Capitol Nashville

1940s:

Key artists: Tex Ritter, Merle Travis, Tex Williams, Jimmy Wakely, Jack Gruthrie, Wesley Tuttle, The Dinning Sisters, Foy Willing & His Riders of the Purple Sage.
In 1944, the California-based label got is first #1 country hits - Tex Ritter’s “I’m Wastin’ My Tears On You” and the King Cole Trio’s “Straighten Up and Fly Right.”
Cliffie Stone, producer and talent scout for Capitol, urges the label to drop the term “hillbilly” and replace it with “country” to describe the rural-based music.
Ken Nelson, now in the Country Music Hall of Fame, joins the West Coast staff as a producer.
Jimmy Wakely revolutionizes country music with his cheating songs, including the hits “One Has My Name” and “Slipping Around.”
Capitol’s Southeastern sales director Dee Kilpatrick starts recording Capitol acts in Nashville, taking advantage of their appearances at the Grand Ole Opry.

1950s:

Key artists: Hank Thompson, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Jo Stafford, Slim Whitman, Ferlin Husky, Faron Young, Jean Shepherd, The Louvin Brothers, Sonny James
In 1950, Capitol becomes the first major label to open an outpost in Nashville .
Ken Nelson begins commuting regularly from L.A. to Nashville to record the label’s country acts.
Gene Vincent records “Be Bop A Lula” in Owen Bradley’s Nashville studio. It becomes Capitol’s first big rock and roll hit.
Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons” becomes a national sensations. Later, his Hymns became the first million-selling gospel record.
The Kingston Trio’s “Tom Dooley” wins the first country music Grammy in 1958.
In 1958, Hank Thompson’s Songs For Rounders is country music’s first stereo LP.
In 1959, Buck Owens debuts on charts with maverick sound created by recording with his own band rather than session musicians.

1960s:

Key artists; Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson, Rose Maddox, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell
Hank Thompson issues country music’s first live LP - At The Golden Nugget
Buck Owens begins his streak of #1 hits with “Act Naturally”
Tex Ritter elected to Country Music Hall of Fame.
Sonny James starts string of 25 consecutive #1 hits with “You’re The Only World I Know,” recorded in Nashville.
Capitol signs Merle Haggard in 1965.
United Artists label makes a mark in country music with George Jones, Johnny Darrel and Del Reeves. (Capitol acquires UA in 1979)
Wade Pepper named Capitol’s country-and-western sales manager to head a full-scale C&W marketing expansion. Capitol VP William B. Tallent says, “We have felt that the sales and potential of our C&W acts could be greatly facilitated if we had a concentrated effort and the only place that effort could come from would be the heart of the business, Nashville.”
Capitol’s “Bakersfield sound” dominates country.
In 1967, Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billie Joe” crosses over to become a #1 pop hit. A year later, Glen Campbell crossed over to the pop charts with “By the Time I Get To Phoenix,” leading to his own TV show and nationwide exposure of country music.

1970s:

Key artists: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray, Crystal Gayle, Mel McDaniel, Gene Watson, Asleep At The Wheel, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band records landmark, Will The Circle Be Unbroken, introducing traditonal country music and its legendary artists like Mother Maybelle Carter and Roy Acuff, to a new generation
Ken Nelson retires after 25 years with Capitol. Frank Jones is named vice president and general manager in charge of country product, and the label’s country headquarters officially move to Nashville from L.A.
Linda Ronstadt, recording country rock for the L.A. office, arrives in Nashville for recording sessions in 1970. She hits the top of the country charts in 1975 with “I Can’t Help It If I’m Still In Love With You” and “When Will I Be Loved?” and wins a country Grammy.
Merle Travis inducted into Country Music Hall of Fame.
Capitol Records buys United Artists in 1979. Their roster includes Kenny Rogers, Dottie West, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Charlie Rich and Crystal Gayle.

1980s:

Key artists: Juice Newton, Dottie West, Kenny Rogers, Dan Seals, Sawyer Brown, Tanya Tucker, Don Williams, Marie Osmond
Capitol moves to a new building on a site that used to be an old mansion constructed by a German grain merchant for his daughters. The Schnell sisters were snubbed by Nashville society when the house was opened for their coming out party at the turn of the century. They remained lifelong recluses in the mansion while Music Row was built up around them. Capitol staffers believe their new home is haunted. Psychics are brought in to rid the building of the ghost of Bertha Schnell.
Jim Foglesong is named president of Capitol-EMI in Nashville, and he immediately expands the office. In 1986 he hosts Nashville’s first international record label convention with Capitol/EMI reps from 35 countries in town. New Grass Revival, Dobie Gray, Sawyer Brown, Jason & the Scorchers, Tanya Tucker and Dan Seals play. Tina Turner hosts a listening party.
Capitol becomes the first fully autonomous label in Nashville by establishing its own business affairs, international and finance departments. Company slogan becomes “Country with a Capitol C”
Garth Brooks releases his first single, “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old)”
Cliffie Stone and Hank Thompson inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1990s:

Key artists: Garth Brooks, Suzy Bogguss, Billy Dean, John Berry, Shenandoah, Tanya Tucker, Trace Adkins, Deana Carter, Steve Wariner, Chris LeDoux
Jimmy Bowen becomes president of the label. New staffers include James Stroud as A&R chief and Bill Catino in promotion, who came over from Bowen’s Universal Records. As a result, Capitol’s artist lineup increases to 35 acts, the largest roster in Nashville.
Bowen moves the label away from Music Row, to 3322 West End Ave. and changes the name of the label to Liberty Records.
Garth Brooks becomes the biggest-selling superstar in popular music, wins the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year Award in 1990, 91, 92
In 1995, Scott Hendricks takes over as label president. One of his first acts is to change the label name back to Capitol Records.
Trace Adkins is the first artist Hendricks signs. He, along with Deana Carter, become two of country’s biggest breakout artists in 1996. Adkins wins ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist award, and Carter wins CMA’s Song of the Year for “Strawberry Wine.”
Pat Quigley becomes president of Capitol in 1997. Hendricks moves to head the new sister label, Virgin Nashville.
Steve Wariner signs with label and immediately has a hit with “Holes In The Floor of Heaven” which wins both ACM and CMA awards for Song of the Year.
Garth Brooks holds a free concert in Central Park, drawing a record-breaking crowd.
Garth Brooks reaches 100 million album sales, making him the best-selling solo artist in history according to the RIAA.

2000s:

Current roster: Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Chris Cagle, Eric Church, Brandon Kinney, Chris LeDoux, Jamie O’Neal, Kenny Rogers, Cyndi Thomson, Keith Urban, Emily West, Rodney Carrington, Mark Gross, Roy D. Mercer, Tim Wilson
Mike Dungan named President /CEO of Capitol Nashville in 2000.
Keith Urban wins CMA Horizon Award in 2001
Virgin Nashville closes in 2001, and its artist roster moves to sister label Capitol. The label relaunches Chris Cagle’s Play It Loud album with two new songs and new artwork. Sales jump dramatically. Cagle becomes one of the year’s breakout artists.
Cyndi Thomson debuts with “What I Really Meant To Say,” The single reaches the top of the singles sales chart for eight consecutive weeks and stays at #1 on the radio charts for three consecutive weeks.
Chris LeDoux, a grassroots artist with only sporadic radio airplay, reaches total album sales of 6 million with Capitol.
In 2003, Chris Cagle's second, self-titled, album debuts at #1 on the country album chart. Three months later, Trace Adkins' Greatest Hits Collection also debuts at #1 on the album chart.
Keith Urban's second solo album, Golden Road, is certified Platinum® in 2003.
Kenny Rogers returns to Capitol Records Nashville and releases “42 Ultimate Hits” – eventually being certified Gold® by the RIAA
Dierks Bentley’s debut single, “What Was I Thinkin’” reaches #1 at radio in 2004, the first debut single to reach the top of the charts in two years.
Keith Urban’s second solo album, Golden Road, is certified double Platinum® In 2004
Dierks Bentley wins ACM Top New Artist In 2004
Dierks Bentley wins CMT Flameworthy Breakthrough Video of the Year for “What Was I Thinkin’” in 2004
In Nov. 2005 Mike Dungan, President/CEO, Capitol Records Nashville, is named President of the Country Music Association
Keith Urban reaches the top spot on the country singles charts with “Better Life” from Be Here and stays at the #1 spot for 6-weeks
In 2005, Dierks Bentley lands his second multi-week single “Come a Little Closer” from his Modern Day Drifter album
2005: Year in Review, Capitol Records (see below)
2005 Label Certifications (RIAA)
- Keith Urban’s Golden Road goes to triple Platinum®
- Keith Urban’s Be Here goes double Platinum®
- Keith Urban’s DVD, Livin’ Right Now, ships/certified Platinum®
- Dierks Bentley’s self-titled debut album Dierks Bentley goes Platinum®
- Dierks Bentley’s Modern Day Drifter goes Platinum®
- Trace Adkins’s Comin On Strong goes Platinum®
- Trace Adkins’s Songs About Me goes Platinum®
- Trace Adkins’s DVD Video Hits goes Platinum®
- Chris LeDoux’s 20 Greatest Hits gives the late artist his first Platinum® record
Additionally, Keith Urban received Platinum® certifications in Canada and Australia, and Gold® certifications in Ireland and Thailand.
2005 Label chart success, Country singles (BILLBOARD)
- Four #1 singles
- Eight Top Ten singles
Additionally, two albums (Modern Day Drifter, Dierks Bentley, and Songs About Me, Trace Adkins), debuted at #1 on BILLBOARD’S Country Album chart, and Chris Cagle’s Anywhere But Here has the highest charting debut week of his career.
2005 Industry Awards, Artists
- Dierks Bentley, CMA Horizon Award
- Chris LeDoux, ACM Pioneer Award
- Keith Urban, ACM Male Vocalist of the Year
- Keith Urban, ACM Album of the Year
- Keith Urban, CMA Male Vocalist of the Year
- Keith Urban, CMA Entertainer of the Year
- Keith Urban, CMT Video of the Year
- Keith Urban, Radio Music Awards “Country Artist of the Year”
- Keith Urban, Radio & Records (R&R): “Top Male MVP” (more airplay than any other male country artist in 2005)
2005 Industry Awards, Label
- R&R: Top Country Label Share for 2005
- BILLBOARD RADIO MONITOR: Top Country Label (based on airplay)
- BILLBOARD: Hot Country Songs Label

2006:

Keith Urban’s “Once In A Lifetime” is the highest charting single in the 62 year old chart history.
Kenny Rogers releases “Water & Bridges”– his first studio album in three years – the highest charting album debut of his career in 23 years
Trace Adkins reaches the Top 5 on Billboard’s country singles chart with the smash hit of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” – also a #1 selling iTunes single (country); #1 Dance club single (2005); #1 on Music Row chart; Top 5 selling iTunes video (all genres); #1 video CMT Top 20 Countdown; Top 20 selling iTunes single (all genres)
Keith Urban wins ACM’s Top Male Vocalist
Trace Adkins’ album, Dangerous Man, debuts #1 on Billboard’s Country Chart and is certified Gold® in just 5 weeks.
Dierks Bentley becomes the only solo male artist to have three #1 singles in 2006 (“Come A Little Closer”, “Settle For A Slowdown” and “Every Mile A Memory”)
Eric Church’s debut video for “How ‘Bout You” reaches the #1 spot on CMT.
Keith Urban’s album, Be Here, is certified quadruple Platinum®
Trace Adkins’ album, Songs About Me, is certified double Platinum®
Kenny Rogers becomes the only artist to chart a record in each of the past six decades
Keith Urban wins CMA’s Top Male Vocalist
Dierks Bentley’s album, Long Trip Alone, debuts #1 on Billboard’s Country Chart and is certified Gold®
Trace Adkins is nominated for “Favorite Male Singer” at the 2007 People’s Choice Awards.
Kenny Rogers is ranked #8 on the R.I.A.A.’s list of Top Selling Male Artists of all time
Keith Urban’s newest album, Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, debuts at #1 on the Billboard’s Country Chart and is certified Platinum®
Eric Church becomes one of the highest debuting new male artists in 2006
Trace Adkins is named one of People Magazine’s “25 Hottest Stars in Country Music”

2005 Label Certifications (RIAA)

2005 Label chart success, Country singles (BILLBOARD)

2005 Industry Awards, Artists

2005 Industry Awards, Label