20 Country Albums You Won’t Believe Came Out 30 Years Ago

Country music was having a big year in 1989: now-icons like Garth Brooks, Lorrie Morgan and Alan Jackson were brand-new acts signing their first record deals and releasing their debut albums. The "Class of '89" would launch country music into a new decade, paving the way for a number of other superstars to come.

Of course, 1989's new releases also included projects from a number of established acts: Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire, among others, dropped some now-classic records. The country music community also received one final album from Keith Whitley, three months after his death in May due to alcohol poisoning.

Flip through the gallery below to learn more about some of the biggest country music albums released 30 years ago, in 1989. Be sure to tell us which is your favorite in the comments section!

20 Country Albums You Won't Believe Came Out 30 Years Ago: