Country Music 1981

Top hits of the year

Number 1 hits

January 19th - "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink" - Merle Haggard
January 17th - "I Love a Rainy Night" - Eddie Rabbitt
January 24th - "9 to 5" - Dolly Parton
January 31st - "I Feel Like Loving You Again" - TG Sheppard
February 7th - "I Keep Coming Back" - Razzy Bailey
February 14th - "Who's Cheatin 'Who" - Charly McClain
February 21 - "Southern Rains" - Mel Tillis
February 28th - "Are You Happy Baby" - Dottie West
March 7th - "Do You Love as Good as You Look" - Bellamy Brothers
March 14th - "Guitar Man" - Elvis Presley
March 21 - Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground - Willie Nelson
March 28 - "Texas Women" - Hank Williams Jr.
April 4th - "Drifter" - Sylvia
April 11th - "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" - David Frizzell and Shelly West
April 18 - "Old Flame" - Alabama
April 25th - "A Headache Tomorrow (or a Heartache Tonight)" - Mickey Gilley
May 2nd - "Rest Your Love on Me" - Conway Twitty
May 9th - "Am I Losing You" - Ronnie Milsap
May 16 - "I Loved 'Em Every One" - TG Sheppard
May 23rd - "Seven Year Ache" - Rosanne Cash
May 30th - "Elvira" - Oak Ridge Boys
June 6th - "Friends" - Razzy Bailey
June 13th - "What Are We Doin 'in Love" - Dottie West and Kenny Rogers
June 20th - "But You Know I Love You" - Dolly Parton
June 27th - "Blessed Are the Believers" - Anne Murray
July 4th - "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" - Barbara Mandrell (with George Jones )
July 11th - Fire and Smoke - Earl Thomas Conley
July 18 - Feels So Right - Alabama
August 1st - "Dixie on My Mind" - Hank Williams Jr.
August 8 - "Too Many Lovers" - Crystal Gayle
August 15th - "I Don't Need You" - Kenny Rogers
August 19 - "(There's) No Getting Over Me" - Ronnie Milsap
September 12 - "Older Women" - Ronnie McDowell
September 19th - "You Don't Know Me" - Mickey Gilley
September 26th - "Tight Fittin 'Jeans" - Conway Twitty
October 3rd - "Midnight Hauler" - Razzy Bailey
October 10th - "Party Time" - TG Sheppard
October 17th - "Step by Step" - Eddie Rabbitt
October 24th - "Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)" - Charley Pride
November 7th - "Fancy Free" - Oak Ridge Boys
November 14th - "My Baby Thinks He's a Train" - Rosanne Cash
November 21 - "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)" - Hank Williams Jr.
November 28th - “My Favorite Memory” - Merle Haggard
December 5th - "Bet Your Heart on Me" - Johnny Lee
December 12th - Still Doin 'Time - George Jones
December 19th - "All Roads Lead to You" - Steve Wariner
December 26th - Love in the First Degree - Alabama

Albums (selection)

9 to 5 and Other Odd Jobs - Dolly Parton (RCA)
Fancy Free - Oak Ridge Boys (MCA)
Feels So Right - Alabama (RCA)
The Pressure is On - Hank Williams Jr. (Elektra / Curb)
Share Your Love - Kenny Rogers (United Artists)
Strait Country - George Strait (MCA)

New members of the Country Music Hall of Fame

Vernon Dalhart (1883-1948)
Grant Turner (1912-1991)

The most important awards

Academy of Country Music

Entertainer Of The Year - Alabama
Song Of The Year - "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma" - David Frizzell and Shelly West
Single Of The Year - "Elvira" - Oak Ridge Boys
Album Of The Year - Feels So Right - Alabama
Top Male Vocalist - Merle Haggard
Top Female Vocalist - Barbara Mandrell
Top vocal duo - Shelly West and David Frizzell
Top New Male Vocalist - Ricky Skaggs
Top New Female Vocalist - Juice Newton

Country Music Association

Entertainer of the Year - Barbara Mandrell
Song Of The Year - "He Stopped Loving Her Today" - B.Braddock / C.Putman
Single Of The Year - "Elvira" - Oak Ridge Boys
Album Of The Year - "I Believe In You" - Don Williams
Male Vocalist Of The Year - George Jones
Female Vocalist Of The Year - Barbara Mandrel
Vocal Duo Of The Year - David Frizzell / Shelly West
Vocal Group Of The Year - Alabama
Instrumentalist Of The Year - Chet Atkins
Horizon Award - Terri Gibbs
Instrumental Group Of The Year - Alabama