“Rolling Stone” has put out a list of their “Top 200 Country Songs of All Time” and it’s certainly a conversation-starter. Some of the notable (and perhaps controversial) songs: Taylor Swift‘s “Mean” coming in at #20, Tracy Chapman‘s original 1988 “Fast Car” making the list at #113, and Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” sneaking in at #192. Kind of hard to argue the Top 5, though: George Jones “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” Hank Williams “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” Patsy Cline‘s “Crazy,” Johnny Cash‘s “I Walk The Line” and Dolly Parton topping the list with her classic “Jolene.” See the entire list here.
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1956, Country Music Hall of Famer Johnny Cash entered the country charts with “I Walk The Line.”
- Today in 1966, Dolly Parton married Carl Dean in Ringgold, Georgia. While Dolly doesn’t use Dean’s surname publicly, she has stated that her passport says “Dolly Parton Dean” and that she sometimes uses Dean when signing contracts.
- Today in 1995, the “Waitin’ On Sundown” album by Brooks & Dunn was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1995, Alan Jackson’s “Who I Am” album was certified triple platinum.
- Today in 1997, Alan Jackson’s single, “Who’s Cheatin’ Who,” hit #1.
- Today in 1999, a bomb threat at a Kenny Rogers concert being held at the Royal Albert Hall in London caused the evacuation of more than 3,000. No bomb was found and no injuries were reported.
- Today in 1999, Tim McGraw opened a show for his wife, Faith Hill, at the Beacon Theater in New York City. His appearance was an unannounced surprise.
- Today in 2000, Mary Jenkins Langston, the woman who prepared Elvis Presley’s trademark peanut butter and banana sandwiches as well as the spectrum of other delicacies the King enjoyed, died at 78. Mary began as a housekeeper at Graceland in 1963. Three years later, when Elvis married Priscilla Beaulieu, Mary was promoted to cook by the new bride, who said they had “similar preference for homestyle beef and vegetable dishes.” Even after Elvis’ death in 1977, Mary remained at Graceland and cooked for the rest of the family until her retirement 12 years later. In 1997, Mary wrote (under her maiden name of Jenkins) the book, “Elvis, Memories Beyond Graceland Gates,” in which she discussed some of the King’s favorite recipes, including the origins of the famous fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.
- Today in 2000, the “Road Dogs” album by Charlie Daniels Band and Dwight Yoakam’s “dwightyoakamacoustic.net” hit stores.
- Today in 2000, Tracy Byrd’s “Wonders of Wildlife” benefit, which featured Brad Paisley, Travis Tritt, Kenny Rogers, John Anderson and many more debuted on TNN. Proceeds from the concert went to national conservation groups like Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Foundation and Quail Unlimited.
- Today in 2001, Shania Twain and then-husband/producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange came up winners at the 2001 ASCAP Pop Awards. The songs, “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” and “You’re Still The One,” (both written by Shania and Mutt) received enough airplay during the previous year to make the list of Most Performed Songs of the Year. Although Shania had a part in writing the songs, Mutt, an ASCAP registered songwriter received most of the recognition. Shania, being a BMI registered songwriter, received an asterisk by her name because she’s not an ASCAP writer.
- Today in 2009, Steve Martin made his Grand Ole Opry debut, playing “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” in Nashville with Vince Gill, Randy Scruggs, John McEuen and Stuart Duncan among his backing musicians.
- Today in 2012, an edition of “CMT Crossroads” featuring Joe Walsh & Friends was shot at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. The friends include Hunter Hayes, Brad Paisley, Luke Bryan, Sara Evans and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons.
- Today in 2013, the Johnny Cash Museum held its grand opening in downtown Nashville. The exhibit includes clothing the Man in Black wore in a White House concert, equipment used to record “I Walk The Line” and metal cups he received when he recorded “Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison.”
- Today in 2013, Jason Aldean performs “Take A Little Ride,” “Tattoos On This Town” and “My Kinda Party” during Boston Strong: An Evening Of Support And Celebration at the TD Garden in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing. The benefit also features Aerosmith, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Carole King and Dane Cook, among others.
- Today in 2015, Justin Moore’s family pet, a terrier named Hank, runs away during a family vacation in Texas. The dog is reunited with the family the following day.
- Today in 2016, John Michael Montgomery and Phil Vassar performed at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., with Montgomery offering up “Letters From Home.”
- Today in 2016, Big & Rich headlined a benefit for a military charity at Fontanel in Nashville, joined by Thompson Square, Parmalee, Chuck Wicks and RaeLynn.
BRETT YOUNG ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL DATES FOR 2024 TOUR
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Brett Young has tacked on some additional dates in the fall for his 2024 North American tour. Announced yesterday: sixteen new dates, starting with the September 6 show in Verona, New York, running through 15 more dates before wrapping up October 26 in Durham, North Carolina. Tickets will be available starting with a Brett Young fan club presale tomorrow. Additional pre-sales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday at 10 am local time.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1952, Hank Williams Sr. his first wife, Audrey, (the mother of Hank Williams Jr.) finally divorced. Married since 1944, their union was marked by drug and alcohol addiction (his) and cheating (his). The couple’s tumultuous relationship found them separating and reconciling a number of times…until this divorce. She was awarded the house and their child as well as half of her ex-husband’s future royalties on the condition that she never remarry. She never did.
- Today in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus scored his first #1 hit with “Achy Breaky Heart.”
- Today in 1993, Wynonna got an early birthday present (her b-day is tomorrow) when her second solo album, “Tell Me Why,” debuted at #1 on the country charts.
- Today in 1996, Diamond Rio’s Dana Williams and his wife, Lisa, became parents to son Jacob Keith.
- Today in 1997, Bill Engvall’s debut album, “Here’s Your Sign,” went gold.
- Today in 1998, Chely Wright attended a senior prom in Altoona, Pennsylvania with a fan named David Showalter. Turns out the teen was tired of his mom bugging him to find a prom date, so he wrote to Chely and asked her to be his date — and she said yes! At the time, Chely noted, quote, “I happened to have the evening off, so I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it.’”
- Today in 2001, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s album, “Time*Sex*Love,” and Brad Paisley’s “Part II” project arrived in stores.
- Today in 2004, Gretchen Wilson’s debut single, “Redneck Woman,” took command of the top spot in “Billboard” for the first of five weeks.
- Today in 2004, George Strait, Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett co-headlined a date at Texas Stadium in Irving. The three join voices on “Hey, Good Lookin'” and “Margaritaville” as the show becomes an album, “Live At Texas Stadium.”
- Today in 2010, Taylor Swift headlined a stadium for the first time, at the Bayou Country Superfest at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. Also appearing on the bill: Keith Urban, David Nail, Kellie Pickler and Gloriana.
- Today in 2013, Blake Shelton raised $6-million with the charitable “Healing In The Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert” from the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City. Aired on NBC and CMT, among others, it featured Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Luke Bryan, Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts and OneRepublic singer Ryan Tedder.
- Today in 2014, “This is a bust your ass kinda night”: Luke Bryan fells off of the stage and into the photo pit during a concert at the PNC Music Pavilion in Charlotte, North Carolina. He turned the accident into a set-up for “Crash My Party” and was able to finish the show, but still required stitches.
- Today in 2016, Trace Adkins performed “Arlington” at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for PBS’ “National Memorial Day Concert.” Also on the bill were The Beach Boys, Katharine McPhee and “American Idol” winner Trent Harmon, who sang the national anthem.
- Today in 2017, Billy Ray Cyrus gave voice to an animated lizard in the Nickelodeon series “Blaze And The Monster Machines.”
MORGAN WALLEN’S “THIS BAR” GRAND OPENING HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The highly-anticipated grand opening of Morgan Wallen‘s “This Bar” in Nashville has been pushed back. Originally scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend, the new opening date is “TBD.” In a statement, the bar said, “We’re proud of our team who has worked tirelessly to prepare Morgan Wallen’s This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen for opening. The ground-up construction of a six-story venue launching with hundreds of team members is a tremendous amount of work and a complex process. When we open, we want This Bar to be an exceptional experience for guests. Unfortunately, the process requires more time, and we are not able to open and provide that experience this Memorial Day weekend. Rest assured it will be well worth the wait. We look forward to welcoming guests soon.” There have been various reports in the media that the venue’s owners, the TC Restaurant Group, had been denied a catering license, or that the delay was in some way related to the Nashville City Councils “nay” vote on signage for the business last week, but no reason has officially been given.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1967, Barbara Mandrell married Ken Dudney. Barbara met Ken when he was hired by her family’s band, The Mandrells, as a drummer. They were married shortly after Ken received his wings as a Navy pilot.
- Today in 1988, Kathy Mattea’s single, “Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses,” was #1 for the second consecutive week. At the time, she was only the second female to accomplish the feat. Dolly Parton was the first, with “You’re The Only One” back in 1979.
- Today in 1991, Travis Tritt’s “It’s All About To Change” album was released.
- Today in 1996, Bill Engvall’s album, “Here’s Your Sign,” was released.
- Today in 1993, Toby Keith’s debut single, “Should’ve Been a Cowboy,” topped the charts.
- Today in 1994, Tim McGraw’s single, “Don’t Take The Girl,” hit #1.
- Today in 1996, Vince Gill’s “High Lonesome Sound” album was released.
- Today in 1999, Brad Paisley made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2005, Keith Urban’s “Making Memories Of Us” began a five-week stay at the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: MOCHI
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Mochi”, an adorable and energetic 1 year old German Shepherd mix who loves attention, loves to play, and would be a great fit for a family with kids. Mochi gets along with other dogs, loves to play in water, and likely is housetrained, as he keeps a clean kennel and asks to be let out. Mochi is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home.
