Lainey Wilson isn’t taking a moment to rest after her huge night at the CMA Awards this week. It was announced yesterday that she has been added to the list of performers for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She won’t be on a float, however; she’ll sing in front of the iconic Herald Square storefront in Manhattan, past which the parade route goes every year. The lineup of performers also includes Cynthia Erivo, “Kpop Demon Hunters” singers EJAE, Audrey Nuna and REI AMI, Colbie Caillat, Ciara, Foreigner, Debbie Gibson, Mickey Guyton, Jewel, Lil Jon, Kool & the Gang, Taylor Momsen, Busta Rhymes, Calum Scott, Teyana Taylor and more. The 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will air at 8:30am ET Thursday morning on NBC and Peacock.
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1955, in a deal engineered by Colonel Tom Parker, RCA Records bought Elvis Presley’s contract and master tapes from Sam Phillips’ Sun Records for $35,000. The papers were signed at the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis.
- Today in 1981, Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)” settles in at #1 on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1986, Lynn Anderson collects the only platinum album of her career, for “Rose Garden.”
- Today in 1992, Alabama claims the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart with “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why).”
- Today in 2002, Mark Wills’ “19 Somethin'” video debuted.
- Today in 2006, Rascal Flatts walked off with two trophies at the American Music Awards, broadcast by ABC from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. Other country victors include Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Toby Keith and Carrie Underwood.
- Today in 2008, the Lady Antebellum video, for “Lookin’ For A Good Time” debuted.
- Today in 2011, the Band Perry, Darius Rucker, Kris Kristofferson and Dierks Bentley play for president Barack Obama at the White House. The bill also features Lauren Alaina, Lyle Lovett and Alison Krauss.
- Today in 2015, Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” hit #1 on the Billboard country albums chart, ultimately topping the list a total of 23 weeks through August 2016.
- Today in 2016, Kelsea Ballerini’s single, “Peter Pan,” went platinum.
- Today in 2017, Old Crow Medicine Show performed “Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You” and “Wagon Wheel” with Kesha while shooting a new episode of “CMT Crossroads” at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
- Today in 2018, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs performed “Go Rest High On That Mountain” during a memorial for Roy Clark at Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Also participating: Larry Gatlin, Rudy Gatlin, Moe Bandy, Barbara Fairchild, Buck Trent and Rodney Lay.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: FLOPPY
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Floppy”, a medium sized 7 month old Coonhound mix! Floppy is a real fun loving sweetheart who loves affection and is full of personality! Floppy gets along great with other dogs and doesn’t mind cats, and he absolutely loves kids! Floppy is fully vaccinated, vetted, neutered and microchipped. And he would love to meet you!
And since Floppy is the Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $100 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Floppy or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit https://www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.
Check out our visit about Floppy with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
CMA Awards Recap
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The 59th Annual CMA Awards were held last night, broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Going into the night, the ladies held the advantage, with host Lainey Wilson, Ella Langley and Megan Moroney leading the way with six nominations each.
Some of the evening’s high points:
- Lainey Wilson crushed it for her first solo stint as host, kicking off the show by singing a medley of hits to the stars that originally sang them (Gretchen Wilson, Miranda Lambert, Shaboozey). It was a big night for Lainey overall, who took home Entertainer of the Year honors, becoming only the third female to do so twice (following Barbara Mandrell and Taylor Swift)
- Vince Gill received the 2025 CMA Willie Nelson lifetime achievement award, presented by George Strait
- Steve Martin showed off his banjo skills prior to presenting “Album of the Year” to Lainey Wilson
- Kenny Chesney offered up performances of “American Kids” and “When The Sun Goes Down,” paying tribute to the song’s co-writer, the late Brett James
- Megan Moroney officially ushered in her “Pink Era,” as she performed “6 Months Later” surrounded by a lot of pink
- Zach Top won the Best New Artist award, accepting his award in true country style: with beer in hand, explaining to the crowd that he couldn’t remember if he was supposed to put his beer down or not, finally saying “Here it is,” before downing a celebratory sip
So how were the trophies distributed? The nominees and winners can be found below:
Entertainer of the Year
Luke Combs
Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Morgan Wallen
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Single of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s), Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
“4x4xU” – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
“Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma” – Luke Combs; Producers: Luke Combs, Chip Matthews, Jonathan Singleton; Mix Engineer: Chip Matthews
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
“I Never Lie” – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Producer: Will Bundy; Mix Engineer: Jim Cooley
Album of the Year
Award goes to Artist, Producer(s) and Mix Engineer(s)
Am I Okay? – Megan Moroney; Producer: Kristian Bush; Mix Engineer: Justin Niebank
Cold Beer & Country Music – Zach Top; Producer: Carson Chamberlain; Mix Engineer: Matt Rovey
F-1 Trillion – Post Malone; Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome, Hoskins; Mix Engineer: Ryan Gore
I’m the Problem – Morgan Wallen; Producers: Jacob Durrett, Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi; Mix Engineers: Charlie Handsome, Joey Moi
WINNER: Whirlwind – Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jay Joyce; Mix Engineers: Jason Hall, Jay Joyce
Song of the Year
Award goes to Songwriter(s)
“4x4xU”; Songwriters: Jon Decious, Aaron Raitiere, Lainey Wilson
“Am I Okay?”; Songwriters: Jessie Jo Dillon, Luke Laird, Megan Moroney
“I Never Lie”; Songwriters: Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols, Zach Top
“Texas” ; Songwriters: Johnny Clawson, Josh Dorr, Lalo Guzman, Kyle Sturrock
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me”; Songwriters: Riley Green, Ella Langley, Aaron Raitiere
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ella Langley
Megan Moroney
WINNER: Lainey Wilson
Male Vocalist of the Year
Luke Combs
WINNER: Cody Johnson
Chris Stapleton
Zach Top
Morgan Wallen
Vocal Group of the Year
Lady A
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
WINNER: The Red Clay Strays
Vocal Duo of the Year
WINNER: Brooks & Dunn
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Maddie & Tae
The War And Treaty
Musical Event of the Year
Award goes to Artists and Producer(s)
“Don’t Mind If I Do” – Riley Green (featuring Ella Langley); Producers: Scott Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen, Dann Huff
“Hard Fought Hallelujah” – Brandon Lake with Jelly Roll; Producer: Micah Nichols
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Producer: Trent Willmon
WINNER: “Pour Me a Drink” – Post Malone (feat. Blake Shelton); Producers: Louis Bell, Charlie Handsome
“You Had To Be There” – Megan Moroney (feat. Kenny Chesney); Producer: Kristian Bush
Musician of the Year
Jenee Fleenor – Fiddle
WINNER: Paul Franklin – Steel Guitar
Brent Mason – Guitar
Rob McNelley – Guitar
Derek Wells – Guitar
Music Video of the Year
Award goes to Artist(s) and Director(s)
“Am I Okay?” – Megan Moroney; Directors: Alexandra Gavillet, Megan Moroney
“I’m Gonna Love You” – Cody Johnson (with Carrie Underwood); Director: Dustin Haney
“Somewhere Over Laredo” – Lainey Wilson; Director: TK McKamy
“Think I’m In Love With You” – Chris Stapleton; Director: Running Bear
WINNER: “You Look Like You Love Me” – Ella Langley & Riley Green; Directors: Ella Langley, John Park, Wales Toney
New Artist of the Year
Ella Langley
Shaboozey
WINNER: Zach Top
Tucker Wetmore
Stephen Wilson Jr.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1961, “Big Bad John” took Jimmy Dean to #1 on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1974, Dierks Bentley was born in Phoenix, Arizona. His career debuted in 2003.
- Today in 1986, ex-smoker Chet Atkins was the honorary chairman of the sixth annual Great American Smokeout, asking nicotine addicts to lay off their cigarettes for one day.
- Today in 2003, Travis and Theresa Tritt had a son, Tarian Nathaniel Tritt, in Georgia.
- Today in 2009, “The Blind Side,” featuring Sandra Bullock, debuted in movie theaters.
- Today in 2010, Martina McBride and Train teamed up for a new edition of “CMT Crossroads.”
- Today in 2011, Zac Brown Band’s “Goodbye In Her Eyes” video debuted on CTM.com.
- Today in 2014, Ty Herndon came out in “People” magazine, becoming the first male country hitmaker to publicly announce he’s gay.
- Today in 2015, Miranda Lambert made a surprise appearance during Ashley Monroe’s concert at City Winery in Nashville, joining her on “The Blade.”
- Today in 2016, Carrie Underwood was a double-winner during the American Music Awards – she earned Favorite Country Female and Favorite Country Album, for “Storyteller”
LeAnn Rimes Reveals “30th Anniversary of ‘Blue’ Tour”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
LeAnn Rimes announced yesterday she’s hitting the road in celebration of the 30th anniversary of her breakout hit “Blue.” Her “30 Years of Blue: The Voice, The Journey, The Truth” tour will kick off in the spring. Just seven dates have been announced so far, but more will be added. Presales start today, followed by the general sale on Friday at 10AM local time. See the first seven dates of the tour below, check out LeAnn’s announcement to the right, and visit her website for more information.
LeAnn Rimes 30 Years of Blue 2026 Tour Dates:
- Apr 19 – Dallas, TX @ Winspear Opera House
- Apr 30 – Spokane, WA @ Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox
- May 1 – Seattle, WA @ Benaroya Hall
- May 8 – Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre
- May 9 – Wilmington, OH @ The Murphy Theatre
- May 15 – Washington, DC @ Warner Theatre
- May 17 – Wilmington, NC @ The Wilson Center at Cape Fear Community College
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1955, Carl Perkins recorded his most enduring song, “Blue Suede Shoes,” at Sun Studios in Memphis.
- Today in 1994, Mary Chapin Carpenter topped the country charts with “Shut Up and Kiss Me.”
- Today in 1995, George Strait’s box set, “Strait Out of the Box,” was certified for sales of 5-million. It’s since gone on to sell over seven million copies, making it the third best-selling box set in history. The only boxes that have sold more were by Led Zeppelin and Bruce Springsteen.
- Today in 1996, Mark Chesnutt released his “Greatest Hits” album.
- Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ album, “The Early Years,” went gold, platinum and double platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 2001, Georgia Representative Mac Collins read the lyrics to Alan Jackson’s single, “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning),” are read into the Congressional Record.
- Today in 2002, Shania Twain’s “UP!” album arrived in stores. It was a hot seller, too. A week later, it debuted atop the country and all-genre album charts after selling nearly 900,000 copies.
- Today in 2002, Dwight Yoakam’s box set, “Reprise Please Baby: The Warner Brothers Years,” was released.
- Today in 2002, Keith Urban was enjoying his eighth week at #1 on the country singles charts with “Somebody Like You.”
- Today in 2003, Lonestar teamed up with employees of the Home Depot, local community volunteers, the Boys and Girls Club of Jackson-Madison County and organizers from KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization. To build a playground in Jackson, Tennessee. The band earned the opportunity to have a community playground built in the town of their choice after wining the Home Depot Humanitarian Award at the ACM Awards in Las Vegas the previous May.
- Today in 2004, Josh Turner flagged down his first platinum album, “Long Black Train.”
- Today in 2010, Tim McGraw’s “Felt Good On My Lips” video debuted on CMT.com.
- Today in 2013, Craig Campbell’s “Keep Them Kisses Comin’” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Keith Urban took home three trophies during ABC’s telecast of the “American Music Awards” from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles: Favorite Male Country Artist; Favorite Country Song (for “Blue Ain’t Your Color”) and Favorite Country Album (for “Ripcord”).
- Today in 2017, Mel Tillis died at Munroe Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he earned the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year in 1976. The self-proclaimed stutterin’ boy had hits as an artist and as the writer of “Detroit City” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town.”
