- Today in 1953, Tex Ritter performed the theme to “High Noon” at the Academy Awards. “Do Not Forsake Me,” became the first country title to win the Oscar for Best Original Song.
- Today in 1957, Elvis Presley bought Graceland, a former church on the outskirts of Memphis that had been converted into a 23 room mansion. It was named after the aunt of the previous owner.
- Today in 1968, Tom T. Hall married “Truck Drivin’ Son-Of-A-Gun” songwriter Dixie Deen, shoo he affectionately calls “Miss Dixie.”
- Today in 1974, the “Would You Lay With Me” album by Tanya Tucker was released.
- Today in 1977, Glen Campbell’s “Southern Nights” reached #1 on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1984, RCA recording artists The Judds made their first stage appearance, opening for the Statler Brothers in Omaha, Nebraska.
- Today in 1988, Porter Howell of Little Texas married his wife, Angela.
- Today in 1988, Ricky Van Shelton scored his first number one with the Harland Howard classic “Life Turned Her That Way.”
- Today in 1991, George Strait’s “Chill Of An Early Fall” album was released. Kathy Mattea also released “Time Passes By.”
- Today in 1993, Patty Loveless’ single “Blame It On Your Heart” debuted on the charts.
- Today in 1994, Neal McCoy picked up a #1 single in Billboard with “No Doubt About It.”
- Today in 1996, Shania Twain’s album “The Woman In Me” officially became the best selling studio album ever by a female country artist after being certified for sales of six million copies. Patsy Cline’s “Greatest Hits” previously had that distinction.
- Today in 1999, 67-year-old George Jones walked out of the hospital 13 days after his near fatal traffic accident.
- Today in 1999, Kenny Chesney topped the “Radio & Records” charts with “How Forever Feels.”
- Today in 2002, Martina McBride’s single “Blessed” hit number one on both the “Billboard” and “Radio & Records” charts.
- Today in 2002, Diamond Rio’s Brian Prout announced that he and his wife, songwriter Stephanie Bentley — who wrote Faith Hill’s “Breathe” — were expecting their first child in October. The happy couple welcomed their daughter, Lily Arlina Kay Prout, on September 25th in Nashville.
- Today in 2003, Kenny Chesney was on the 50-yard line of the University of Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium announcing plans for the “Back Where I Come From 3: One Night At Neyland” concert, which turned out to be one of the biggest shows of his career.
- Today in 2003, Terri Clark was in Nashville to celebrate the chart-topping success of her single “I Just Wanna Be Mad.”
- Today in 2007, Billy Ray Cyrus was told by a judge on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars” that he looked “like a crazy bear lost in a swamp.” Dance pro Julianne Hough, former McCartney bride Heather Mills and ‘N Sync alumnus Joey Fatone also performed in the episode.
- Today in 2008, Charlie Daniels was recognized at a special reception in honor of his 50th anniversary in the music business.
- Today in 2008, Wynonna and Travis Tritt were performers at the Lili Claire Foundation’s First Annual “Everyone’s A Miracle” Benefit Concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Jo Dee Messina and Lorrie Morgan also performed while Alison Krauss was among those attending the fundraising event.
- Today in 2008, Kellie Pickler made a guest appearance on Fox’s “American Idol.”
- Today in 2009, Jake Owen, Julianne Hough, and the Zac Brown Band received their trophies as the Academy of Country Music’s “Top New” winners. Owen took the title of Top New Male Vocalist, Hough was named Top New Female Vocalist, and Zac Brown Band earned Top New Duo or Group. They received their awards on the TV special “ACM Top New Artists,” hosted by Sara Evans.
- Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum’s video for “I Run To You” premiered on com
- Today in 2010, The Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffet collaborated on “Margaritaville,” “Chicken Fried,” and “Toes” on a new episode of “CMT Crossroads.”
- Today in 2011, Craig Morgan received an award backstage at the Grand Ole Opry House in recognition of his heroics a few weeks earlier, in which he rescued two small kids from a burning house in Charlotte, Tennessee. He also received an honorary lifetime membership to the Tennessee City Fire Department.
- Today in 2013, David Allan Coe was hospitalized after a car accident in Ocala, Florida. The then-73-year-old singer suffered multiple cuts, neck, side, and back injuries in the crash, and needed firefighters to remove him from his mangled vehicle. Coe had to cancel several shows because of the accident.
- Today in 2013, Kacey Musgraves’ album “Same Trailer Different Park” was released.
- Today in 2014, Luke Bryan’s “Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever” debuted at number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
- Today in 2015, Chris Janson put a new song, “Buy Me A Boat,” up for sale on iTunes. Within weeks, the track got him signed to Warner Bros.
- Today in 2017, Cole Swindell played Peyton Manning’s annual Celebration of Caring benefit at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis. Manning joins him on “You Never Even Called Me By Name.”
Share 
