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This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1980, as a result of a television report on ABC-TV’s “20/20,” the official case surrounding the 1977 death of Elvis Presley was reopened.
  • Today in 1986, Eddie Rabbitt and Juice Newton’s single, “Both To Each Other (Friends & Lovers),” went to #1 in “Radio & Records.”
  • Today in 1990, Alan Jackson’s “Here In The Real World” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, the album, ‘If There Was A Way,” by Dwight Yoakam was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, George Strait’s “Greatest Hits” album certified double platinum.
  • Today in 1994, on his birthday, George Jones underwent triple bypass surgery at Nashville’s Baptist Hospital.
  • Today in 1995, George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, the “Greatest Hits – From The Beginning” album by Travis Tritt was released
  • Today in 1995, George Jones’ “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, the “Strait Out Of The Box” album by George Strait was released.
  • Today in 1998, a concert by Shania Twain was televised live on DirecTV, in what the direct broadcast satellite service claimed is the first such TV event for the country star.
  • Today in 1998, Vince Gill made his 100th appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1999, a sold-out crowd of 23,000 people listened to Willie Nelson, Deana Carter, Sawyer Brown, Trisha Yearwood, John Mellencamp and other performers at Farm Aid ’99. The all-day event, the latest in a series of fund-raisers for farmers that started in 1985, came at a time when many East Coast growers were facing a severe drought. Since it began, Farm Aid has given $14.5 million to more than 100 farm organizations, churches and service groups in 44 states.
  • Today in 2002, the rumors were official – the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Home,” was certified platinum. Now, official Soundscan figures have confirmed it. In its second week of release, the project sold 367,000 copies (following record setting first-week sales of 779,828). It was enough to keep them on top of the Billboard 200 charts and the “Billboard” Top Country Albums chart for another week.
  • Today in 2002, George Strait launched his “Road Less Traveled” tour in Detroit Jo Dee Messina as his opening act. It was George’s first arena tour in five years. He been headlining his George Strait Country Music Festival at stadiums from 1999 to 2001.
  • Today in 2003, the famed “The Man in Black” Johnny Cash, who became a towering figure in American music with such hits as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line” and “A Boy Named Sue,” died at the age of 71. In a statement issued by Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Cash’s longtime manager and friend, Lou Robin, said, “Johnny died due to complications from diabetes, which resulted in respiratory failure.” He noted that Cash died at the hospital at 1 am ET and added, “I hope that friends and fans of Johnny will pray for the Cash family to find comfort during this very difficult time.” The stunning news came as Cash had been released from the hospital the previous Wednesday after a two-week stay for treatment of an unspecified stomach ailment. Some reports circulated that he had been suffering from pancreatitis. The illness caused him to miss the MTV Music awards, where he had been nominated in seven categories and won the trophy for Best Cinematography. In his later years, Cash had battled a disease of the nervous system, autonomic neuropathy, and pneumonia. His beloved wife, June, had passed four months earlier.
  • Today in 2003, the “Man In Black” – aka Johnny Cash – passed away. He joined his beloved wife, June Carter Cash, who had died the previous May. Among his accolades, Cash was a member of both the Country Music and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame.
  • Today in 2007, Brad Paisley scored a gold album for “5th“
  • Today in 2008, Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2014, Garth Brooks took batting practice with the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. The night’s baseball game is rained out.
  • Today in 2014, The Band Perry’s single, “Postcard From Paris,” went gold.
  • Today in 2016, Jana Kramer took the stage as a contestant for “Dancing With The Stars.” Julianne Hough returns as a judge. Other competitors include Vanilla Ice, Maureen McCormick, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and former Texas governor Rick Perry, who danced a cha cha to “God Blessed Texas.”
  • Today in 2017, Kane Brown, who was formerly homeless, participated in a congressional briefing on the rental housing crisis in Washington, DC.
  • Today in 2017, George Strait headlined a Hurricane Harvey benefit concert at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio – he was joined on the bill by Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. It became part of the multi-network special, “Hand In Hand: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief.” Blake Shelton and Usher performed “Stand By Me” were from the Grand Ole Opry …as were Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Demi Lovato and CeCe Winans, who offered up, “A Little Help From My Friends.”

BROOKS & DUNN ANNOUNCE TOUR PLANS FOR 2025

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Brooks & Dunn are pretty busy for a duo that retired several years back. The legendary pair have announced their touring plans for 2025. Their “Neon Moon” tour will feature David Lee Murphy as the opening act, and will kick off March 13 in Lubbock, Texas. The first leg of the tour will consist of 12 dates that will wind up in Louisville, Kentucky on April 26, with more dates to be announced.

The duo will perform April 24th, 2025 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1978, the Statler Brothers’ “Christmas Card” album was released.
  • Today in 1982, Jerry Reed hit the mother lode on Billboard’s country chart, going to #1 with “She Got The Goldmine (I Got The Shaft).”
  • Today in 1984, Barbara Mandrell and two of her children were seriously injured in a car crash that killed the other driver. She spent a long time recuperating and firmly believed that seat belts saved their lives.
  • Today in 1989, the albums, “Anniversary – Ten Years Of Hits,” by George Jones and “Greatest Hits Volume II,” by Johnny Paycheck were both certified gold.
  • Today in 1990, Randy Travis’ “Heroes And Friends” album and the Judds’ “Love Can Build A Bridge” album were released.
  • Today in 1993, Merle Haggard married Theresa Ann Lane.
  • Today in 1996, Clay Walker’s album, “Hypnotize The Moon,” and Collin Raye’s album, “I Think About You,” were both certified platinum.
  • Today in 1997, Trisha Yearwood and Garth Brooks performed their single, “In Another’s Eyes” on NBC-TV’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” After the performance, Trisha was presented with a platinum album for her album, “Songbook: A Collection of Hits.” It had sold 1.4-million copies in just 4 days.
  • Today in 1997, Ricochet’s Eddie Kilgallon and his wife, Terry, welcomed their first child, Landon James.
  • Today in 1999, Chely Wright went to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Single White Female,” a song written by Carolyn Dawn Johnson.
  • Today in 2002, “Family Circle” magazine honored Reba McEntire with its “Women Who Make A Difference” Lifetime Achievement Award. As part of the tribute, she was profiled in the magazine’s October 8th
  • Today in 2002, Faith Hill’s album, “It Matters to Me,” was certified quadruple platinum.
  • Today in 2001, a terrorist attack leveled both towers at the World Trade Center in New York, smashed into the Pentagon and a Pennsylvania field. In Manhattan during the chaos, though they are unhurt: Garth Brooks, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash and Billy Gilman.
  • Today in 2002, as the nation paused to reflect on the first anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, several country stars turned in appearances and performances around the country. Lonestar, Martina McBride and Phil Vassar were in Nashville to participate in a candlelight vigil. Alan Jackson and Reba McEntire appeared on NBC’s “Concert for America,” which was taped two days earlier at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Charlie Daniels offered a performance of “The Last Fallen Hero” on the Fox News Channel. Neal McCoy was at the Kansas City Royals/ Chicago White Sox game to sing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch.
  • Today in 2004, Terri Clark made an appearance at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Girls Lie Too.”
  • Today in 2008, Clay Walker’s family was among thousands of people who vacated Galveston, Texas, before the onslaught of Hurricane Ike.
  • Today in 2009, Kellie Pickler’s video for “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You” debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2012, Little Big Town’s album, “Tornado,” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2016, Carrie Underwood’s new “Sunday Night Football” theme – “Oh, Sunday Night,” using the melody of “Somethin’ Bad” – debuts on NBC prior to an NFL game between the New England Patriots and the Arizona Cardinals.
  • Today in 2017, six years after he was excised from “Monday Night Football” telecasts, a new version of Hank Williams Jr.’s “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” theme song, featuring Florida Georgia Line and Jason Derulo, returned to ESPN.
  • Today in 2017, John Carter Cash and Ana Cristina Cash welcomed daughter, Grace June Cash, in Nashville.
  • Today in 2017, Kenny Chesney launched his Love For Love City charity, a fund to assist the Virgin Islands following the devastation of Hurricane Irma.
  • Today in 2018, The Zac Brown Band teamed with pop singer Shawn Mendes to shoot an episode of “CMT Crossroads” at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. ZBB songs in the mix included “Keep Me In Mind,” “Homegrown” and “Colder Weather.”
  • Today in 2018, Carrie Underwood’s “Love Wins” hit the airwaves.

Carrie Underwood Initially Turned Down the “Sunday Night Football” Gig

Posted on by Bob Ballard

“Sunday Night Football” began in 2006, and Pink was the performer of the theme song in their debut season.  But she only lasted one year before being replaced by Faith Hill for the next five years.

And after that, it was Carrie Underwood, who just kicked off her 12th straight season performing “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night”.  But did you know that producers wanted Carrie to be the star from the very get-go?

Fred Gaudelli, who is the executive producer of NBC’s NFL coverage, said that when “Sunday Night Football” initially started out, they wanted Carrie for the job.  But she was fresh off her win on “American Idol” and was overwhelmed with commitments.

In fact, he even said that when they first reached out, she, “wasn’t really interested.”  But when Faith stepped down, NBC approached Carrie again, and the rest is history.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1983, unknown singer/songwriter Kix Brooks debuted on the country charts with the song “Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down.” The song was a failure – it only reached #73. Eight years later, Kix was #1 with his new partner Ronnie Dunn, and their first single, “Brand New Man.”
  • Today in 1982, the “Highways & Heartaches” album by Ricky Skaggs was released.
  • Today in 1988, the first Elvis Presley credit card was issued.
  • Today in 1991, the Judds’ “Greatest Hits Volume 2” album was released.
  • Today in 1998, Mac Davis received the 2117th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 1998, the albums “Crank It Up – The Music Album” by Jeff Foxworthy and “The Restless Kind” by Travis Tritt, were certified platinum. On the same day, Faith Hill’s album, “It Matters To Me,” was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks confirmed that they’d perform during Sheryl Crow’s concert in New York’s Central Park on September 14th.
  • Today in 1999, Kenny Chesney‘s single, “You Had Me From Hello,” was #1 in “Radio & Records.”
  • Today in 2000, SHeDAISY performed at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament at the USGA Tennis Center in New York City. The girls sang an acapella version of “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic” for the 22,000 capacity crowd between the men’s and women’s semi-finals.
  • Today in 2001, Kenny Chesney was dubbed “Country’s Hottest Bachelor” in “Country Weekly” magazine.
  • Today in 2001, Chris Cagle married Elizabeth Filer. The couple divorced a year later.
  • Today in 2001, Carolyn Dawn Johnson walked into the Canadian Country Music Awards with a record 10 nominations and emerged with five trophies.
  • Today in 2002, Radney Foster’s “Another Way To Go” album, Rebecca Lynn Howard’s “Forgive” CD and Aaron Tippin’s “Stars & Stripes” project arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2005, the MTV stations aired “ReACT Now: Music & Relief,” a Hurricane Katrina benefit with Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland and more.
  • Today in 2010, The Zac Brown Band’s video for “As She’s Walking Away” featuring Alan Jackson premiered on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift topped the list of finalists for the 47th annual Country Music Association awards list with six nominations apiece.
  • Today in 2016, Bacon artist Nancy Baker unveiled a bust of Chris Stapleton, made completely of bacon strips, at the annual LouFest in St. Louis. See it HERE.
  • Today in 2016, Blake Shelton brought out Gwen Stefani at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena for the second night in a row to duet on “Go Ahead And Break My Heart.” On top of that, Shelton donated $600,000 – the proceeds from both nights – to the Jimmy Everest Children’s Hospital.
  • Today in 2017, a dapper Thomas Rhett served as a judge during the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. Miss Louisiana offered up a ventriloquist version of “I Wanna Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” and Miss Alabama sings “Over The Rainbow.” Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” also played as background music during the broadcast.
  • Today in 2017, Jessie James Decker performed the national anthem and Hunter Hayes played the halftime show as the Tennessee Titans opened their NFL season with a 26-16 loss against the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
  • Today in 2017, following a moment of silence for victims of Hurricane Harvey, Clay Walker sang the national anthem at Houston’s NRG Stadium. The Eli Young Band also performed at halftime as the Jacksonville Jaguars took the Texans, 29-7, during the opening weekend of the NFL season.

KANE BROWN TO BE HONORED AT 2024 PEOPLE’S COUNTRY CHOICE AWARDS

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This year’s People’s Choice Country Awards are going to be big for Kane Brown. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter has been chosen to receive the 2024 Country Champion Award on Thursday, September 26th on NBC. Brown is nown for his community work and received the Boys & Girls Club’s Champion of Youth Award in 2022. He’s not the only one getting special recognition this year; Miranda Lambert will receive the Country Icon Award. Other performers and presenters have yet to be announced, other than host Shania Twain.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He sang four songs, including “Love Me Tender” and “Don’t Be Cruel,” shot only from the waist up (because of his naughty hip movements). Charles Laughton was hosting in place of Sullivan, who was recuperating from an auto accident.
  • Today in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis took “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Going On” to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 1968, Buck Owens performed for president Lyndon Johnson at the White House. His set list includes “Act Naturally,” “Together Again,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Orange Blossom Special” and “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail.”
  • Today in 1989, the single, “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” by Garth Brooks made its country chart debut on its way to #1.
  • Today in 1989, the late Keith Whitley was at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “I Wonder Do You Think Of Me.” Keith had passed the previous May.
  • Today in 1991, Tracy Byrd married his wife, Michelle.
  • Today in 1996, Bill Monroe died at the Northcrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tennessee, five months after suffering a stroke. Acknowledged as the “Father of Bluegrass,” he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 and entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.
  • Today in 2001, the second season of Billy Ray Cyrus’ PAX television series, “Doc.”
  • Today in 2002, Alan Jackson performed in Washington, D.C. as the nation’s capital began its remembrance of the September/2001 terrorist attacks. His performance at The Pentagon aired live on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Later that evening, he performed as part of the “Concert for America” at the Kennedy Center. That show, which also featured Reba McEntire, was taped for broadcast two days later (on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks).
  • Today in 2004, Willie Nelson performs a concert in Plains, Georgia, for an upcoming TV special, “CMT Homecoming: Jimmy Carter In Plains.”
  • Today in 2007, Joe Nichols married Heather Singleton at Whitfield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Today in 2011, Lady A’s “We Owned The Night” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s duet, “We Were Us,” was released.
  • Today in 2016, Glen Campbell tributes bookend the CBS special, “The ACM Honors.” Hosts Lady A opened with “Galveston.” The close had Blake Shelton singing “Southern Nights,” Dierks Bentley’s “Gentle On My Mind,” Keith Urban’s “Wichita Lineman,” Toby Keith’s “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and all four on “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

BLAKE SHELTON ANNOUNCES ‘FRIENDS & HEROES’ TOUR

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Blake Shelton’s hitting the road again. The superstar has announced the Friends & Heroes Tour 2025,” which will kick off in Lexington, Kentucky on February 27th and finish at State College, Pennsylvania on March 22nd. As usual, the newest edition of the Friends & Heroes tour will feature an impressive list of country music legends taking the stage and performing some of their biggest hits. Tickets will be available through an exclusive fan presale on Tuesday, with general sales beginning Friday, September 13th at 10 am local time.

Here are some of the dates for Blake Shelton’s Friends & Heroes 2025 Tour…you can see the full list at Blake’s official website by clicking here.

Feb 27 – Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena
Feb 28 – Knoxville, TN @ Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Mar 1 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
Mar 20 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Mar 21 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Mar 22 – State College, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1975, “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell peaked at #1 on the pop singles chart – two weeks after it topped the country charts.
  • Today in 1980, Johnny Lee’s “Looking For Love” which was featured in the movie, “Urban Cowboy,” reached #1 on the country charts.
  • Today in 1985, Willie Nelson’s “Half Nelson” album was released.
  • Today in 1991, Mark Chesnutt hit #1 with the single, “Your Love Is A Miracle.”
  • Today in 1994, Tim McGraw’s “Not A Moment Too Soon” album was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 2001, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that they planned to present the Golden Note Award to Garth Brooks on September 11th at an invitation-only reception and dinner on Capitol Hill. The event, which was set to be attended by members of Congress, was postponed “indefinitely” following the terrorist attacks earlier that day. Garth finally received his award on March 12th this year.
  • Today in 2001, Tim McGraw was tapped for “People” magazine’s annual “Best Dressed” list.
  • Today in 2001, the Gospel Music Association has announced plans to induct Elvis Presley into its Hall of Fame on November 27th during ceremonies at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Elvis Presley may be best known as the “king of rock ‘n’ roll,” but gospel is the music he loved first and best. With the honor, Elvis, who died in 1977 at the age of 42, became the first Hall of Famer in three genres – country, rock and gospel.
  • Today in 2011, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton notch five nominations apiece to lead the field as the finalists are announced for the 45th annual Country Music Association awards.
  • Today in 2012, Vince Gill received a star at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wife Amy Grant and longtime pal Reba McEntire delivered induction speeches.

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

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Delphinium”, a 2 year old Domestic Shorthair/Mix kitty. Delphinium is a sweet gal who gets along great with other cats and doesn’t seem to mind dogs. Delphinium loves affection and would make a great lap-cat. Delphinium is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home. And this month, Delphinium and all adoptable adult cats are only $10!

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

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