- Today in 2018, Jon Pardi’s album, “California Sunrise” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2018, Luke Combs’ single, “Beautiful Crazy,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2018, three of Glen Campbell’s children – Travis, Kelli and Wesley – ended their court battle in Nashville contesting their father’s will, which excludes them from his inheritance.
- Today in 2018, Taylor Swift announced she’d signed a label deal with Republic Records that gives her full ownership of her future recordings.
- Today in 2019, Blanco Brown performed “The Git Up” as he made his Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
- Today in 2019, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum held a dedication ceremony celebrating the donation of songwriter/producer Jack Clement’s Gibson J-200 guitar. The event included performances by Charley Pride, Shawn Camp, Crystal Gayle and John Prine, who offered “Ballad Of A Teenage Queen” using Clement’s guitar.
- Today in 2019, the RIAA awarded a gold single for “Heartless,” a track credited to Thomas Wesley featuring Morgan Wallen and performed by Diplo.
Dolly Parton Accepts The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award From The Academy
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Dolly Parton was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for “outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes” on Sunday night by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, and while she wasn’t on hand to accept the honor in person, she did appear via video. Looking healthy as ever, Dolly’s video was shown as her “9 To 5” co-star Lily Tomlin presented the award.
“Well hi, everybody! I wanna thank my good buddy Lily Tomlin for presenting me with this award. Hi Lily, I love you,” Parton began. “I also want to thank the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for this great honor…this award tonight… It’s an honor just to be considered … I don’t take this kind of thing lightly.” She added, “It makes me want to dream up new ways to help lift people up. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be here for? So from my heart to yours, I truly thank you.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1970, Jerry Lee Lewis and his second wife, Myra – who was also his cousin – were divorced. Their 1958 wedding, which took place when she was just 13 years old, caused such a scandal that it effectively ruined his career. In fact, the only thing illegal about the marriage was the fact that Jerry hadn’t divorced his first wife when he wed Myra.
- Today in 1994, Patty Loveless’ CMA-winning album, “When Fallen Angels Fly,” went gold.
- Today in 1996, Jeff Foxworthy’s “Crank It Up–The Music Album” went gold.
- Today in 1996, Brooks & Dunn released the single, “A Man This Lonely.”
- Today in 1998, Garth Brooks’ TV special “Garth Brooks: Double Live” aired on NBC. The show was actually performed live three times, for three different time zones.
- Today in 1998, Reba McEntire was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
- Today in 1999, Faith Hill found out that her album, “Breathe,” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” pop albums chart. The project sold 242,000 copies its first week out, good enough to knock the rock group Rage Against the Machine out of the top spot.
- Today in 2002, Jamie O’Neal left the country for a USO Tour of the Balkans and the Mediterranean Sea. She was overseas through the end of the month.
- Today in 2003, Reba McEntire’s album, “Room to Breathe,” is in stores. It’s her first studio album in 4 years.
- Today in 2003, LeAnn Rimes’ “Greatest Hits (To Be Continued)” was released.
- Today in 2003, a DVD of Shania Twain’s NBC concert special, “Shania: UP! Live in Chicago,” appears in stores.
- Today in 2005, The Johnny Cash biopic “Walk The Line” opened in theaters, with Joaquin Phoenix in the starring role. Reese Witherspoon portrays June Carter, Shelby Lynne took the role of Cash’s mother, and Shooter Jennings played his own late father, Waylon Jennings.
- Today in 2008, The Zac Brown Band’s album, “The Foundation,” was released.
- Today in 2011, Taylor Swift met Bruce Springsteen when he attended her show at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Also in attendance: Scotty McCreery.
- Today in 2012, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Lady Antebellum each won during ABC’s American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
- Today in 2015, Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville” was announced as a new addition to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame. The class also featured James Carr’s “The Dark End Of The Street,” plus music by the Andrews Sisters, Lead Belly and The Sir Douglas Quintet.
- Today in 2016, funeral services were held for Leon Russell at the Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Steve Ripley, formerly of The Tractors, was a pallbearer. Honorary pallbearers included Elton John, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Mike Lawler, T. Graham Brown, Jim Halsey and Willie Nelson.
