- Today in 1956, Elvis Presley recorded “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog” at the RCA Records’ New York studios. When the two songs were released as a double-sided single later that year, they hit #1 and stayed there for 11 weeks. That session also marked the first time that Elvis used the gospel trio the Jordanaires as his backup group.
- Today in 1964, Jim Reeves went into the studio for what turned out to be his last recording session. He was killed in a plane crash less than a month later (on July 31st, 1964).
- Today in 1979, the “Classics” album by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West was certified gold.
- Today in 1984, the “City Of New Orleans” album by Willie Nelson was released.
- Today in 1991, Dolly Parton’s “Eagle When She Flies” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Trisha Yearwood’s self-titled debut album was released.
- Today in 1999, Andy Griggs made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2000, George Jones’ album, “Cold Hard Truth,” was certified for sales of 28,000 copies its first week out. Those numbers were good enough for the project to debut at #5 on “Billboard’s” country album chart and #53 on the pop albums chart. Both of those positions marked George’s highest debuts ever at the time.
- Today in 2002, Travis Tritt’s sold-out concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee was preserved for posterity and recorded for a concert DVD, which was released later that year.
- Today in 2005, “Fast Cars And Freedom” has Rascal Flatts speeding to the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2009, Kellie Pickler’s single, “Best Days of Your Life,” which was co-written by Taylor Swift, was certified gold.
- Today in 2012, James Taylor welcomed an unannounced guest, Taylor Swift, during his concert at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. He provides musical support as she performs “Ours” and “Love Story.”
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GARTH BROOKS SURPRISE-DROPS “777 JACKPOT” BOX SET
Posted on by Bob Ballard
If you needed a reason to travel to Las Vegas, Garth Brooks has one for you. The legend is commemorating the final year of his “Garth Brooks/Plus One Caesars Palace Las Vegas” residency with a new box set. “Garth Brooks 777 Jackpot” contains 77 songs on seven CDs with a custom 88-page book full of photos from his time in Vegas. The set features four CDs of Brooks performing hit influential songs with a fifth disc called “Live Covers.” The sixth disc is simply called “Garth,” featuring 18 of his biggest hits with the final entitled “Together” containing duets. If Vegas isn’t possible, fans can also order via Ticketmaster’s website for $40. The box set is available throughout Caesars properties in Las Vegas – but it’s unknown when they’ll start shipping.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1972, Alabama gave their first paid performance at Canyonland Park, Alabama. At the time, they were known as Wild Country.
- Today in 1981, the “Angel Of The Morning” single by Juice Newton was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, Hank Williams Jr. married Mary Jane Thomas, a former Hawaiian Tropic model, in Montana. They’re still together.
- Today in 1994, Mary Chapin Carpenter hit #1 with the single, “I Take My Chances.”
- Today in 1996, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that John Denver must stand trial for a 1994 drunk driving accident near Aspen. He had allegedly run his car into a tree.
- Today in 1997, the album, “Carryin’ Your Love With Me,” by George Strait was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1998, Martina McBride joined the Lilith Fair lineup in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the first contemporary country artist to guest on the popular festival’s female-dominated bill.
- Today in 1999, Shania Twain played the final date of her highly successful world tour in her hometown of Timmins, Ontario. It had also served as the starting point for the tour more than a year earlier.
- Today in 1999, Tim McGraw kicked off his “A Place in the Sun” tour in Reno, Nevada. His opening acts were the Dixie Chicks and the Warren Brothers.
- Today in 2009, the Zac Brown Band’s “Toes” single was released.
- Today in 2010, A 17-mile stretch of Mississippi Highway 23 was designated by governor Haley Barbour as the ‘Tammy Wynette Memorial Highway.’
- Today in 2011, Rascal Flatt’s “Easy” video featuring Natasha Bedingfield aired on CMT for the first time.
- Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s album “Here’s To The Good Times” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2015, John Schneider and Tom Wopat disappeared from the TV Land schedule as the network pulled “The Dukes Of Hazzard” in the midst of controversy over the Confederate flag. A June bombing of a black church fired up a national debate over the racist meanings in the flag. Its logo appeared on the “Dukes” car, the General Lee.
- Today in 2015, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard married Hayley Stommel at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley, Idaho. Bandmate Brian Kelley served as the best man, and songwriter Sarah Buxton performed the John Legend song “All Of Me.” Also in attendance were Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, Charles Kelley and Canaan Smith.
- Today in 2017, Lady Antebellum’s “Heart Break” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” country albums chart.
- Today in 2017, Montgomery Gentry performed “Where I Come From” on the Grand Ole Opry. It served as the last Opry appearance by Troy Gentry, who died in a helicopter accident the following September.
- Today in 2017, Carl Perkins and “Summertime Blues” songwriter Eddie Cochran were inducted in the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tennessee.
- Today in 2017, Luke Bryan used social media to introduce the family’s new dog, Choc.
- Today in 2018, Brothers Osborne revealed they had purchased a Nashville home for their mother.
- Today in 2019, the Du Quoin State Fair in Illinois revealed it had cancelled a planned August appearance by Confederate Railroad. The band’s name, in conjunction with its use of the Confederate flag in branding, was deemed “inappropriate.”
- Today in 2019, Carrie Underwood occupied the cover as People magazine features “100 Reasons To Love America.” The list also hailed Beyonce, “Sesame Street,” Michelle Obama, the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade and Kacey Musgraves and the women of modern country, including Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris.
Jelly Roll Adds New Dates and Openers to His 2024 Tour
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Jelly Roll’s Beautifully Broken Tour is set to kick off August 27th in Salt Lake City with openers Warren Zeiders and Alexandra Kay.
There were previously 37 shows with these openers, but now they’ve added a 38th show on October 16th, in Springfield, Missouri.
And that is NOT ALL. The tour was originally supposed to wrap up on October 27th. But they must’ve figured that this tour is gonna be a gold-mine so they added another 14 shows after that. This time with a new supporting cast.
Starting on October 30th, in Charlottesville, Virginia . . . Jelly Roll will bring Ernest, Shaboozey, and Allie Colleen out for the last 14 shows.
If you don’t recognize Allie Colleen, her full name is Allie Colleen BROOKS. Because she’s Garth’s youngest daughter from his first marriage.
The addition of these shows with Ernest, Shaboozey, and Allie extends his tour all the way through November 23rd, ending in Jacksonville, Florida.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1975, “Long Haired Country Boy” by Charlie Daniels Band peaked on the pop singles chart.
- Today in 1979, the Charlie Daniels Band’s “Million Mile Reflection” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Alan Jackson’s single, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” was #1 on the country charts.
- Today in 1994, Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take The Girl” single was certified gold.
- Today in 1994, Reba McEntire’s “Read My Mind” album was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s album, “Who I Am,” was released.
- Today in 1996, Alan Jackson topped the country singles charts with “Home.”
- Today in 1997, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill were enjoying their 3rd week at #1 with “It’s Your Love.”
- Today in 1998, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire topped the charts with “If You See Her/If You See Him.”
- Today in 2000, rumors became fact as it was revealed by Reba McEntire’s camp that she was officially in negotiations to play Annie Oakley in the Broadway revival of “Annie Get Your Gun.”
- Today in 2000, Lee Ann Womack was celebrating her single, “I Hope You Dance,” topping all three country charts.
- Today in 2000, Amanda Wilkinson graduated from high school.
- Today in 2001, SHeDAISY’s Kristyn Osborn filed a lawsuit against a New York karaoke-music manufacturer for copyright infringement and misappropriation of her name and likeness. The suit, which was filed in the United States District Court, dealt with the karaoke company reprinting the lyrics to SHeDAISY’s hit, “I Will… But,” without properly licensing them. Kristyn, who was acting as a songwriter and not as part of the group, said she was going after the karaoke industry on behalf of all songwriters.
- Today in 2003, Joe Don Rooney had the first bare backside displayed on CMT, as Rascal Flatts’ “I Melt” Video debued on “Most Wanted Live.”
- Today in 2005, George Strait’s “Somewhere Down In Texas” album was released.
