1980 was one of those special years in the history of country music. One of those 'Wow!' years with so many songs that have become some of the greatest classic's in history.

In fact, just look at these four songs that were nominated for the Country Music Association 'Single Of The Year':

'All The Gold In California'-Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers

'Coward of the County'-Kenny Rogers

'Good Ole Boys Like Me'-Don Williams

All great songs featuring two artist's already in the Country Music Hall of Fame and two that one day (hopefully soon) will be. And yet 1980 was such a banner year in country music, none of those four won the award. Why??

Well, 1980 happened to be the year of what many people consider to be the great song in country music of any year!

In a poll we did, 'He Stopped Loving Her Today' was voted the greatest country music song ever. In fact, poll after poll after poll showed the same result. So just exactly how big was 'He Stopped Loving Her Today'?

Well, not only did George Jones (considered by many to be the greatest country music singer ever) win the 'Single of the Year' honor in 1980, the writer's of that classic, Bobby Braddock and Curly Putnam, won the 'Song of the Year' award in 1980 and...wait...1981 as well!

So while the above four songs are indeed among the greatest classic's in country music history, they were in the running against the greatest ever.

More From KIKN-FM / Kickin' Country 99.1/100.5