Down Memory Lane: The Ten Most Influential Country Music Hits of the 1970s

The 1970s were a pivotal era in country music. New subgenres emerged, cultural shifts were mirrored in song lyrics, and several country hits crossed over into mainstream popularity. As we tip our cowboy hats to the past, let's count down the 12 most influential country music hits from the '70s and the iconic artists behind them.

"Coal Miner's Daughter" - Loretta Lynn (1970)

Loretta Lynn's autobiographical song painted an honest portrait of her impoverished childhood in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky. This song made Lynn the first woman to top the Billboard country charts with a song she wrote herself, highlighting her as a trailblazer in the industry.

"Take Me Home, Country Roads" - John Denver (1971)

Perhaps one of the most well-known country songs of all time, "Take Me Home, Country Roads" reached listeners far beyond the country genre. John Denver's ode to West Virginia is a timeless classic, remaining synonymous with American country music.

"Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'" - Charley Pride (1971)

As one of the few African-American country stars, Charley Pride broke racial barriers with his universally appealing song about love and happiness. This song solidified Pride's position as an important figure in country music.

"Jolene" - Dolly Parton (1973)

This iconic track is one of Parton's most enduring songs, displaying her exceptional storytelling skills. "Jolene" laid the groundwork for Parton's transcendent career, taking her from a country singer to a beloved global superstar.

"Behind Closed Doors" - Charlie Rich (1973)

Charlie Rich’s smooth vocals and the song's sensual lyrics helped "Behind Closed Doors" reach a broad audience, marking an early example of country music's crossover into the pop charts.

"The Gambler" - Kenny Rogers (1978)

Rogers' tale of a late-night encounter with a gambler is one of the genre's most unforgettable narratives. The song's universal appeal, coupled with Roger's charismatic performance, made it a crossover hit.

"Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" - Waylon Jennings (1977)

Waylon Jennings' nostalgic song about escaping the pressures of fame to a simpler life became an anthem for the Outlaw country movement. Its message continues to resonate with audiences today.

"Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" - Willie Nelson (1975)

With its sparse production and Nelson's emotional delivery, this song marked a significant departure from the heavily orchestrated Nashville sound popular at the time. It signaled the arrival of a new country sound and Nelson's reign as a key figure in the genre.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today" - George Jones (1979)

This tragic love song, often referred to as the greatest country music song ever recorded, is the epitome of the genre's storytelling prowess. Despite its release date slightly beyond the '70s, the song and George Jones' emotive delivery significantly influenced the era.

"Rhinestone Cowboy" - Glen Campbell (1975)

Campbell's career-defining hit about a veteran performer making a comeback is a testament to his own musical journey. "Rhinestone Cowboy" was a global sensation, and Campbell's crossover appeal helped country music gain further mainstream acceptance.

The 1970s proved to be a decade of growth and change for country music. These hits, along with the artists who sang them, played an influential role in shaping the genre and leaving an indelible mark on music history. Their timeless appeal continues to engage audiences and inspire new generations of country artists. From the narrative ballads to the crossover hits, these songs perfectly encapsulate the spirit and evolution of country music in the '70s.

Songwriter Hall of Fame Member Kenny O'Dell Passes Away At 73

 K.F. Raizor, author of the website Raizor's Edge and the book We Can't Sing and We Ain't Funny: The World of Homer and Jethro is our guest writer today on That Nashville Sound. She's ever so gracious to provide wonderful tributes to honor those to whom the music we treasure just wouldn't be the same without. Thank you, K.F.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Kenny O'Dell died Tuesday (3/27) in a suburban Nashville healthcare facility.

Born Kenneth Guy Gist, Jr. in 1944, O'Dell changed his name because of the difficulty people had pronouncing his real last name. His interest in songwriting began early, writing songs while he was still in grade school. Moving to Nashville in the late 60s, he recorded three albums of his own music, with his biggest hit as a singer being 1978's "Let's Shake Hands and Come Out Lovin'."

As a songwriter, however, O'Dell attained legendary status in 1973...thanks to Watergate. He told the Nashville Tennessean in 2017 that he kept hearing about Congressional hearings related to the Watergate scandal being held in secret. "They're always talking about how no one knows what goes on behind closed doors," O'Dell told Bart Herbison. "And I'm thinking, I like the title 'Behind Closed Doors.'"

O'Dell played rhythm guitar on Charlie Rich's recording of the song, which became a chart-topping smash in country and pop. The song won the "Country Song of the Year" Grammy award for the year, as well as the "Song of the Year" award in both the Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards presentations.

