2008 release, an installment in this luxuriously packaged collection that highlights the history of Country music year by year, beginning in 1945 right up through 1970. The series is compiled an annotated by Grammy-winning Colin Escott. The big hits are here, but so are the classic performances that weren't necessarily big hits at the time, but became influential in the years ahead. Every volume has incredibly detailed behind-the-scenes stories, fabulously rare photos, and an ongoing history of Country music set against the backdrop of the broader American music business. 1945 includes Spade Cooley's 'Shame on You', Dick Thomas' rarely reissued #1 hit 'Sioux City Sue', Porky Freeman's 'Boogie Woogie Boy' featuring Merle Travis, the original version of the beer joint classic 'Drivin' Nail in My Coffin' by Jerry Irby, the original 'Guitar Boogie', as well as classic hits by Gene Autry, Red Foley, Eddy Arnold, Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, and many others. Bear Family.