| A Look Back At Country Music in 2002 | |
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Many exciting things happened in country music in the year 2002. From marriages, and baby announcements, to Superstar tours & Bluegrass Music dominating the Grammy Awards.
The year saw the return of Shania Twain, who came back in big style with a new album, Up which has sold as of the writing of this article, over 3 million copies. She made her first televised appearance in 3 years opening the CMAs with her single "I'm Gonna Get Ya."
The Dixie Chicks also returned after a two-year absence. They settled their suit with their label, and put out their third album, Home, which quickly sold over 3 million copies and landed on the Best Album Lists of many industry folks, myself included.
Other big name stars that released albums include Faith Hill, who released Cry, Tim McGraw, who released Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors, Kenny Chesney, who released No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, Alan Jackson, who released Drive, and Toby Keith, who released Unleashed.
Both Alabama and the Statler Brothers announced plans to stop touring. The Statler Brothers played their last date in October, and Alabama plans a Farewell Tour in 2003, which was kicked off in Las Vegas at the Aladdin Hotel on New Years Eve last year.
Bluegrass Music made a huge impact at the Grammy Awards, with the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" album taking album and soundtrack, and Ralph Stanley taking the country male vocal performance award for "O Death", which was on the soundtrack as well. Also the Soggy Bottom Boys won the Country Collaboration Award for "I Am a Man of Constant Sorrow."
2002 was also the year that Billboard Magazine added a Bluegrass Album chart.
For other stories, see the links to the right.