Country-Musik 1981

Top Hits des Jahres

Nummer-1-Hits

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

Alben (Auswahl)

• 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)

Neue Mitglieder der Country Music Hall of Fame

• Vernon Dalhart (1883–1948)
• Grant Turner (1912–1991)

Die wichtigsten Auszeichnungen

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 und 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