These are the #1 country hits of 1946. Unlike the pop charts, which had 20 songs covering 96 weeks, there is only a handful here. That’s the function of the fact that in 1946, there was only one chart showing the most popular country songs.
In 1944, the chart called Most Played Juke Box Folk Records was established. It wasn’t until 1948 that Billboard tracked best-selling records, and not until 1949 that they followed the disc jockey’s most-played records. So in the 50s, you may see a lot more records, unless juke box, sales, and radio play agree.
That is, until 13 October 1958, when they consolidated all the charts into what became Hot Country Singles/Songs/Airplay.
Guitar Polka – Al Dexter and His Troopers (Columbia), 16 weeks at #1. “Recorded back in 1942, this instrumental… remained on the shelf for several years before its eventual release and 29-week run on Billboard’s country chart in 1946.” He shows up a lot on these lists, yet I had never heard of him before I started looking at these lists. See here.
Western Swing
New Spanish Two Step – Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, with Tommy Duncan, vocals. (Columbia), 16 weeks at #1. Compare with Spanish Two Step (Vocalion, 1935), also by Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys.
I remember him well from the 1960s, even though he had very few hits after 1950. It must have been from oldies country stations such as WWVA in Wheeling, WV. “Bob Wills was the driving force behind Western Swing, a form of Country & Western that fuses Jazz, Hillbilly, Blues, Big Band Swing, and many more rhythm forms together, creating a truly Unique, Diverse, and Unforgettable sound. Wills’ shrewd mix of horns, fiddles, and steel guitar made for a swinging sound that grabbed the public’s ear during the mid 1930s and 1940s.”
Divorce Me C.O.D. – Merle Travis with his cowboy band (Capitol), 14 weeks at #1
Wine, Women and Song – Al Dexter and His Troopers, 5 weeks at #1
You Will Have To Pay (for Your Yesterday)- Tex Ritter (Capitol), 3 weeks at #1. Yes, John Ritter’s dad and Jason Ritter’s granddad, though Jason never knew Tex
White Cross on Okinawa – Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys, with Tommy Duncan, vocal, 1 week at #1