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ACM AWARDS RECAP

Last night all the stars came out for the 59th Annual ACM Awards. For two hours, trophies were handed out, inspiring speeches were given (we’re looking at you, Jelly Roll) and amazing performances came one after the other. Here’s your recap of everything that happened from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.

Reba McEntire was once again the host for the show. In chronological order, here’s how the evening went:

  • Lainey Wilson kicked off the show playing Little Texas’ song “God Blessed Texas” into “Hang Tight Honey”
  • Song Of the Year – presented by Clay Walker and Randy Travis. Winner: Jordan Davis for “Next Thing You Know”
  • Jelly Roll performed his song “Liar””
  • Kelsea Ballerini and Noah Kahan performed “Mountain With A View/Stick Season”
  • ACM Award for Duo of the Year: WINNER: Dan + Shay
  • Little Big Town introduce Tigirlily Gold who performed “I Tried A Ring On”
  • Tyler Cameron presents ACM Group of the Year. Winner: Old Dominion
  • Cody Johnson performed “Dirt Cheap”
  • Dan + Shay and Reba introduce Miranda Lambert who performed “Wranglers”
  • Ashley McBryde and Noah Reed presented Luke Combs the ACM Award for Single of the Year for “Fast Car”
  • The War And Treaty introduce Kane Brown who performed “Georgia On My Mind”
  • Thomas Rhett performed “Beautiful As You”
  • The ACM Award for Male Artist of the Year goes to: Chris Stapleton
  • Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani performed “Purple Irises”
  • Jason Aldean performs a tribute to Toby Keith, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy”
  • Female Artist of the Year Award goes to: Lainey Wilson
  • Chris Stapleton and Dua Lipa perform “Think I’m In Love With You”
  • Music Event Of The Year..WINNER: Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson for “SAVE ME”
  • Post Malone performs “I’ll Never Love You Again” and “I Had Some Help”; Reba joins him for a mini-tribute to the Allman Brothers‘ Dicky Betts on “Ramblin’ Man”
  • Album of the Year winner: Chris Stapleton “Higher”
  • Parker McCollum performs “Burn It Down”
  • Nate Smith and Avril Lavigne perform “Bulletproof”
  • Alabama presented the ACM Award for Entertainer of the Year to Lainey Wilson
  • Reba McEntire closed the show with her performance of “I Can’t” – and revealed she would be returning next year to once again play host for the 60th Annual ACM Awards

For those that missed the awards show, it’s streaming on Prime Video and available starting today for free on Amazon Freevee and the Amazon Music app.

