March — For the first time since 1967, Sonny James fails to hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Singles Chart with a single release. His hit, "Only Love (Can Break a Heart)" stops at No. 2. James' record streak would hold for more than 14 years, until Alabama scored its 17th-straight with "40 Hour Week (For a Livin')" in August 1985. "The Southern Gentleman" will return to the No. 1 spot twice more during 1972 — "That's Why I Love You Like I Do" (a retitled remake of his 1957 hit, "You're the Reason I'm in Love," the lesser-known flip side of "Young Love;" and also his last major hit with Capitol Records); and "When the Snow is on the Roses."During 1972, James inks a recording deal with
Columbia Records; "When the Snow..." is his first hit with his new label.
March — Merle Haggard is pardoned by California Gov. Ronald Reagan for his 1957 robbery; which had landed him a prison term that lasted two-and-a-half years.April — The first Fan Fair is held in Nashville, Tennessee.June 3 — The Opryland USA country music theme park opens in Nashville.June 13 — The Country Music Foundation Library and Media Center is dedicated.September — The premiere issue of Country Music magazine hits the newsstand. The magazine, which will be issued monthly (later bi-monthly), is an immediate hit with critics and readers.September 17 — Faron Young—who has international success with "It's Four in the Morning" - is charged with assault for spanking a girl in the audience at a concert in Clarksburg, West Virginia after claiming she spat on him. Young appeared before a Wood County, West Virginia justice of the peace and was fined $24, plus $11 in court costs. It is the first in a string of incidents involving Young, whose increasingly bizarre behavior would begin overshadowing his success.October — The Country Music Association moves from NBC to CBS, where it remained until 2006 when the awards show moved to ABC. Loretta Lynn becomes the first woman to win the CMA's Entertainer of the Year award.The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, a California-based country-folk-rock band, releases their landmark album Will the Circle Be Unbroken. The album of folk and country standards, recorded in Nashville alongside traditional country artists, is a huge critical and commercial success. Two additional volumes would be released in 1989 and 2002.Music and Billboard chart historian Joel Whitburn releases "Top Country Songs 1944-1971." The book, published by Record Research, marks the first time a listing of every song and artist that had ever appeared on the chart had appeared in a single volume. Seven more updated volumes will follow (the most recent edition covers through 2012), as well as two editions focusing on strictly those songs reaching the Top 40 (the original released in 1996, and an updated version in 2006).Buck Owens returns to his musical roots when Jerry Brightman is added on pedal steel for records and tours.(as certified by Billboard)
(as certified by RPM)
America: A 200-Year Salute in Story and Song — Johnny Cash (Columbia)Eagles — The Eagles (Asylum)Good Hearted Woman — Waylon Jennings (RCA)The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. — Donna Fargo (Dot)International Superstar — Johnny Cash (RCA)Ladies Love Outlaws — Waylon Jennings (RCA)My Favorite Songwriter: Porter Wagoner — Dolly Parton (RCA)The Right Combination/Burning The Midnight Oil — Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton (RCA)A Sweeter Love — Barbara Fairchild (Columbia)A Thing Called Love — Johnny Cash (Columbia)Together Always — Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton (RCA)Touch Your Woman — Dolly Parton (RCA)Will the Circle Be Unbroken — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (EMI America)Cry - Lynn Anderson (Columbia)Garden Party — Ricky Nelson (MCA)The Hillbilly Singer - Skeeter Davis (RCA)If It Ain't Love and Other Dallas Frazier Songs - Connie Smith (RCA)Wheel of Fortune - Susan Raye (Capitol)The Johnny Cash Family Christmas — Johnny Cash (Columbia)February 23 — Steve Holy, 2000s (decade) country singer best known for his No. 1 hit "Good Morning Beautiful."April 5 — Pat Green, "Texas country"-styled singer/songwriter.July 17 — Paul Brandt, Canadian country singer who began enjoying U.S. success in the late 1990s.August 16 — Emily Robison, member of the Dixie Chicks (she plays the guitar, banjo and dobro).October 23 — Jimmy Wayne, singer-songwriter of the 2000s (decade).October 28 — Brad Paisley, new traditionalist of the 2000s (decade).January 28 — T. Texas Tyler, 55, 1940s country star best known for "The Deck of Cards."June 23 — Elton Britt, 59, 1940s country star best known for "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere."July 16 - Charlie Chamberlain, 61, Canadian Country Singer, who was the Male vocalist for Don Messer's Islanders from the band's inception in 1933 until shortly before his death (Heart Attack).Jimmie Davis (1899–2000)Best Female Country Vocal Performance — "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA," Donna FargoBest Male Country Vocal Performance — Charley Pride Sings Heart Songs, Charley PrideBest Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — "Class of '57," The Statler BrothersBest Country Instrumental Performance — Charlie McCoy/The Real McCoy, Charlie McCoyBest Country Song — "Kiss an Angel Good Morning," Ben Peters (Performer: Charley Pride)Country Male Vocalist of the Year — Stompin' Tom ConnorsCountry Female Vocalist of the Year — Myrna LorrieCountry Group or Duo of the Year — Mercey BrothersEntertainer of the Year — Roy ClarkSong of the Year — "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA," Donna Fargo (Performer: Donna Fargo)Single of the Year — "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA," Donna FargoAlbum of the Year — The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA, Donna FargoTop Male Vocalist — Merle HaggardTop Female Vocalist — Donna FargoTop Vocal Group — The Statler BrothersTop New Male Vocalist — Johnny RodriguezTop New Female Vocalist — Tanya TuckerEntertainer of the Year — Loretta LynnSong of the Year — "Easy Loving," Freddie Hart (Performer: Freddie Hart)Single of the Year — "The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA," Donna FargoAlbum of the Year — Let Me Tell You About a Song, Merle HaggardMale Vocalist of the Year — Charley PrideFemale Vocalist of the Year — Loretta LynnVocal Duo of the Year — Conway Twitty and Loretta LynnVocal Group of the Year — The Statler BrothersInstrumentalist of the Year — Charlie McCoyInstrumental Group of the Year — Danny Davis and the Nashville BrassCountry Music AssociationInductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame 