Country Year In Review 2012
There were a lot of memorable musical moments in 2012. The big story as the year began was the incredible sccess of Toby Keith’s “Red Solo Cup.” The hit was driven by an all-star viral video. The first Country Countdown USA co-host of the year was Eric Church, who talked about the cameo he made in the video. Also in January, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott married musician Chris Tyrrell.
In February, Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum won Grammy Awards. Keith Urban made his first appearance after vocal surgery on the Grand Ole Opry. A week later, he co-hosted Country Countdown USA, where he described his recovery, and debuted a new song, “For You,” from the movie “Act Of Valor.”
Also in February, George Strait became a grandfather, with the birth of George Harvey Strait III. A few weeks later, George co-hosted the Countdown, where he told host Lon Helton that they were calling the baby Harvey. 
Season Two of NBC’s hit talent show The Voice kicked off after the Super Bowl. The show has emerged as the star of the show, and in May, Jermaine Paul of Team Blake won Season 2. Season 3 began in September, and once again, Team Blake was victorious, as Cassadee Pope was named the winner. Blake will return for Season 4 in 2013.
In March, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum announced that its 2012 inductees would be Garth Brooks, Connie Smith, and musician Hargus “Pig” Robbins.
The 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards took place on April 1st in Las Vegas. Taylor Swift was named Entertainer of the Year. Miranda Lambert & Blake Shelton won Female and Male Vocalist of the Year Awards. Also in April, Keith Urban hosted his third annual All For the Hall benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame. During the show, Keith was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. 
Jake Owen got engaged in April, and was married in May. Then in July, they announced they were expecting their first child. On Thanksgiving Day, Jake and Lacey welcomed new daughter Olive Pearl Owen. One week later, Jake co-hosted the Countdown to talk about his amazing year. Also in April, Lady Antebellum’s Dave Heywood married record executive Kelli Cashiola.
In May, Tim McGraw held a Nashville press conference announcing that he signed a recording contract with Big Machine Records. One week later, he co-hosted Country Countdown USA to talk with Lon about his new deal. Tim also joined longtime friend Kenny Chesney for the Brothers of the Sun stadium tour. Not surprisingly, it was the top country tour of the year.
There were several other big tours during the year, including Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party tour with Luke Bryan, the Blood, Sweat, and Beers tour with Eric Church, and Rascal Flatts’ Changed Tour. Just before a show in Detroit, Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus and wife Alison welcomed baby boy Dylan to the family.
While on tour in July, Toby Keith had emergency gall bladder surgery. The operation didn’t slow him down. He only missed one show, and a few days later, shot the video for his hit “I Like Girls That Drink Beer.”
In a bizarre story, country legend Randy Travis was arrested twice during the year for public intoxication. By the end of the year, Travis announced he had stopped drinking, and was hoping to make a comeback.
In September, George Strait announced his final tour: The Cowboy Rides Away Tour that will run for two years. He’ll be joined by Martina McBride. The tour begins in a couple of weeks.
In October, Darius Rucker was became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. Taylor Swift released her fourth album, “Red,” and it sells more than 1.2 million copies its first week. Keith Urban is named a judge for the 12th season of American Idol.
Also in October, Blake Shelton hosted a country music cruise. Joining him for the week-long event: Trace Adkins, Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, and CCUSA host Lon Helton.
In November, Blake Shelton was named Entertainer of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards. He also won Male Vocalist and Song of the Year for co-writing “Over You” with wife Miranda Lambert. Other winers included Little Big Town, Hunter Hayes, and Eric Church. Garth Brooks ended a three year run in Las Vegas. A few weeks later, Shania Twain launched her “Still The One” show at Caesar’s Palace, while Tim McGraw & Faith Hill brought their “Soul2Soul” show to The Venetian.
In December Lady Antebellum launched their own charity: Lady Aid. Luke Bryan was the big winner at the American Country Awards. He was also named the most-played male artist on country radio. Grammy nominees included Taylor Swift, Hunter Hayes, and Eric Church.
Country music lost several stars during the year, including Kitty Wells, Earl Scruggs, and actor Andy Griffith.
Several artists scored their first #1 songs in 2012, including David Nail, Lee Brice, Hunter Hayes, Kip Moore, Love & Theft, Eric Church, Little Big Town, and Florida Georgia Line.
On a personal note, 2012 marked the 20th anniversary of Country Countdown USA. Host Lon Helton celebrated by picking up the National Personality of the Year Awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
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