Jim Robbins

The top of the country charts features a surprising mix of material. Billboard Top Country Hits is a series of compilation albums released by Rhino Records, each featuring ten hit country music recordings from a specific year, mostly number ones on the Billboard country singles chart.

This release continues the series of 4-CD sets which comprises selected annual collections of the biggest US country hits of each year. This great-value 113-track collection covers the year of 1961, during which time Billboard published a country Top 30 called Hot C&W Sides, and it comprises every record which appeared in the top 22 places in that chart during the year, excluding one or two records which are unavailable for copyright reasons. Despite the fact that the pop landscape had been transformed over the preceding years by rock ‘n’ roll and its aftermath, and with the new decade the British Invasion was only a couple of years away, the charts still had a familiar look about them for country fans, with many traditional established country stars well-represented, like Ernest Tubb, Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells and Ray Price. However, the smoother Nashville sound certainly characterised many of the hits and there was more than a smattering of artists who enjoyed big crossover hits, notably Leroy Van Dyke returning to the charts with his long-running No. 1 “Walk On By”, as well as Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Hank Locklin, and Faron Young.

The songs that grace this comprehensive 4CD package all come from the golden age of country music… Often called “white man’s blues”, there is a strong case to be made for country music being the authentic beating-heart of the United States. During the 1950s and 1960s, these classic country songs could be heard across the land - all the way from the Gulf of Mexico, right up to the frozen wastes of Minnesota. Enjoy this superb collection including Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and many more.

The most beautiful country & western songs by Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Lynn Anderson, Willie Nelson, Wanda Jackson and many more on one compilation!

The most beautiful country & world songs by Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Porter Wagoner and many more on one compilation!

60 of the absolutely most essential country songs ever released, compiled here on 3 discs! 60 of the best Country tunes you are ever likely to find over 3 CDs. This set includes smash hit after smash hit performed by legends of the genre.