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This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1972, when a concert date was canceled, Barbara Mandrell officially joined the Grand Ole Opry, three weeks earlier than scheduled.
  • Today in 1992, Garth Brooks and then-wife, Sandy Brooks, welcomed their first child, daughter Taylor Mayne Pearl Brooks, in Nashville.
  • Today in 1993, the “Merry Christmas To You” album by Reba McEntire was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, Travis Tritt scored a #1 hit with his single, “Foolish Pride.”
  • Today in 1996, Keifer Thompson moved to Nashville from Oklahoma. Shortly after, he meets future wife and fellow Thompson Square partner Shawna McIlwain.
  • Today in 1997, Marty Stuart married Connie Smith on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Afterward, they drove out into the wilderness and end up dancing on a cliff to Buck Owens’ “Your Tender Loving Care.”
  • Today in 1998, Brooks & Dunn’s “If You See Her” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
  • Today in 1998, the Roy Orbison Estate filed a $12-million royalty suit against Sony Music Entertainment Inc. The suit alleged that Sony, in selling licenses from the artist’s Monument Records master recordings, consistently underpaid Roy in domestic and international royalties.
  • Today in 2000, Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” began a five-week ride at #1 on the Billboard country chart.
  • Today in 2002, Brad Paisley was #1 on the country charts with his single, “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song).”
  • Today in 2010, Taylor Swift shot the wedding scene for her “Mine” video at the Christ Church in Kennebunk, Maine, with British actor Toby Hemingway in the role of the groom.
  • Today in 2013, Darius Rucker’s single, “Radio,” was released.
  • Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2016, Garth Brooks became the first country artist to headline at the new Yankee Stadium in New York. He sang two songs written by New Yorker Billy Joel, “Shameless” and “Piano Man.” Brooks also joined wife Trisha Yearwood on “In Another’s Eyes.”
  • Today in 2017, Julianne Hough married NHL player Brooks Laich near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Her brother, Derek Hough, was a member of the wedding party. The couple announced their separation (after months of questions) in May 2020. They’ve since finalized their divorce.
  • Today in 2018, Josh Abbott married Taylor Parnell at Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas.
  • Today in 2019, the Thomas Rhett single, “Remember You Young,” was released.
  • Today in 2020, Lady A filed suit in Nashville against blues singer Lady A to protect its trademark of the name, granted in 2011. The group was formerly known as Lady Antebellum, but shortened the official name in the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, running into an unexpected conflict in the process.
  • Today in 2021, the Walker Hayes single, “Fancy Like,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2021, Morgan Wallen closed on the sale of his four-bedroom Nashville residence…as in, the house where he was notoriously recorded using a racial slur the previous February. The property went for $835,000, nearly 20% more than the $700-grand he bought it for in 2020.

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “LITA”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Lita”, a 7-year-old mixed breed pooch with a friendly disposition who loves to look out the window and gets along with most other other dogs and cats. Lita is good with older kids and loves to walk and play. Lita is very treat-motivated and would love to meet her new best friend! Lita is likely housetrained, fully vetted, vaccinated, spayed, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home.

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

 

Dolly Parton Had a Great Comeback When a Kid Once Told Her He Didn’t Like Country Music

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Did you know that Dolly Parton once had a TV special in 1983 called “Dolly Parton Meets the Kids”?

Basically, the special was Dolly just sitting around with five teenagers from Los Angeles, and they were asking her questions about her life.

Those kids must have felt pretty lucky to be there.  Well, all of them except for Paul.  Paul decided to try Dolly a bit and said, “To be open and honest with you, I don’t really like country music.”

