Fans of Dolly Parton can breathe a huge sigh of relief. For the first time since last summer, the singer has made a public appearance, and while doing so, gave an update on the health issues that have kept her on the sidelines. While Parton has issued occasional videos reassuring fans that she was OK, this was the first time she showed up in person in almost a year. On Friday, Dolly delivered a keynote address on opening day for Dollywood, celebrating the park’s 41st anniversary. “I’ve not been touring, as you know; I’ve had a few little health issues, and we’re taking good care of them,” she said. “I just kind of got worn down and worn out, grieving over (late husband) Carl and a lot of other little things going on. I just got myself kind of where I needed to build myself back up spiritually, emotionally, and physically. But, all is good. It didn’t slow me down.”
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1922, WSB radio in Atlanta was the first radio station to feature country music.
- Today in 1951, Hank Williams recorded “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You),” “Howlin’ At The Moon,” and “My Heart Would Know.”
- Today in 1955, “The Ballad of Davy Crockett” by Bill Hayes reached the #1 spot on the pop music charts and stayed for five weeks. The hit song sold more than 7,000,000 records on more than 20 different labels. Coonskin caps started sprouting up everywhere as the Crockett craze spread like a frontier fire. “Davy Crockett” was a big TV show in the 1950s that starred Fess Parker in the memorable Walt Disney production.
- Today in 1974, the first performance from the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee, took place. President Richard Nixon helped open the new facility by playing three songs on the piano. He also played with a yo-yo on stage like Opry star Roy Acuff.
- Today in 1987, George Strait earned a gold record for “Ocean Front Property.”
- Today in 1991, seven members of Reba McEntire’s road band, as well as her tour manager, were killed when their plane crashed near San Diego. Singer/songwriter Chris Austin was also on the plane. Ironically, Reba would’ve been on the plane too, had she not decided to stay behind and get a good night’s sleep. Reba has described the incident as “the worst time in my life,” and her grief inspired her album, “For My Broken Heart.”
- Today in 1995, David Ball’s album, “Thinkin’ Problem,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1996, Garth Brooks hit the top of the chart with “The Beaches of Cheyenne.”
- Today in 1998, LeAnn Rimes single “Blue” went gold.
- Today in 1999, Pam Tillis made her Broadway debut in “Smokey’s Joe Café.”
- Today in 1999, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) presented the first Diamond Awards to a slew of artists including Garth Brooks and the Beatles. The awards are given in recognition of albums and singles that have sold 10-million copies or more.
- Today in 2001, a Nashville judge refused to let LeAnn Rimes out of a recording contract with Curb Records that was approved at the request of her parents when she was 12. The following November, LeAnn and Curb came to an agreement and she re-signed with the label.
- Today in 2002, Tim McGraw’s “The Cowboy In Me” hit the top of the country charts.
- Today in 2005, at the CMT Music Awards, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, and Big & Rich each earned three nominations and Keith Urban and Gretchen Wilson snagged three apiece.
- Today in 2006, CMT aired Carrie Underwood’s video for “Don’t Forget To Remember Me.”
- Today in 2011, Sara Evans earned a gold single for “A Little Bit Stronger.”
- Today in 2020, in compliance with a request from Nashville mayor John Cooper, Dierks Bentley shut down his Whiskey Row bar to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Bentley also gifts each of his 90 hourly employees $1,000 to help them get through the next few weeks.
- Today in 2021, Clint Black Cowboy Coffee launched.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: FOXY
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Foxy”, 6 month old female Whippet mix pooch. Foxy was surrendered by her previous owner who could no longer take care of her for health reasons. Foxy does great with other dogs, but is a little timid when it comes to cats. Foxy loves kids and would be a great family dog. Foxy is an affectionate and friendly girl who would love to meet you!
Foxy is fully vetted, spayed, vaccinated and microchipped and ready to for her ‘fur-ever’ home!
And because Foxy is the H&S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, her adoption fee is only $50 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Foxy 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 Foxy with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Luke Bryan Announces “Crash My Playa 2027” Is A Go
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Luke Bryan‘s Mexican tradition continues. Yesterday, he announced that his annual trip south of the border for a weekend of fun and live music would be returning in 2027. In an Instagram post, he wrote “It’s official! We’re coming back to crash the playa in 2027!” alongside a promotional video for the event. While no info on who besides Luke would be appearing, we do know the dates: January 13-16, 2027, at the Moon Palace Resort in Rivera Cancun, Mexico.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1965, the Statler Brothers recorded “Flowers On The Wall” at the Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville, a session originally for Johnny Cash who never appeared.
- Today in 1967, Decca released Patsy Cline’s “Greatest Hits.”
- Today in 1991, “My Cousin Vinny,” starring Joe Pesci and Ralph Macchio made its theater debut. Travis Tritt performed “Bible Belt.”
- Today in 1999, Trisha Yearwood joined the Grand Ole Opry the same night singer and songwriter John Prine made his Opry debut.
- Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks’ “You Were Mine” reached the top of the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 2001, Charles Pride received a Hall of Fame medallion during the first official function at the new Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville. Robyn Young accepted a medallion for his late father, Faron Young.
- Today in 2003, the state of Texas observed Lee Ann Womack Day.
- Today in 2009, Justin Moore sang “Small Town USA” during his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2013, at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Rascal Flatts made their Australian concert debut.
- Today in 2015, Rascal Flatts dedicated “Bless The Broken Road” to Bristol Palin and Dakota Meyer during their show at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas. When the song ended, Meyer gets down on one knee to propose to Palin, who said yes. The wedding was called off a week later, but the couple married in 2016. He filed for divorce in February 2018.
- Today in 2017, the Maren Morris single, “I Could Use A Love Song,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Dolly Parton offered her vocal talents on the Sprout series, “Lily’s Driftwood Bay” – as the voice for Nolene, an animated chicken.
- Today in 2017, Clay Walker, Steve Wariner and Crystal Gayle performed at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley to raise money for Anita Cochran in her battle with cancer. Also performing were Terri Clark, Pam Tillis, Bryan White, Wade Hayes, Suzy Bogguss, Mandy Barnett, Ty Herndon, The Lynns and Lorrie Morgan.
Kacey Musgraves New Album Will Have Some High-Powered Collabs
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Kacey Musgraves is enlisting some high-powered help for her next album. Announcing her sixth studio album, Musgraves revealed that the project will include collaborations with Miranda Lambert, Willie Nelson and Billy Strings. Along with the announcement, she released “Dry Spell,” the first track from the upcoming release. “Middle of Nowhere” comes out May 1. See the tracklist below.
- “Middle of Nowhere”
- “Dry Spell”
- “Back on the Wagon”
- “I Believe in Ghosts”
- “Abilene”
- “Coyote” featuring Gregory Alan Isakov
- “Loneliest Girl”
- “Everybody Wants To Be a Cowboy” featuring Billy Strings
- “Horses and Divorces” featuring Miranda Lambert
- “Uncertain, Texas” featuring Willie Nelson
- “Rhinestoned”
- “Mexico Honey”
- “Hell on Me”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1961, Gene Autry’s expansion Los Angeles Angels dropped baseball player Charley Pride during spring training in Palm Springs after a two-week tryout.
- Today in 1975, George jones and Tammy Wynette’s divorce was finalized. Wynette took custody of their only child, Tamala and kept their home on Franklin Road in Nashville.
- Today in 1981, MCA released The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira.”
- Today in 1988, Randy Travis reach #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Too Gone Too Long.”
- Today in 1990, Mark Chestnutt began recording his first album “Too Cold At Home.”
- Today in 1997, Trace Adkins won his first gold album with his debut, “Dreamin’ Out Loud.”
- Today in 2001, Amy Grant gave birth to her daughter, Corrina Grant Gill at a Nashiville Hospital. She is the first child in Amy’s and Vince Gill’s marriage.
- Today in 2008, Taylor Swift’s “Our Song” picked up a platinum single.
- Today in 2010, Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar” earned a gold single.
- Today in 2013, as part of the Outnumber Hunger Charity program, The Band Perry began appearing on boxes of Wheaties.
- Today in 2015, Luke Bryan played his final spring break concert at Spinnaker in Panama City, Florida. The show and one staged the previous day drew a total of 400,000 fans.
- Today in 2016, Kelsea Ballerini met Australian singer/songwriter Morgan Evans. They were engaged by the end of the year and married in 2017.
- Today in 2017, Frankie Ballard married Christina Murphy at the Star Hill Ranch in Bee Cave, Texas.
Kenny Chesney To Receive Inaugural Ocean Conservancy Award
Posted on by Bob Ballard
It seems Kenny Chesney has won so many accolades over his 30+ year career, they’re having to create new ones. Next month, when the singer headlines Tortuga Music Festival 2026, he’ll be honored with the first ever Ocean Legacy Award. In a statement, Kenny said, “To me, when people can come together to learn about the ocean, how to treat it and have a great time with their friends, that’s a total win. Even though we’re not touring this year, I do love playing on that beach, seeing all those boats in the water and fans having the best time on that beach. To be given an award for doing what I love somewhere that brings every bit of it together almost feels wrong, but I’m honored if I could be part of bringing how we treat the ocean into focus.” The award recognizes Chesney’s efforts to promote and protect the ocean over the course of his career.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1969, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs split up after 25 years as a bluegrass duo.
- Today in 1989, Ronnie Milsap topped the country charts with “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me?”
- Today in 1992, the “No Fences” album by Garth Brooks was certified for sales of seven-million copies.
- Today in 1994, Martina McBride made her “Tonight Show” debut.
- Today in 1994, Neal McCoy scored his first number one single with “No Doubt About It.”