And because Mochi is the Pet of the Week, the adoption fee is only $100 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Mochi 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 Mochi with Shanna & Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
MORGAN WALLEN’S MOM SURPRISES YOUNG FAN WITH MEET & GREET PASSES
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Kari Schultz is a young girl with cerebral palsy. Morgan’s mother, Lesli Wallen, saw an article online about the young Morgan fan and decided to give her a big present. Lesli showed up at Kari’s school, and the television was on and playing Morgan’s video for “Thought You Should Know” when Kari walked in. “Wait – what’s going on?” Kari asked. At this point Lesli walked up to her, introduced herself, and let her know that she would be going to Morgan’s Charlotte, North Carolina show – and going backstage to meet the singer. To say Kari was excited by the news is something of an understatement.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1953, Jim Reeves made his debut appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1975, B.J. Thomas received a gold record for the single “(Hey, Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song.”
- Today in 1989, K.T. Oslin’s “80’s Ladies” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1989, the “Absolute Torch & Twang” album by k.d. Lang & The Reclines was released.
- Today in 1989, the Judds “Greatest Hits” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1992, “Achy Breaky Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus entered the Top 40 chart.
- Today in 1992, Sawyer Brown scored #1 single in Billboard with “Some Girls Do.”
- Today in 1993, Alan Jackson’s single “Chattahoochee” topped the charts.
- Today in 1995, Dwight Yoakam’s “Dwight Live” album was released.
- Today in 1996, “The Woman In Me” album by Shania Twain was certified for sales of seven million.
- Today in 2000, the official Keith Urban Fan Club was established.
- Today in 2000, Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” was released.
- Today in 2001, Mark McGuinn’s self-titled album entered “Billboard’s” country album sales chart at #18. This marked the first time in the history of Soundscan that a new artist on an independent label debuted in the top 20 (Soundscan is the company that compiles album sales data). Mark also came in at #1 on “Billboard’s” all-format “Heatseekers” chart. It was the first time a country album from an independent label has ever earned this distinction. Part of the gas in this engine might have something to do with Mark’s debut single, “Mrs. Steven Rudy.” The tune peaked at #6 on “Billboard’s” Hot Country Singles airplay chart, which was the highest position achieved by a new artist on an independent label in more than 20 years.
- Today in 2001, an upstate New York jury panel of four women and two men acquitted Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney on all counts stemming from a brouhaha over a police horse named Chico. Tim and wife Faith Hill – who rushed back from a performance in Hawaii to be by her husband’s side – waited out the verdict at a restaurant near the quaint, red brick courthouse. Outside, about 50 adoring fans stood in small groups clutching CDs that the singers promised to sign at the trial’s conclusion. As the verdict was read, Faith was seen wiping tears from her eyes. While the charges were minor, Tim and his road manager faced a year in prison, with Kenny looking at fifteen days in lockup. From day one, the men refused plea offers “on principle,” saying they did nothing wrong in the June 3rd altercation with police.
- Today in 2006, Brad Paisley claimed three trophies at the 41st annual Academy of Country Music awards: the Dolly Parton duet, “When I Get Where I’m Going,” took Vocal Event and Video of the Year; his “Time Well Wasted” record took Album.
- Today in 2012, Reba McEntire sang “Turn On The Radio” with “American Idol” contestant Skylar Laine on the season finale of the show. Carrie Underwood and Scotty McCreery also attended as competitor Jessica Sanchez covers Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
- Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood pledged $ 1 million to the American Red Cross to aid recovery efforts after tornados ripped through her native Oklahoma.
- Today in 2014, George Strait performed at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in the first of three stadium dates of his “The Cowboy Rides Away Tour.” Also on the bill: Reba McEntire and Chris Young.
- Today in 2016, Jason Michael Carroll delivered the Heimlich maneuver to a choking toddler, saving the boy’s life.
- Today in 2017, Brett Young’s single, “In Case You Didn’t Know,” went platinum. On the same day, Thomas Rhett collected a gold single for “Star Of The Show” and Brantley Gilbert’s “The Weekend” also went gold.
- Today in 2017, it was a heavy metal day for Florida Georgia Line as four of their singles were certified: “H.O.L.Y.” was certified triple-platinum, while platinum honors went to “Confession,” the Tim McGraw collaboration “May We All” and the Backstreet Boys effort “God, Your Mama, And Me.”
- Today in 2017, Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus failed to appear for a hearing over their most recent divorce filing. The motion was dismissed.
- Today in 2017, Chris Stapleton welcomed a surprise guest during his show at Red Rocks Amphitheater near Denver: Retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning jumped on stage to duet on “Tennessee Whiskey.”
MARTINA MCBRIDE GETS TALENT COMPETITION JUDGING GIG
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Martina McBride is getting into the television talent contest biz. The singer has signed on to be a judge on a new reality competition series called “Second Chance Stage,” produced by Chip and Joanna Gaines on their Magnolia Network (formerly DIY Network). The show will feature singers, dancers, comedians and more showing off what they can do in front of a live audience and panel of judges. Alongside McBride, the other judges include actor Taye Diggs and “SNL” cast member Heidi Gardner. Former NFL player and sports broadcaster Emmanuel Acho will host the show. The entire series has already been filmed, and will premiere this fall.
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