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?
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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.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1964, Buck Owens’ “Together Again” took him to #1 again on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1970, Conway Twitty rose to #1 on the Billboard Country chart with “Hello Darlin.”
- Today in 1980, the Gatlin Brothers’ “Straight Ahead” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1981, “Elvira” by Oak Ridge Boys entered the Top 40 chart.
- Today in 1995, Doug Stone earned gold certification for his album, “Greatest Hits Volume I.”
- Today in 1997, the “How Do I Live” single by LeAnn Rimes was released.
- Today in 1998 George Strait’s “I Just Want To Dance With You” stepped to the top of the Billboard country singles chart
- Today in 2000, Lee Ann Womack made her debut appearance on NBC-TV’s “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” She didn’t take the “Leno” stage alone, though — when she got the request to perform her breakthrough hit, “I Hope You Dance,” she called her collaborators on the tune, the Sons of the Desert. It was the Sons’ first national TV appearance.
- Today in 2000, Trisha Yearwood became part of one of the hottest — and sexiest – shows on television. The song, “For Only You,” was released as part of the soundtrack from the smash-hit HBO series “Sex And The City.” It wasn’t the first time Trisha took part in a soundtrack project, but what’s interesting is how it happened. While Trisha was in L.A. for the Academy of Country Music awards, she got a call about possibly recording a new song. The song was actually supposed to be recorded by Natalie Cole, but the singer had vocal problems and was forced to back out at the last minute. When Trisha heard the song, she instantly loved it and was thrilled that it was part of one of her favorite shows. So, she said yes and was off to the recording studio. Trisha actually recorded the jazzy ‘40s style song the very next night.
- Today in 2000, it was announced that AOL subscribers had dubbed Lonestar’s “Amazed” as the “Top Love Song of All Time.” The single, which topped both the country and Hot 100 charts, was chosen over such classics as “Unchained Melody” (Righteous Brothers), “I Knew I Loved You” (Savage Garden), “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” (Bryan Adams) and “All My Life” (K-Ci & JoJo). Also in the Top 10 were “I Will Always Love You” (both the Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston versions), “My Heart Will Go On” (Celine Dion) and two ‘N Sync songs.
- Today in 2000, Rascal Flatts’ self-titled debut album and Ronnie Milsap’s “40 #1 Hits” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2000, Clint Black’s “Biography” debuted on the A&E network.
- Today in 2001, it was announced that Vince Gill would be the recipient of the second annual “Country Weekly” Career Achievement Award at the TNN & CMT “Country Weekly” Awards.
- Today in 2001, Travis Tritt’s home state of Georgia announced plans to honor him by renaming a three-mile section of Highway 92 “Travis Tritt Highway.”
- Today in 2003, Kenny Chesney headlined a stadium show for the first time in his career, playing to nearly 62-thousand (61,780 to be exact) in the rain at Knoxville’s Neyland Stadium. Joining him on the bill: Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban, The Warren Brothers and Deana Carter.
- Today in 2005, Toby Keith’s singles “I Love This Bar” and “Beer For My Horses,” a duet with Willie Nelson, are certified gold.
- Today in 2009, George Strait headlined the inaugural event at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with Reba McEntire and Blake Shelton. Lee Ann Womack was a last-minute replacement for Julianne Hough, who bowed out with strep throat.
- Today in 2012 Carrie Underwood wins “Video of the Year” and “Collaborative Video of the Year” at the CMT Awards.
- Today in 2013, Taylor Swift brought out surprise guests Tim McGraw and Keith Urban to play “Highway Don’t Care” at Nashville’s LP Field during the CMA Music Festival. The Zac Brown Band likewise welcomed two unannounced guests: Kenny Rogers and Kid Rock.
- Today in 2014, Jimmy C. Newman made what would ultimately be his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2014, Carrie Underwood made a surprise appearance to sing “Somethin’ Bad” with Miranda Lambert at Nashville’s LP Field during the CMA Music Festival. The stadium lineup also features Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean and Travis Tritt.
- Today in 2016, Blake Shelton’s single, “She’s Got A Way With Words,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2016, Darius Rucker raised $197,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with his seventh annual benefit at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. The bill included Scotty McCreery, Hunter Hayes, Terri Clark, Drake White and Charley Pride, who sang with Darius on “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’.”
- Today in 2017, Clay Walker held his annual Chords of Hope benefit at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville – and was joined by Bryan White and John Berry.
- Today in 2017, Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” was certified gold, platinum and double-platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2017, Tough way to rehearse: Miranda Lambert found herself stuck in an elevator on the day she was set to prep her next-day performance with the crew for the CMT Music Awards at Nashville’s Music City Center.
- Today in 2017, Montgomery Gentry played the St. Jude Jam, a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at the Memphis Cook Convention Center along with Kim Carnes, Clare Dunn and R.E.M. guitarist Mike Mills.
- Today in 2017, Earth, Wind & Fire was the centerpiece of a “CMT Crossroads” shoot in downtown Nashville. They were joined by Lady Antebellum on “September,” plus Rascal Flatts, Dan + Shay, Sara Evans, Drake White, Martina McBride and Darius Rucker, who helps out on “Shining Star.”
- Today in 2019, Miranda Lambert leads a MuttNation Mutt March, a parade on the first day of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville to encourage pet adoption. Sixty-one dogs find new homes during the festival.
- Today in 2019, Chely Wright, Lee Brice, Mickey Guyton, Daughtry and Billy Gilman guested at Ty Herndon’s Concert for Love & Acceptance, raising money for GLAAD at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.
- Today in 2020, Carly Pearce and Michael Ray performed on the Grand Ole Opry in their last public appearance before she files for divorce.
- Today in 2021, Garth Brooks is among the recipients as CBS aired”The Kennedy Center Honors.” Kelly Clarkson performed “The Dance” in his honor, James Taylor sang “The River,” Jimmie Allen offered “The Thunder Rolls” and “Friends In Low Places,” and Gladys Knight closed with “We Shall Be Free.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1980, The John Travolta movie “Urban Cowboy” premiered. It includes music by Kenny Rogers, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Anne Murray, The Eagles, The Charlie Daniels Band, Jimmy Buffet, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, and J.D. Souther.
- Today in 1981, John Denver’s “Greatest Hits, Volume II” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1992, Wynonna Judd’s debut album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1993, the legendary Conway Twitty passed away. He was 59 years old.
- Today in 1993, Toby Keith’s first single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” hit #1 on the charts.
- Today in 1995, the 29th annual Music City News Country Awards were held with Alan Jackson & Reba McEntire walking away as the night’s top winners.
- Today in 2000, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was certified for sales of 13 million. This distinction tied with Bruce Springsteen’s “Live 1975-1985” as the biggest-selling live album in history. As a bit of trivia, that certification pushed Garth’s total career sales to 5 million. As of now, his sales exceed 100 million.
- Today in 2000, George Strait got great news. His 1995 compilation, “Strait Out of the Box,” jumped to the 7-million sales level matching Led Zeppelin’s 1990 self-titled collection as the highest-certified box set released in the ’90s. Plus, George’s 1998 album, “One Step at a Time,” was certified double platinum.
- Today in 2000, Martina McBride was working overtime during her visit to the Washington, D.C. area. After turning in a stellar performance during the George Strait Country Music Festival’s stop in Landover, Maryland, Martina performed another show at the much more intimate setting of the Birchmere, a music hall located in Alexandria, Virginia. Country stars rarely perform two concerts at different places during the same day, but Martina made an exception after hearing the tragic story of a local murder. In April 2000, 8-year-old Kevin Shifflett was stabbed to death as he played outside his grandparents’ home in Alexandria. Martina’s concert raised $100,000 for a reward fund to find the young boy’s killer. Raising $100,000 for one show at the Birchmere was an impressive feat since 500 fans gladly paid $200 per ticket to see Martina’s concert.
- Today in 2000, Vince Gill’s album, “I Still Believe in You,” was certified for sales of 5-million.
- Today in 2000, Mark Chesnutt’s “Greatest Hits” album went platinum.
- Today in 2000, Mary Chapin Carpenter had plenty to celebrate, with her “Stones in the Road” reaching double platinum and her greatest hits collection, “Party Doll and Other Favorites,” going gold.
- Today in 2000, Even in the midst of an extended hiatus, the Dixie Chicks showed no signs of slowing down. Their debut album, “Wide Open Spaces,” 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. The news was certainly made sweeter for the band as their follow-up album, “Fly,” had already well over the 9-million mark and hit 10-million before summer was in full swing.
- Today in 2001, Trisha Yearwood’s album, “Inside Out,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2003, Dwight Yoakam receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Today in 2007, After kicking off their Soul2Soul concert tour, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill received the Academy of Country Music’s Career Achievement Award.
- Today in 2014, Chris Young had to cancel many tour dates due to the hand he severely cut while making dinner.
- Today in 2016, as he turned 36, Carrie Underwood gave her husband, hockey player Mike Fisher, a cannon.
- Today in 2017, the estate of Bill Monroe announced it was willing to sell rights to his name and likeness, plus tons of memorabilia, including 1,800 personal checks, some of them written to Ralph Stanley, Johnny Paycheck, and Earl Scruggs.
- Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line held the grand opening of its Nashville restaurant, FGL House.
- Today in 2017, Brooks & Dunn made a surprise appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, playing “Red Dirt Road” with Darius Rucker as Rucker raised $402,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Center. Also appearing were Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, John Oates, and Michael Ray, who teamed with Rucker on “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
- Today in 2019, Luke Combs received a quadruple-platinum single award from the RIAA for “Hurricane,” a double-platinum cert for “One Number Away” and “Houston, We Got A Problem” went gold as well.
- Today in 2020, Mitchell Tenpenny’s single, “Alcohol You Later,” went gold.
- Today in 2021, Kid Rock lashed out at fans using a homophobic slur during a performance at the FishLipz Bar & Grill in Smithville, Tennessee. The moment became a controversy when the video got posted online.
- Today in 2021, Lindsay Ell broke her right leg when she jumped off the bus in Nashville while chasing her dog at the end of a tour.
Eric Church Couldn’t Get a Gig on Broadway in Nashville Because He Wouldn’t Play Covers
Posted on by Bob Ballard
If you’re just starting out and want to make it on Broadway . . . Nashville’s Broadway, that is . . . you have to play covers. And when Eric Church moved to Nashville, he wasn’t interested in that.
He says, quote, “I couldn’t get a gig on Broadway. Nothing. I couldn’t even bartend on Broadway. They didn’t want original music. They wanted you to play whatever the songs were at the time. I didn’t really do that. I was a songwriter.”
He finally found a place called the Fiddle & Steel Guitar Bar, where he bonded with other guys who were serious about songwriting . . . including Toby Keith, who had just laid out a guy who was harassing other patrons.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1982, Alabama held their first ever June Jam in their hometown of Fort Payne, Alabama. More than 30,000 attended the charity concert near the high school, where the hometown band shares the stage with Janie Fricke, The Oak Ridge Boys, Louis Mandrell, and R.C. Bannon.
- Today in 1996, Kenny Chesney put out his “Me & You” album, Lorrie Morgan released her “Greater Need” project and Neal McCoy’s self-titled album hit the record stores.
- Today in 1998, Brooks & Dunn and Reba McEntire performed a special concert simulcast via satellite on TV screens in over 1200 Wal-Mart electronics departments nationwide. The concert was part of a benefit for Children’s Miracle Network, and over 2,300 Wal-Mart stores nationwide donated a dollar from the sale of every Brooks & Dunn and Reba album to the cause.
- Today in 1999, Tim McGraw and more than 400 fans were forced to evacuate his charity concert at the 7th House in Pontiac, Michigan, after a woman used pepper spray against a man that she claimed groped her. During the show, Tim fell to his knees mid-song, choking. Frightened audience members fled from the hall, coughing and holding shirts over their faces. On a happier note, his album, “A Place In The Sun,” had been certified gold and platinum simultaneously that same day.
- Today in 1999, the Kinleys earned their first gold album for “Just Between You and Me.”
- Today in 2002, Shannon Lawson’s debut album, “Chase The Sun,” arrived in stores. “Wheels” from Hometown News was also released.
- Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney’s “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems, goes gold and platinum.
- Today in 2003, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, George Jones, Deana Carter, Kenny Chesney, LeAnn Rimes, Martina McBride, and Sara Evans performed for CMT’s taping of its “100 Greatest Songs of Country Music” special.
- Today in 2006, a fall in her home in Tennessee caused Loretta Lynn to break her shoulder and subsequently cancel nine concerts through July.
- Today in 2011, Trace and Rhonda Adkins’ home in Brentwood, Tennessee was destroyed by a fire.
- Today in 2014, Alan Jackson played a surprise show with Lee Ann Womack in downtown Nashville.
- Today in 2015, Loretta Lynn and Jack White were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame.
- Today in 2016, Taylor Swift surprised fan Max Singer by showing up at his wedding at the Brant Beach Yacht Club in Brant Beach, New Jersey. But she didn’t just show up – she performed an acoustic version of “Blank Space” for the newlyweds and their guests.
- Today in 2017, six years after controversy knocked his song off of “Monday Night Football,” Hank Williams Jr. shot a new version of “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” in Nashville for the 2017 NFL season on ESPN.
- Today in 2018, the Brett Eldredge single, “Love Someone,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2019, Margo Price and her husband Jeremy Ivey welcomed their daughter, Ramona Lynn Ivey.
- Today in 2020, Luke Bryan ranked #45 on the “Forbes Celebrity 100” after making $45.5 million in a year. Blake Shelton came in at #70.. with an income of $ 43.5 million.
- Today in 2020, Kelly Clarkson filed for divorce from Brandon Blackstock in Los Angeles. The very messy split was finalized in March 2022.
- Today in 2021, Walker Hayes’ EP “Country Stuff” was released. On the same day, Brett Young’s album, “Weekends Look A Little Different These Days,” also went on sale.
Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde Will Host ABC’s CMA Fest Special
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Jelly Roll and Ashley McBryde will host this year’s CMA Fest special. The three-hour concert will air June 25th at 8:00 p.m. Eastern on ABC. It’ll stream the next day on Hulu.
CMA Fest takes place this Thursday through Sunday in Nashville.
It’ll include performances from Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, Hardy, and Lainey Wilson.
MORGAN WALLEN’S “THIS BAR” OPENS FOR BUSINESS
Posted on by Bob Ballard
A week after delaying the Memorial Day weekend opening of his “This Bar & Tennessee Kitchen,” the doors of Morgan Wallen‘s new Nashville establishment opened for business Saturday morning at 11am. There’s still no official word on why the week-long delay, though a source told “Billboard” that the restaurant/bar opening was pushed back as it awaited final inspections .
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