Released in 1981, the collection contains 143 tracks deemed to be significantly important to the history of country music.

Classic Country Music was issued in eight volumes — either vinyl albums, cassette tapes or 8-track cartridges.

It also contained an illustrated 56-page book by Bill C. Malone, a country music historian and professor of history at Tulane University.

Included are many songs from the 1920s and 1930s, as well as bluegrass and other related genres to country music.

Significant artists whose works were included were Vernon Dalhart, Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family, Sons of the Pioneers, Bob Wills, Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Eddy Arnold, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson and George Jones.