Best of 2013

Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line dominated country radio in 2013. Both were showered with awards and (deservedly) given prime slots on major awards broadcasts.

Country stars who said "I do" in 2013 include Jessie James and Shooter Jennings, but a longer list got the ball rolling on wedding plans. There have been no shortage of engagements this year including the union of a new country music power couple. Check out all of the weddings and engagements form the year gone by in this love list.

It happened quite a bit in 2013. You're going along with your day and someone posts a heartwarming video to Facebook that leaves you in a puddle of tears in under 90 seconds. One minute later you're on the phone with your kids trying to say "I love you" between sniffles whimpers. There's no shame in it. Some of the best stories of the year were the most touching acts of kindness and generosity.

There's dozens of reasons why some songs fall short of becoming true country "hits." Sometimes a brilliant recording is just too edgy for mainstream radio. Sometimes an artist doesn't get a push from his or her record label. And some songs simply fall through the cracks; they get lost in the pile of new music that sits on a radio programmer's desk.

Two country deaths make this list of the 10 biggest stories of 2013. There's also one birth, one amputation, an arrest and a shiny trophy. It was a strange year, with more highs, lows, excitement and head-scratching moments than one remembers in previous years.

Often the first few months of the year are a time to dump albums with little potential, but that is not the case in 2013. The race for the best album of the year began early with new releases from Gary Allan and Tim McGraw, and has continued with strong showings from Ashley Monroe and Tim McGraw.

Country music repopulated in 2013, with almost a dozen babies born to some of the biggest singers and songwriters in the genre. Dierks Bentley, Hillary Scotty of Lady Antebellum and Garth Brooks were all stars who welcomed new members of the family; many shared adorable pictures from the little babe's first days. It will be awhile before we know if anyone got the country gene, but it seems promising. See a full list of all country babies born in 2013.

Almost all of the singers on our Sexiest Male Country Stars of 2013 list are as dedicated to their physical fitness as they are to their music. Muscles grow larger, shirts get tighter, jeans begin to fit like a wetsuit. Go ahead and drink these country studs in -- they're not bashful.

The best music videos of 2013 pack a two-hour movie's worth of drama into three to six minutes of silent action. In most cases, there's no dialogue to aid the story telling. The artist and his or her director have to rely on the song and sharp acting to get a message through to fans. These 10 videos have done that better than any others this year.

It's been a wild year in country music. There have been tragedies and triumphs, reasons to celebrate and devastating moments sadness. There have been brilliant new songs and albums, and others that make fine coasters. Many tweets and videos brought a tear to ones eye, while others were cringe-worthy. Here are the 10 things we're thankful for this Thanksgiving. Be sure to share yours when you're done reading.