Books and Magazines
* Tim McGraw's No. 1 hit "Live Like You Were Dying" inspired two books. CMA Song of the Year winners Tim Nichols and Craig Wiseman wrote the first book based on their song and Michael Morris wrote the second, a fictional story. McGraw contributed forewards for both books.
* Country stars turned authors in 2004 included Naomi Judd, who penned the inspirational Naomi's Breakthrough Guide: 20 Choices to Transform Your Life; Oak Ridge Boys member Joe Bonsall wrote G.I. Joe & Lillie, a biographical tale about his parents' relationship, and a 30-year chronicle of the band in An American Journey: The Oak Ridge Boys; and LeAnn Rimes and husband Dean Sheremet penned Jag's New Friend, a sequel to the popular children's book.
* CMT and Simon & Schuster's Pocket Books created a new imprint, CMT Books, and released Cash: An American Man by Bill Miller and Music Row Dogs and Nashville Cats: Country Stars and Their Pets by Karen Will Rogers and Laura Lacy. The Johnny Cash biography The Man Called CASH: The Life, Love and Faith of an American Legend by Steve Turner was released in September on the first anniversary of the Country Music Hall of Fame member's death. Kristine M. McCusker and Diane Pecknold examined sociological aspects of Country in A Boy Named Sue: Gender and Country Music and Aaron A. Fox spotlighted the socio-economic side in Real Country: Music and Language In Working-Class Culture. Country Music Changed My Life by Ken Burke included interviews with Country legends on how the music shaped their lives growing up. Country Music history books released in 2004 included Smile When You Call Me Hillbilly: Country Music's Struggle for Respectability, 1939-1954 by Jeffrey J. Lange; Bristol Sessions: Writings About the Big Bang of Country Music by Charles K. Wolfe and Ted Olson; Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942 by Tony Russell and Bob Pinson; and Country Music's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Cheatin' Hearts, Honk-Tonk Tragedies, and Music City Oddities by Francesca Peppiatt.
* Dierks Bentley was named one of People magazine's Most Eligible Men.
Tributes/Accolades
* Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs and more helped celebrate Country Music Hall of Fame member Earl Scruggs' 80th birthday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
* Friends of Ray Charles paid tribute to the late singer with a joyful funeral in Los Angeles including Willie Nelson's tearful rendition of the Charles' signature hit, "Georgia on My Mind." Kenny Chesney performed on the CBS television special "Genius: A Night to Remember" that aired in October saluting Charles' life and career.
* PBS broadcasted "George Jones: 50 Years of Hits," a star-studded special salute featuring Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Wynonna, Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Trick Pony, Joe Diffie, Harry and Merle Haggard, among others. The event was taped in Nashville at the BellSouth Acuff Theatre and aired on Thanksgiving.
* Terri Clark and Del McCoury were inducted as the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry. Clark was the first Canadian female to receive such an honor.
In Memoriam
* Music legend Ray Charles, 73, died June 10 at his Beverly Hills, Calif. home. Charles went blind at age 8 and was performing in dance halls by the age of 15. His music was a gumbo of classical, Country, jazz, big band, gospel and blues. Charles released two volumes of Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music in the early 60s. Those albums produced some of Charles' biggest hits, including "Born to Lose," "Take These Chains From My Heart (And Set Me Free)" and "I Can't Stop Loving You." Charles shared a 1985 CMA Award nomination for Vocal Duo of the Year with Willie Nelson.
* Country Music lost these contributors in 2004: Julian Aberbach; Charles Bailey; Max D. Barnes; Ernie Ball; Kenny Buttrey; Ray Condo; Albert F. Crockett; Skeeter Davis; Roy Drusky; Dave Dudley; Al Dvorin; Jack Emerson; Melvyn Endsley; Joe P. "Pat" Ethridge; Hank Garland; Albert "Big Al" Gore; Walt Grealis; Sam Hogin; Bobby Lee House; David Earl Hughes; Gene Hughes; Jim Hurt; Dave Kirby; Katz Kobayashi; Grelun Landon; Bill Lowery; Rusty Mac; Jeff Newman; Bob Paisley; Rick Rentz; Tom Rivers; Rick Smith; "Pappy" Dave Stone; Joyce Triplett; Kyle Tullis; Charlie Waller; Tommy Vaden; Randy VanWarmer; L.E. White; and William "Lum" York.