- Today in 1999, Jo Dee Messina made her debut on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
- Today in 2000, Theresa Crump married Joe Diffie at Nashville’s Opryland Hotel, with her pet Chihuahua, Lolo, serving as the ring bearer.
- Today in 2001, “Doc,” starring Billy Ray Cyrus as Clint Cassidy, had its premiere on PAX TV.
- Today in 2002, Pat Green was hospitalized in Brownsville, Texas after he was attacked by two men on a beach in South Padre.
- Today in 2002, Tim McGraw’s single “The Cowboy In Me” took the top spot on both the “Billboard” and “Radio & Records'” country charts. With “Bring On The Rain,” his vocal collaboration with Jo Dee Messina at number one on “Billboard” the week before, this made Tim the first artist to have back-to-back singles at the top spot on the “Billboard” Hot country Singles Chart since electronic monitoring began.
- Today in 2003, Dolly Parton was presented with the 2003 Governor’s Awards in the Arts Lifetime Achievement Award.
- Today in 2003, at the second annual CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, Faith Hill, Toby Keith, and Shania Twain each got five nominations, and The Dixie Chicks, Martina McBride, Tim McGraw, and Keith Urban each got four.
- Today in 2004, Naomi, Wynonna, and Ashley Judd received the National Award at the Kentucky Governor’s Awards in the Arts ceremony.
- Today in 2005, The Oak Ridge Boys performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to help launch the National Anthem Project, an initiative to teach Americans the lyrics to the song.
- Today in 2005, “Black Cloud,” a film written and directed by Rick Schroder opened, featuring Tim McGraw playing a sheriff.
- Today in 2006, “Your Man” by Josh Turner hit the top of the charts.
- Today in 2006, Don Williams performed his last Nashville concert. Keith Urban opened, and Williams was joined by Josh Turner for “Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good.”
- Today in 2007, Jo Dee Messina sang “Heaven Was Needing a Hero” on ABC’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” in honor of 16-year-old Ransom Tipton-Smith, who lost his life in a car accident two years earlier.
- Today in 2008, Clint Black released his first digital EP, “The Long Cool EP,” which featured his cover of The Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman (In A Black Dress),” “The Strong One,” and his duet with wife Lisa, “You Still Get To Me.”
- Today in 2008, Eddy Arnold’s wife, Sally Gayhart Arnold, passed away at a Nashville-area hospital. She had been admitted to the hospital a few days earlier with breathing difficulties. She was 87. At the time of her death Arnold was also in the hospital, recovering from hip replacement surgery he underwent a week earlier.
- Today in 2009, Darius Rucker and Vic Chesnutt were among the performers a tribute concert honoring R.E.M. at Carnegie Hall in New York.
- Today in 2010, Lady Antebellum played the second of a two-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The date was originally slated to be the trio’s headlining debut at the venue, but the demand for tickets to the show prompted a second show, scheduled for March 10th.
- Today in 2011, Billy Ray Cyrus decided to try to reconcile his marriage with wife Tish, and filed papers to stop divorce proceedings.
- Today in 2011, Jewel, who was five-months pregnant, was driving in Stephenville, Texas when her SUV was hit by a volunteer fire truck. The singer suffered minor injuries in the crash, and her unborn child was fine. Jewel credited her sturdy vehicle for keeping them safe.
- Today in 2011, Craig Morgan performed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska at the start of a USO tour that visits six nations over the next week.
- Today in 2013, Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift released “Highway Don’t Care,” which also features Keith Urban on guitar.
- Today in 2015, Maren Morris wrote “My Church” and recorded the final vocals the same day in Los Angeles with songwriter/producer busbee.
- Today in 2017, Dailey & Vincent joined the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2018, Tim McGraw collapsed on stage in Dublin, Ireland, after his performance of “Humble And Kind.” Wife Faith Hill later announced her husband was suffering from dehydration and the concert was cut short.
- Today in 2019, the Whitney Houston single, “I Will Always Love You” – which was written and originally recorded by Dolly Parton – was certified eight-times platinum by the RIAA.
Thomas Rhett Announces “The Soundtrack To Life Tour”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Thomas Rhett surprised fans yesterday by announcing he’s hitting the road. His 20 date “Soundtrack of You Life Tour” kicks off July 9 in Nashville, with stops in Dallas, Sacramento and more before a final show in Omaha October 24. Ernest, Kashus Culpepper, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Conner Smith will join throughout the summer in rotating support slots, with Emily Ann Roberts kicking off each night of the tour. Presales start tomorrow, with the general onsale beginning on Friday at 10AM local time. For a complete list of dates and ticket information, visit Rhett’s website. See the first ten dates of the tour below.
- July 9 – Nashville, TN – TBA
- July 11 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
- July 16 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre
- July 17 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
- July 18 – Hershey, PA – TBA
- Aug 13 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
- Aug 14 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
- Aug 20 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
- Aug 22 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
- Sept 10 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center
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