January 8 — Star, Mississippi, native Faith Hill hits paydirt with her first single release, "Wild One." The song spends four weeks atop the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, the longest for a debut release by a female artist since Connie Smith's debut "Once a Day" in 1964.January 30 — Clint Black, Wynonna Judd, Travis Tritt and Tanya Tucker perform the halftime show (billed as "Rockin' Country Sunday") at Super Bowl XXVIII. The finale featured a special appearance by Naomi Judd, who joined Wynonna in performing The Judds' single "Love Can Build a Bridge" (their first major appearance together since their "Farewell Tour" of 1991), to which everyone eventually joined in.March – Tim McGraw's first major hit, "Indian Outlaw," causes considerable controversy due to lyrics about Native Americans, and the single is boycotted at a handful of stations. Nevertheless, the song's notoriety helps spur its popularity and allows it to become just the second major crossover hit in 10 years, reaching No. 15 on the Billboard magazine Hot 100 singles chart (in addition to its No. 8 peak on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart); the song will also jumpstart McGraw's fledgling career, which had gotten off to a less-than-stellar start a year earlier.Incidentally, McGraw's first taste of success comes at approximately the same time as that of his wife-to-be —
Faith Hill. At this point, their careers are on separate paths.
April 12 — The premiere issue of Country Weekly magazine hits the store shelves. Garth Brooks graces the cover of the first issue.May 9 — Newcomer artist John Berry passes out during a concert and is rushed to a hospital in Atlanta, where an operation is performed to remove a cyst found in the third ventricle of his brain.May 4 – RaeLynn, country music star of the 2010s, best known for "God Made Girls."November 8 – Lauren Alaina, runner-up of the 10th season of American Idol, with follow-up successes including "Like My Mother Does."Merle Haggard (1937–2016)Dick DamronHank SmithBest Female Country Vocal Performance — "Shut Up and Kiss Me," Mary Chapin CarpenterBest Male Country Vocal Performance — "When Love Finds You," Vince GillBest Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — "Blues for Dixie," Asleep at the Wheel and Lyle LovettBest Country Collaboration with Vocals — "I Fall to Pieces," Aaron Neville and Trisha YearwoodBest Country Instrumental Performance — "Young Thing," Chet AtkinsBest Country Song — "I Swear," Gary Baker, Frank Myers (Performer: John Michael Montgomery)Best Country Album — Stones in the Road, Mary Chapin CarpenterBest Bluegrass Album — The Great Dobro Sessions, Various Artists (Producers: Jerry Douglas and Tut Taylor)Country Male Vocalist of the Year — Charlie MajorCountry Female Vocalist of the Year — Michelle WrightCountry Group or Duo of the Year — Prairie OysterEntertainer of the Year — Reba McEntireSong of the Year — "I Swear," Gary Baker, Frank Myers (Performer: John Michael Montgomery)Single of the Year — "I Swear," John Michael MontgomeryAlbum of the Year — Not a Moment Too Soon, Tim McGrawTop Male Vocalist — Alan JacksonTop Female Vocalist — Reba McEntireTop Vocal Duo — Brooks & DunnTop Vocal Group — The MavericksTop New Male Vocalist — Tim McGrawTop New Female Vocalist — Chely WrightTop New Vocal Duo or Group — The MavericksVideo of the Year — "The Red Strokes" - Garth Brooks (Director: Jon Small)Bud Country Fans' Choice Award — Prairie OysterMale Artist of the Year — Charlie MajorFemale Artist of the Year — Patricia ConroyGroup or Duo of the Year — Prairie OysterSOCAN Song of the Year — "I'm Gonna Drive You Out of My Mind," Charlie Major, Barry BrownSingle of the Year — "I'm Gonna Drive You Out of My Mind," Charlie MajorAlbum of the Year — The Other Side, Charlie MajorTop Selling Album — In Pieces, Garth BrooksVideo of the Year — "Stolen Moments," Jim WitterVista Rising Star Award — Susan AglukarkVocal Collaboration of the Year — QuartetteEntertainer of the Year — Vince GillSong of the Year — "Chattahoochee," Alan Jackson and Jim McBride (Performer: Alan Jackson)Single of the Year — "I Swear," John Michael MontgomeryAlbum of the Year — Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles, Various ArtistsMale Vocalist of the Year — Vince GillFemale Vocalist of the Year — Pam TillisVocal Duo of the Year — Brooks & DunnVocal Group of the Year — Diamond RioHorizon Award — John Michael MontgomeryMusic Video of the Year — "Independence Day," Martina McBride (Directors: Robert Deaton and George J. Flanigen IV)Vocal Event of the Year — "Does He Love You," Reba McEntire and Linda DavisMusician of the Year — Mark O'ConnorCountry Music AssociationInductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame 