1941 in country music

Summary

This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1941.

List of years in country music (table)
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Events edit

  • January 1 – Radio programmers begin a 10-month ban on the ASCAP catalog when they fail to reach an agreement. Instead, disc jockeys begin to rely on BMI and its catalog of "hillbilly" music.
  • October – The Grand Ole Opry organizes a "Camel Country" tour in a show of support for American servicemen, many of whom would be off to war two months later.

Top Hillbilly (Country) Recordings edit

The following songs achieved the highest positions in Billboard magazine's 'Best Sellers in Stores' chart, monthly 'Hillbilly Hits' chart, supplemented by 'Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954' and record sales reported on the "Discography of American Historical Recordings" website,[1] and other sources as specified, during 1941. Numerical rankings are approximate.

Rank Artist Title Label Recorded Released Chart Positions
1 Gene Autry "You Are My Sunshine"[2] Okeh 6274 June 18, 1941 (1941-06-18) July 10, 1941 (1941-07-10) US Billboard 1941 #131, US Pop #23 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #1, Hillbilly #1 for 20 weeks, 50 total weeks, 403 points, 1,000,000 sales[3]
2 Ernest Tubb "Walking the Floor Over You"[4] Decca 5958 April 26, 1941 (1941-04-26) May 28, 1941 (1941-05-28) US Billboard 1941 #154, US Pop #18 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #2, Hillbilly #1 for 10 weeks, 72 total weeks, 292 points, 1,000,000 sales[1] (see 1942, 8 more weeks at #1), Grammy Hall of Fame 1998, presented gold record 1964.
3 Gene Autry "Be Honest with Me"[5] Okeh 5980 August 20, 1940 (1940-08-20) January 17, 1941 (1941-01-17) US Billboard 1941 #147, US Pop #23 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #3, Hillbilly #1 for 6 week, 58 total weeks, 262 points, 1941 Best Original Song Nominee
4 Louise Massey and the Westerners "My Adobe Hacienda"[2] Okeh 6077 January 27, 1941 (1941-01-27) March 1941 (1941-03) US Billboard 1941 #99, US Pop #13 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #4, Hillbilly #1 for 1 week, 21 total weeks, 107 points
5 Curly Hicks And His Taproom Boys "Frisky Fiddler Polka"[6] Bluebird 8740 October 8, 1940 (1940-10-08) July 11, 1941 (1941-07-11) US Hillbilly 1941 #5, Hillbilly #4 for 2 weeks, 34 total weeks, 101 points
6 Gene Autry "Tears On My Pillow"[2] Okeh 6239 August 22, 1940 (1940-08-22) June 12, 1941 (1941-06-12) US Hillbilly 1941 #6, Hillbilly #4 for 3 weeks, 41 total weeks, 100 points
7 Gene Autry "You Waited Too Long"[5] Okeh 5781 August 22, 1941 (1941-08-22) September 5, 1941 (1941-09-05) US Hillbilly 1941 #7, Hillbilly #2 for 6 weeks, 21 total weeks, 95 points
8 Roy Rogers and his Saddle Pals "New Worried Mind"[7] Decca 5906 November 29, 1940 (1940-11-29) December 29, 1940 (1940-12-29) US Hillbilly 1941 #8, Hillbilly #1 for 3 weeks, 15 total weeks, 90 points
9 Jimmie Davis "I'm Sorry Now"[8] Decca 5926 February 21, 1941 (1941-02-21) March 12, 1941 (1941-03-12) US Hillbilly 1941 #9, Hillbilly #3 for 3 weeks, 27 total weeks, 84 points
10 Tennessee Ramblers "Come Swing With Me"[9] Bluebird 8742 October 12, 1940 (1940-10-12) July 11, 1941 (1941-07-11) US Hillbilly 1941 #10, Hillbilly #3 for 4 weeks, 21 total weeks, 81 points
11 Rice Brothers' Gang "My Carolina Sunshine Girl"[10] Decca 5959 March 11, 1941 (1941-03-11) April 1941 (1941-04) US Hillbilly 1941 #11, Hillbilly #3 for 5 weeks, 26 total weeks, 75 points
12 Karl And Harty "Let's All Have Another Beer"[2] Okeh 6066 January 24, 1941 (1941-01-24) March 1941 (1941-03) US Hillbilly 1941 #12, Hillbilly #1 for 2 weeks, 15 total weeks, 72 points
13 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys "Take Me Back to Tulsa"[2] Okeh 6101 February 24, 1941 (1941-02-24) March 1941 (1941-03) US Hillbilly 1941 #13, Hillbilly #1 for 1 weeks, 19 total weeks, 72 points, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 500
14 Delmore Brothers "When It's Time For The Whip-Poor-Will To Sing"[11] Decca 5925 September 11, 1940 (1940-09-11) February 28, 1941 (1941-02-28) US Hillbilly 1941 #14, Hillbilly #1 for 1 week, 14 total weeks, 72 points
15 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys "Maiden's Prayer"[2] Okeh 6205 February 24, 1941 (1941-02-24) May 16, 1941 (1941-05-16) US Hillbilly 1941 #15, Hillbilly #1 for 3 weeks, 14 total weeks, 69 points
16 Roy Rogers and his Saddle Pals "Time Changes Everything"[12] Decca 5906 November 29, 1940 (1940-11-29) December 29, 1940 (1940-12-29) US Hillbilly 1941 #16, Hillbilly #2 for 2 weeks, 21 total weeks, 69 points
17 Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys "New Worried Mind"[2] Okeh 6101 February 24, 1941 (1941-02-24) March 1941 (1941-03) US Billboard 1941 #108, US Pop #14 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #17, Hillbilly #2 for 3 weeks, 17 total weeks, 64 points
18 Sons of the Pioneers "Cool Water"[13] Decca 5844 March 27, 1941 (1941-03-27) April 25, 1941 (1941-04-25) US Billboard 1941 #142, US Pop #17 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #18, Hillbilly #1 for 1 weeks, 18 total weeks, 63 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 1986
19 Delmore Brothers "She Won't Be My Little Darling"[14] Decca 5907 September 11, 1940 (1940-09-11) February 28, 1941 (1941-02-28) US Hillbilly 1941 #19, Hillbilly #2 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 60 points
20 Texas Jim Robertson "I'll Be Back In A Year (Little Darlin')"[15] Bluebird 8606 November 27, 1940 (1940-11-27) February 1941 (1941-02) US Billboard 1941 #204, US Pop #21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #20, Hillbilly #1 for 1 weeks, 15 total weeks, 59 points
21 Adolph Hofner And His San Antonians "Alamo Rag"[2] Okeh 6139 February 28, 1941 (1941-02-28) April 12, 1941 (1941-04-12) US Hillbilly 1941 #21, Hillbilly #1 for 1 weeks, 18 total weeks, 57 points
22 Louise Massey and the Westerners "Beer and Skittles"[5] Okeh 5916 October 11, 1940 (1940-10-11) December 1940 (1940-12) US Billboard 1941 #129, US Pop #16 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #22, Hillbilly #1 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 54 points
23 Bill Boyd And His Cowboy Ramblers "If You'll Come Back"[16] Bluebird 8533 February 12, 1940 (1940-02-12) October 4, 1940 (1940-10-04) US Hillbilly 1941 #23, Hillbilly #2 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 54 points
24 Tiny Hill and His Orchestra "Spin The Bottle"[2] Okeh 6160 March 11, 1941 (1941-03-11) April 1941 (1941-04) US Hillbilly 1941 #24, Hillbilly #1 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 53 points
25 Prairie Ramblers "I'll Be Back In A Year (Little Darlin')"[2] Okeh 6053 January 22, 1941 (1941-01-22) February 1941 (1941-02) US Hillbilly 1941 #25, Hillbilly #1 for 2 weeks, 13 total weeks, 53 points
26 Ted Daffan and his Texans "Those Blue Eyes Don't Sparkle Anymore"[2] Okeh 6160 March 11, 1941 (1941-03-11) April 1941 (1941-04) US Hillbilly 1941 #7, Hillbilly #1 for 2 weeks, 14 total weeks, 52 points
28 Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys "Mule Skinner Blues"[17] Bluebird 8568 October 7, 1940 (1940-10-07) November 10, 1940 (1940-11-10) US Hillbilly 1941 #28, Hillbilly #1 for 1 week, 17 total weeks, 47 points, Grammy Hall of Fame 2009
29 Shelton Brothers "What's The Matter With Deep Elm"[18] Decca 5898 April 7, 1940 (1940-04-07) November 1940 (1940-11) US Hillbilly 1941 #32, Hillbilly #1 for 1 week, 15 total weeks, 46 points
31 The Jesters "Repasz Band"[19] Decca 3719 April 2, 1941 (1941-04-02) April 1941 (1941-04) US Billboard 1941 #205, US Pop #21 for 1 week, 1 total weeks, US Hillbilly 1941 #30, Hillbilly #1 for 2 weeks, 11 total weeks, 44 points
32 Jimmie Davis and Jimmy Wakely "Too Late"[20] Decca 5940 February 20, 1941 (1941-02-20) April 18, 1941 (1941-04-18) US Hillbilly 1941 #31, Hillbilly #1 for 1 week, 16 total weeks, 43 points

