- Today in 1983, George Strait’s “Right Or Wrong” album was released.
- Today in 1990, Alan Jackson made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 1990, Garth Brooks became the 65th member of the Grand Ole Opry. The same day, his single, “Friends in Low Places,” also hit #1.
- Today in 1992, Kathy Mattea’s album, “Lonesome Standard Time,” was released.
- Today in 1993, “Naomi & Wynonna – The Farewell Tour” video by the Judds was released.
- Today in 1994, Willie Nelson’s “City of New Orleans” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1996, friends and family of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill attended what they thought was a backyard barbecue in Louisiana. And while the event did include plenty of food, the guests got a little surprise – the couple’s wedding!
- Today in 1998, Alabama received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which is located at 7060 Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood mayor Johnny Grant honored band members Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook and Mark Herndon during a special ceremony. The star is located at on the block that includes stars for Paul Newman, Sophia Loren, the Supremes, the Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Miles Davis.
- Today in 1999, Trisha Yearwood and Robert Reynolds filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Fast forward to 2000, and Garth Brooks filed for divorce from estranged wife Sandy Mahl. Garth and Trisha then began dating – she took a four-year hiatus from music. Garth proposed in front of 7,000 fans in Bakersfield, California and she accepted without hesitation in May 2005, and they were married the following December.
- Today in 2004, “Friday Night Lights,” featuring Tim McGraw’s movie debut, has its Los Angeles premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. McGraw attends along with Faith Hill, Billy Bob Thornton, Serena Williams and David Duchovny.
- Today in 2005, Trace Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2008, Taylor Swift teamed with Def Leppard to tape an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at Nashville’s Roy Acuff Theatre. The set list includes her hits “Love Story” and “Picture To Burn” and their classic-rockers “Photograph” and “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”
- Today in 2009, Toby Keith’s “American Ride” album was released.
- Today in 2009, Ralph Stanley opened for Steve Martin at New York’s prestigious Carnegie Hall.
- Today in 2009, Luke Bryan’s album, “Doin’ My Thing,” was released.
- Today in 2009, Rosanne Cash’s album, “The List,” was released. The project is an album of country remakes based on a list of 100 essential songs given to her by her dad, Johnny Cash. Guests include Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Tweedy and Rufus Wainwright.
- Today in 2009, theS. House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution honoring country music “for its contributions to American life and culture.”
- Today in 2010, the Band Perry’s single, “If I Die Young,” went gold.
- Today in 2010, Lady A’s album “Need You Now” was certified triple-platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2011, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood were awarded a platinum single by the Recording Industry Association of America for “Remind Me.”
- Today in 2011, Julianne Hough, Blake Shelton and Hunter Hayes walked the red carpet at the Nashville premiere of “Footloose” at the Franklin Theatre. Also attending: Lauren Alaina, Jana Kramer and Big & Rich.
- Today in 2011, Tim Rushlow began an overseas tour to play for Navy personnel stationed on at least three different continents. The tour lasts more than three weeks.
- Today in 2011, Granger Smith and his wife, Amber, welcomed their daughter, London Ava Smith.
- Today 2011, Hank Williams Jr.’s “Are you ready for some football” theme is permanently removed from “Monday Night Football” telecasts days after the singer linked the president and Adolf Hitler. ESPN said it was a network decision; Bocephus insisted it was his choice.
- Today in 2012, Patty Loveless made a surprise appearance during Miranda Lambert’s concert at Aaron’s Amphitheatre in Atlanta, singing harmonies on “Dear Diamond.”
- Today in 2012, Jason Aldean spent the first of two weeks at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Take A Little Ride.”
- Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2014, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood joined former president Jimmy Carter on a Habitat For Humanity home build in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Today in 2015, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood headlined All For The Hall, a fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame, at the Best Buy Theater in New York. The bill also featured Paul Simon, Vince Gill and Emmylou Harris. The entire lineup closed the show with “When Will I Be Loved.”
- Today in 2015, Johnny Cash, Miranda Lambert, guitar player Steve Cropper and former Grand Ole Opry general manager E.W. “Bud” Wendell were inducted in the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville.
- Today in 2016, Luke Bryan broke his collarbone in a bicycle accident near Maple Lane Farms in Greenback, Tennessee. Transported and treated at Blount Memorial Hospital, he then played the evening’s concert with his right arm in a sling.
- Today in 2016, Brad Paisley’s single, “Today,” was released…and the video premiered.
- Today in 2016, Sam Hunt performed “House Party” on the first part of a two-night special, “iHeartRadio Music Festival,” on the CW. Also on board were Pitbull, OneRepublic, U2, The Backstreet Boys and Miley Cyrus, who performs “Rebel Yell” with Billy Idol.
- Today in 2017, Garth Brooks made a surprise appearance at the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis to assist in ribbon cutting at the facility’s new play space, the Backyard.
- Today in 2017, Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton picked up a digital gold single from the RIAA for “Islands In The Stream.”
- Today in 2018, Toby Keith correctly forecasted seven of 13 football match-ups as the guest picker on ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
- Today in 2019, Michael Ray married Carly Pearce at Drakewood Farm in Goodlettsville, Tennessee with Jake Owen performing “Made For You” for the couple’s first dance. Sadly, eight months later she filed for divorce.
- Today in 2020, Little, Brown Books For Young Readers published “A Dolly For Christmas: The True Story Of A Family’s Christmas Miracle.” The book is written by Little Big Town vocalist Kimberly Schlapman.
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