- Today in 1949, an eighth grader named Elvis Presley got his report card – he scored an “A” in language, but only a “C” in music.
- Today in 1972, Donna Fargo topped the country music charts with her single, “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA.”
- Today in 1982, the album, “Strait From The Heart,” by George Strait was released.
- Today in 1989, Reba McEntire married her road manager, Narvel Blackstock, in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. He had previously been her steel guitar player. Reba joked that after she’d promoted him to road manager, she demoted him to husband. The couple has one child, Shelby Stephen.
- Today in 1989, Steve Wariner’s single, “Where Did I Go Wrong,” was #1 on the country charts.
- Today in 1990, Mark Chesnutt filmed his first video, “Too Cold At Home.”
- Today in 1991, Willie Nelson released the album, “Who’ll Buy My Memories: The IRS Tapes.” Sales of the album helped pay off the $ 16 million he owed the federal government in back taxes.
- Today in 1997, Tim McGraw released “Everywhere,” Pam Tillis released her “Greatest Hits” collection, and Sons of the Desert released their debut CD, “Whatever Comes First.”
- Today in 2000, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney were arrested in Buffalo, New York, after Kenny rode off on a mounted police officer’s horse and Tim allegedly attacked sheriff’s deputies who attempted to stop him. The pair was acquitted on all charges related to the skirmish the following May.
- Today in 2006, Dierks Bentley’s “Settle For A Slowdown” settled in at the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2009, George Strait’s “Troubadour” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 2011, Kenny Chesney’s “You And Tequila” video, featuring Grace Potter, debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Miranda Lambert’s album, “Platinum,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Maren Morris’ album, “Hero,” was released.
- Today in 2019, Old Dominion’s single, “One Man Band,” was released.
- Today in 2020, Miranda Lambert scored a platinum single from the RIAA for “Little Red Wagon,” and picked up a double-platinum single for “Somethin’ Bad,” her duet with Carrie Underwood.
- Today in 2020, Vince Gill’s wife, Amy Grant, had successful open-heart surgery to correct a congenital condition – she’s made a full recovery.
- Today in 2020, Kane Brown’s “Worldwide Beautiful” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2020, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Tim McGraw, and Lady Antebellum appeared on “CMT Celebrates Our Heroes: An Artists Of The Year Special,” which honors people who are instrumental in battling a pandemic. Also aboard were Darius Rucker, Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett, and Kane Brown, who closed with “Stand By Me.”
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CARLY PEARCE REVEALS MEDICAL CONDITION ON INSTAGRAM
Posted on by Bob Ballard
“Hey y’all, I have always been transparent and honest about every part of my life…” Carly Pearce began in a message to fans on Instagram. “You guys know that I have been dealing with some health issues. Through that, I’ve developed something called Pericarditis, which is a heart issue,” she revealed. “I’ve been working with doctors and talking to my cardiologist, and I still want to be out on the road, it’s really important to me, but we have all decided that it is in my best interest as I’m healing to alter my shows a little bit, so, if my shows look a little bit different, just know it’s because I have to keep my heart rate under control right now.” She ended by urging fans to “listen to (their) bodies” and take care of themselves.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1973, Tanya Tucker’s “What’s Your Mama’s Name?” album was released.
- Today in 1984, Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias’ duet, “To All The Girls
- I’ve Loved Before,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1986, “Whoever’s In New England” took Reba McEntire to #1 on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1985, Hank Williams Jr.’s “Rowdy” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1988, Keith Whitley’s “Don’t Close Your Eyes” album and the “Alabama Live” album were released.
- Today in 1991, Joe Diffie topped the charts with “If The Devil Danced in
- Empty Pockets.”
- Today in 1991, Randy Travis married his manager, Lib Hatcher, in Maui, Hawaii.
- Today in 1991, Tracy Lawrence left a Nashville studio in the early morning hours to celebrate finishing recording his first album, “Sticks and Stones.” A few hours later, he and a female friend were robbed at gunpoint — Tracy was shot four times.
- Today in 1995, Shania Twain received her first gold album for “The Woman In Me.” The album went on to become the biggest selling album of all time by a female country artist, before being surpassed by her follow-up “Come On Over.”
- Today in 1997, a very nervous Lee Ann Womack made her Grand Ole Opry debut. She was so nervous that she barely moved from center stage during her performance. Of her big night jitters, Lee Ann later said, quote, “If I had moved, I would’ve peed in my pants.”
- Today in 2000, after months of speculation, it was finally announced that Faith Hill and Tim McGraw would tour together. The couple’s “Soul 2 Soul” tour went on to become one of the year’s highest grossing tours.
- Today in 2006, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook were married in Nashville. Bandmates Kimberly Roads (now Schlapman) and Phillip Sweet are among the witnesses.
- Today in 2008, Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney and Tiffany Fallon welcomed their son, Jagger Donovan Rooney.
- Today in 2012, Kelly Clarkson and Brandon Blackstock made their public debut as a couple, attending a party for Blackstock’s management client, Blake Shelton, in Nashville.
- Today in 2013, Cassadee Pope begins her first major concert tour as an opening act for Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry at Jones Beach, New York.
- Today in 2016, Dustin Lynch announced the launch of his Stay Country clothing line.
- Today in 2016, Kiefer Sutherland made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, where he covers Merle Haggard’s “The Bottle Let Me Down.”
- Today in 2017, Chris Stapleton postponed nine concert dates and cancels a CMA Music Festival appearance. A day later, he announced he broke his right index finger, limiting his ability to play guitar.
- Today in 2017, Kelsea Ballerini provided the voice of a toucan in an episode of the animated Nickelodeon series “Blaze And The Monster Machines.” The same day? She scored a gold single from the RIAA for her song, “Yeah Boy.”
- Today in 2019, Luke Combs performed “Lovin’ On You” in concert for the first time during a show at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: GEORGIA
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Georgia”, a beautiful 2 year old Domestic Shorthair/Mix kitty who is full of affection with a calm disposition. Georgia is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home. And because Georgia is the Pet of the Week, the adoption fee for Georgia is only $30 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Georgia 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 Georgia with Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
“ROLLING STONE” HAS PUT OUT THEIR “200 GREATEST COUNTRY SONGS OF ALL TIME” LIST
Posted on by Bob Ballard
“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.
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.
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