2014: The Year in Country Music

Looking back at 2014, it was a big year for country music. From huge comebacks to breakout hits, there was a lot to talk about. Here are some of the biggest moments in country music from last year.

The Year in Review

The Biggest Stories

It’s been a big year in country music, with plenty of shakeups, comebacks, and debuts. Here are some of the biggest stories from 2014.

-The year started off with a bang, as Miranda Lambert’s surprise album debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts.
-Tim McGraw made his triumphant return to country music with his first album in eight years, Damn Country Music.
– Carrie Underwood made waves with her critically acclaimed album Storyteller.
– Florida Georgia Line continued their domination of the charts with their sophomore album Anything Goes.
– Eric Church made a surprise appearance at Bonnaroo and wowed the crowd with a set featuring mostly new material.
– Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert announced their divorce after four years of marriage.
– The Academy of Country Music held its 49th annual awards show in Las Vegas, with Bryan taking home the Entertainer of the Year award for the second year in a row.

The Best Albums

Looking back at 2014, it was a great year for country music. There were so many fantastic albums released, it was hard to keep track. But, we managed to narrow it down to our top 10 favorite albums of the year. So, without further ado, here they are:

1. “Platinum” by Miranda Lambert
2. “1000hp” by Godsmack
3. “Riser” by Dierks Bentley
4. “5:5” by Five Finger Death Punch
5. “The Outsiders” by Eric Church
6. “Frozen” by Soundtrack
7. “The Pack A.D.” by The Pack A.D.
8. “A Head Full of Dreams” by Coldplay
9 . “Blackbird” by Alter Bridge

The Best Songs

There were so many great songs released in 2014, it was hard to narrow it down to just a few. But after much deliberation, we’ve compiled a list of what we feel are the best country songs of the year.

So without further ado, here are our picks for the best country songs of 2014:

-“I’m Not Gonna Miss You” by Glen Campbell
-“American Kids” by Kenny Chesney
-“Give Me Back My Hometown” by Eric Church
-“Automatic” by Miranda Lambert
-“Cop Car” by Keith Urban
– “My Eyes” by Lady Antebellum
– “Something in the Water” by Carrie Underwood

The Year Ahead

2014 is shaping up to be a big year in country music. Some of the biggest names in the genre are releasing new albums, and there are sure to be some breakout stars as well. Here’s a look at what to expect in the world of country music in the coming year.

The Most Anticipated Albums

As 2014 gets underway, there are a number of country albums that have been highly anticipated by fans and critics alike. Below are some of the most talked about albums that are scheduled for release in the coming year.

-Dierks Bentley, Riser (February 25)
-Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park (March 18)
-Keith Urban, Fuse (May 6)
-Eric Church, The Outsiders (February 11)
-Luke Bryan, Crash My Party (August 13)
-Carrie Underwood, Storyteller (TBA)

The Most Anticipated Tours

With 2014 comes a fresh crop of country tours, many of them long-awaited. Below are some of the most highly-anticipated tours of the upcoming year.

1. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill – Soul2Soul
After taking a break for several years to focus on their respective solo careers, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are teaming up once again for the highly-anticipated Soul2Soul tour. The tour kicks off in New Orleans in April and will make stops in over 60 cities across the United States and Canada.

2. George Strait – The Cowboy Rides Away
This will be George Strait’s final tour before he retires from touring altogether, making it one of the most anticipated events in country music this year. The tour kicks off in Lubbock, Texas in January and will make over 30 stops across the United States before concluding in Dallas in June.

3. Brad Paisley – Country Nation World Tour
Brad Paisley will be hitting the road this year with fellow country stars Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay for his Country Nation World Tour. The tour kicks off in Hershey, Pennsylvania in May and will make over 40 stops across the United States and Canada before wrapping up in Albuquerque, New Mexico in October.

4. Carrie Underwood – The Blown Away Tour
Carrie Underwood will be embarking on her Blown Away Tour this year in support of her fourth studio album, Blown Away. The tour kicks off in Broomfield, Colorado in March and will make over 50 stops across the United States and Canada before wrapping up in Uncasville, Connecticut in November.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 2014 was an excellent year for country music. With a wide variety of artists and sounds, there was something for everyone. From the traditional sounds of artists like Alan Jackson and George Strait to the more contemporary sounds of artists like Chase Rice and Florida Georgia Line, there was a little bit of everything. And, with so many great albums and songs released this year, it’s hard to imagine 2015 topping it.