- Today in 1949, Hank Williams Sr.’s “Lovesick Blues” was released. It was the song that got him his first invitation to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1956, Elvis Presley received his first #1 record on the top Billboard country singles chart for “I Forgot To Remember To Forget.”
- Today in 1981, George Jones won Best Country Vocal Performance, male, for “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” during the 23rd annual GRAMMY Awards.
- Today in 1989, Dwight Yoakam took the #1 spot on the Billboard country chart with “I Sang Dixie.”
- Today in 1992, Garth Brooks won his first Grammy for the album “Ropin’ The Wind.” Mary Chapin Carpenter also took home her first Grammy, for “Down at the Twist and Shout.”
- Today in 1993, Marshall Tucker Band guitarist Toy Caldwell died of respiratory failure at his home in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was 45.
- Today in 1994, Vince Gill topped the country charts with “Tryin’ to Get Over You.”
- Today in 1998, Trisha Yearwood took home trophies in the Best Female Country Vocal Performance category for “How Do I Live” and in the Best Country Vocal Collaboration category for “In Another’s Eyes,” her duet with Garth Brooks, the 40th annual Grammy Awards. Other winners included Alison Krauss & Union Station, who earned Best Country Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with “Looking in the Eyes of Love,” and Vince Gill, who received his 11th Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance with “Pretty Little Adriana.”
- Today in 2000, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence praised the Dixie Chicks for raising public awareness of the issue.
- Today in 2002, Garth Brooks helped honor Billy Joel as the 2002 MusiCares Person of the Year.
- Today in 2002, the Dixie Chicks made the first of two appearances on “Sesame Street.”
- Today in 2003, Johnny PayCheck was laid to rest at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Nashville. Johnny was buried in a plot donated by and next to one reserved for his longtime friend, George Jones.
- Today in 2005, Kathy Mattea, Pam Tillis, and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely performed during the Nashville stop of “The Vagina Monologues” touring production.
- Today in 2005, Tim McGraw became the first country artist to receive a platinum single for digital downloads when his “Over And Over” pop collaboration with Nelly was certified for 1-million downloads.
- Today in 2007, Collin Raye, Mel Tillis, The Bellamy Brothers, and Suzy Bogguss set sail on an eight-day “Country Cruise” from Ft. Lauderdale to the ports of San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; Catalina Island, Domincan Republic; and Nassua, Grand Bahamas.
- Today in 2008, John Rich, Dierks Bentley, Gretchen Wilson and Kellie Pickler were among the performers for “Phoenix Rising! Musicians United to Benefit the Victims of the Station Nightclub Fire.” The Providence, Rhode Island concert raised money for the those injured and the families of those killed in the fire at the West Warwick, Rhode Island nightclub five years ago during a Great White concert. One-hundred people were killed, while nearly 200 others were injured.
- Today in 2009, Martina McBride took part in a concert at the White House honoring Stevie Wonder as the recipient of the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize for Popular Song.
- Today in 2009, Jewel began rehab for tendinitis in her knees, which she developed with her intense rehearsals for her participation on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
- Today in 2009, Willie Nelson and Asleep at the Wheel performed the second of two shows at the Earth Bio-Willie Theater in Carl’s Corner, Texas. The concerts were part of the Willie’s World 5th Annual Grand Opening celebrations.
- Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum and Josh Kear co-wrote “Need You Now” in Nashville.
- Today in 2010, Easton Corbin and Tom T. Hall were among the performers at the Country Radio Seminar’s CRS Live Show.
- Today in 2011, Eric Church got the nod as the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Solo Vocalist, while The Band Perry was named Top New Vocal Duo or Group. With their wins they also became the nominees for Top New Artist at the 46th annual ACM Awards, which took place five weeks later.
- Today in 2014, Dierks Bentley’s album “Riser” was released.
- Today in 2015, Keith Urban and Eric Church shot the video for “Raise ‘Em Up” in Nashville.
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