2018 in country music
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 2018.
{{YYYY music|2018}}
{{Year nav topic5|2018|country music}}
Events
- January – The critically acclaimed ABC/CMT series Nashville announces it will stop production after its sixth season which premiered on January 4, 2018. The show's last episode aired on July 26, 2018.
- January 17 – Kenny Chesney announces that he has left Sony Music Nashville after 23 years and has subsequently signed with Warner Music Nashville.{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8094510/kenny-chesney-warner-music-nashville-signs/|title=Kenny Chesney Moves to Warner Music Nashville, Exiting Sony Music|website=Billboard.com|access-date=June 5, 2018}}
- February 2 – Montgomery Gentry release their final album together, Here's to You, following the death of Troy Gentry in September 2017.{{cite web |last1=Whitaker |first1=Sterling |title=Montgomery Gentry Releasing New Album 'Here's to You' in February |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/montgomery-gentry-heres-to-you-album/ |website=Taste of Country |access-date=September 5, 2018 |date=November 8, 2017}}
- April 14 – Weeks after his impromptu performance of the Hank Williams Sr. hit song "Lovesick Blues" at his local Wal-Mart in southern Illinois had made him a viral country phenomenon, 11 year old Mason Ramsey realizes his dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry. Five years later, a teenaged Ramsey would return to the Opry, performing the song again on the 75th anniversary of the country standard.
- April 15 – The Academy of Country Music awards return to Las Vegas for the first time since the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, with Reba McEntire returning as host; Carrie Underwood makes her comeback performance after months out of the public eye while recovering from injuries she suffered in a fall at home.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/acmas/8337851/2018-acm-awards-las-vegas-tribute|title=2018 ACM Awards Open With Tribute to Las Vegas Shooting|last=Warner|first=Denise|magazine=Billboard |date=April 15, 2018}}
- April 30 – USA Network announces Real Country, a reality competition show designed to find the next big country star and featuring Travis Tritt, Jake Owen and Shania Twain as judges.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usanetwork.com/news/usa-announces-real-country-with-shania-twain-and-jake-owen|title=USA Announces 'Real Country' with Shania Twain and Jake Owen | Blog|date=April 30, 2018|website=USA Network}}
- June 8 – Sugarland returns with the release of their first album together since 2010, Bigger.{{cite web|url=http://www.soundslikenashville.com/reviews/album-review-sugarland-bigger/|title=Album Review: Sugarland's 'Bigger'|last=Reuter|first=Annie|date=June 5, 2018}}
- June 25 – Fox announces it will air "iHeartCountry Festival", featuring headliners Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, and more in August.{{cite web |title=All-New Special 'iHeartCountry Festival,' Celebrating the Best in Country Music, To Air 8/5, on FOX |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/All-New-Special-iHeartCountry-Festival-Celebrating-the-Best-in-Country-Music-To-Air-85-on-FOX-20180625 |date=June 25, 2018 |access-date=September 5, 2018}}
- June 26 – Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, and Faith Hill are announced to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1796398/faith-hill-dolly-parton-emmylou-harris-linda-ronstadt-set-for-hollywood-walk-of-fame-stars/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627034148/http://www.cmt.com/news/1796398/faith-hill-dolly-parton-emmylou-harris-linda-ronstadt-set-for-hollywood-walk-of-fame-stars/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 27, 2018|title=Faith Hill, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt Set for Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars|first=CMT com|author=((Staff 6/26/2018))|website=CMT News}}
- July 25 – Reba McEntire is announced as one of the recipients of the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors.{{cite web |url=http://tasteofcountry.com/reba-mcentire-kennedy-center-honors-2018/|title=Reba McEntire to receive the Kennedy Center Honors|last=Whitaker|first=Sterling|website=Taste of Country|date=July 26, 2018|access-date=September 5, 2018}}
- August 8 – Carrie Underwood announces her pregnancy with her second child.{{cite web|last1=Juneau|first1=Jen|title=Carrie Underwood Is Pregnant! Singer and Husband Mike Fisher 'Adding Another Fish to Our Pond'|url=https://people.com/parents/carrie-underwood-pregnant-mike-fisher-expecting-second-child/|website=People|access-date=September 5, 2018|date=August 8, 2018}}
- September 20 – Carrie Underwood receives her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.{{cite web|last1=Whitaker|first1=Sterling|title=Carrie Underwood Tears Up During Hollywood Walk of Fame Induction – See Pictures!|url=http://tasteofcountry.com/carrie-underwood-hollywood-walk-of-fame-induction-pictures/|website=Taste of Country|date=September 20, 2018|access-date=November 11, 2018}}
- November 20 – Jimmie Allen reaches number one on Country Airplay with "Best Shot", making him the first African American to send a debut single to the top of that chart.{{cite web | url=http://www.soundslikenashville.com/news/jimmie-allen-history-no1-best-shot/ | title=JIMMIE ALLEN MAKES HISTORY WITH NO.1 SINGLE 'BEST SHOT' | work=Sounds Like Nashville | date=19 November 2018 | access-date=November 20, 2018}}
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 2018:
{{See also|List of Billboard number-one country songs of 2018|List of number-one country singles of 2018 (Canada)}}
= Singles released by American and Australian artists =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| width="45"|Songs
!width="45"|Airplay !width="45"|Canada !width=auto|Single !width=auto|Artist !width=auto|References |
|---|
| align=center|21
|align=center|11 |align=center|22 |"All Day Long" |
| align=center|6
|align=center|2 |align=center|2 |"All on Me" |
| align=center|8
|align=center|17 |align=center|16 |"Babe" |Sugarland |
| align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Best Shot" |
| align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |"Blue Tacoma" |
| align=center|19
|align=center|18 |align=center|26 |
| align=center|14
|align=center|16 |align=center|50 |"Boy" |
| align=center|4
|align=center|2 |align=center|34 |
| align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 |"Broken Halos" |
| align=center|11
|align=center|3 |align=center|1 |"Coming Home" |Keith Urban |
| align=center|5
|align=center|9 |align=center|8 |"Cry Pretty" |
| align=center|8
|align=center|13 |align=center|4 |
| align=center|14
|align=center|15 |align=center|22 |
| align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Jason Aldean |
| align=center|12
|align=center|7 |align=center|25 |"Drunk Girl" |
| align=center|6
|align=center|2 |align=center|2 |"Drunk Me" |
| align=center|9
|align=center|1 |align=center|16 |"Everything's Gonna Be Alright" |
| align=center|4
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Famous" |
| align=center|11
|align=center|12 |align=center|3 |"Female" |Keith Urban |
| align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |
| align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|6 |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Get Along" |Kenny Chesney |
| align=center|17
|align=center|15 |align=center|43 |"Get to You" |
| align=center|15
|align=center|6 |align=center|10 |
| align=center|8
|align=center|2 |align=center|4 |"Hangin' On" |
| align=center|18
|align=center|13 |align=center|32 |
| align=center|22
|align=center|15 |align=center|33 |"Heart Break" |Lady Antebellum |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Heaven" |Kane Brown |
| align=center|21
|align=center|13 |align=center|13 |
| align=center|6
|align=center|2 |align=center|14 |"Hooked" |
| align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |"Hotel Key" |
| align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|14 |
| align=center|8
|align=center|3 |align=center|3 |"I Lived It" |
| align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"I Was Jack (You Were Diane)" |Jake Owen |
| align=center|28
|align=center|17 |align=center|43 |
| align=center|11
|align=center|3 |align=center|20 |
| align=center|12
|align=center|6 |align=center|23 |"Last Shot" |
| align=center|10
|align=center|1 |align=center|3 |"Legends" |
| align=center|6
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Life Changes" |
| align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Brett Young |
| align=center|7
|align=center|3 |align=center|7 |"The Long Way" |
| align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Lose It" |Kane Brown |
| align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |"Losing Sleep" |Chris Young |
| align=center|23
|align=center|15 |align=center|12 |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Marry Me" |Thomas Rhett |
| align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|7 |"Meant to Be" |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|8 |"Mercy" |Brett Young |
| align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |
| align=center|14
|align=center|— |align=center|— |"Must've Never Met You" |
| align=center|24
|align=center|20 |align=center|35 |"Neon Church" |
| align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Luke Combs |
| align=center|22
|align=center|15 |align=center|38 |
| align=center|18
|align=center|25 |align=center|48 |Tim McGraw |
| align=center|8
|align=center|4 |align=center|2 |"Rich" |Maren Morris |
| align=center|7
|align=center|2 |align=center|8 |Eric Church |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Luke Combs |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Simple" |Florida Georgia Line |