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1980, the single, “Bar Room Buddies,” Merle Haggard and actor/director Clint Eastwood debuted on the charts. The song would become Clint’s first and only #1 and Merle’s 25th of 38 #1s.
  • Today in 1991, Diamond Rio hit the top of the charts for the first time with “Meet In The Middle.”
  • Today in 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to reconsider a lower court ruling that granted the illegitimate daughter of Hank Williams Sr. partial rights to his music.
  • Today in 1993, Johnny Cash began four days of recording in producer Rick Rubin’s living room in Los Angeles, backed only by his own guitar. The session marks the start of work on Cash’s album “American Recordings.”
  • Today in 1994, the “Walking Away A Winner” album by Kathy Mattea was released.
  • Today in 1999, Shania Twain showed her loyalty and fondness for her hometown of Timmins, Ontario by setting up an endowment fund, which awards two scholarships a year to Timmins High and Vocational School graduates. The news wasn’t revealed until a year later, when the “Timmins Daily Press” website carried a note marking the one year anniversary of her generosity.
  • Today in 2000, the family special, “Judds Reunion: Power To Change,” debuted on CBS-TV. The show featured performances by the Judds, plus appearances by Ashley Judd and Jo Dee Messina.
  • Today in 2001, the new $37-million Country Music Hall of Fame opened in downtown Nashville. Celebs on hand included Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Diamond Rio, Martina McBride, Bill Anderson and ribbon-cutters Charley Pride, Brenda Lee and Kitty Wells.
  • Today in 2003, Brian Hofeldt guitarist and frontman of the Derailers, became the third member of the group to tie the knot as he exchanged “I do’s” with his longtime sweetheart Tiffany Snyder. The happy couple exchanged vows in the gardens of the Hofeldt Ranch in Oregon, Brian’s childhood home.
  • Today in 2010, The Band Perry’s “If I Die Young” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2012, Country Music Hall of Fame announced that Taylor Swift had donated $4-million to fund an education center as the museum expanded its Nashville facility.
  • Today in 2013, the Zac Brown Band’s “Jump Right In” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Jake Owen exposes himself on stage in Charleston, South Carolina, when his pants split. He is, in a move he conceded was a bad idea, as he goes commando.
  • Today in 2014, Pizza Hut ran the first commercial in a campaign starring Blake Shelton to introduce a new product, Blake’s Smokehouse BBQ Pizza.
  • Today in 2015, Hunter Hayes launched a USO tour of American bases in Italy.
  • Today in 2016, Guy Clark died in Nashville. A 2004 inductee in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he authored Ricky Skaggs’ “Heartbroke,” Rodney Crowell’s “She’s Crazy For Leaving,” Vince Gill’s “Oklahoma Borderline” and Jerry Jeff Walker’s “L.A. Freeway,” among others.
  • Today in 2017, Carrie Underwood made a surprise appearance on stage during a New Kids On The Block concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to lead the crowd in a round of “Happy Birthday” for group member Jordan Knight. Big & Rich showed up to play “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).”
  • Today in 2019, the Lil Nas X video for “Old Town Road” premiered, with appearances by Billy Ray Cyrus, Chris Rock and Diplo, among others.
  • Today in 2019, Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2020, Rosanne Cash was announced as the recipient of the Edward MacDowell Medal, recognizing her contributions to American culture.

TIM MCGRAW TO STAR IN NETFLIX BULLRIDING SERIES

Tim McGraw may be in the middle of his “Standing Room Only” Tour, but he’s already booked for at least one future gig: getting in front of the cameras again for an upcoming Netflix series about bull-riding. “Variety” reports that McGraw will star in the untitled series, which is set in the world of competitive bull riding. The official logline for the series states that it follows “a megastar champion (McGraw) facing a life-or-death crossroads when confronted by the arrival of a fearless young rider whose existence challenges his ways and unearths secrets that force him to reckon with his past.” The series has no title as yet and no premiere date.

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1981, George Strait made his debut on the country chart with his first single, “Unwound.” Garth Brooks has said many times, “When I heard ‘Unwound,’ that was when I decided what I wanted to do with my life.”
  • Today in 1986, Johnny Paycheck was found guilty of shooting and wounding a man after an argument in an Ohio bar. He was sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison but was released in 1991.
  • Today in 1987, “To Know Him Is To Love Him” by the “Trio” of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris hit #1 on the country charts.
  • Today in 1989, Reba McEntire’s first collection of “Greatest Hits” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1994, the “Soon” album by Tanya Tucker was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, Diamond Rio released the single, “Love A Little Stronger.”
  • Today in 1998, Faith Hill began a three-week run at #1 on the Billboard Country chart with “This Kiss.”
  • Today in 2000, Trisha Yearwood told “The Tennessean” that the duet album that she and Garth Brooks had reportedly been planning for three years would not happen. She said quote, “I feel like the golden opportunity was then (referring to their 1998 tour), but that time has passed.” She went on to say that she and Garth are sometimes on completely different wavelengths. Maybe so, but at least they’re still happily married!
  • Today in 2000, Kathy Mattea released her album, “The Innocent Years.” BlackHawk also released their “Greatest Hits” album and Tracy Byrd’s “Wonders of Wildlife” project also hit stores.
  • Today in 2006, Kenny Chesney performed “There Goes My Life” and “Back Where I Come From” for President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard at the White House in Washington, D.C.
  • Today in 2009, David Nail made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
  • Today in 2013, Keith Urban performed “Little Bit Of Everything” during the season finale of FOX-TV’s “American Idol.” The Band Perry played “DONE.” Urban and contestant Kree Harrison also did “Where The Blacktop Ends” with Blink-182’s Travis Barker on drums and Randy Jackson on bass.
  • Today in 2015, Elvis Presley’s former tour bus sold for $263,000 during an auction of The King’s memorabilia by Julien’s at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Also among the more than 100 items were Presley’s Martin D-28 guitar, $76,800; his marriage certificate, $41,600; and his 1968 drivers license, $5,120.
  • Today in 2014, Jerrod Niemann performed during the 33rd annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in advance of a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.
  • Today in 2017, Loretta Lynn’s team revealed she’d been moved from the hospital into a rehab facility as she recuperated from the stroke she’d had May 4th.
  • Today in 2017, Randy Rogers and his wife, Chelsea, welcomed daughter, Rainey Ryan Rogers.
  • Today in 2020, Russell Dickerson snapped up a platinum single from the RIAA for “Every Little Thing.”
  • Today in 2020, a day after Hannah Mulholland announced her departure, Runaway June revealed Natalie Stovall was joining the trio.
  • Today in 2021, the state of Tennessee recognized Eddy Arnold with the installation of a Music Pathways marker at Sue Shelton White Park in Henderson.
  • Today in 2021, Ryan Hurd made his Grand Ole Opry debut. His wife, Maren Morris, made a surprise appearance to duet on “Chasing After You,” while Hurd joined Lady A on “What If I Never Get Over You.”

BRANTLEY GILBERT AND WIFE AMBER EXPECTING BABY #3

Congratulations to Brantley Gilbert and wife Amber, who announced the day after Mother’s Day that they were expecting Baby #3! Alongside photos of the couple holding up an ultrasound of baby No. 3, the singer pointed out the timing of the announcement, writing, “How’s this for a Mother’s Day?” The couple already has two kids: four-year-old daughter Braylen Hendrix, and six-year-old son Barrett Hardy-Clay.

 

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1918, Eddy Arnold was born in Henderson, Tennessee. He was called the Tennessee Plowboy in his solid recordings and shifted into string-laden recordings in the 1960s. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.
  • Today in 1978, Willie Nelson released his landmark album “Stardust.” It went on to spend 10 years on the country charts, selling over five million copies.
  • Today in 1982, Ricky Skaggs became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1988, Martina Schiff became Martina McBride when she married John McBride in Wichita, Kansas.
  • Today in 1990, the “Livin’ It Up” album by George Strait was released.
  • Today in 1990, Patty Loveless’ “On Down The Line” album was released.
  • Today in 1993, John Michael Montgomery earned the first #1 single of his career with “I Love The Way You Love Me.”
  • Today in 1995, Aaron Tippin’s album, “Lookin’ Back at Myself,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, Martina McBride’s “The Way That I Am” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1995, Pam Tillis released the single, “In Between Dances.”
  • Today in 1997, Lee Ann Womack’s self-titled album was released.
  • Today in 1997, Bill Monroe was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Cleveland, alongside The Bee Gees, Joni Mitchell, The Young Rascals, The Jackson 5, King Records founder Syd Nathan, Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
  • Today in 1998, the “Evolution” album by Martina McBride was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1999, Keifer Thompson marries Shawna McIlwain in Nashville. Of course, the couple ultimately meshed their lives as performers as well – becoming Thompson Square.
  • Today in 1999, Tim McGraw’s “Please Remember Me,” which was written by Rodney Crowell, began a five-week stay at #1 on Billboard.
  • Today in 2000, NBC-TV aired Arista Records’ celebration of 25 years of music with archival footage and live performances with artists like Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson.
  • Today in 2003, June Carter Cash died in Nashville at the age of 73. She had been in the hospital for eight days following heart surgery. She had developed complications following the operation and remained in critical condition until her death. An old saying holds that behind every successful man is a woman, and June Carter spent roughly 40 years as the woman behind Johnny Cash.
  • Today in 2004, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus married Allison Alderson in Nashville. His groomsmen included fellow band members Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney, plus comedian Cledus T. Judd. Vince Gill sang “When Love Finds You” during the ceremony.
  • Today in 2007, Carrie Underwood won three times at the 42nd annual Academy of Country Music awards. She took Top Female Vocalist; Album of the Year, for “Some Hearts”; and Video, for “Before He Cheats.”
  • Today in 2012, Glen Campbell joined Massachusetts congressman Edward Markey in Washington, D.C., in a call for legislative action to address research on Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Today in 2013, Lee Brice performed “I Drive Your Truck” during a Washington, D.C., event honoring fallen officers. President Barack Obama delivers the keynote address.
  • Today in 2014, it was revealed that Randy Houser was planning to divorce songwriter Jessa Lee Yantz after just two years of marriage – he also filed for a restraining order. Houser went on to marry Aussie Tatiana Starzynski in May 2016 after a yearlong engagement.
  • Today in 2014, Jerrod Niemann performed during the 33rd annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in advance of a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.
  • Today in 2017, Loretta Lynn’s team revealed she’d been moved from the hospital into a rehab facility as she recuperated from the stroke she’d had on May 4th.
  • Today in 2017, Randy Rogers and his wife, Chelsea, welcomed their daughter, Rainey Ryan Rogers.
  • Today in 2020, Russell Dickerson snapped up a platinum single from the RIAA for “Every Little Thing.”
  • Today in 2020, a day after Hannah Mulholland announced her departure, Runaway June revealed Natalie Stovall was joining the trio.
  • Today in 2021, the state of Tennessee recognized Eddy Arnold with the installation of a Music Pathways marker at Sue Shelton White Park in Henderson.
  • Today in 2021, Ryan Hurd made his Grand Ole Opry debut. His wife, Maren Morris, made a surprise appearance to duet on “Chasing After You,” while Hurd joined Lady A on “What If I Never Get Over You.”

