After nearly 37 years as one of country music's most prominent and respected voices, Music City News is ceasing publication. Now owned by Gannett, Music City News was founded in 1963 by country singer Faron Young. Its first issue, dated July, 1963, listed Young as president.

Mike Jones, current editor-in-chief, confirmed that the magazine has closed its doors with the publication of the February, 2000 issue. He says he hopes Gannett will find a buyer who will keep the once-vital journal going.

The magazine's paid circulation (subscription and newsstand sales) was around 49,000.

In 1974, Buck Owens had a Top 10 hit with "On The Cover Of Music City News," a takeoff on Dr. Hook's pop hit from the previous year, "On The Cover Of Rolling Stone."

After nearly 37 years as one of country music's most prominent and respected voices, Music City News is ceasing publication. Now owned by Gannett, Music City News was founded in 1963 by country singer Faron Young. Its first issue, dated July, 1963, listed Young as president.

Mike Jones, current editor-in-chief, confirmed that the magazine has closed its doors with the publication of the February, 2000 issue. He says he hopes Gannett will find a buyer who will keep the once-vital journal going.

The magazine's paid circulation (subscription and newsstand sales) was around 49,000.

In 1974, Buck Owens had a Top 10 hit with "On The Cover Of Music City News," a takeoff on Dr. Hook's pop hit from the previous year, "On The Cover Of Rolling Stone."

Music City News began conferring its annual awards in 1967 and started televising them in 1978. It combined its awards show with TNN in 1989. Last year, TNN announced it was ending its awards show affiliation with Music City News and going instead with the newer and much larger circulation Country Weekly. Music City News maintained that it would continue its fan-voted artists awards and had booked the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville for an awards show on June 12.