Country Music: Albums of the Year

Country Music: Albums of the Year

Since 1967, both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association have handed out awards for Album of the Year. The Grammys gave a country album award in 1965 and 1966, but then discontinued it until 1995. The American Music Awards have given out a Country Album of the Year award since 1974. Billboard magazine has acknowledged the country album of the year since 1990. Finally, Dave’s Music Database has acknowledged the best country album of the year since 1965. This page will show which albums won for any of the four awards each year. Check out other album of the year awards here.

2022: Billboard: Taylor Swift Red (Taylor’s Version) 2021: ACM: Morgan Wallen Dangerous: The Double Album AMA: Gabby Barrett Goldmine Billboard: Morgan Wallen Dangerous: The Double Album CMA: DMDB: Morgan Wallen Dangerous: The Double Album Grammy: Chris Stapleton Starting Over 2020: ACM: Chris Stapleton Starting Over AMA: Blake Shelton Fully Loaded: God’s Country Billboard: Luke Combs What You See Is What You Get CMA: Chris Stapleton Starting Over DMDB: Chris Stapleton Starting Over Grammy: Miranda Lambert Wildcard 2019: ACM: Luke Combs What You See Is What You Get AMA: Carrie Underwood Cry Pretty Billboard: Luke Combs This One’s for You CMA: Maren Morris Girl DMDB: Various Artists Country Music (box set: 1928-2002) Grammy: Tanya Tucker While I’m Living 2018: ACM: Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour AMA: Kane Brown Kane Brown Billboard: Chris Stapleton From a Room: Volume 1 CMA: Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour DMDB: Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour Grammy: Kacey Musgraves Golden Hour 2017: ACM: Chris Stapleton From a Room: Volume 1 AMA: Keith Urban Ripcord Billboard: Chris Stapleton Traveller CMA: Chris Stapleton From a Room: Volume 1 DMDB: Luke Combs This One’s for You Grammy: Chris Stapleton From a Room: Volume 1 2016: ACM: Miranda Lambert The Weight of These Wings AMA: Carrie Underwood Storyteller Billboard: Chris Stapleton Traveller CMA: Eric Church Mr. Misunderstood DMDB: Sturgill Simpson A Sailor’s Guide to Earth Grammy: Sturgill Simpson A Sailor’s Guide to Earth 2015: ACM: Chris Stapleton Traveller AMA: Florida Georgia Line Anything Goes Billboard: Jason Aldean Old Boots, New Dirt CMA: Chris Stapleton Traveller DMDB: Chris Stapleton Traveller Grammy: Chris Stapleton Traveller 2014: ACM: Miranda Lambert Platinum AMA: Brantley Gilbert Just As I Am Billboard: Luke Bryan Crash My Party CMA: Miranda Lambert Platinum DMDB: Miranda Lambert Platinum Grammy: Miranda Lambert Platinum 2013: ACM: Kacey Musgraves Same Trailer, Different Park AMA: Taylor Swift Red Billboard: Taylor Swift Red CMA: Blake Shelton Based on a True Story DMDB: Kacey Musgraves Same Trailer, Different Park Grammy: Kacey Musgraves Same Trailer, Different Park 2012: ACM: Eric Church Chief AMA: Carrie Underwood Blown Away Billboard: Jason Aldean My Kinda Party CMA: Eric Church Chief DMDB: Taylor Swift Red Grammy: Zac Brown Band Uncaged 2011: ACM: Miranda Lambert For the Record AMA: Taylor Swift Speak Now Billboard: Taylor Swift Speak Now CMA: Jason Aldean My Kind of Party DMDB: Jason Aldean My Kind of Party Grammy: Lady Antebellum Own the Night 2010: ACM: Lady Antebellum Need You Now AMA: Carrie Underwood Play On CMA: Miranda Lambert Revolution DMDB: Taylor Swift Speak Now Grammy: Lady Antebellum Need You Now 2009: ACM: Miranda Lambert Revolution AMA: Taylor Swift Fearless CMA: Taylor Swift Fearless DMDB: Miranda Lambert Revolution Grammy: Taylor Swift Fearless 2008: ACM: Taylor Swift Fearless AMA: Carrie Underwood Carnival Ride CMA: George Strait Troubadour DMDB: Taylor Swift Fearless Grammy: George Strait Troubadour 2007: ACM: Miranda Lambert Crazy Ex-Girlfriend AMA: Carrie Underwood Some Hearts CMA: George Strait It Just Comes Natural DMDB: Miranda Lambert Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Grammy: Vince Gill These Days 2006: ACM: Carrie Underwood Some