- Today in 1961, the first annual Country Music Festival opened in Jacksonville, Florida. The roster included artists like Patsy Cline, Webb Pierce, Flatt and Scruggs, Porter Wagoner and Mel Tillis.
- Today in 1988, the album, “If You Ain’t Lovin’ (You Ain’t Livin’),” by George Strait was certified gold.
- Today in 1989, Clint Black made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 1994, Faith Hill topped the charts with her single, “Piece Of My Heart.”
- Today in 1995, John Michael Montgomery’s “I Can Love You Like That” reached the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 1996, Diamond Rio released the single “That’s What I Get for Loving You.”
- Today in 1997, George Strait released his album, “Carrying Your Love With Me.”
- Today in 1997, Joe Diffie’s “Twice Upon A Time” album and Little Texas’ self-titled debut album were released.
- Today in 1997, The “Everybody Knows” album by Trisha Yearwood was certified gold.
- Today in 1998, country music’s reigning super-couple, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, were the big winners at the 33rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards. They nabbed four awards (for Single, Song, Video and Top Vocal Event) for their duet, “It’s Your Love.”
- Today in 1998, a Harris poll dubbed Garth Brooks the second-most popular singer among adult Americans. Alan Jackson was fifth, the Beatles and Alabama were tied for sixth place, George Strait was seventh and Reba McEntire was eighth.
- Today in 2000, the Warren Brothers made their first appearance on the PBS series, “Austin City Limits.”
- Today in 2000, George Strait enjoyed his single, “The Best Day,” taking the top spot on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 2002, Johnny Cash made a rare public appearance in Washington, D.C. He was presented the National Medal of Arts by President George Bush in a ceremony at Constitution Hall. His attendance was a bit of a surprise considering that he spends winters at his estate in Jamaica. It’s not that he prefers life in the tropics, but Johnny’s autonomic neuropathy makes him susceptible to pneumonia and winters in Nashville tend to be on the cold side. Other recipients of National Medals of Arts and National Humanities Medals included actor Kirk Douglas and classical cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
- Today in 2007, Emmylou Harris, Wynonna Judd, The Crickets, John Hiatt, ex-BMI executive Frances Preston and Christian artist Michael W. Smith made up the second batch of people inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville.
- Today in 2011, LeAnn Rimes married actor Eddie Cibrian at a private home in Malibu, California.
- Today in 2013, Hunter Hayes performed “I Ain’t Gonna Stand For It” with Stevie Wonder on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” Contestant Kellie Pickler and dance partner Derek Hough got 10s from two judges after performing a quickstep to “Part-Time Lover.”
- Today in 2014, Ronnie Milsap, Mac Wiseman and songwriter Hank Cochran were announced as the 2014 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees by the Country Music Association during a press conference.
- Today in 2016, George Strait and Kacey Musgraves played the first country concert at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Strait honored the recently deceased Merle Haggard with a medley of “Mama Tried,” “The Fightin’ Side Of Me” and “My Life’s Been Grand.”
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