TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1989, Naomi Judd had a lot to celebrate. She married her husband, Larry Strickland. That wasn’t the only good news – the Judds’ single, “Young Love (Strong Love),” topped the country charts.
  • Today in 1989, Keith Whitley played a concert date at the Armadillo Ballroom in Brazoria, Texas, which amounted to his final show. He was dead three days later of alcohol poisoning.
  • Today in 1991, Alan Jackson released the hit single, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.”
  • Today in 1993, IRS agents seized possessions from the Mississippi home of Jerry Lee Lewis for failing to pay more than $1.6-million in overdue.
  • Today in 1994, the single, “Before You Kill Us All,” by Randy Travis topped the country singles charts.
  • Today in 1994, Garth Brooks hosted his second TV special on NBC.
  • Today in 1996, Lee Roy Parnell released the single, “Givin’ Water to a Drowning Man.”
  • Today in 1998, Shania Twain’s single, “You’re Still The One,” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2006, Bon Jovi rocked at #1 on the “Billboard” country chart with the Jennifer Nettles collaboration, “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
  • Today in 2006, Carrie Underwood graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree.
  • Today in 2007, Kenny Chesney and Brooks & Dunn wrap the two-day Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California, for a crowd of 30,000. Also playing: Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Jason Aldean, Gary Allan, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Pat Green and Sugarland.
  • Today in 2011, Taylor Swift’s “Mean” video had its world premiere on CMT.
  • Today in 2014, Keith Urban hosted the fifth We’re All For The Hall benefit at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, with Vince Gill, Carrie Underwood, Kacey Musgraves, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap and Lee Ann Womack, among others.

Luke Combs’ Tour Is Breaking Records

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Luke Combs is breaking records on his Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour.  His two-night stand at American Family Field in Milwaukee attracted 90,828 fans, a two-night record for the venue.

He played to similar numbers during his two nights in Buffalo, New York, setting a record there as well.  He also set the record for highest-selling and highest-grossing concert at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium.

Meanwhile, Luke’s got a new song on the way called “Huntin’ by Yourself”.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1983, Alabama’s album, “The Closer You Get,” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
  • Today in 1986, Dolly Parton opened her Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee.
  • Today in 1993, the “Some Gave All” album by Billy Ray Cyrus was certified for sales of 7-million.
  • Today in 1994, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks were the big winners at the 29th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles. Garth skipped the show to be in Nashville with his then-wife, Sandy, as she gave birth to the couple’s second child, August Anna. She was born the night Garth received the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year. That same night, “We Shall Be Free” was named Video of the Year.
  • Today in 1994, the “Rhythm, Country and Blues” album was certified gold and platinum.
  • Today in 1996, John Michael Montgomery hit #1 with “Long As I Live.”
  • Today in 1997, Travis Tritt, Bill Anderson, Stonewall Jackson and others attended the 50th anniversary celebration for the Ernest Tubb Record Shops in downtown Nashville.
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me” video made its worldwide debut on CMT’s “Delivery Room.” Other videos premiering included the Kinleys’ “She Ain’t The Girl For You,” “One Voice” from Billy Gilman and Sonya Isaacs’ “Since I Gave My Heart Away.”
  • Today in 2000, in an incident that no one has ever been able to truly explain, Roseanne Barr crashed the party that Lonestar’s record company hosted following the ACM Awards show. Lonestar and their friends were busy celebrating their ACM Single of the Year award for “Amazed,” so it’s not surprising that it took some time before anyone noticed that someone had walked away with the trophy presented to the record label. A few days later, Roseanne admitted that she hid the award under her jacket as she left the celebration at the ritzy Posto Restaurant in Los Angeles. She followed her confession by sending the trophy to Nashville, where it was placed on display at the record label’s office.
  • Today in 2002, Chely Wright was among “People” magazine’s annual “50 Most Beautiful.” She was the only country singer.
  • Today in 2003, Buddy Jewell became the first “Nashville Star.”
  • Today in 2006, Ricky Van Shelton wrote an open letter to fans announcing his retirement from the road, assuring fans he and his wife, Bettye were in good health, he said they “need to be close to our families” in Virginia.
  • Today in 2007, Taylor Swift picked up a gold single for her debut, “Tim McGraw.”
  • Today in 2010, water from the Cumberland River flooded Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House peaking more than two feet above the venue’s stage. The Opry moved to other locations for four months.
  • Today in 2013, Keith Urban made a surprising appearance during The Rolling Stones’ show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, joining the band while playing “Respectable.”
  • Today in 2014, Kacey Musgraves performs “Follow Your Arrow” at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, following an introduction by Chely Wright.
  • Today in 2017, the video for “Craving You,” by Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris, hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2017, Toby Keith covered “MacArthur Park,” while Dwight Yoakam played “Wichita Lineman” at Carnegie Hall in New York during a salute to Jimmy Webb. A fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, the show also featured Ashley Campbell, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, Graham Nash, and Johnny Rivers.