TOBY KEITH’S DAUGHTER ACCEPTS HIS HONORARY DEGREE ON HIS BEHALF

The accolades continue to pour in for late country legend Toby Keith. The singer, who passed away from stomach cancer on February 5th, was bestowed an honorary degree from his beloved University of Oklahoma. During the school’s May 11 graduation ceremony, the musician’s daughter Krystal Keith accepted the honorary degree on Toby’s behalf. Toby was informed of the honor last fall, but unfortunately passed before he could receive it himself.

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1984, the Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson single, “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” went gold.
  • Today in 1990, “The Very Best of Conway Twitty” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1991, Alan Jackson’s album, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” was released.
  • Today in 1996, Garth Brooks’ “Fresh Horses” album was certified quadruple platinum.
  • Today in 1998, Clay Walker and his wife, Lori, became parents to their daughter, Skylor Clayanne.
  • Today in 2000, Wynonna appeared on CBS-TV’s “Touched By An Angel.”
  • Today in 2002, Rascal Flatts celebrated the platinum success of their self-titled, debut album.
  • Today in 2004, Brad Paisley and John Mayer were paired as a new edition of “CMT Crossroads” made its cable debut. Radney Foster hosted the show, which includes Paisley’s songs “Me Neither,” “Little Moments” and “Celebrity.”
  • Today in 2005, Jo Dee Messina’s single, “My Give A Damn’s Busted,” hit #1 in Billboard.
  • Today in 2006, six weeks after breaking his wrist in a cross-country motorbike race, Craig Morgan broke his right leg in another competition in Vanleer, Tennessee. He finished the race, but had to perform from a wheelchair or crutches for at least six weeks.
  • Today in 2011, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton got hitched at the Don Strange Ranch near Boerne, Texas, in front of Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride and The Bellamy Brothers. Fast forward to July 20th, 2015 – and the couple announced that they were divorcing after four years of marriage. Hours later, it was confirmed that the divorce was final. As it turns out, Blake had filed three weeks earlier…the world only found out once the deal was done.
  • Today in 2013, Lady Antebellum performed “Goodbye Town” on NBC’s “The Voice” with three female contestants. Celebrity coach Blake Shelton sings “Play Something Country” with the members of his team.
  • Today in 2016, Steve Wariner celebrated his 20th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member.
  • Today in 2017, Brett Eldredge serenaded the Top 10 Miss USA beauty pageant contestants during the evening gown round of competition. Julianne Hough and Terrence J co-host, Pitbull performed and Miss District of Columbia won.
  • Today in 2017, Midland guitar player Jess Carson and his wife, Camille Carson, welcomed their son, Parker Emmanuel Carson. But the arrival wasn’t without an additional memory – Parker was delivered in the couple’s Chevy Suburban in the parking lot at an Austin hospital.
  • Today in 2019, Keith Urban’s “We Were,” written by Eric Church, hit the airwaves. The song includes a brief reference to Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”
  • Today in 2020, Hannah Mulholland announced her departure from Runaway June.
  • Today in 2020, facilitating safe social distancing for a special audience, Keith Urban performed for more than 200 healthcare workers from Vanderbilt Medical Center at the Stardust Drive-In Movie Theatre in Watertown, Tennessee.
  • Today in 2021, the Alan Jackson album “Where Have You Gone” was released.
  • Today in 2021, for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020, the Grand Ole Opry was held without a capacity restriction. Lorrie Morgan opened with “Five Minutes” and the Oak Ridge Boys close with “Elvira.” Also booked were Michael Ray, Charles Esten, Riders In The Sky and making her Opry debut, Brittney Spencer.
  • Today in 2021, LANCO drummer Tripp Howell and his wife, Alli, welcomed their son, James Howell.

