It’s that time again, the new year is coming and the old one is winding down. The most popular country music song, album, tour, the good, the bad and the loss of some greats, what stars added to the their family trees, what all happened in 2004?

Country music this year saw quite a few new additions to its family tree.
Kenny Rogers became a father again, to twin boys, Justin and Jordan.
Cledus T. Judd and Julie Reeves had a baby girl, Caitlyn Rose.
Deana Carter welcomed son, Gray Hayes.
Joe Diffie welcomed new daughter Kylie.
Natalie Maines (Dixie Chicks) welcomed son Beckett Finn.
Martie Maguire (Dixie Chicks) brought home twin daughters, Eva Ruth and Kathleen Emilie.
Sara Evans introduced her third child, Audrey.
Gary Levox (Rascal Flatts) became the proud papa to daughter Brooklyn.
Scott Whitehead ( Hometown News) welcomed daughter Sarah Nicole.
Trace Adkins brought home daughter number 3, Trinity Lee.

We also lost some greats this year, but their legacies will live on through their music and words.
Musical great Ray Charles, 74, June 10 – One of a kind musician who did almost as much for country music as Elvis.
Gospel singer Jake Hess, 76, Jan. 4 – Member of Imperials who sang with Elvis
Frank Edwin "Tug" McGraw, 59, Jan. 5 – Tim McGraws father
Songwriter Lorene Allen, 78, Jan. 9 – Wrote songs for Eddy Arnold, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn and others.
Songwriter Max D. Barnes, 67, Jan. 11 – Cowriter of Look at Us, Chiseled in Stone and Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes
Singer and songwriter Randy VanWarmer, 48, Jan. 12 – wrote hits I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why), I Will Hold You, Just When I Needed You Most and others
Gene Hughes, 67, Feb. 3 – Member of The Casinos, Nashville record promoter
Roy "Pop" Lewis, 98, March 23 – Member of the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame, member of gospel/bluegrass group the Lewis Family
Niki M. Sullivan, 66, April 6 – part of Buddy Hollys band
Songwriter and guitarist Dave Kirby, 65, April 17 – Cowrote Is Anybody Goin' to San Antone and Memories to Burn
Mattie J. T. Stepanek, 13, June 22 – Poet whose songs inspired a Billy Gilman album.
Songwriter Sam Hogin, age undisclosed, Aug. 9 – Cowrote I Believe in You, A Broken Wing and others
Grand Ole Opry star Skeeter Davis, 73, Sept. 19
Grand Ole Opry star Roy Drusky, 74, Sept. 23
Angela L. Herzberg, 36, Oct. 25 – wife of Gary Allan
Jerry Scoggins, 93, Dec. 7 – Best known for singing theme song to Beverly Hillbillies
Country and gospel singer Martha Carson, 83, Dec. 16

There maybe debates about the economy, but country music fans know how they want to spend their money. The top three grossing country tours were:
Shania Twain, UP! - $55 million
Kenny Chesney , Guitars, Tiki Bars & A Whole Lotta Love Tour - $50 million
Toby Keith, Shock ‘N Y’all Tour - $40 million

The 10 CD’s that stayed at number one the longest were:
When the Sun Goes Down, 14 weeks - Kenny Chesney
Here for the Party, 9 weeks - Gretchen Wilson
Shock ‘N Y’all , 6 weeks – Toby Keith

50 Number Ones, 5 weeks – George Strait
License to Chill, 5 weeks – Jimmy Buffett
Greatest Hits , 3 weeks – Shania Twain
Live Like You Were Dying, 2 weeks – Tim McGraw
Horse of a Different Color, 1 week – Big & Rich
Be Here, 1 week – Keith Urban
Feels Like Today , 1 week – Rascal Flatts
What I Do, 1 week – Alan Jackson

The top 10 songs were:
Live Like You Were Dying, 7 weeks – Tim McGraw
When the Sun Goes Down, 5 weeks – Kenny Chesney
Redneck Woman, 5 weeks – Gretchen Wilson
There Goes My Life, 4 weeks – Kenny Chesney
American Soldier, 4 weeks – Toby Keith
Days Go By, 3 weeks – Keith Urban
Remember When, 2 weeks – Alan Jackson
Watch the Wind Blow By, 2 weeks – Tim McGraw
You’ll Think of Me, 2 weeks – Keith Urban
I Hate Everything, 2 weeks – George Strait
In a Real Love, 2 weeks – Phil Vassar
Mr. Mom, 2 weeks – Lonestar
Nothing on But the Radio, 2 weeks – Gary Allan