But Dolly took it in stride and laughed and said, “Well to be open and honest with you, I really don’t care.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1954, Elvis Presley had his first commercial recording session and recorded his first single: “That’s All Right (Mama)” backed with Bill Monroe’s “Blue Moon of Kentucky”. Presley had met Phillips seven months earlier when he made a demo at Phillips’s open-to-the-public studio.
  • Today in 1969, Merle Haggard’s single, “Working Man Blues,” hit the charts and began its climb to the top of the charts.
  • Today in 1989, Tanya Tucker’s daughter, Presley Tanita Tucker, was born.
  • Today in 1991, Alan Jackson’s single, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” hit #1.
  • Today in 1994, the single, “Every Once In a While,” by BlackHawk topped the charts.
  • Today in 2000, the videos, “Best of Intentions,” by Travis Tritt and “He Will, She Knows” by Kenny Rogers, premiered on CMT.
  • Today in 2001, Trace Adkins was arrested for suspicion of drunk driving in Nolensville, Tennessee. He was automatically charged with DUI when he refused breath and blood alcohol tests. He later pled guilty and was sober for years until January 2014, which had him embroiled in in an altercation with an impersonator. Soon after, his father passed. And then, he and Rhonda (his wife of 16 years) separated. While the couple has since finalized their divorce, Trace has since rebounded. Good for him.
  • Today in 2002, Brad Paisley‘s single, “I’m Gonna Miss Her” was at #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart.
  • Today in 2007, Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can” video airs on TV for the first time on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Luke Bryan made a surprise appearance during an Alabama show in Orange Beach, Alabama. Bryan provided a vocal assist on “Love In The First Degree.”
  • Today in 2014, Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again” arrived at #1 on the “Billboard” country singles chart.
  • Today in 2014, Blake Shelton and Darius Rucker are forced to cancel July 6 appearances at the Cavendish Beach Music Festival as a major storm prevents travel to Prince Edward Island in Canada.
  • Today in 2015, the title track to Blake Shelton’s album, “Bringing Back The Sunshine,” debuted as NBC’s NASCAR theme prior to its telecast of the Coke Zero 400 from the Daytona Motor Speedway in Florida. Dale Earnhardt Jr. took the checkered flag.
  • Today in 2017, Brett Young threw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field in Chicago, where the Cubs down the Tampa Bay Rays, 7-3, in an afternoon baseball game.

Morgan Wallen Threw a Fan’s Phone Offstage After It Hit Him in the Shoulder

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Morgan Wallen is tired of getting things thrown at him onstage.  When he was performing “Cowgirls” during a show in Denver last week, a fan threw their phone and it hit him in the shoulder.

The fan was probably hoping Morgan would pick it up and take a selfie, but that is NOT how it went.  Instead, he quickly picked it up and chucked it behind him offstage.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1965, Roy Rogers’ faithful steed, Trigger, died at the age of 33. In heartfelt tribute, Roy had Trigger mounted and put on display at the Roy Rogers Museum in California.
  • Today in 1980, Willie Nelson’s “Electric Horseman” soundtrack album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1982, “Take Me Down” by Alabama peaked at #18 on the pop singles chart.
  • Today in 1991, Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” album was certified for sales of 4-million.
  • Today in 1992, Alan Jackson’s single, “Midnight in Montgomery,” hit # 1.
  • Today in 1993, Alison Krauss became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. She was inducted by Garth Brooks, and was the first bluegrass act to join in 31 years.
  • Today in 1993, Garth Brooks checked in at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “That Summer.”
  • Today in 1996, Joe Diffie’s “Life’s So Funny” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 2001, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood performed at the Delaware River & Bay Authority’s sixth annual hospital benefit.
  • Today in 2001, Trisha Yearwood received her first quadruple-platinum album for “(Songbook) A Collection of Hits.”
  • Today in 2001, it was revealed that the “Girls’ Night Out” tour, which featured Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Jamie O’Neal and Carolyn Dawn Johnson, had entered into a charitable partnership with USA Harvest. The ladies invited fans attending the shows to bring a donation of non-perishable food to collection points at each venue on the tour.
  • Today in 2004, Montgomery Gentry collected their first number one country single on the Billboard charts with “Will You Ever Stop Loving Me.”
  • Today in 2007, Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can” video premiered on CMT.com.
  • Today in 2012, actor Andy Griffith died of a heart attack at his home in Manteo, North Carolina. A GRAMMY-winner for the album, “I Love To Tell The Story – 25 Timeless Hymns,” he also appeared in the video for Brad Paisley’s “Waitin’ On A Woman.”
  • Today in 2015, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert share the stage at the Greenbrier in Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. It marked their last concert together as a married couple. Within weeks, they announced they were over.
  • Today in 2015, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opens a new exhibit, “Trisha Yearwood: The Song Remembers When.”
  • Today in 2016, Vince Gill made a surprise appearance during Joe Walsh’s concert at the Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater in Whites Creek, Tennessee, singing The Eagles’ “Take It To The Limit.”
  • Today in 2016, the Band Perry’s concert at the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Selbyville, Delaware, was postponed to August over security concerns amid threats made to employees just hours before the show was set to begin.
  • Today in 2017, Chris Stapleton’s “Broken Halos” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2017, Craig Campbell visited wounded soldiers at the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center.
  • Today in 2018, Jason Aldean’s single, “You Make It Easy,” went platinum.

MAVERICKS LEAD SINGER RAUL MALO DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Unfortunate news from Mavericks lead singer Raul Malo. He posted a video clip on the band’s Instagram account to inform fans that after multiple doctor’s visits, two cancerous spots were found. The frontman went on to say he would begin therapy next week. Malo turned the message into a plea for fans to pay attention to their own health, saying “Go see a doctor. Be proactive in your health. It’ll help fight whatever ails you. Stay healthy, take care of yourselves and I’ll see you out on the road.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • 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.”

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.

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