REBA SAYS IF SHE WAS STARTING HER CAREER TODAY, SHE “NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT OUT OF OKLAHOMA”

Reba McEntire has seen and done it all in her nearly 50 year country music career, so believe her when she says the talent pool today is incredibly deep. Speaking with “The Dallas Morning News,” Reba explained how she was lucky to get into country music when she did. “I’m very grateful I got the slow start I did. It took me from ‘76 to ‘83 to get a number one record. I knew nothing about the business, and people around me taught me and mentored me. I wasn’t thrown into the deep end of the pool.” Being a coach now on “The Voice,” the singer knows what the future of music looks like and according to her, “Their confidence level is astounding. It’s like they’ve been doing it all their lives.” To underscore how talented today’s up-and-comers are, Reba added that if she were trying to make it in country music today,  “I doubt I would’ve made it out of Oklahoma.”

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1955, Elvis Presley’s performance at Jacksonville, Florida, whipped the audience into such a frenzy that it resulted in a riot. In fact, things were so out of control, most of his clothing was torn off by fans.
  • Today in 1957, Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up” hit #1 on the Billboard Country chart.
  • Today in 1972, 13-year-old Tanya Tucker made her debut on the country charts with the single, “Delta Dawn.”
  • Today in 1986, the “Greatest Hits Volume 2” album by Hank Williams Jr. was certified gold.
  • Today in 1990, Pam Tillis guest starred on the TV series, “L.A. Law.”
  • Today in 1997, Lee Ann Womack’s self-titled debut album was released.
  • Today in 2000, Kenny Rogers’ “Buy Me A Rose” sprouted at #1 on the Billboard country chart with vocal assistance from Alison Krauss and Billy Dean.
  • Today in 2003, Joe Nichols scored his first gold album, for his debut, “Man With A Memory.”
  • Today in 2005, Jason Aldean performed “Hicktown” and “Why” as he made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2011, Tim McGraw was sued for breach of contract by Curb Records, which claimed that he recorded his “Emotional Traffic” album too soon after the previous release. Tim had also filed a countersuit, saying Curb had kept him in an ongoing state of “involuntary servitude” by forcing him to wait so long to record new albums. His filing claimed that was a way to stretch out his contract indefinitely. McGraw’s suit also alleged that Curb’s decision to release a total of seven greatest hits albums was a ploy to extend his contract against his will.
  • Today in 2015, Pake McEntire undergoes back surgery and subsequently suffered a stroke. We’re happy to report that he has since recovered.
  • Today in 2015, the Aaron Lewis single, “Country Boy,” featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels, was certified platinum by the RIAA.
  • Today in 2016, Jennifer Nettles’ album “Playing With Fire” was released.
  • Today in 2017, Brad Paisley’s “Love And War” debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2017, Lucinda Williams and Lionel Richie received honorary degrees from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. On the same day, Chely Wright received an honorary doctorate from the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
  • Today in 2017, Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers married Abby Law in Nashville.

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