- Today in 2007, Brad Paisley’s “Online” video, featuring appearances by Taylor Swift and Kellie Pickler, debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2010, “Hillbilly Bone,” Blake Shelton’s collaboration with Trace Adkins, went gold.
- Today in 2014, Randy Houser’s “Like A Cowboy” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2016, Gretchen Wilson put her Paradise, Tennessee, home up for sale. The asking price for the 9,000-square-foot residence is $1.7-million. Wanna see it? CLICK HERE.
- Today in 2016, Scotty McCreery was present in a Raleigh, North Carolina, courtroom as a 21-year-old who robbed him at gunpoint in 2014 is sentenced to 17-years in prison.
- Today in 2017, “Architectural Digest” reported Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and his wife, Cassie, sold their 6,700-square-foot Nashville home for $2.91-million.
- Today in 2017, Michael Ray’s single, “Get To You,” hit the airwaves.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PETS OF THE WEEK: “SISSY & INDY”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pets of the Week are “Sissy & Indy”. Sissy is a beautiful one-year old Domestic Shorthair Mix kitty. Sissy is a loving kitty who came in with another cat who she bonded with, so Sissy will need to be adopted with her 3 year old friend, Indy who is also an affectionate and sweet kitty. Both don’t seem to mind other cats or dogs and they would make great additions to any cat-loving family!
Sissy and Indy are fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home, and the fee to adopt them both is only $50 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Sissy & Indy 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 Sissy & Indy with Shanna & Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
GEORGE STRAIT, KEITH URBAN AMONG 2025 HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME HONOREES
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The names of the recording artists set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2025 have been revealed, with two of the all-time great country artists among the honorees. George Strait and Keith Urban will be representing the country genre, to be honored alongside music luminaries Fantasia, Depeche Mode, Los Bukis, The B-52s, Green Day, The Isley Brothers, Busta Rhymes, War and Prince (posthumously). Dates have not been scheduled for these star ceremonies; recipients have two years to schedule star ceremonies from the date of selection before they expire.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1949, a classic version of “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” was recorded by Gene Autry, who didn’t like when he first heard it. As it turned out though, America couldn’t get enough of his rendition of the tune. The Christmas classic remains treasure to this day.
- Today in 1993, a third Garth Brooks concert was added in Dallas after the first two shows sold out. Tickets to that show also sold out, in less than two hours.
- Today in 1993, Hollywood and Nashville combined as it was revealed that Julia Roberts had married Lyle Lovett in a hush-hush ceremony two days earlier. The fairytale was not destined for a happy ending though, the couple divorced less than two years later.
- Today in 1995, Lorrie Morgan’s “Greatest Hits” album was released.
- Today in 1996, as the Olympic flame made its way to Atlanta for the Summer Games, it was carried through Nashville by Billy Ray Cyrus.
- Today in 1998, tickets for the first of a series of six Garth Brooks shows in Seattle went on sale. The show sold out in 11 minutes.
- Today in 2000, it was announced that Lonestar’s Dean Sams and his wife, Kim, were expecting their second child. On December 17th, the Sams family welcomed their newest addition, Bryson Dean Sams.
- Today in 2001, Tracy Lawrence and his wife, Becca, welcomed their first child, Skylar JoAnn Lawrence.
- Today in 2005, Ralph Stanley underwent a triple bypass operation in Virginia.
- Today in 2011, Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2012, Miranda Lambert shot the video for “Fastest Girl In Town” in Dickson County, Tennessee, with NASCAR driver Danica Patrick.
- Today in 2015, Brantley Gilbert and Lynyrd Skynyrd shared the stage as a new edition of “CMT Crossroads” premieres. Performances included “Kick It In The Sticks,” “Bottoms Up,” “One Hell Of An Amen” and “Sweet Home Alabama.”
- Today in 2016, Lauren Alaina’s single, “Road Less Traveled,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Mark Chesnutt Hot Sauce was officially announced.
- Today in 2019, Blake Shelton received a gold single from the RIAA for “God’s Country.”
ASHLEY COOKE ANNOUNCES “YOUR PLACE” TOUR
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Fresh off her debut single hitting the top of the country charts, Ashley Cooke has announced her first headlining tour. The “Your Place” tour kicks off October 23rd in Seattle, with general sale for the tour starting Friday. The trek will cover 17 cities before wrapping early next year in New York City’s Gramercy Theater. “Is it October yet? I can’t WAIT for this tour celebrating ‘Your Place’ and all that’s happened since my first tour!” said Cooke in a statement. “The ‘Shot in the Dark Tour’ holds some of my all-time favorite memories so of course, my band and I can’t wait to get out there and make some more. This new set will have a lot of fun surprises arrangement-wise and also a few sneak peeks at brand-new unreleased music. Counting down the days!” Greylan James will open all dates.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1970, Ray Stevens’ “Everything Is Beautiful” single was certified gold.
- Today in 1976, The Oak Ridge Boys first appeared on the country charts.
- Today in 1977, Elvis Presley gave his final concert in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Today in 1979, Elvis’ father, Vernon, died of a heart attack in Tupelo, Mississippi at the age of 63.
- Today in 1981, “The Originals” album by Statler Brothers was certified gold.
- Today in 1984, George Strait records “The Cowboy Rides Away” in a late-night session at the Sound Stage in Nashville
- Today in 1989, Alan Jackson signed with Arista Records.
- Today in 1992, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Come On, Come On” album was released.
- Today in 1992, the chart-topping single, “I Still Believe In You,” by Vince Gill first debuted on the charts.
- Today in 1994, Garth Brooks was among the musicians honored for their charity work by VH-1 with an hour-long TV special.
- Today in 2000, it was revealed that Randy Travis and his wife, Elizabeth, were selling their Ashland City, Tennessee residence named Dogwood Farms. The 100-year-old, 8,800-sq-ft. log house, which featured a gym and southwestern-style adobe fireplace, was put on the market for $1.875 million.
- Today in 2002, Lonestar’s album, “I’m Already There,” the “Mountain Soul” project from Patty Loveless and Lila McCann’s album, “Complete,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2003, Reba McEntire received a very special honor in Nashville – Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB), presenters of the annual Country Radio Seminar (CRS), honored Reba with the Country Radio Broadcasters Career Achievement Award as part of their annual Country Music DJ Hall of Fame Ceremonies. Following the presentation, Reba will become a member of a very special class of people – as she was only the sixth country artist to receive the award. The others were Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, Sonny James, Loretta Lynn and Buck Owens.
- Today in 2009, Josh and Jennifer Turner welcomed their son, Colby Lynch Turner.
- Today in 2012, Carrie Underwood made her Australian concert debut with a show at the Palais Theatre in Melbourne.
- Today in 2013, Kenny Rogers made his African concert debut by playing for 70,000 people in Morocco. His performances include “Love Or Something Like It,” “Lady” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town.”
- Today in 2014, Zac Brown made a surprise appearance during a Billy Joel concert at Boston’s Fenway Park, joining in on “You May Be Right.”
- Today in 2015, Garth Brooks was on hand for the grand opening of an expanded Child Life Zone at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
- Today in 2016, Kenny Chesney called a Philadelphia police officer to apologize for the prior night. A well-meaning Chesney had given a shout-out to the cop, who was shot seven times, during his concert at Lincoln Financial Field…and said the officer was dead. The officer obviously lives.
- Today in 2017, Brett Young’s single, “Like I Loved You,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2018, A Thousand Horses was burning with pride as their single, “Smoke,” went platinum.
- Today in 2019, The Rascal Flatts single “What Hurts The Most” is certified six-times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- Today in 2020, Kelly Clarkson won Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host for her work on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” during the 47th annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
- Today in 2020, Tractor Supply Company announced the new On The Farm line of pet food in conjunction with Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation.
- Today in 2021, Alan Jackson played a benefit concert at the Coweta County Fairgrounds in Newnan, Georgia, for survivors of a March 26th tornado that destroyed 70 homes in the area. Support acts include Chris Young, Caylee Hammack and Adam Wright.
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