Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw had the Number One Country tour of 2012. Their 23 “Brothers of the Sun” stadium concerts brought in more than $96.4 million. Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts also placed in the year’s overall Top 25 tours.

During the past year, Country fans mourned the death of a number of artists. Among them were Country legends Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson and Kitty Wells.

Country music’s other big news stories in 2012 included George Jones’ and George Strait’s announcement that they’ll be retiring from the road after performing Farewell Tours in 2013. Shania Twain and Tim McGraw and his wife Faith Hill launched their much-anticipated Las Vegas residencies. Hargus “Pig” Robbins, Connie Smith and Garth Brooks earned induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. And, Keith Urban and Darius Rucker became the newest members of Nashville’s famed Grand Ole Opry.

Speaking of the Opry, many acting stars from ABC’s new television drama “Nashville” made their debut on Music City’s famous stage in 2012. They included Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton and Charles Esten.

Carrie Underwood’s international appeal grew in 2012 with the release of her million-selling album, “Blown Away.” In March, she’ll return to the United Kingdom to perform for the second time in less than a year. Carrie will join Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, LeAnn Rimes, and others at “C2C: Country to Country,” the first-ever two-day Country music festival at London’s O2 Arena.