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WILLIE NELSON’S ALBUM DEBUTS ON THE BILLBOARD TOP COUNTRY ALBUMS CHART – AND BREAKS HIS OWN RECORD

Posted on by Bob Ballard

For most artists, getting their album to debut on the Billboard Top 100 Country Albums Chart is a career achievement. For Willie Nelson, he’s had more albums make their debut on that chart than most artists have had albums. His newest album, “The Border,” came out last week and promptly became the 114th album over his illustrious career to make an appearance on the Billboard Top 100 Country Albums Chart in its very first week. The legend has 152 albums to his credit, so that’s a pretty solid winning success rate  (We did the math for you; 75-percent of all his albums have debuted on the chart) and it’s a record not likely to ever be broken.

 

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1960, Loretta Lynn debuted on the charts with “Honky Tonk Girl.”
  • Today in 1970, Johnny Cash graced the cover of “TV Guide.”
  • Today in 1972, the original Country Music Foundation Library and Media Center was dedicated in Nashville.
  • Today in 1972, the “Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour” last aired on CBS-TV.
  • Today in 1989, Jerry Lee Lewis received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 1995, an undercover officer arrested Ty Herndon on drug possession charges ninety minutes before he was scheduled to perform at a Texas police convention. He later plead guilty.
  • Today in 1996, John Michael Montgomery’s “Kickin’ It Up” album was certified for sales of four million.
  • Today in 1997, Paul Brandt’s “Calm Before The Storm” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1997, Kenny Rogers’ albums, “20 Great Years” and “Kenny Rogers & The First Edition Greatest Hits,” were certified platinum.
  • Today in 2000, in Houston, Faith Hill made fans do a double take when she showed up dressed up as a police officer and handcuffed husband Tim McGraw while he was singing “I Like It, I Love It.” The “arresting incident” occurred during the final show of the George Strait Country Music Festival. Of course, Faith’s disguise was an end-of-tour prank. It was considered especially daring in light of Tim and Kenny Chesney’s arrest at the prior weekend’s show in Buffalo, New York. A brouhaha erupted after Kenny allegedly refused to relinquish a horse he had borrowed. In May of 2000, the pair was acquitted of all charges stemming from the incident.
  • Today in 2000, it was announced that LeAnn Rimes donated her Dodge Viper to the brand new Country Music Hall of Fame for display.
  • Today in 2000, the “Change” album by Sons of the Desert arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2001, Lee Ann Womack announced plans for a Christmas concert tour with the 15-piece Duke Ellington Orchestra, led by the late jazz legend’s son, Mercer Ellington.
  • Tomorrow in 2003, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson rode to #1 with “Beer for My Horses.”
  • Today in 2005, “You’ll Think Of Me” brought Keith Urban the first platinum single of his career, while “Somebody Like You” is certified gold.
  • Today in 2012, the Eli Young Band scored a gold single for “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”
  • Today in 2014 Kacey Musgraves and Katy Perry were paired as the 50th episode of “CMT Crossroads” premieres. They collaborated on “Follow Your Arrow,” “Teenage Dream,” “Here You Come Again” and “Merry Go ‘Round.”
  • Today in 2015, Craig Wayne Boyd got engaged to Taylor Borland outside the Oak Ridge Boys Theatre in Branson, Missouri. They secretly got hitched the following May and share two kids together…as well as a third son from Craig’s previous relationship.
  • Today in 2015, Sturgill Simpson performed during the all-genre Bonnaroo Music Festival outside Manchester, Tennessee. Roaming the grounds as a fan is a future country hitmaker, singer/songwriter Maren Morris.
  • Today in 2015, Little Big Town, Vince Gill and Love And Theft take part in the 25th annual City of Hope celebrity softball game for charity at Nashville’s First Tennessee Park. Other players include Lauren Alaina, Chuck Wicks, Deana Carter and Bucky Covington.
  • Today in 2016, the Dixie Chicks returned to the prestigious Madison Square Garden in New York with a set that included “Landslide,” “Ready To Run” and “Not Ready To Make Nice.”
  • Today in 2016, Maren Morris’ single, “80s Mercedes,” hit the airwaves.

GEORGE STRAIT AND CHRIS STAPLETON PERFORM “PANCHO & LEFTY”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Two legends performing a song by two legends. That’s what fans got to see when they attended the George Strait concert at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey over the weekend. Chris Stapleton has been opening the shows on King George’s current tour, occasionally joining Strait on stage. Over the weekend, fans were treated to the two performing the 1983 Willie Nelson/Merle Haggard classic “Pancho & Lefty.” As an encore that same evening, Strait brought out Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell to join him on a cover of Petty’s “You Wreck Me.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” entered the national country chart. By the next week it will have made its debut on the national pop chart. It eventually sold six million copies.
  • Today in 1973, Dolly Parton recorded “Jolene” at RCA Studio B in Nashville.
  • Today in 1976, Crystal Gayle notched her first #1 country single in Billboard with “I’ll Get Over You.”
  • Today in 1978, Dolly Parton’s “The Best Of Dolly Parton” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1982, the single, “Always On My Mind,” by Willie Nelson peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart.
  • Today in 1992, Trisha Yearwood’s single, “The Woman Before Me,” hit the top of the charts.
  • Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes performs the national anthem at the Ballpark in Arlington when the Texas Rangers host the San Francisco Giants in the first interleague game in baseball history. The Giants win, 4-3.
  • Today in 2000, after endless amounts of speculation, Lorrie Morgan’s publicist confirmed that Lorrie and Sammy Kershaw were indeed a couple. The twosome got hitched the following September.
  • Today in 2000, Kenny Chesney made his first public statement about the infamous “horse incident” following the George Strait Country Music Festival in Buffalo, New York on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” It also marked his very first “Tonight Show” appearance. Of course, Kenny and buddy Tim McGraw were acquitted of all charges stemming from the brouhaha in an Orchard Park, New York courtroom.
  • Today in 2000, Trace Adkins appeared on the Lifetime TV series, “The Things We Do For Love.” A young woman had written to the series explaining that her grandmother’s greatest wish was to see the Grand Ole Opry. The cable channel decided to grant the wish and flew the grandmother into Nashville from California and the granddaughter from Washington, D.C. During the program, Trace greeted the two women at the Opry and presented the grandmother with a corsage before giving them a backstage tour before the Opry performance began.
  • Today in 2001, Travis Tritt officially began going “down” his road as his home state of Georgia officially re-named a three-mile section of Highway 92 “Travis Tritt Highway.” But that’s not all – as of this day, Paulding County signs also read “Home of Country Music Star Travis Tritt.”
  • Today in 2002, Alan Jackson had some “Down Under” success to celebrate. His “Drive” album, which had already been certified double platinum here in the United States, went gold in Australia. Of course, “Drive” has since gone on to greater success Stateside – it was recently certified quadruple platinum for sales of 4 million copies.
  • Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney is the only double-winner at the inaugural CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards, taking honors for the video to “Young” at Nashville’s Gaylord Entertainment Center.
  • Today in 2004, Terri Clark became the first Canadian-born female to join the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2009, Shania Twain spoke to fans for the first time about her split from Robert John “Mutt” Lange in an online letter, saying she’s “inspired by my pain to write.” She also notes she’s gone skydiving and deep-sea diving for the first time. She has since re-married.
  • Today in 2014, the Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry married Texas Rangers catcher J.P. Arencibia at the First Presbyterian Church in Greeneville, Tennessee. Lennon and Maisy Stella – aka the Stella Sisters – performed. The couple announced their split March 2018.
  • Today in 2015, Ty Herndon co-hosted A Concert for Love and Acceptance, a gay-themed show at City Winery in Nashville. Also on the bill were Billy Gilman, Jamie O’Neal, Crystal Gayle, Shelly Fairchild, Chris Carmack, Meghan Linsey, Deborah Allen and “Livin’ On A Prayer” songwriter Desmond Child.
  • Today in 2016, Trace Adkins concluded a USO tour that stopped Bahrain, Kuwait and Germany.
  • Today in 2017, Maren Morris earned her first gold album from the RIAA for “Hero” and she got to celebrate it on stage at the pop-and-rock Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee. Her set included “My Church.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD JOINS THE “FALL DURING A PERFORMANCE” CLUB

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Count Carrie Underwood as one of the esteemed members of the “Fell On My Butt During A Concert” club – but, she certainly had good reason. Carrie was performing in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina at the Carolina Country Music Festival over the weekend when the heavens opened up and it rained – hard. Carrie wasn’t about to give up, crushing her performance despite the elements. It was at the end when Carrie was saying her goodbyes that she walked off the back of the stage and suddenly disappeared out of sight – apparently slipping down some rain-soaked stairs. If her next-day post on Instagram is any indication, the singer is thankfully OK.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1949, Hank Williams, Sr. made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. He sang “Lovesick Blues” and got an unprecedented six encores. Ironically, Opry bigwigs had been reluctant to book him at first, because his wild lifestyle was at odds with the Opry’s clean and wholesome image.
  • Today in 1988, Patty Loveless became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, where she sings “If My Heart Had Windows” and “A Little Bit In Love.”
  • Today in 1993, Patty Loveless topped the country charts with “Blame It On Your Heart.”
  • Today in 1994, “That Ain’t No Way To Go” to go brought Brooks & Dunn to the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 1996, Paul Brandt’s debut album, “Calm Before the Storm,” and Mark Wills’ self-titled debut album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 1996, Carl Perkins was inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk in Los Angeles
  • Today in 1996, Garth Brooks set a Fan Fair (Fan Fair is now called CMA Music Fest) record by signing autographs for 23 hours straight.
  • Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified for sales of 6-million, making it the best selling album by a duo or group in country music history. A year later, it was certified for sales in excess of 11-million. When the critically acclaimed disc surpassed 10-million, the trio became the only group in the history of country music to receive a prestigious RIAA Diamond Award.
  • Today in 2000, Lila McCann became a high school graduate.
  • Today in 2002, Lonestar were honored with the 2002 Fatherhood Award at the National Fatherhood Initiative’s 5th Annual Awards Gala Dinner in San Antonio.
  • Today in 2002, lots of new albums arrived in stores. They included Sawyer Brown’s “Can You Hear Me Now?,” Aaron Tippin’s “RCA Country Legends,” Conway Twitty’s “The Late Great Conway Twitty” and the Marie Sisters’ self-titled debut album.
  • Today in 2004, “The Stepford Wives” opens in movie theaters, with Faith Hill in her acting debut.
  • Today in 2012, Jason Aldean is ticketed and fined $100 for swimming in prohibited waters on a visit to the beach in Destin, Florida
  • Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood recorded NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” theme, “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night” – it officially debuted the following September.
  • Today in 2016, Garth Brooks coached about 100 kids on life and teamwork during a one-day camp at the Hank Ruys Soccer Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
  • Today in 2016, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band received plaques from the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development honoring the group’s 50th anniversary as it prepared to play Nissan Stadium in Nashville during the CMA Music Festival.
  • Today in 2016, Cassadee Pope made a surprise appearance at Nissan Stadium in Nashville during the CMA Music Festival to sing “Think Of You” with Chris Young. The night also featured Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, Blake Shelton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Steven Tyler and Martina McBride.
  • Today in 2017, Justin Moore and his wife, Kate, welcomed their son, Thomas South Moore, in Little Rock.

DARIUS RUCKER HAS A NON-MUSIC RELATED SIDE GIG

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Why get a side-gig, when your main gig is going so well? Darius Rucker revealed to “Taste Of Country Nights” that he does have a side hustle, and it has nothing to do with music. When talking about his alma mater, the University of South Carolina, he let out that he has a job there. “I’m actually the assistant coach of the women’s golf team,” he said. When the host seemed a little disbelieving, Rucker doubled down. “I am, I am. I really am, actually.” Darius is a well-known avid and skilled amateur golfer, and does host a golf tourney, the “Darius Rucker Intercollegiate Golf Tournament,” each year. He also is a big part of the famous annual “Monday After The Masters” concert and golf event in partnership with his band, Hootie & The Blowfish. Going against Darius and his claim: the USC Ladies Golf Team website has Michael Roters as the only assistant coach listed. So maybe it’s an honorary position?

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1966, Roy Orbison’s first wife, Claudette, was killed in a motorcycle crash near Nashville. As a result, he stopped writing songs for years. His shutdown was complicated by the fact that two of their three children died in a house fire two years after hear death. He met his second wife, Barbara, while on tour in England; they married in 1969 and he began writing songs again. In addition to his surviving son, he and Barbara had two more boys.
  • Today in 1969, ABC airs the first episode of “The Johnny Cash Show” with guest Bob Dylan.
  • Today in 1975, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy” by John Denver peaked at #1 on the pop singles chart.
  • Today in 1982, Barbara Mandrell was a big winner at the 16th Music City News Country Awards.
  • Today in 1991, Dwight Yoakam’s “Just Lookin’ For A Hit” album was certified Gold.
  • Today in 1991, Alan Jackson joins the Grand Ole Opry
  • Today in 1993, the video, “It’s All About To Change,” by Travis Tritt was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, Vince Gill’s “When Love Finds You” album was released.
  • Today in 1996, Travis Tritt’s albums, “Country Club” and “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” were certified double platinum, and “It’s All About to Change” was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1997, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill spend six weeks at #1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart with “It’s Your Love.”
  • Today in 1998, George Strait headlined country’s first stadium tour, which features Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and other artists
  • Today in 2002, Kenny Rogers performed at the Grand Ole Opry – and it was his DEBUT at the legendary venue! What’s not a surprise is that he sang to a packed house and got a standing ovation! He performed the songs, “Buy Me A Rose,” “The Gambler” and “Harder Cards.”
  • Today in 2003, Kenny Chesney headlined his first stadium show with artists including Rascal Flats and Keith Urban.
  • Today in 2005, Johnny Cash’s version of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” went gold.
  • Today in 2007, Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2012, Scotty McCreery graduated high school in North Carolina
  • Today in 2014, George Strait performed his final concert at the AT&T stadium in Texas. The tour had been appropriately named, “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.”
  • Today in 2015, Josh Turner carried the Special Olympics flame into the city of Nashville during the first relay across America.
  • Today in 2017, Darius Rucker dedicated a new Habitat for Humanity home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He also presented the keys to the house’s owners.
  • Today in 2018, the Kane Brown single, “Lose It,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2019, Morgan Wallen’s debut album, “If I Know Me,” was released.
  • Today in 2021, Chaco Footwear announced the Thomas Rhett Collection, a limited-edition line of three sandals styles influenced by Rhett.

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: WRANGLER

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Wrangler”, and energetic and thoroughly adorable 11 month old Australian Cattle Dog Mix. Wrangler loves everyone, he’s easy to train, and keeps a clean kennel so he’s likely housetrained! And since Wrangler is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home.

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Wrangler 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 Wrangler with Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Dolly Parton Wants to Be in the New “9 to 5” Remake

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Jennifer Aniston is producing a new remake of the 1980 classic “9 to 5”, and Dolly Parton says she’d love to be a part of it.

She played the main character Doralee, alongside Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and their jerky boss Dabney Coleman.  He just passed away at 92 last month.

Dolly told “E! News” she hopes they use the song too.  Quote, “I’m hoping they use my song, and I’m hoping they might find a way to have Lily, Jane, and me come back in.”

They asked who she thinks should play her character and mentioned her goddaughter Miley Cyrus as a possibility.  She said Miley would be great because “she knows me.”

Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin also talked about it recently.  Jane said she hopes the movie happens.  Lily said so too, but that it’s “a hard nut to crack because the issues are somewhat different” in 2024.

Quote, “[They’re] not easy-to-solve issues.  So, we’re very eager to see what they do.”

(USA Today / Variety)

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