This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in 1961.
March 17 – September 22 — NBC-TV airs Five Star Jubilee, a weekly show featuring five rotating hosts: Rex Allen, Snooky Lanson, Tex Ritter, Carl Smith and Jimmy Wakely.
June 14 — Patsy Cline is seriously injured after a car accident. While in the hospital, the song "I Fall to Pieces" becomes a huge country-pop crossover hit.
The Country Music Association (CMA) develops and finalizes plans for the new Country Music Hall of Fame, to honor performers and others who were influential in the history of the genre. The first three inductees, honored on November 3, are all posthumous:
Jimmie Rodgers, a songwriter who - despite poor health - merged hillbilly and blues music into a revolutionary new sound.
Fred Rose, a pioneering song publisher who formed the Acuff-Rose music publishing company in the 1940s. Also a talented songwriter, and record producer/executive.
Hank Williams, legendary singer-songwriter whose songs are still sought after today.
With just a $1,500 budget, bronze plaques honoring each of the singers would be cast, a tradition that continues today.
Spade Cooley is arrested in connection with the beating death of his second wife, Ella Mae Evans. He is convicted and sentenced to prison. En route to prison, he suffers a heart attack, from which he will recover.
(as certified by Billboard)
At the Golden Nugget – Hank Thompson (Capitol)
Buck Owens - Buck Owens (Capitol)
Buck Owens Sings Harlan Howard - Buck Owens (Capitol)
Chet Atkins' Workshop - Chet Atkins (RCA)
Cowboy Copas Sings The Songs That Made Him Famous - Cowboy Copas (Starday)
Got You on My Mind – Jean Shepard (Capitol)
Here's the Answer - Skeeter Davis (RCA)
Hank Snow Souvenirs - Hank Snow (RCA)
Chet Atkins in Hollywood – Chet Atkins (RCA)
Let's Make Memories Tonight - Eddy Arnold (RCA)
A Man and His Guitar - Chet Atkins (RCA)
The Most Popular Guitar - Chet Atkins (RCA)
Our Favorite Folk Songs - The Browns (RCA)
Patsy Cline Showcase - Patsy Cline (Decca)
Right or Wrong – Wanda Jackson (Capitol)
San Antonio Rose - Ray Price (Columbia)
The Wild, Wicked But Wonderful West - Johnny Bond (Starday)
The Versatile Burl Ives - Burl Ives (Decca)
July 1 — Michelle Wright, country star of the 1990s; best known for the hit "Take It Like a Man".
July 8 — Toby Keith, country star of the 1990s who became a mega-superstar in the 2000s (decade), thanks to his fusion of honky tonk and rock.
August 25 — Billy Ray Cyrus, honky-tonk heartthrob of the 1990s and 2000s (decade), thanks to the huge success of "Achy Breaky Heart".
September 20 - Karl Farr, member of the Sons of the Pioneers.
Jimmie Rodgers (1897–1933)
Fred Rose (1898–1954)
Hank Williams Sr. (1923–1953)
Best Country and Western Recording — "Big Bad John," Jimmy Dean
Country Music Association
Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame
