awards=
- Album of the Year – Something More Than Free (Jason Isbell)
- Artist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
- Duo/Group of the Year – Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell
- Song of the Year – "24 frames" (Jason Isbell)
- Emerging Artist of the Year – Margo Price
- Instrumentalist of the Year – Sara Watkins
- Spirit of Americana/Free Speech Award – Billy Bragg
- Lifetime Achievement: Trailblazer – Shawn Colvin
- Lifetime Achievement: Songwriting – William Bell
- Lifetime Achievement: Performance – Bob Weir
=American Country Countdown Awards=
(presented May 1 in Los Angeles)
- Artist of the Year – Luke Bryan
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Luke Bryan
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
- Group/Duo of the Year – Florida Georgia Line
- Song of the Year – "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett
- Album of the Year – Traveller, Chris Stapleton
- Digital Song of the Year – "Girl Crush", Little Big Town
- Digital Album of the Year – Montevallo, Sam Hunt
- Breakthrough Male of the Year – Sam Hunt
- Breakthrough Female of the Year – Kelsea Ballerini
- Breakthrough Group/Duo of the Year – Old Dominion
- Touring Artist of the Year – Garth Brooks
- Nash Icon – Brooks & Dunn
=Academy of Country Music=
=American Music Awards=
(presented in November 20 in Los Angeles)
- Favorite Country Male Artist – Blake Shelton
- Favorite Country Female Artist – Carrie Underwood
- Favorite Country Album – Storyteller, Carrie Underwood
- Favorite Country Song – "Humble and Kind", Tim McGraw
=ARIA Awards=
(presented in Sydney on November 23, 2016)
=Canadian Country Music Association=
(presented September 11 in London, Ontario)
- Fans' Choice Awards – Brett Kissel
- Album of the Year – Tin Roof, Gord Bamford
- Female Artist of the Year – Jess Moskaluke
- Male Artist of the Year – Brett Kissel
- Group or Duo of the Year – High Valley
- Single of the Year – "Bring Down the House", Dean Brody
- CMT Video of the Year – "Bring Down the House", Dean Brody
- Songwriter of the Year – Dean Brody ("Bring Down the House")
- Roots Artist of the Year – The Washboard Union
- Interactive Artist of the Year – Brett Kissel
- Rising Star – The Washboard Union
=Country Music Association=
(presented November 2 in Nashville)
- Entertainer of the Year – Garth Brooks
- Single of the Year – "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
- New Artist of the Year – Maren Morris
- Musical Event of the Year – "Different for Girls", Dierks Bentley featuring Elle King
- Album of the Year – Mr. Misunderstood, Eric Church
- Music Video of the Year – "Fire Away", Chris Stapleton
- Song of the Year – "Humble and Kind", Lori McKenna
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
- Vocal Group of the Year – Little Big Town
- Musician of the Year – Dann Huff
- Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award – Dolly Parton
- Pinnacle Award – Kenny Chesney
=CMT Music Awards=
(presented on June 8 in Nashville)
- Video of the Year – "Humble and Kind", Tim McGraw
- Male Video of the Year – "Die a Happy Man", Thomas Rhett
- Female Video of the Year – "Smoke Break", Carrie Underwood
- Group/Duo Video of the Year – "Girl Crush", Little Big Town
- Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Fire Away", Chris Stapleton
- CMT Performance of the Year – "Smoke Break", Carrie Underwood from Instant Jam
- CMT Social Superstar – Blake Shelton
CMT Artists of the Year
(presented on October 20, 2016, in Nashville){{Cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/2016-cmt-artists-of-the-year/|title=Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton Named CMT Artists of the Year|first=Annie|last=Reuter|website=Taste of Country}}
=Grammy Awards=
(presented February 12, 2017 in Los Angeles)
- Best Country Solo Performance – My Church (Maren Morris)
- Best Country Duo/Group Performance – Jolene (Pentatonix ft. Dolly Parton)
- Best Country Song – Humble and Kind (Lori McKenna)
- Best Country Album – A Sailor's Guide to Earth (Sturgill Simpson)
- Best Bluegrass Album – Coming Home (Mark O'Connor Band)
- Best Americana Album – This Is Where I Live (William Bell)
- Best American Roots Performance – House of Mercy (Sarah Jarosz)
- Best American Roots Song – Kid Sister (Vince Gill)
- Best Roots Gospel Album – Hymns That Are Important to Us (Joey + Rory)
=Juno Awards=
(presented April 2, 2017 in Ottawa)
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{List of years in country music}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:2016 In Country Music}}