Hearts AMA: Tim McGraw Greatest Hits Vol. 2: Reflected Billboard: Carrie Underwood Some Hearts CMA: Brad Paisley Time Well Wasted DMDB: Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way Grammy: Dixie Chicks Taking the Long Way 2005: ACM: Brad Paisey Time Well Wasted AMA: Tim McGraw Live Like You Were Dying CMA: Lee Ann Womack There’s More Where That Came From DMDB: Carrie Underwood Some Hearts Grammy: Alison Krauss & Union Station Lonely Runs Both Ways 2004: ACM: Keith Urban Be Here AMA: Toby Keith Shock’n Y’All CMA: Kenny Chesney When the Sun Goes Down DMDB: Loretta Lynn Van Lear Rose Grammy: Loretta Lynn Van Lear Rose 2003: ACM: Toby Keith Shock’n Y’All AMA: Dixie Chicks Home AMA: Toby Keith Unleashed Billboard: Shania Twain Up! CMA: Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around DMDB: Toby Keith Shock’n Y’All Grammy: Various Artists Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers 2002: ACM: Alan Jackson Drive AMA: Tim McGraw Set This Circus Down CMA: Alan Jackson Drive DMDB: Dixie Chicks Home Grammy: Dixie Chicks Home 2001: ACM: O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack AMA: Faith Hill Breathe Billboard: Tim McGraw Greatest Hits CMA: O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack DMDB: Garth Brooks Scarecrow Grammy: Various Artists Timeless: Hank Williams Tribute 2000: ACM: Toby Keith How Do You Like Me Now?! AMA: Garth Brooks Double Live (live, 1998) Billboard: Dixie Chicks Fly CMA: Dixie Chicks Fly DMDB: O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack Grammy: Faith Hill Breathe 1999: ACM: Dixie Chicks Fly AMA: Garth Brooks Sevens CMA: Tim McGraw A Place in the Sun DMDB: Dixie Chicks Fly Grammy: Dixie Chicks Fly 1998: ACM: Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces AMA: George Strait Carrying Your Love with Me Billboard: Garth Brooks Sevens CMA: Tim McGraw Everywhere DMDB: Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces Grammy: Dixie Chicks Wide Open Spaces 1997: ACM: George Strait Carrying Your Love with Me AMA: George Strait Blue Clear Sky CMA: George Strait Carrying Your Love with Me DMDB: Shania Twain Come on Over Grammy: Johnny Cash American II: Unchained 1996: ACM: George Strait Blue Clear Sky AMA: Garth Brooks The Hits CMA: George Strait Blue Clear Sky DMDB: LeAnn Rimes Blue Grammy: Lyle Lovett The Road to Ensenada 1995: ACM: Shania Twain The Woman in Me AMA: Reba McEntire Read My Mind Billboard: Garth Brooks The Hits CMA: Patty Loveless When Fallen Angels Fly DMDB: Shania Twain The Woman in Me Grammy: Shania Twain The Woman in Me 1994: ACM: Tim McGraw Not a Moment Too Soon AMA: Alan Jackson A Lot About Livin’ and a Little ‘Bout Love CMA: Various Artists Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles DMDB: Johnny Cash American Recordings Grammy: Mary Chapin Carpenter Stones in the Road 1993: ACM: Alan Jackson A Lot About Livin’ and a Little ‘Bout Love AMA: Reba McEntire For My Broken Heart CMA: Vince Gill I Still Believe in You DMDB: Garth Brooks In Pieces 1992: ACM: Brooks & Dunn Brand New Man AMA: Garth Brooks No Fences Billboard: Garth Brooks Ropin’ the Wind CMA: Garth Brooks Ropin’ the Wind DMDB: Billy Ray Cyrus Some Gave All 1991: ACM: Alan Jackson Don’t Rock the Jukebox AMA: Reba McEntire Reba Live (live) Billboard: Garth Brooks No Fences CMA: Garth Brooks No Fences DMDB: Garth Brooks Ropin’ the Wind 1990: ACM: Garth Brooks No Fences AMA: Randy Travis Old 8 x 10 Billboard: Clint Black Killin’ Time CMA: Kentucky Headhunters Pickin’ on Nashville DMDB: Garth Brooks No Fences 1989: ACM: Clint Black Killin’ Time AMA: Randy Travis Always and Forever CMA: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Will the Circle Be Unbroken Vol. 2 DMDB: Clint Black Killin’ Time 1988: ACM: K.T. Oslin This Woman AMA: Randy Travis Always and Forever CMA: Hank Williams Jr. Born to Boogie DMDB: Lyle Lovett Pontiac 1987: ACM: Dolly Parton with Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris Trio AMA: Alabama Greatest Hits (compilation: 1980-86, released 1986) CMA: Randy Travis Always and Forever DMDB: Randy Travis Always and Forever 1986: ACM: Randy Travis Storms of Life AMA: Alabama 40 Hour Week CMA: Ronnie Milsap Lost in the Fifties Tonight DMDB: Steve Earle Guitar Town 1985: ACM: George Strait Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind? AMA: Kenny Rogers Eyes That See in the Dark CMA: George Strait Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind? DMDB: Alabama 40 Hour Week 1984: ACM: Alabama Roll On AMA: Alabama The Closer You Get CMA: Anne Murray A Little Good News DMDB: Alabama Roll On 1983: ACM: Alabama The Closer You Get AMA: Willie Nelson Always on My Mind CMA: Alabama The Closer You Get DMDB: Alabama The Closer You Get 1982: ACM: Willie Nelson Always on My Mind AMA: Kenny Rogers Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-80, released 1980) CMA: Willie Nelson Always on My Mind DMDB: Willie Nelson Always on My Mind 1981: ACM: Alabama Feels So Right AMA: Kenny Rogers The Gambler CMA: Don Williams I Believe in You DMDB: Alabama Feels So Right 1980: ACM: Urban Cowboy soundtrack AMA: Kenny Rogers The Gambler CMA: Loretta Lynn Coal Miner’s Daughter soundtrack DMDB: Loretta Lynn Coal Miner’s Daughter soundtrack 1979: ACM: Larry Gatlin Straight Ahead AMA: Kenny Rogers Ten Years of Gold (compilation: 1967-77, released 1978) CMA: Kenny Rogers The Gambler DMDB: Kenny Rogers Kenny 1978: ACM: The Oak Ridge Boys Y’All Come Back Saloon AMA: Dolly Parton New Harvest…First Gathering CMA: Ronnie Milsap It Was Almost Like a Song DMDB: Kenny Rogers The Gambler 1977: ACM: Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers AMA: Glen Campbell Rhinestone Cowboy CMA: Ronnie Milsap Live DMDB: Elvis Presley Moody Blue 1976: ACM: Mickey Gilley Gilley’s Smoking AMA: John Denver Back Home Again CMA: Waylon Jennings with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, & Jessi Colter Wanted! The Outlaws DMDB: Waylon Jennings with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, & Jessi Colter Wanted! The Outlaws 1975: ACM: Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn Feelins’ AMA: Olivia Newton-John Let Me Be There CMA: Ronnie Milsap A Legend in My Time DMDB: Willie Nelson Red-Headed Stranger 1974: ACM: John Denver Back Home Again AMA: Charley Pride A Sunshiny Day with Charley Pride CMA: Charlie Rich Very Special Love Songs DMDB: Gram Parsons Grievous Angel 1973: ACM: Charlie Rich Behind Closed Doors CMA: Charlie Rich Behind Closed Doors DMDB: Gram Parsons G.P. 1972: ACM: Donna Fargo The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. CMA: Merle Haggard Let Me Tell You About a Song DMDB: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Will the Circle Be Unbroken 1971: ACM: Freddie Hart Easy Loving CMA: Ray Price I Won’t Mention It Again DMDB: Dolly Parton Coat of Many Colors 1970: ACM: Ray Price For the Good Times CMA: Merle Haggard Okie from Muskogee DMDB: Kris Kristofferson Kristofferson (aka “Me and Bobby McGee”) 1969: ACM: Merle Haggard Okie from Muskogee CMA: Johnny Cash At San Quentin DMDB: Johnny Cash At San Quentin 1968: ACM: Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell CMA: Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison DMDB: Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison 1967: ACM: Glen Campbell Gentle on My Mind CMA: Jack Greene There Goes My Everything DMDB: Glen Campbell By the Time I Get to Phoenix 1966: DMDB: Buck Owens Carnegie Hall Concert Grammy: Roger Miller The Return of Roger Miller 1965: DMDB: Eddy Arnold My World Grammy: Roger Miller Dang Me/Chug-A-Lug Resources and Related Links: Dave’s Music Database: other annual picks for album of the year Dave’s Music Database: “Top 100 Country Albums of All Time” Dave’s Music Database: “Other Year-End Album Awards” Academy of Country Music Wikipedia: American Music Award for Favorite Country Album Academy of Country Music Billboard: Country Album of the Year Country Music Association Grammy.com Wikipedia: “Grammy Award for Best Country Album” First posted 9/16/2020; last updated 5/18/2022.