- Today in 2016, Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers announced on social media that he’d gotten engaged to his girlfriend, Abby Law, in Hawaii. They got married in May 2017.
- Today in 2016, George Strait’s album ,”Strait Out Of The Box: Part 2,” was released.
- Today in 2019, with Taylor Swift in the midst of a public argument with Big Machine over her rights to perform some of her older songs on the American Music Awards, a pair of fans paid $1,000 to have two digital billboards in Nashville calling for the label to “let Taylor perform her own songs.”
- Today in 2019, Billy Ray Cyrus visited the White House in Washington, D.C., with the family of Channing Smith, a Tennessee teen who committed suicide, to discuss cyber bullying with first lady Melania Trump.
- Today in 2020, Brad Paisley sang “This Is Country Music” during the 14th annual Stand Up For Heroes event, raising millions online for a military charity. Also aboard were Bruce Springsteen, Sheryl Crow, Ray Romano, Jon Stewart and Mickey Guyton, who covers “To Make You Feel My Love.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1994, Kathy Mattea’s album, “A Collection Of Hits,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, Sammy Kershaw’s “Feeling Good Train” album was certified gold. The same day his “Haunted Heart” project was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” CD was certified for sales of 8-million.
- Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ version of “How Do I Live” was certified double platinum – the only country single ever to reach that mark at that time. On the same day, Rimes’ “Blue” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5-million.
- Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s “The Woman In Me” made Shania Twain the first female country artist to have an album certified for shipments of 10-million copies
- Today in 1998, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was released, the same day new albums from Jewel, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston hit record stores. After the dust had settled on what record stores called “Super Tuesday,” Garth emerged victorious. He captured the #1 spot on the album charts – and set a first-week sales record of 1.9-million copies.
- Today in 1998, “The Prince Of Egypt – Nashville” soundtrack was released. The album featured songs by Vince Gill, Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Faith Hill and Jessica Andrews.
- Today in 1999, Tim McGraw’s album, “A Place In The Sun,” was certified double-platinum.
- Today in 1999, Faith Hill’s Breathe album debuted at the top of both the “Billboard” country and all-genre album charts.
- Today in 2000, Pam Tillis’ “All of This Love” album was certified gold.
- Today in 2000, Alabama’s “For the Record: 41 Number-One Hits” collection was certified quadruple-platinum.
- Today in 2011, Scotty McCreery picked up a gold album for “Clear As Day.”
- Today in 2012, the Zac Brown Band took the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York for the first time – noting, “We have to make a new bucket list after tonight.”
- Today in 2016, Luke Bryan’s single, “Huntin’, Fishin’ And Lovin’ Every Day,” went platinum.
- Today in 2017, Kenny Rogers received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Photography Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Louis.
- Today in 2017, the animated Christmas movie, “The Star,” debuted in theaters. Kris Kristofferson, Kelly Clarkson and Opry Winfrey provided voices for the picture, while the soundtrack featured Kelsea Ballerini, Jake Owen, Pentatonix and Jessie James Decker
- Today in 2017, the Chase Rice album, “Lions & Lambs,” was released. On the same day? Tim McGraw & Faith Hill’s “The Rest Of Our Life” album dropped as well.
- Today in 2018, the Hallmark Channel premiered the holiday movie “Christmas At Graceland,” which starred Kellie Pickler as a Chicago businesswoman. The soundtrack uses six Elvis Presley holiday recordings, including “Santa Claus Is Back In Town,” “Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town” and “Blue Christmas.”
- Today in 2018, Pistol Annies’ “Interstate Gospel” debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
- Today in 2019, Jordan Davis and his wife, Kristen, welcomed their daughter, Eloise Larkin Davis.
- Today in 2019, Keith Urban headlined a Concert for Recovery at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, with proceeds earmarked to fight the opioid crisis.
- Today in 2020, Lucinda Williams suffered a stroke at her home in Nashville
- Today in 2021, Cole Swindell & Lainey Wilson’s collaboration “Never Say Never” was released.
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