| align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |
| align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |"Speechless" |
| align=center|4
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |Luke Bryan |
| align=center|12
|align=center|8 |align=center|3 |Chris Lane |
| align=center|1
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Tequila" |Dan + Shay |
| align=center|14
|align=center|10 |align=center|20 |Blake Shelton |
| align=center|5
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Up Down" |Morgan Wallen |
| align=center|7
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |"Woman, Amen" |Dierks Bentley |
| align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Old Dominion |
| align=center|9
|align=center|10 |align=center|17 |
| align=center|2
|align=center|1 |align=center|1 |Jason Aldean |
| align=center|3
|align=center|1 |align=center|2 |"Yours" |Russell Dickerson |
= Singles released by Canadian artists =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| width="45"|Songs
!width="45"|Airplay !width="45"|Canada !width=auto|Single !width=auto|Artist !width=auto|References |
|---|
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|1 |"8th Day" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|15 |"18 Ends" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|9 |"All About Her" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|8 |"Anthem" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|12 |"The Bad Guy" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|16 |"Bittersweet" |Paul Brandt |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|19 |"Blame It on the Neon" |Leaving Thomas |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|9 |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|7 |"Camouflage" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|5 |"Country Music Made Me Do It" |Meghan Patrick |
| align=center|28
|align=center|19 |align=center|1 |"Criminal" |Lindsay Ell |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|3 |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|5 |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|1 |"Dive Bar" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|8 |"Do It with You"
|
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|13 |"Downtown Kids" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|11 |"Feel Like That" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|10 |"Forever Rebels" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|18 |"Get Me There" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|6 |"Good Goodbye" |Dean Brody |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|6 |{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/james-barker-band/chart-history/CCW |title=James Barker Band Chart History (Canada Country) |magazine=Billboard |access-date=August 2, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211201062400/https://www.billboard.com/artist/james-barker-band/chart-history/ccw/ |archive-date=December 1, 2021|url-status=dead}} |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|6 |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|8 |"Guitars and Gasoline" |Brett Kissel |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|12 |"Habit" |Andrew Hyatt |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|16 |"Little Girl" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|6 |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|4 |"Loud" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|1 |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|9 |"Miss Me Yet" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|13 |"Money" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|11 |"Neon Love" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|10 |"Neon Smoke" |Gord Bamford |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|3 |Dallas Smith |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|6 |"The Road" |
| align=center|11
|align=center|7 |align=center|— |"She's with Me" {{small|(U.S. release)}} |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|1 |Dallas Smith |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|16 |"Sun Set on It" |David James |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|9 |Hunter Brothers |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|1 |Meghan Patrick |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|15 |"What We're Made Of" |Washboard Union |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|1 |Tebey |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|17 |"The Worst Kind" |Tim Hicks |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|6 |"Worth a Shot" |
| align=center|—
|align=center|— |align=center|10 |"Young Forever" |High Valley |
= Notes =
- "—" denotes releases that did not chart
- A{{anchor|endnote_A}}^ Current singles.
Top new album releases
The following albums placed on the Top Country Albums charts in 2018:
{{See also|List of Top Country Albums number ones of 2018}}
{{See also|List of UK Country Albums Chart number ones of 2018}}
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| width=45|US
! Album ! Artist ! Record Label ! Release Date ! Reference |
|---|
| align="center"| 1
| Warner Bros. Nashville | August 17 |
| align="center"| 5
| Amos | Atlantic Nashville | June 1 |
| align="center"| 2
| Bigger | Big Machine | June 8 |
| align="center"| 5
| Creeker | Upchurch | Redneck Nation | April 20 |
| align="center"| 1
| 19/Capitol Nashville | September 14 |
| align="center"| 1
| Warner Bros. Nashville | June 22 |
| align="center"| 5
| Warner Bros. Nashville | January 19 |
| align="center" | 1
| RCA Nashville | November 9 |
| align="center"| 1
| EMI Nashville | October 5 |
| align="center"| 3
| Find a Light | 3 Legged Records | April 6 |
| align="center"| 10
| Florida Georgia Line (EP) | Republic Nashville | June 1 |
| align="center"| 7
| Warner Bros. Nashville | March 30 |
| align="center"| 1
| MCA Nashville | March 30 |
| align="center"| 1
| Capitol Nashville | April 27 |
| align="center"| 1
| LANCO | Arista Nashville | January 19 |
| align="center"| 3
| Average Joes | February 2 |
| align="center"| 6
| MCA Nashville | March 23 |
| align="center"| 2
| MCA Nashville | October 26 |
| align="center"| 1
| Big Loud Mountain | April 27 |
| align="center"| 1
| RCA Nashville | November 2 |
| align="center"| 9
| Various Artists | Legacy | April 6 | |
| align="center"| 8
| Big Loud | July 13 |
| align="center"| 3
| Legacy | April 27 |
| align="center"| 2
| Lifers | Rounder | July 27 |
| align="center"| 3
| Live from the Ryman | Thirty Tigers | October 19 |
| align="center"| 1
| Capitol Nashville | June 8 |
| align="center"| 6
| Now That's What I Call Country, Volume 11 | Various Artists | Sony Music/Universal | June 8 | |
| align="center"| 2
| EMI Nashville | April 20 |
| align="center"| 1
| Broken Bow | April 13 |
| align="center" | 4
| Restoration: Reimagining the Songs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin | Various Artists | UMG Nashville | April 6 | |
| align="center"| 1
| Triple Tigers | March 16 |
| align="center"| 1
| Warner Music Nashville | July 27 |
| align="center"| 6
| Supernatural | Upchurch | Redneck Nation | September 7 |
| align="center"| 5
| Riser House/Columbia Nashville | December 14 |
| align="center"| 9
| Warner Music Nashville | October 12 |
| align="center"| 1
| Big Machine | December 7 |
| align="center"| 2
| The Tree of Forgiveness | Oh Boy Records | April 13 |
| align="center"| 9
| Water (EP) | Croakin' Poets | February 9 |
| align="center"| 8
| Legacy | September 28 |
= Other top albums =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| width=45|US
! Album ! Artist ! Record Label ! Release Date ! Reference |
|---|
| align="center"| 13
| Ameracal | Adam Calhoun | March 16 |
| align="center"| 40
| The Anthology Part III, LIVE | Pearl Records | November 20 |
| align="center"| 29
| The Biggest Hits of Tim McGraw | Curb Records | June 15 |
| align="center"| 24
| Dirt Rock | The Lacs | Average Joes | May 4 |
| align="center"| 41
| Downey to Lubbock | Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore | Yep Roc | June 1 |
| align="center"| 16
| Dumplin' | RCA Nashville/Dolly Records | November 30 |
| align="center"| 38
| Elvis: '68 Comeback Special: 50th Anniversary Edition (soundtrack) | RCA Legacy | November 30 |
| align="center"| 17
| Elvis Presley: The Searcher (Soundtrack) | Elvis Presley | RCA Legacy | April 6 |
| align="center"| 19
| Hard Times and White Lines | Whitey Morgan Music | October 26 |
| align="center"| 11
| Broken Bow/Stoney Creek | October 12 |
| align="center"| 35
| Mitchell Tenpenny (EP) | Riser House | February 23 |
| align="center"| 35
| Reviver | April 6 |
| align="center"| 41
| One Drop of Truth | Honey Jar | February 2 |
| align="center"| 27
| Project X, Volume 1 | Upchurch x Bottleneck | Redneck Nation | January 26 |
| align="center"| 21
| River Rat | Upchurch | Redneck Nation | December 21 |
| align="center"| 20
| Room to Spare: The Acoustic Sessions | MCA Nashville | November 16 |
| align="center"| 16
| She Remembers Everything | Blue Note Records | November 2 |
| align="center"| 42
| Shooter | Low Country Sound | August 10 |
| align="center"| 27
| Solid Ground | Lil' Buddy Toons | February 9 |
| align="center"| 29
| Sometimes Just the Sky | Lambent Light | March 30 |
| align="center"| 17
| Songs of the Plains | Young Mary's | October 12 |
| align="center"| 21
| Sparrow | Warner Bros. Nashville | April 20 |
| align="center"| 23
| They Were There: A Hero's Documentary (soundtrack) | Wheelhouse Records | November 30 |
| align="center"|20
| Things Change | New West Records | June 1 |
| align="center"|21
| The Throne | Adam Calhoun | November 2 |
| align="center"|16
| 'Til I'm Gone | Lone Chief | September 21 |
| align="center"|39
| The Tree | CN Records | July 20 |
| align="center"|32
| The Voice: The Season 15 Collection | Kirk Jay | | December 14 |
| align="center"|49
| The Voice: The Season 15 Collection | Chevel Shepherd | | December 14 | |
| align="center"| 14
| Volunteer | Columbia Nashville | April 20 |
| align="center"| 46
| Wind (EP) | Croakin' Poets | September 7 |
| align="center"| 20
| WW III | Thirty Tigers | November 30 |
| align="center"| 34
| You Got 'Em All | Big Machine Label Group | May 18 |
Deaths
- January 2 – Rick Hall, 85, record producer and owner of FAME Studios{{cite web|url=http://www.timesdaily.com/news/local/shoals-music-pioneer-rick-hall-dies-at/article_99356b38-74c4-505c-a682-d22e511b7803.html |title=Shoals music pioneer Rick Hall dies at 85 | Local News |website=Timesdaily.com |date=January 2, 2018|access-date=January 9, 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://www.waff.com/story/37173873/father-of-muscle-shoals-music-dead-at-85|title='Father of Muscle Shoals Music' dead at 85|first2=Amanda |last2=Jarrett|first1= Lauren|last1=Scharf|website=Waff.com|date=2 January 2018 }}
- January 23 – Lari White, 52, singer-songwriter and actress best known for the hit "Now I Know" (advanced peritoneal cancer).{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/lari-white-now-i-know-country-singer-dead-at-52-w515694|title=Lari White, 'Now I Know' Country Singer and Actress, Dead at 52|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=January 23, 2018}}
- February 12 – Daryle Singletary, 46, neotraditionalist singer-songwriter with hits including "I Let Her Lie", "Amen Kind of Love" and "Too Much Fun".{{cite news |last1=Singletary |first1=Daryle |title=Daryle Singletary's Family Tells All On Singer's Sudden Death: 'He Just Died Quick' |url=https://radaronline.com/exclusives/2018/02/country-singer-dead-daryle-singletary-family-tells-all-blood-clot-911-police-sudden-nashville/ |access-date=18 November 2018 |publisher=Radar Online |ref=3}} (blood clot)
- February 25 – Bruce Nelson Stratton, 74, American radio personality (throat cancer).{{cite web|url=http://www.kztv10.com/story/37589184/country-music-legend-dr-bruce-dies-in-sleep|title=Country music legend Dr. Bruce dies in sleep|website=Kztv10.com|access-date=2018-02-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227034357/http://www.kztv10.com/story/37589184/country-music-legend-dr-bruce-dies-in-sleep|archive-date=2018-02-27|url-status=dead}}
- March 2 – Ronnie Prophet, 80, Canadian country music singer (multiple organ failure).{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/obit-ronnie-prophet-1.4559843|title=Canadian country star Ronnie Prophet dead at 80 – CBC News|website=Cbc.ca|access-date=June 5, 2018}}
- March 18 – Hazel Smith, 83, American country music journalist, publicist and songwriter; first to coin the phrase "outlaw" in relation to country music.{{cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/entertainment/articles/2018-03-19/country-music-journalist-hazel-smith-dies-at-age-83|title=Country Music Journalist Hazel Smith Dies at Age 83|website=Usnews.com|access-date=June 5, 2018}}
- March 27 – Kenny O'Dell, 73, American country singer-songwriter ("Behind Closed Doors", "Lizzie and the Rainman", "Mama He's Crazy"), Grammy winner (1974).{{cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-grammy-winning-country-songwriter-kenny-odell-dies-at-73-2018-3|title=Grammy-winning country songwriter Kenny O'Dell dies at 73|website=Businessinsider.com|access-date=June 5, 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330013148/http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-grammy-winning-country-songwriter-kenny-odell-dies-at-73-2018-3|url-status=dead}}
- April 17 – Tom McBride, 81, Irish country star and lead singer of Big Tom and The Mainliners.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-43793492|title=Country music singer Big Tom dies|date=April 17, 2018|access-date=June 5, 2018|website=Bbc.co.uk}}
- April 18 – Randy Scruggs, 64, multiple Grammy-winning songwriter and guitarist; son of Earl Scruggs.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/randy-scruggs-musician-and-songwriter-dead-at-64-w519271 |title=Randy Scruggs, Award-Winning Musician and Songwriter, Dead at 64 |first=Stephen L. |last=Betts |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=April 18, 2018 |issn=0035-791X}}
- June 2 – Wayne Secrest, 68, bassist for Confederate Railroad{{cite web|url=https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/177213/confederate-railroad-founding-member-wayne-secrest|title=Confederate Railroad Founding Member Wayne Secrest Dies At Age 68|website=Allaccess.com|access-date=June 5, 2018}}
- June 5 – Billy ThunderKloud, 70, Native American country music singer.{{cite web |last1=Oermann |first1=Robert K. |title=Country Singer Billy ThunderKloud Dies |url=https://musicrow.com/2018/06/country-singer-billy-thunderkloud-dies/ |website=Music Row |date=11 June 2018 |access-date=5 July 2018}} (complications from stroke and pneumonia).
- August 4 – Lorrie Collins, 76, American rockabilly singer, member of The Collins Kids.{{cite web|url=https://bestclassicbands.com/lorrie-collins-obituary-8-5-188/|title=Lorrie Collins, Rockabilly Singer (Collins Kids), Dies at 76 |date=13 June 2015|website=Bestclassicbands.com|accessdate=5 August 2018}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/08/obituaries/lorrie-collins-dynamic-rockabilly-singer-is-dead-at-76.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytobits|title=Lorrie Collins, Dynamic Rockabilly Singer, Dies at 76|work=The New York Times|date=8 August 2018 |accessdate=August 9, 2018 |last1=Friskics-Warren |first1=Bill }}
- October 27 – Freddie Hart, 91, singer-songwriter ("Easy Loving", "My Hang-Up Is You", "Trip to Heaven", "Hang In There Girl") (pneumonia).
- November 1 – Dave Rowland, 74, lead singer of Dave & Sugar (stroke).
- November 15 – Roy Clark, 85, country music singer, musician and host of Hee Haw (complications from pneumonia).
- December 15 – Jerry Chesnut, 87, songwriter ("It's Four in the Morning", "T-R-O-U-B-L-E"){{cite web|url=https://www.wymt.com/content/news/Harlan-County-native-Hall-of-Fame-songwriter-dies-in-Nashville-502937441.html|title=Harlan County native, Hall of Fame songwriter dies in Nashville|website=Wymt.com|date=17 December 2018 |access-date=17 December 2018}}
- December 22 – Jimmy Work, 94, American country singer-songwriter ("Making Believe").{{cite web | url=https://www.kfvs12.com/2018/12/25/heartland-musician-songwriter-jimmy-work-dies/ | title=Heartland musician, songwriter Jimmy Work dies at 94 | last=Hinton | first=Kyle | website=kfvs12.com| date=25 December 2018 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hornbeakfuneralchapel.com/obituary/jimmy-work?lud=E48EDF1DB42A916CD80B2DFFA02D8CD1|title=Obituary for Jimmy Work at Hornbeak Funeral Chapel|website=hornbeakfuneralchapel.com|access-date=2019-11-02|archive-date=2019-11-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102045820/https://www.hornbeakfuneralchapel.com/obituary/jimmy-work%3Flud%3DE48EDF1DB42A916CD80B2DFFA02D8CD1|url-status=dead}}
- December 31 – Ray Sawyer, 81, American country singer Dr. Hook & the Medicine Show (short illness).{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/obituaries/ray-sawyer-dead.html|title=Ray Sawyer, 'Cover of Rolling Stone' Singer, Dies at 81|work=The New York Times|first=Neil|last=Genzlinger|date=January 2, 2019|access-date=January 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190103034802/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/02/obituaries/ray-sawyer-dead.html|archive-date=January 3, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|url=https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/hook-singer-ray-sawyer-dead/3xk1DdacpfCfsmfMlv6mEL/|title=Dr. Hook singer Ray Sawyer dead at 81|first=Bob|last=D'Angelo|newspaper=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|access-date=January 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101194046/https://www.ajc.com/entertainment/hook-singer-ray-sawyer-dead/3xk1DdacpfCfsmfMlv6mEL/|archive-date=January 1, 2019|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}
Hall of Fame inductees
= Bluegrass Hall of Fame =
= Country Music Hall of Fame inductees =
- Ricky Skaggs, bluegrass-influenced-and-styled singer-songwriter-musician and leading figure in the neotraditionalist movement of the 1980s onward (born 1954).{{cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1792529/country-music-hall-of-fame-elects-ricky-skaggs-dottie-west-johnny-gimble/|title=Country Music Hall of Fame Elects Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West, Johnny Gimble|publisher=CMT|date=March 27, 2018|access-date=November 29, 2018|archive-date=April 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401044910/http://www.cmt.com/news/1792529/country-music-hall-of-fame-elects-ricky-skaggs-dottie-west-johnny-gimble/|url-status=dead}}
- Dottie West, leading singer of the 1960s and early 1970s, enjoyed pop-styled resurgence in late 1970s and early 1980s (1932–1991).
- Johnny Gimble, Western swing-styled musician and member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys (1926–2015).
= Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees =
- Terri Clark, singer (born 1968){{cite web|url=https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/local-arts/national-music-centre-terri-clark-canadian-country-music-hall-of-fame-jackie-rae-greening|title=Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Terri Clark, broadcaster Jackie Rae Greening honoured with exhibit at National Music Centre|work=Calgary Herald|date=September 26, 2018}}
- Jackie Rae Greening, broadcaster
Major awards
= Academy of Country Music =
(presented in Las Vegas on April 7, 2019)
- Entertainer of the Year – Keith Urban
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Thomas Rhett
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Kacey Musgraves
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Dan + Shay
- Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- New Male Vocalist of the Year – Luke Combs
- New Female Vocalist of the Year – Ashley McBryde
- New Vocal Duo/Group of the Year – Lanco
- Songwriter of the Year – Shane McAnally
- Album of the Year – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
- Single of the Year – "Tequila" (Dan + Shay)
- Song of the Year – "Tequila" (Nicolle Galyon, Jordan Reynolds Dan Smyers)
- Vocal Event of the Year – "Burning Man" (Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
- Video of the Year – "Drunk Girl" (Chris Janson)
- Artist of the Decade – Jason Aldean
(presented August 22 in Nashville)
- Cliffie Stone Icon Award – Alan Jackson
- Merle Haggard Spirit Award – Dierks Bentley
- Mae Boren Axton Award – Mickey Christensen, Chris Christensen and Eddie Miller
- Poet's Award – Matraca Berg and Norro Wilson
- Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award – Darius Rucker
- Gene Weed Milestone Award – Sam Hunt
- Songwriter of the Year – Rhett Akins
- Producer of the Year – Dave Cobb
- Jim Reeves International Award – Rob Potts
= Americana Music Honors & Awards =
(presented on September 12, 2018){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/jason-isbell-is-the-big-winner-at-2018-americana-honors-awards-723511/|title=Jason Isbell Is the Big Winner at 2018 Americana Honors & Awards|first1=Joseph|last1=Hudak|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 13, 2018}}
- Album of the Year – The Nashville Sound (Jason Isbell)
- Artist of the Year – John Prine
- Duo/Group of the Year – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
- Song of the Year – "If We Were Vampires" (Jason Isbell)
- Emerging Artist of the Year – Tyler Childers
- Instrumentalist of the Year – Molly Tuttle
- Spirit of Americana/Free Speech Award – Rosanne Cash
- Lifetime Achievement: Trailblazer – k.d. lang
- Lifetime Achievement: Performance – Irma Thomas
- Lifetime Achievement: Instrumentalist – Buddy Guy
- Lifetime Achievement: Executive – Judy Dlugacz and Cris Williamson
= American Music Awards =
(presented in Los Angeles on October 9, 2018)
- Favorite Male Artist – Kane Brown
- Favorite Female Artist – Carrie Underwood
- Favorite Group or Duo – Florida Georgia Line
- Favorite Album – Kane Brown (Kane Brown)
- Favorite Song – "Heaven" (Kane Brown)
= ARIA Awards =
(presented in Sydney on November 28, 2018){{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/nov/28/aria-awards-2018-amy-shark-gurrumul-and-kasey-chambers-win-big-in-moving-awards-night|title=Aria awards 2018: Amy Shark, Gurrumul and Kasey Chambers win big in moving ceremony|first=Steph|last=Harmon|newspaper=The Guardian |date=November 28, 2018|via=www.theguardian.com}}
= Billboard Music Awards =
(presented in Las Vegas on May 20, 2018)
- Top Country Artist – Chris Stapleton
- Top Male Country Artist – Chris Stapleton
- Top Female Country Artist – Maren Morris
- Top Country Duo/Group – Florida Georgia Line
- Top Country Album – From A Room: Volume 1 (Chris Stapleton)
- Top Country Song – "Body Like a Back Road" (Zach Crowell, Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)
- Top Country Tour – Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day Tour (Luke Bryan)
=CMT Awards=
(presented on June 7, 2018, in Nashville){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/2018-cmt-music-awards-the-complete-winners-list-628166/|title=2018 CMT Music Awards: The Complete Winners List|first1=Joseph|last1=Hudak|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=June 7, 2018}}
- Video of the Year – "I'll Name the Dogs" (Blake Shelton)
- Male Video of the Year – "I'll Name the Dogs" (Blake Shelton)