Births edit

Deaths edit

Further reading edit

  • Kingsbury, Paul, "Vinyl Hayride: Country Music Album Covers 1947–1989," Country Music Foundation, 2003 (ISBN 0-8118-3572-3)
  • Millard, Bob, "Country Music: 70 Years of America's Favorite Music," HarperCollins, New York, 1993 (ISBN 0-06-273244-7)
  • Whitburn, Joel. "Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890–1954: The History of American Popular Music," Record Research Inc., Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 1986 (ISBN 0-89820-083-0).

References edit

  1. ^ a b Whitburn, Joel (1986). Joel Whitburn's Pop Memories 1890-1954. Record Research.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "OKeh (by CBS) 78rpm numerical listing discography: 6000 - 6500". www.78discography.com. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  3. ^ "TSHA | Autry, Orvon Gene". www.tshaonline.org. Retrieved 2022-04-26.
  4. ^ "Decca matrix 93673. Walking the floor over you / Ernest Tubb - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  5. ^ a b c "OKeh (by CBS) numerical listing discography: 5600 - 5999". www.78discography.com. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  6. ^ "Victor matrix BS-054534. Frisky fiddler / Curly Hicks ; Taproom Boys - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  7. ^ "Decca matrix DLA 2247. New worried mind / Roy Rogers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  8. ^ "Decca matrix 68724. I'm sorry now / Jimmie Davis - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  9. ^ "Victor matrix BS-056535. Come swing with me / Cecil Campbell ; Tennessee Ramblers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  10. ^ "Decca matrix 93696. My Carolina sunshine girl / Rice Brothers Gang - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  11. ^ "Decca matrix 68074. When it's time for the whip-poor-will to sing / Delmore Brothers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  12. ^ "Decca matrix DLA 2247. New worried mind / Roy Rogers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  13. ^ "Decca matrix 93632. Cool water / Sons of the Pioneers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  14. ^ "Decca matrix 68077. She won't be my little darlin' / Delmore Brothers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  15. ^ "Victor matrix BS-057797. I'll be back in a year, little darling / Texas Jim Robertson - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  16. ^ "Victor matrix BS-047667. If you'll come back / Bill Boyd ; Cowboy Ramblers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  17. ^ "Victor matrix BS-054518. Mule skinner blues / Blue Grass Boys ; Bill Monroe - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  18. ^ "Decca matrix 92037. What's the matter with deep Elem / The Shelton Brothers - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  19. ^ "Decca matrix 68729. Repasz band / The Jesters - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.
  20. ^ "Decca matrix DLA 2096. Too late / Rough Riders ; Jimmy Wakely - Discography of American Historical Recordings". adp.library.ucsb.edu. Retrieved 2022-01-06.