EVERY Billboard #1 country hit of 1976 discussion thread.

Yes, but in the '90s she slid over to Elektra, although by that time you might as well classify her under Americana.

 

It's a might hard to swallow that Johnny Cash hadn't had a #1 since 1972 and never would again after "One Piece At A Time". (Solo at least, he's got a supergroup #1 coming way down the road).

It's classified as a novelty song in my Joel Whitburn, but that seems a bit of a misclassification. The premise is indeed hilariously far-fetched, and John delivers it with tongue firmly in cheek, but still ...

Musically, it's Grade A Tennessee Three with that signature sound nobody else knew how (or dared) to deliver.

 

Coming after The Man In Black, now . . .
"I'll Get Over You" by Crystal Gayle
(#1 for 1 week - June 12, 1976)


Wikipedia entry

 

Now for another legend who hadn't had a #1 in a long while . . .
"El Paso City" by Marty Robbins
(#1 for 2 weeks - June 19-26, 1976)


Wikipedia entry - his return to Columbia after a few middling years with Decca/MCA.

 

Meanwhile, rolling on . . .
"All These Things" by Joe Stampley
(#1 for 1 week - July 3, 1976)

(this may or may not be the version that hit #1, given his subsequent 1981 re-recording)

Wikipedia entry

 

Inching upwards to the next . . .
"The Door Is Always Open" by Dave & Sugar
(#1 for 1 week - July 10, 1976)


Wikipedia entry - the group's first C&W topper.

 

Big fan of a lot of these, especially Emmylou.

 

Never heard any of the last four before, although the echo of El Paso made it more familiar. Most impressed with that Joe Stampley number. Guess I missed a lot of good music in that decade.

 

I have a soft spot for all things Dave And Sugar. The country ABBA. Many of their singles sound more pop than country, but so catchy!

 

I ran across a couple Dave and Sugar albums at Salvation Army a while back and thought they were so cheesy that it must be a regional act. Guess I was way wrong.

 

Here's one from another name we haven't heard from in awhile in this position . . .
"Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine
(#1 for 3 weeks - July 17-31, 1976)


Wikipedia entry - his last country #1, also just made the pop Top 40.

 

Now for a topper from the now-former "First Couple of Country Music":
"Golden Ring" by George Jones And Tammy Wynette
(#1 for 1 week - August 7, 1976)


Wikipedia entry

 

Love this song, as tragic as it is. Their voices sound so good together.

 

Now on to the next . . .
"Say It Again" by Don Williams
(#1 for 1 week - August 14, 1976)


Wikipedia entry

 

Meanwhile, for frequenteers of this thread, there is a new one dealing with the years 1950-54 here:
EVERY Billboard #1 country hit discussion thread 1950-1954

 

All of Don Williams’ 70s output is so soothing and underrated.

 

Next up . . .
"Bring It On Home To Me" by Mickey Gilley
(#1 for 1 week - August 21, 1976)


Wikipedia entry

 

And on to the one after . . .
"(I'm A) Stand By My Woman Man" by Ronnie Milsap
(#1 for 2 weeks - August 28-September 4, 1976)


Wikipedia entry - one of the last releases with the "modern" RCA label before the inauguration of the "black label, dog near top" design (of which later copies of this had):

 

Now for this topper which was the only one for the distaff half of this duo . . .
"I Don't Want To Have To Marry You" by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius
(#1 for 2 weeks - September 11-18, 1976)

Original "tan label" pressings:

Later "black label, dog near top" design:

Wikipedia entry - the co-writer Fred Imus was the younger brother of the longtime radio personality known as "Imus in the Morning."

 

Fellas, fellas . . . I've noticed the last few toppers, while the new #1 entries get "likes," it's crickets in terms of input. For G-d's sake, say something about what's out there, will ya? Even the 1950-54 thread has some posts where you can actually learn something.

Meanwhile . . . progressing forward . . .
"If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time" by Willie Nelson
(#1 for 1 week - September 25, 1976)


Wikipedia entry

 

Frankly Willie could fart into the mike and I would buy it. I have NEVER heard a bad Willie record. He continues to get his(long over)due

 

I thought this was a Hank Williams song and yet, here it is listed as Lefty Frizzell as songwriter! Hank had to have sang it, because I listened to the Lefty version and that doesn't sound like the one I remember. I also like the Willie version. I tend to like the Willie version of almost anything.

 

I’m a bad country music fan. I don’t like Willie. That voice really grates on me. A lot.

 

You are in good company. My Dad couldn't stand his voice or George Jones voice either for that matter.

 

Given what's been said about Mr. Nelson's being an acquired taste, let's go on to the next, shall we . . .
"Here's Some Love" by Tanya Tucker
(#1 for 1 week - October 2, 1976)


Wikipedia entry