1958 in country music

In 1958, significant events in country music included Johnny Cash's performance at San Quentin Prison, where he met Merle Haggard. Don Gibson achieved his first major hit with "Oh Lonesome Me," establishing him as a Nashville Sound pioneer. BMI opened its Nashville office in March, and Elvis Presley was drafted into the army later that month. Jerry Lee Lewis' career declined due to a marriage scandal involving his second cousin.

Billboard discontinued separate C&W charts in October, introducing an all-encompassing "Hot C&W Sides" chart with Ray Price's "City Lights" as the first No. 1 song. The Country Music Association was founded that November, and Conway Twitty transitioned from rock to country after his hit "It's Only Make Believe." Johnny Cash also topped a concert in Las Vegas.

Notable births included Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sammy Kershaw, and Alan Jackson. Deaths included comedian Rod Brasfield, who passed away from heart failure. Other highlights included the release of Hank Locklin's *Foreign Love* and Johnny Cash's *Sings the Songs that Made Him Famous*.