- Today in 1968, the album, “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” by Jeannie C. Riley was certified gold.
- Today in 1986, Randy Travis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1989, Charlie Daniels’ single, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” was certified platinum. It was released in 1979.
- Today in 1989, the album, “Loving Proof,” by Ricky Van Shelton was certified platinum.
- Today in 1991, Tanya Tucker’s album, “What Do I Do With Me,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Collin Raye’s “Love, Me” topped the country singles charts.
- Today in 1992, Alan Jackson was #1 on the charts with “She’s Got the Rhythm (I’ve Got the Blues),” which he co-wrote with Randy Travis.
- Today in 1996, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s album, “A Place In The World,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1997, Martina McBride was #1 on the singles charts with “A Broken Wing.”
- Today in 1999, Garth Brooks’ single, “Lost In You,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1999, country music legend Hank Snow died in Nashville at age 85.
- Today in 2000, the January issue of “Ladies Home Journal” magazine arrived on newsstands and featured Faith Hill as one of “The Most Fascinating Women To Watch of 2001.” She shared the distinction with famous faces like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts and Bette Midler.
- Today in 2000, “Entertainment Weekly” magazine’s year-end special issue dubbed Lee Ann Womack’s album, “I Hope You Dance,” as the #1 choice on their annual “Best Country Albums” list.
- Today in 2000, Shania Twain’s album, “Come On Over,” was voted one of music’s “new classics” by BarnesandNoble.com. She was in some pretty amazing company as her album was one of five and the only country offering. The other albums were U2’s “Joshua Tree,” “Ten Summoner’s Tales” by Sting, “Ray of Light” from Madonna and Andrea Bocelli’s “Romanza.”
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill was named “Billboard” magazine’s Top Country Female Artist, and her hit “Breathe” landed at the top of the 2000 “Billboard” Hot 100 chart. Ironically, the power ballad never made it to #1 on the chart, instead spending three weeks at #2, but sustained airplay helped it earn top honors in the year-end tally. She also turned up at #9 in the Top 40 and #4 in the Adult Contemporary categories.
- Today in 2000, Tim McGraw was named Top Country Male Artist of the Year by “Billboard” magazine, while Toby Keith topped the country singles category with “How Do You Like Me Now?!” Phil Vassar, who charted the #1 song, “Just Another Day in Paradise,” was named Top New Country Artist.
- Today in 2000, lots of gold and platinum certifications were announced by the RIAA. Faith Hill’s “Breathe” album was certified for sales of 5-million, Reba McEntire’s “So Good Together” project was certified platinum. Toby Keith also earned platinum certification for his “Greatest Hits, Volume 1” collection, while Tim McGraw’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously. John Michael Montgomery’s “Brand New Me” went gold.
- Today in 2000, In their year-end wrap-up, the RIAA announced that Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks were tied for the honor of having the best-selling albums of the year for “Breathe” and “Fly” respectively.
- Today in 2000, folks in Brad Paisley’s hometown of Glendale, West Virginia, began welcoming visitors to the town with a brand new sign that read: “Glendale, West Virginia – Home of Brad Paisley, Member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
- Today in 2002, Faith Hill participated in the CBS special, “A Home for the Holidays.” The one-hour program was aimed at finding adoptive homes for children in foster care.
- Today in 2003, Gary Allan’s “Songs About Rain” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2005, Kristen Hall parted ways with Sugarland bandmates Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush.
- Today in 2009, Carrie Underwood got engaged to Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher at his home in Ontario. The happy couple is expecting their first child, a son, this spring.
- Today in 2012, Tate Stevens was pronounced the winner of FOX-TV’s “The X Factor.” He performed Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” and “Please Come Home For Christmas” in the finale.
- Today in 2014, Little Jimmy Dickens performed “Out Behind The Barn” in what turned out to be his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2016, a four-acre plot formerly owned by Johnny Cash in Hendersonville, Tennessee, was sold at auction. The main house on the property had been destroyed by fire in 2007.
- Today in 2017, Michael Ray was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of an illegal substance, hash oil, after rear-ending another car at a McDonald’s drive-through in his hometown, Eustis, Florida. The charge was ultimately reduced to reckless driving.
- Today in 2019, Granger Smith and his wife, Amber Smith, announced the formation of the River Kelly Fund, a charitable operation named in honor of their son, who drowned in June.
- Today in 2019, Dierks Bentley’s single “Say You Do” went platinum. The same day, the RIAA awarded Jon Pardi with a double-platinum single for “Heartache On The Dance Floor.”
- Today in 2020, Miranda Lambert performed an acoustic version of “Bluebird” as CBS airs the adoption special “A Home For The Holidays.” The lineup also included Leslie Odom Jr., Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and Meghan Trainor.
- Today in 2020, CBS airs “Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event.” The set list included “Silent Night,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Frosty The Snow Man” and “Hard Candy Christmas.”
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