March 10 — During a concert in London, England, Dixie Chicks lead singer Natalie Maines said that the band was "ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas" (referring to Maines' hometown of Lubbock and President Bush hailing from the same state). The comment sparked intense controversy and outrage among Americans, including a large share of country music fans.Those who took offense to Maines' comments based their feelings on a number of grounds, including that the country was then on the verge of declaring war on
Iraq (which happened less than two weeks later) and that Maines made the comments on foreign soil. Chicks' supporters, meanwhile, cited their right to free speech. Radio stations – perhaps riding the wave of fan sentiment – refuse to play their music on the air, including their then-current hit, "
Travelin' Soldier" (which ironically was about a soldier who is about to go to war); some even sponsor anti-Dixie Chicks promotional events, such as disposing and destroying Chicks'
compact discs and other merchandise. Maines, meanwhile, defended her stance during a televised interview with
Diane Sawyer.Maines and her bandmates – Emily Robison and Martie Maguire – appeared nude (with private parts strategically covered) on the May 2 cover of
Entertainment Weekly. Their bodies were covered with words such as "Saddam's Angels" and "Traitor."
June 11 – Country Music magazine announces that it will cease publication, effective with the August/September 2003 issue. The final issue's cover artist was Martina McBride, as part of a salute to women in country music. The magazine's sister publication, Country Weekly, which had largely taken over the market for country music-related journalism, picks up part of the slack left by the closure of Country Music, both of which were published by American Media Inc.July — The Rascal Flatts video, "I Melt," comes under fire by conservative groups because it contains brief scenes of nudity. The video stars band member Joe Don Rooney and model Christina Auria. Groups called for the video to be banned from airplay on CMT and Great American Country. Eventually, Rascal Flatts released an edited version of the video, which aired during daytime hours on the two country music-oriented networks.December — The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts honors Loretta Lynn for her lifetime contributions to the arts.Throughout the year, country music was beset by the deaths of notable figures, including Johnny Cash, whose vastly influential musicianship transcended genres. His wife of 35 years (and longtime singing partner), June Carter Cash, had died four months earlier. Both had appeared in a CMT-aired interview, discussing their lives and careers; it was taped earlier in the year.Other notables that died during the year:
Johnny Paycheck,
Felice Bryant,
Floyd Tillman,
Wilma Burgess,
Don Gibson,
Dave Dudley and
Gary Stewart.
The following songs placed within the Top 20 on the Hot Country Songs charts in 2003:
The following albums placed within the Top 50 on the Top Country Albums charts in 2003:
February 19 — Johnny Paycheck, 64, legendary singer and songwriter, best known for "Take This Job and Shove It." (complications from asthma and emphysema)March 17 - Bill Carlisle, 94, singer-songwriter and comedian, lead singer of the Carlisles and stalwart of the Grand Ole Opry.April 22 — Felice Bryant, 77, songwriter and wife of collaborator Boudleaux Bryant.May 15 — June Carter Cash, 73, member of the Carter Family and wife of Johnny Cash (complications from heart surgery).June 30 - Sam Phillips, 80, founder of Sun Records and major player in emergence of rock and roll and its cross-genre popularity.August 22 — Floyd Tillman, 88, 1930s and 1940s singer instrumental in creating the genre's western swing and honky-tonk styles.August 26 — Wilma Burgess, 64, country vocalist of the 1960s best known for "Misty Blue."September 12 — Johnny Cash, 71, vastly influential singer/songwriter/guitarist whose music transcended musical boundaries; best known for hits like "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," "Hurt," and "A Boy Named Sue" (diabetic complications).November 17 — Don Gibson, 75, influential songwriter (best known for "I Can't Stop Loving You") and singer who helped introduce the Nashville Sound (natural causes).December 16 — Gary Stewart, 58, rough, outlaw-styled country singer known for his drinking songs ("She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)") (suicide).December 22 — Dave Dudley, 75, best known for his 1960s-era truck driving songs, such as "Six Days on the Road" (heart attack).Floyd Cramer (1933-1997)Carl Smith (1927-2010)Sylvia TysonJ. Edward PrestonFred KingCharlie RussellArt WallmanBest Female Country Vocal Performance — "Keep on the Sunny Side," June Carter CashBest Male Country Vocal Performance — "Next Big Thing," Vince GillBest Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal — "A Simple Life," Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky ThunderBest Country Collaboration with Vocals — "How's the World Treating You," Alison Krauss and James TaylorBest Country Instrumental Performance — "Cluck Old Hen," Alison Krauss & Union StationBest Country Song — "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Jim "Moose" Brown and Don RollinsBest Country Album — Livin', Lovin', Losin' – Songs of the Louvin Brothers, Various Artists (Producer: Carl Jackson)Best Bluegrass Album — Live, Alison Krauss & Union StationCountry Recording of the Year — Up!, Shania TwainVideo of the Year — "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Toby KeithMale Video of the Year — "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Toby KeithFemale Video of the Year — "Concrete Angel," Martina McBrideGroup/Duo Video of the Year — "These Days," Rascal FlattsBreakthrough Video of the Year — "Brokenheartsville," Joe NicholsHottest Male Video of the Year — "She's My Kind of Rain," Tim McGrawHottest Female Video of the Year — "When the Lights Go Down," Faith HillCocky Video of the Year — "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)," Toby KeithConcept Video of the Year — "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!," Shania TwainFashion Plate Video of the Year — "She's My Kind of Rain," Tim McGrawVideo Director of the Year — "Concrete Angel," Martina McBride (Director: Deaton Flanigen)Special Achievement Award — Johnny CashEntertainer of the Year — Toby KeithSong of the Year — "Three Wooden Crosses," Douglas Johnson, Kim WilliamsSingle of the Year — "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy BuffettAlbum of the Year — Shock'n Y'all, Toby KeithTop Male Vocalist — Toby KeithTop Female Vocalist — Martina McBrideTop Vocal Duo — Brooks & DunnTop Vocal Group — Rascal FlattsTop New Artist — Dierks BentleyVideo of the Year — "Beer for My Horses," Toby Keith and Willie Nelson (Director: Michael Salomon)Vocal Event of the Year — "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy BuffettKraft Cheez Whiz Fans' Choice Award — Terri ClarkMale Artist of the Year — Aaron LinesFemale Artist of the Year — Shania TwainGroup or Duo of the Year — Emerson DriveSOCAN Song of the Year — "Rocket Girl," Jason McCoy, Denny CarrSingle of the Year — "I Just Wanna Be Mad," Terri ClarkAlbum of the Year — Up!, Shania TwainTop Selling Album — Up!, Shania TwainCMT Video of the Year — "I'm Gonna Getcha Good!," Shania TwainChevy Trucks Rising Star Award — Aaron LinesRoots Artist or Group of the Year — Sean HoganEntertainer of the Year — Alan JacksonSong of the Year — "Three Wooden Crosses," Doug Johnson, Kim WilliamsSingle of the Year — "Hurt," Johnny CashAlbum of the Year — American IV: The Man Comes Around, Johnny CashMale Vocalist of the Year — Alan JacksonFemale Vocalist of the Year — Martina McBrideVocal Duo of the Year — Brooks & DunnVocal Group of the Year — Rascal FlattsHorizon Award — Joe NicholsVideo of the Year — "Hurt," Johnny Cash (Director: Mark Romanek)Vocal Event of the Year — "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere," Alan Jackson and Jimmy BuffettMusician of the Year — Randy ScruggsCountry Music AssociationInductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame 