- Today in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” entered the national country chart. By the next week it will have made its debut on the national pop chart. It eventually sold six million copies.
- Today in 1973, Dolly Parton recorded “Jolene” at RCA Studio B in Nashville.
- Today in 1976, Crystal Gayle notched her first #1 country single in Billboard with “I’ll Get Over You.”
- Today in 1978, Dolly Parton’s “The Best Of Dolly Parton” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1982, the single, “Always On My Mind,” by Willie Nelson peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart.
- Today in 1992, Trisha Yearwood’s single, “The Woman Before Me,” hit the top of the charts.
- Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes performs the national anthem at the Ballpark in Arlington when the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants in the first interleague game in baseball history. The Giants win, 4-3.
- Today in 2000, after endless amounts of speculation, Lorrie Morgan’s publicist confirmed that Lorrie and Sammy Kershaw were indeed a couple. The twosome got hitched the following September.
- Today in 2000, Kenny Chesney made his first public statement about the infamous “horse incident” following the George Strait Country Music Festival in Buffalo, New York on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” It also marked his very first “Tonight Show” appearance. Of course, Kenny and buddy Tim McGraw were acquitted of all charges stemming from the brouhaha in an Orchard Park, New York courtroom.
- Today in 2000, Trace Adkins appeared on the Lifetime TV series, “The Things We Do For Love.” A young woman had written to the series explaining that her grandmother’s greatest wish was to see the Grand Ole Opry. The cable channel decided to grant the wish and flew the grandmother into Nashville from California and the granddaughter from Washington, D.C. During the program, Trace greeted the two women at the Opry and presented the grandmother with a corsage before giving them a backstage tour before the Opry performance began.
- Today in 2001, Travis Tritt officially began going “down” his road as his home state of Georgia officially re-named a three-mile section of Highway 92 “Travis Tritt Highway.” But that’s not all – as of this day, Paulding County signs also read “Home of Country Music Star Travis Tritt.”
- Today in 2002, Alan Jackson had some “Down Under” success to celebrate. His “Drive” album, which had already been certified double platinum here in the United States, went gold in Australia. Of course, “Drive” has since gone on to greater success Stateside – it was recently certified quadruple platinum for sales of 4 million copies.
- Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney is the only double-winner at the inaugural CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, taking honors for the video to “Young” at Nashville’s Gaylord Entertainment Center.
- Today in 2004, Terri Clark became the first Canadian-born female to join the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2009, Shania Twain spoke to fans for the first time about her split from Robert John “Mutt” Lange in an online letter, saying she’s “inspired by my pain to write.” She also notes she’s gone skydiving and deep-sea diving for the first time. She has since re-married.
- Today in 2014, the Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry married Texas Rangers catcher J.P. Arencibia at the First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, Tennessee. Lennon and Maisy Stella – aka the Stella Sisters – performed. The couple announced their split March 2018.
- Today in 2015, Ty Herndon co-hosted A Concert for Love and Acceptance, a gay-themed show at City Winery in Nashville. Also on the bill were Billy Gilman, Jamie O’Neal, Crystal Gayle, Shelly Fairchild, Chris Carmack, Meghan Linsey, Deborah Allen and “Livin’ On A Prayer” songwriter Desmond Child.
- Today in 2016, Trace Adkins concluded a USO tour that stopped Bahrain, Kuwait and Germany.
- Today in 2017, Maren Morris earned her first gold album from the RIAA for “Hero” and she got to celebrate it on stage at the pop-and-rock Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Her set included “My Church.”
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