- Today in 1956, Elvis Presley opened for Little Jimmy Dickens. After the show, the future Byrd Gram Parsons, who was in the front row, went back stage to get Elvis’ autograph.
- Today in 1968, Johnny Cash proposed to June Carter during a tour performance.
- Today in 1969, before a nasty split, Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs made their last appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1988, George Strait’s “If You Ain’t Lovin’ (You Ain’t Livin’)” album was released.
- Today in 1989, at the GRAMMYs, K.T. Oslin’s “Hold Me” won both Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.
- Today in 1992, Lee Roy Parnell released the single, “Tender Moment.”
- Today in 1993, the “Alibis” album by Tracy Lawrence was released.
- Today in 1993, Chris LeDoux’s album, “Whatcha Gonna Do With A Cowboy,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Video Collection” was certified gold.
- Today in 1997, Paul Brandt married his wife, Elizabeth.
- Today in 1997, “A Man This Lonely” got Brooks & Dunn to the top of the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1999, Brad Paisley released the single “Who Needs Pictures.”
- Today in 2000, Phil Vassar released his self-titled debut album.
- Today in 2003, “The Baby” earned Blake Shelton a #1 Billboard single.
- Today in 2007, a “CMT Crossroads” taping featured Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson singing “Because of You” and “Why Haven’t I Heard From You.”
- Today in 2012, as a surprise during a show, Lady Antebellum sang “Do I” with Luke Bryan and “A Little Bit Stronger” with Sara Evans.
- Today in 2015, Tim McGraw performed “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” from the documentary, “Glen Campbell… I’ll Be Me,” during the Oscar Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. In attendance were Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman.
- Today in 2017, Jon Pardi cleaned up with a gold single from the RIAA for “Dirt On My Boots.”
Former NBA, NFL team owner, businessman Red McCombs dies
SAN ANTONIO, TX (AP) — A former owner of two NBA teams, an NFL franchise and a longtime businessman, Billy Joe “Red” McCombs has died at his home in San Antonio. McCombs’ family said in a statement Monday that McCombs died Sunday at age 95. A cause of death was not given, but the statement said McCombs died peacefully surrounded by his family. McCombs owned the San Antonio Spurs of the NBA on two separate occasions. He also once owned the NBA’s Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL. McCombs also owned various businesses that included auto dealerships, the oil and gas industry, real estate, cattle ranches and radio stations.
IUB to hold meeting on logistics for Summit Carbon pipeline permit process
By Dar Danielson (Radio Iowa)
The Iowa Utilities Board has issued a schedule for the permit application process for Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide pipeline.
The IUB order says it will hold a technical conference on March 15th at 10 a.m. at its Des Moines office to discuss logistics for the hearing and to help those who want to file opposition or support of the pipeline. The conference will discuss the schedule and provide information about how the IUB envisions the hearing will be conducted.
Specific dates for the hearing will be determined at the technical conference. Summit is proposing approximately 687 miles of pipeline in Iowa. For more information on the technical conference, go to iub.iowa.gov.
Mahaska County Community Foundation Grant Deadline Nears
OSKALOOSA — The Mahaska County Community Foundation (MCCF) wants to remind local non-profit organizations and government entities that the deadline to submit grant applications is February 28, 2023.
MCCF has been in existence since 2006, and has awarded in excess of $1.5 million in grants since that time. $45,000 in grants were awarded the first year of the program; 2022 saw nearly $140,000 in grant monies going to 12 different organizations. These projects ranged from $5,000 to the Barnes City Fire and Rescue for improvements to the firehouse, $5,000 to the “Rocket Rampage” start-up Robotics program at the Eddyville/Blakesburg/Fremont high school, to $8,030 to the Oskaloosa Police Department for security cameras on the City Square.
Additionally, two Challenge Grants for larger-scale projects were awarded to local municipalities: $20,000 to the City of Oskaloosa for Edmundson Park enhancements and upgrades, and $20,000 to the City of Fremont for the replacement of light poles.
The MCCF Board encourages all those that are working on good projects within Mahaska County to apply for a grant, with the grant application found at www.mahaskafoundation.org.
Oskaloosa Schools Names Marcia Devore Director of Teaching & Learning
OSKALOOSA, IA — The Oskaloosa Community Schools has named Marcia DeVore as its next director of teaching and learning.
DeVore has served as principal of Lincoln Elementary in the Charles City Community School District since 2013. Previously, she was an elementary associate principal and dean of students. DeVore began her career in education as a middle school reading teacher.
DeVore earned an Iowa Administrative Certificate in grades PK-12 from Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin, along with a master’s degree in education.
“My family and I are excited to be part of Oskaloosa Schools and the larger Oskaloosa community,” said DeVore. “Accepting this position was not just about a good career fit for me, but also a good school fit for our son and a community fit for our family. Oskaloosa checked all the boxes.”
As director of teaching and learning, DeVore intends to collaborate with the district leadership team to continue building a positive academic environment and foster success for all Osky students. She will focus on empowering teacher leadership throughout the district’s schools and across grade levels.
“We are delighted to welcome Marcia DeVore to the Osky Schools family,” said Mike Fisher, Superintendent. “I am confident that her leadership expertise and wealth of experience will provide immense value to our schools and the students we serve.”