His other massive songwriting success -- earning him a BMI "Country Song of the Year" award and a Grammy nomination -- was "Mama, He's Crazy," one of the biggest hits in the career of the Judds. Additionally, O'Dell wrote or co-wrote other hits such as "Lizzy and the Rainman" (Tanya Tucker), "I Take It on Home" (Charlie Rich), and "Trouble in Paradise" (Loretta Lynn).

O'Dell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996. His wife, Corki Casey O'Dell, was a Musicians Hall of Fame guitarist. She passed away last year.

Kenny O'Dell was 73.

Tommy Allsup Passes Away at 85

K.F. Raizor, author of the website Raizor's Edge and the book We Can't Sing and We Ain't Funny: The World of Homer and Jethro is our guest writer today on That Nashville Sound. She's ever so gracious to provide wonderful tributes to honor those to whom the music we treasure just wouldn't be the same without. Thank you, K.F.

Guitarist and producer Tommy Allsup managed to survive the 1959 plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens...by losing a coin toss.

Allsup died 1/11 in Springfield, Missouri. Billboard magazine reported that Allsup died from complications following hernia surgery.

Tommy Allsup joined Buddy Holly's band following the break-up of the Crickets, along with Waylon Jennings on bass. They were on the "Winter Dance Party" with a number of other young rock and rockabilly acts. Due to the poor bus conditions (which resulted in Buddy's drummer ending up in the hospital because his feet got frostbitten) Holly decided to charter a plane for him and his two musicians. Jennings, noticing that Richardson ("The Big Bopper") was suffering with the flu, opted to take the bus so Richardson could get some rest and medication. Allsup, as he later recounted, was ready to board the plane when an anxious Ritchie Valens asked if they could swap places. Allsup pulled out a half-dollar piece and told Valens, "Call it."

"Heads," Tommy recounted the 17-year-old young singer's call.

Heads it was. Allsup went on the bus.

Tommy Allsup went on to make a significant mark in music, including working with Bob Wills. He played guitar on and produced Bob Wills' final album, For the Last Time. (Shortly after recording the Cindy Walker song, "What Makes Bob Holler," for that album Wills suffered a debilitating stroke that silenced his famous "ah-ha" call and left him bedridden for the final year of his life.) He also produced albums by the western swing act Asleep At the Wheel. As a session man, his work varied from Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors" to the rock song "In the Year 2525."

Allsup was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He kept an active schedule until the very end, including playing annually at the Winter Dance Party memorial/tribute concert at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. He was scheduled to play there this year as well.

Farewell to Tommy Allsup, who was 85.

Steve Wariner Covers Charlie Rich - "Behind Closed Doors"

In celebration of “The 50th Annual CMA Awards,” Country Music’s biggest names and rising stars are paying tribute to some of the most nominated and awarded songs from the past five decades in the official “Forever Country Covers” series.  Here, Steve Wariner covers Charlie Rich's 1973 Single and Song of the Year Award-winning track, "Behind Closed Doors."
 

Buddy Jewell Release Classic Country Covers Album, My Father's Country

Available through his site beginning this past Friday, Buddy Jewell has released My Father's Country, his first new studio release in 5 years. The classic country collection includes Buddy's rendition of hits from such legendary artists as Glen Campbell, Charlie Rich, Waylon Jennings and more.

Jewell has signed with Lamon Records, partnering with one of the oldest indie labels in Nashville. Jewell met Lamon Records’ producer and CEO Dave Moody at this past year’s George Shinn Foundation’s “Shinn-dig” at Lipscomb University where they were both performing for the TV Special that aired in Nashville on Christmas day.

“When Dave first approached me, it was like he was reading my mind… it was meant to be,” Jewell says. “I’d been toying with the idea of doing a classic country cover project and had actually begun picking out material in advance. One of the tunes I was strongly considering was George Hamilton IV’s “Abilene” written by songwriting legend J.D. Loudermilk. I’ve ALWAYS loved that tune. While talking to Dave, I became aware of Mr. Hamilton’s and Mr. Loudermilk’s friendship with the Moodys and Lamon Records. That helped to seal the deal for me.”
Track listing:
1. Is Anybody Going To San Antone ?
2. Galveston
3. In The Misty Moonlight  
4. Behind Closed Doors
5. I’ve Always Been Crazy  
6. Singing the Blues
7. Abilene
8. Green, Green Grass of Home  
9. If We Make It Through December  
10. Smokey Mountain Memories