Country Music

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   Retail availability of country 45’s was mostly dictated by regional 

factors. In areas where country music & country radio was a 

significant factor it was much easier to find country records. 

Generally better availability at retail locations in the south, mid-

west and southwestern locations than locations in the east and 

northeast where country music generally did not become a 

significant player until the late 80’s or 90’s. In my home area the 

record departments at most chain stores did not carry country 

45’s but several mom & pop music stores sold all the latest hits 

as well as some older country 45’s. Clearly there was a decent 

market for country music or they would not have carried it.

For many years other than the country crossover records that 

had mass appeal, the largest purchaser of most country 45’s 

was the jukebox operators. Because country fans tended to be 

older back in the day the adults were more apt to purchase 

country music on albums or tapes than on singles. Country 

album sales were not tracked until the mid-60’s. Of course, it’s 

very difficult to extrapolate if a particular song was the actual 

motivation for an album purchase. 