DeVore will relocate to Oskaloosa with her husband, Justin, and son, Jonah, who is a current eighth-grade student at Charles City Middle School and will begin attending Oskaloosa High School this fall. DeVore’s daughter, Hannah, is now a senior at Charles City High School, with plans to attend college in the fall.
Olivia Newton-John Recorded ‘Jolene’ With Dolly Parton Before Her Death
A reimagined version of Dolly Parton’s , “Jolene,” featuring the late Olivia Newton-John was released this weekend. The duet between Dolly and Olivia is part of Newton-John’s last album, “Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection.”
A music video was released on Youtube, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the pair in the recording studio. In the video, ONJ says she’s always wanted to sing with Dolly, who she’s been friends with since winning the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1974.
Prior to her death, Newton-John had said that Parton was “always there” for her and Parton expressed her admiration for Olivia’s “grit, tenderness, willingness and determination.” Along with her duet with Parton, the album will feature duets with several other artists, and it will be released on May 5, 2023.
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1948, Little Jimmy Dickens performed “John Henry” and “I Dreamed Of An Old Love Affair” during his first performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1953, “Kaw-Liga” earned the late Hank Williams a #1 country single.
- Today in 1976, “Good Hearted Woman” by Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson hit the top of the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1996, Garth Brooks’ album “Fresh Horses” was certified gold, platinum, and triple-platinum.
- Today in 2001, at the GRAMMYs, Faith Hill’s “Breathe” album won Best Country Album, her title “Breathe” won Best Female Country Vocal Performance, and her collaboration with Tim McGraw, “Let’s Make Love,” won Best Country Collaboration.
- Today in 2004, Toby Keith hit the top of the Billboard chart with “American Soldier.”
- Today in 2009, Jason Aldean filmed the “Fly Over States” video at the Smyrna Airport in Tennessee.
- Today in 2015, Maddie & Tae’s “Fly” video premiered on CMT.
- Today in 2016, Florida Georgia Line performed during the Daytona 500 pre-race show at the Daytona Motor Speedway in Florida. “Confession” is televised on FOX. The set also includes “Cruise,” “Anything Goes” and “This Is How We Roll.”
- Today in 2017, Thomas Rhett went gold with his single, “Vacation,” and earned a triple-platinum single from the RIAA for “Die A Happy Man.”
- Today in 2020, Garth Brooks and Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia hold a mentoring session with 100 student-athletes a day ahead of Brooks’ concert at Ford Field, encouraging them to pay attention to their mental health as they move into adulthood.
- Today in 2020, Tyler Childers earns his first gold single from the RIAA for “Feathered Indians.”
- Today in 2020, Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney welcomed his son, Ames Alexander Mooney, with wife Hannah in Nashville.
- Today in 2020, Maddie & Tae’s Taylor Dye marries “Love Me Like You Mean It” songwriter Josh Kerr in Nashville.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. wins longest Daytona 500 in history
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the Daytona 500 in double overtime and under caution Sunday night in the longest running of “The Great American Race.” The two overtimes pushed the 65th running of the race to a record 212 laps — 12 laps beyond the scheduled distance. Stenhouse’s win in a Chevrolet for JTG Daugherty Racing was the third of his career. His only other victories came in 2017 — at Talladega and the summer race at Daytona. His race team is partially owned by former NBA player Brad Daugherty.
It’s National FFA Week
From driving tractors to school to educating elementary students on the importance of feeding the world, FFA Week is underway nationwide. There are 18-thousand-06 Iowans involved in this program — including Hunter Hayes of Webster City who likes the interaction.
“Big opportunity to get involved with the community, and high school, get your name out there be able to help out with a lot of different organizations. FFA does help out with food drives and different stuff like that and it does actually help make a difference within the community,” Hayes says. Hayes says FFA has helped him broaden his abilities.
“You become a really close group of friends you spend a lot of time together you do some traveling you learn practical skills for the real world going out talking to people for some donations lining up different events you really learn a lot of skills that help you out moving forward with your life.”
Hayes says the group used to be called Future Farmers of America, but became FFA to make everyone feel welcome to the group.
“And that is to really broaden that spectrum. FFA doesn’t look to just say this is only for farmers and farmers’ children, we really want this to be a community organization and bring everyone in to be a part of it,” Hayes says. FFA is 95 years old. Find out more information or find a chapter in your area at: www.ffa.org.
Debra Rienstra to Speak at Writers Reading Series
PELLA — Central College will be hosting Debra Rienstra, professor of English, Calvin University, at the Spring 2023 Writers Reading Series. Rienstra will read from her latest book “Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth,” a book discussing eco-theology and climate change. The event will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, in Boat, Moore, Weller rooms of the Maytag Student Center on Central’s campus. The event is free and open to the public.
“Much of my writing lately focuses on taking the climate crisis seriously and responding with the resources of faith, mercy, and justice,” Rienstra explains. She shares that Refugia Faith “explores how Christian spirituality and practice must adapt to prepare for life on a climate-altered planet.”
Rienstra is the author of three other books as well as an essayist and poet. Her prose includes topics on faith, culture and nature. Her essays have appeared in “Rock & Sling,” “The Examined Life Journal” and “Aethlon,” among other places. She is also the host of her own podcast.
Rienstra will also host an Author Talk at the Pella Public Library on Sunday, March 19, and participate in Central classes on March 20-21.
Geisler Library’s Writers Reading Series started in 1987 to promote an appreciation of books and their authors. It features locally, nationally and internationally known writers who read and discuss their works.