The Billboard Top Folk Records of 1949 is made up of two year-end charts compiled by Billboard magazine ranking the year's top folk records based on record sales and juke box plays. [1] In 1949, country music records were included on, and dominated, the Billboard folk records chart.
Both charts were topped by Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues"; the song posted 4,182 points on the retail sales chart and 1,716 points on the juke box chart -- nearly doubling the point total of any other song. Williams also posted the No. 5 hit on the year-end charts with "Wedding Bells". [1]
Eddy Arnold led all other artists with nine records on the year-end charts. Arnold's "Don't Rob Another Man's Castle" ranked No. 2 on both year-end charts with 2,270 retail points and 981 juke box points. [1]
Four versions of the song "Candy Kisses" made the year-end charts. George Morgan's version was a No. 1 hit while the song also led to hits for Red Foley (No. 4), Elton Britt (No. 4), and Cowboy Copas (No. 5). [1]
On the strength of Eddy Arnold's performance, RCA Victor led all other labels with ten records on the year-end charts. Decca ranked second with eight records followed by Columbia with five and Capitol with four. [1]