- Female Video of the Year – "The Champion" (Carrie Underwood ft. Ludacris)
- Duo Video of the Year – "Tequila" (Dan + Shay)
- Group Video of the Year – "When Someone Stops Loving You" (Little Big Town)
- Breakthrough Video of the Year – "Every Little Thing" (Carly Pearce)
- Collaborative Video of the Year – "What Ifs" (Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina)
- CMT Performance of the Year – "Everybody" (Backstreet Boys and Florida Georgia Line) from CMT Crossroads
CMT Artists of the Year
(presented on October 17, 2019, in Nashville){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/maren-morris-miranda-lambert-set-for-2018-cmt-artists-of-the-year-722471/|title=Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert Set for 2018 CMT Artists of the Year|first1=Stephen L.|last1=Betts|magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 11, 2018}}
=Country Music Association Awards=
(presented on November 15, 2018, in Nashville){{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/cma-awards-2018-complete-winners-list-755949/|title=CMA Awards 2018: The Complete Winners List|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=November 14, 2018}}
- Entertainer of the Year – Keith Urban
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Chris Stapleton
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Carrie Underwood
- New Artist of the Year – Luke Combs
- Vocal Duo of the Year – Brothers Osborne
- Vocal Group of the Year – Old Dominion
- Musician of the Year – Mac McAnally
- Single of the Year – "Broken Halos" (Chris Stapleton)
- Song of the Year – "Broken Halos" (Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton)
- Album of the Year – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
- Musical Event of the Year – "Everything's Gonna Be Alright (David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney)
- Music Video of the Year – "Marry Me" (Thomas Rhett)
- International Artist Achievement Award – Little Big Town
- Global Artist Achievement Award – Dean Brody (Canada)
= Grammy Awards =
(presented in Los Angeles on February 10, 2019)
- Album of the Year – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
- Best Country Solo Performance – "Butterflies" (Kacey Musgraves)
- Best Country Duo/Group Performance – "Tequila" (Dan + Shay)
- Best Country Song – "Space Cowboy" (Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Kacey Musgraves)
- Best Country Album – Golden Hour (Kacey Musgraves)
- Best Bluegrass Album – The Travelin' McCourys (The Travelin' McCourys)
- Best Americana Album – By the Way, I Forgive You (Brandi Carlile)
- Best American Roots Performance – "The Joke" (Brandi Carlile)
- Best American Roots Song – "The Joke" (Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth)
- Best Roots Gospel Album – Unexpected (Jason Crabb)
= International Bluegrass Music Association Awards =
(presented on September 27, 2018){{Cite web|url=https://thebluegrasssituation.com/read/ibma-awards-2018-read-the-full-winners-list/|title=IBMA Awards 2018: Read the Full Winners List|date=September 28, 2018|website=The Bluegrass Situation}}
- Entertainer of the Year – Balsam Range
- Male Vocalist of the Year – Buddy Melton
- Female Vocalist of the Year – Brooke Aldridge
- Vocal Group of the Year – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
- Instrumental Group of the Year – The Travelin' McCourys
- Emerging Artist of the Year – The Po' Ramblin' Boys
- Guitar Player of the Year – Molly Tuttle
- Banjo Player of the Year – Ned Luberecki
- Mandolin Player of the Year – Sierra Hull
- Fiddle Player of the Year – Michael Cleveland
- Bass Player of the Year – Tim Surrett
- Dobro Player of the Year – Justin Moses
- Album of the Year – Rivers & Roads (The Special Consensus)
- Song of the Year – "If I'd Have Wrote That Song" (Larry Cordle, Larry Shell, James Silvers)
- Recorded Event of the Year – "Swept Away" (Missy Raines with Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull and Molly Tuttle)
- Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year – "Squirrel Hunters" (The Special Consensus with John Hartford, Rachel Baiman, Christian Sedelmyer and Alison Brown)
- Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year – "Speakin' To That Mountain" (Becky Buller)
= Juno Awards =
(presented in London on March 16–17, 2019)
- Country Album of the Year – We Were That Song (Brett Kissel)
- Contemporary Roots Album of the Year – Both Ways (Donovan Woods)
- Traditional Roots Album of the Year – Sweet Old Religion (Pharis and Jason Romero)
- Breakthrough Group of the Year – The Washboard Union
- Recording Engineer of the Year – Shawn Everett (Golden Hour)