- Today in 1954, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on “The Louisiana Hayride,” singing “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” two times each. Drummer D.J. Fontana plays with Presley for the first time, though he’s forced to play behind a curtain
- Today in 1972, Loretta Lynn became the first woman to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in the sixth annual awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. She also takes Female Vocalist and shares Vocal Duo with Conway Twitty.
- Today in 1982, Dolly Parton took “I Will Always Love You” to #1 for the second time. The new version was recorded for the movie “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas”
- Today in 1987, “Anne Murray’s Greatest Hits” was certified triple-platinum, the first album by a female country artist to reach 3 million in shipments
- Today in 1993, Clay Walker earned his first #1 single in Billboard with “What’s It To You”
- Today in 2003, Pat Benatar joined Martina McBride to tape an installment of the Radney Foster-hosted “CMT Crossroads” in Nashville. Among the songs they perform together: “Independence Day,” “We Belong” and “When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues”
- Today in 2004, Sara Evans cleaned up, gaining a #1 single in Billboard with “Suds In The Bucket”
- Today in 2005, Vince Gill, Jerry Reed, “Prisoner Of The Highway” songwriter Mike Reid, “What Mattered Most” composer Gary Burr and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox” creator Roger Murrah are added to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame during an event at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel
- Today in 2011, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame along with Thom Schuyler, Allen Shamblin and John Bettis during a ceremony at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
- Today in 2012, Darius Rucker was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2014, Rosanne Cash was recognized during the Smithsonian Magazine American Ingenuity Awards in Washington, D.C.
- Today in 2016, Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels and Monument Records founder Fred Foster were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2017, Sam Hunt earned a quadruple-platinum single from the Recording Industry Association of America for “Body Like A Back Road.”
- Today in 2017, Garth Brooks turned up for a surprise appearance at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe to perform with some of the writers behind his biggest hits: Pat Alger, Victoria Shaw, Kent Blazy and Tony Arata. The night’s music includes “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The River,” “The Thunder Rolls” and “The Dance.”
- Today in 2018, Sara Evans scored a gold album from the RIAA for “Stronger.”
- Today in 2018, Craig Morgan marked his 10th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, performing “Redneck Yacht Club” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday” during the show.
- Today in 2018, Guest mentor Keith Urban joined Blake Shelton to coach two contestants in a cover of Steve Winwood’s “Back In The High Life Again” during NBC’s “The Voice.” Thomas Rhett was a guest mentor for Kelly Clarkson’s team, while CeeLo Green sat in with Adam Levine’s squad.
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