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

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Turkey”, a 3 year old Domestic Shorthair/Mix kitty with a grumpy face but a loving personality. Turkey loves attention and gets along great with other cats and doesn’t seem to mind dogs. And since Turkey is the H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week his adoption fee is only $30! “Turkey” is fully vetted, microchipped, vaccinated and ready to go to a loving home.

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

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1985, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson released the “Highwayman” album.
  • Today in 1988, the album, “Remembering Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline,” was released.
  • Today in 1989, the “Killin’ Time” album by Clint Black and the “Something Inside So Strong” album by Kenny Rogers were released.
  • Today in 1994, Garth Brooks won two honors – Entertainer and Video of the Year – at the 29th Academy Of Country Music awards on NBC, though he wasn’t in Los Angeles to receive them. His wife, Sandy, gave birth to August Anna that night in Nashville.
  • Today in 1996, Travis Tritt’s “Greatest Hits – From the Beginning” went platinum.
  • Today in 1998, backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Loretta Lynn made the announcement that she intended to return to college and get a degree.
  • Today in 1998, Shania Twain was at #1 in Billboard with “You’re Still The One.”
  • Today in 2000, Collin Raye released his album, “Tracks,” while Chad Brock’s “Yes!” hit stores.
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill and hubby Tim McGraw confirmed plans to perform their hit single, “Let’s Make Love,” at the upcoming ACM Awards. Their subsequent performance absolutely sizzled.
  • Today in 2002, highly anticipated CBS-TV special, featuring Clint Black, Lonestar, Celine Dion and others, was taped in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida aboard the U.S.S. Harry Truman. The show, titled “Rockin’ In The USA,” aired the following Memorial Day weekend.
  • Today in 2007, Taylor Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” went gold.
  • Today in 2009, Clint Black was fired by Donald Trump during an episode of the NBC-TV series “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
  • Today in 2010, water from the Cumberland River floods Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, peaked more than two feet above the venue’s stage. The Opry moves like a nomad to other Nashville locations for the next four months.
  • Today in 2011, Lady A’s single, “Just A Kiss,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2013, Alan Jackson performed “He Stopped Loving Her Today” to close George Jones’ memorial at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Other participants include Randy Travis, Brad Paisley, Barbara Mandrell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt and Kenny Chesney.
  • Today in 2014, Carrie Underwood wrote “Something In The Water” with Chris DeStefano and Brett James in a Tennessee cabin, weaving in an “I Saw The Light” reference and a section of “Amazing Grace.”
  • Today in 2016, Maren Morris underwent a tonsillectomy.
  • Today in 2017, Sara Evans headlined a George Michael tribute at City Winery in Nashville. A benefit for the Unlikely Heroes organization, the show also featured Cassadee Pope and songwriters James Slater, Shane Stevens and Desmond Child.
  • Today in 2017, Vince Gill and his daughters, Jenny and Corrina Gill, performed the national anthem before an NHL playoff game at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Predators edged the St. Louis Blues, 2-1, for a crowd that included Kix Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Joe Don Rooney and Carrie Underwood.
  • Today in 2019, Wynonna Judd and Cactus Moser participated in a National Day of Prayer event at the White House in Washington, D.C., where Judd reveals she intended to work with president Donald Trump’s administration on criminal justice reform. Unable to remember her name, Trump refers to her as the “one with red hair.”

Randy Travis To Drop New Song “Where That Came From”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Country legend Randy Travis, who suffered a massive stroke back in 2013 that has greatly hindered his ability to talk or sing, has new music coming out. Along with a clip of a new song, “Where That Came From,” Travis wrote on social media, “It’s been a while since we’ve last spoken and even longer since I released my last new recording. You have been my most loyal supporters for many years and for that reason, I want you to be the first to know that this Friday, May 3, I will be releasing my first brand new studio recording in more than a decade, ‘Where That Came From,’” As for the song, it’s vintage Randy Travis and it comes out in its entirety tomorrow.

LUKE BRYAN PITCHES BLAKE SHELTON ON “BARMAGEDDON” SPINOFF

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Friendship means being able to be honest with your buddy. Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton have been friends for a long time, and honesty between the two is not a problem. Both country stars are also TV stars, with Blake’s long stint as a coach on “The Voice” and Luke’s run as a judge on “American Idol.” Blake also doubles as series creator and host for the bar-themed game show “Barmageddon,” which has achieved success for two seasons (so far) on the USA Network. It’s the latter show that Luke has some ideas about.

Luke suggested a “Barmageddon” spinoff to his buddy, but it wasn’t well received. His idea? “Farmageddon” – as you can imagine, it’s a competition centered around the farm, rather than your local watering hole. Blake…took a pass. “He’s got a lot of stupid ideas, but he’s got a lot of ideas,” he joked of the pitch. “He’s constantly trying to come up with what’s next. That’s why he’s been so successful, because he never stops thinking and stuff. Eventually he hits on something.” So that idea may not have landed with Blake, but remember Luke: as Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100-percent of the shots you don’t take” – so keep those ideas coming.

Source: People

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1967, Elvis Presley married his longtime girlfriend, 21-year-old Priscilla Ann Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. They had their daughter, Lisa Marie just nine months later. After six years of marriage, the couple divorced but remained very close.
  • Today in 1969, Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan taped the first installment of “The Johnny Cash Show” at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Future singer/songwriter John Hiatt was in the audience. Country Music named Loretta Lynn its 80’s Artist of the Decade.
  • Today in 1982, “Mountain Music” peaked at #1 for Alabama on the Billboard Country singles chart.
  • Today in 1980, the Academy of s released The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s album “Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Vol. 2.” The guests included Johnny Cash, Levon Helm, Roy Acuff, John Denver, Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn, Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby.
  • Today in 1989, the “Sweet Sixteen” album by Reba McEntire was released.
  • Today in 1993, Charley Pride joined the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1999, Dixie Chick Emily Erwin married Charlie Robison at a West Texas ranch. They made the wedding a Texas family-and-friends event rather than a Nashville extravaganza and did the planning themselves. While they later divorced, fellow Chick Natalie Maines met her future husband, Adrian Pasdar, at the ceremony – and they’re still hitched.
  • Today in 2000, Steve Wariner was in Colorado to help raise money for the construction of a new library at Columbine High School library. He signed autographs in exchange for donations to “Hope Columbine,” an organization formed by the Columbine High School families after the 1999 shooting tragedy.
  • Today in 2000, SHeDAISY staged a free concert as part of the USTA festivities. The event kicked off with a morning tennis clinic at Centennial Park in cooperation with the Tennessee Education Association. Following the clinic, Governor Sundquist officially renamed the state Tennis-e for the day. Then tennis stars like Patrick McEnroe and Alexandra Stevenson conducted a tennis exhibition/clinic. The event at War Memorial Plaza concluded with a free lunchtime concert from the sisters.
  • Today in 2002, Chely Wright was the only country artist to be featured in People magazine’s annual “50 Most Beautiful” issue.
  • Today in 2008, George Strait picked up a gold album for “”
  • Today in 2010, Rascal Flatts signed the national anthem before the Kentucky Derby at Louisville’s Churchill Downs. Amongst the attendees were Little Big Town, Smokey Robinson and Terry Bradshaw, won by Super Saver.
  • Today in 2012, Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” album was released.
  • Today in 2016, Dustin Lynch brought out two surprise guests – Jay Popoff and Jeremy Popoff, of the rock band Lit – for a version of “My Own Worst Enemy” during the Stagecoach Country Festival at the Empire Polo Field in Indio, California. Lynch later joins headliner Luke Bryan on “Play Something Country” and “She’s Country.”
  • Today in 2018. the downtown Nashville venue Ole Red, associated with Blake Shelton and the Grand Ole Opry, opened its doors on lower Broadway.
  • Today in 2019, Dan + Shay sang “Speechless” as pop singer Joe Jonas married actress Sophie Tucker at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas.
  • Today in 2020, Kenny Chesney album, “Here And Now,” was released.
  • Today in 2020, the Luke Combs single, “Six Feet Apart,” to radio.
  • Today in 2021, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley took part in the Natchez Trace Century Ride, a cycling event in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

Lainey Wilson and Tyler Childers Will Open for The Rolling Stones

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The Rolling Stones’ “Hackney Diamonds” tour kicked off in Houston on Sunday.  And if you haven’t seen the list of openers yet, they’re pretty wide-ranging.  Everything from blues to gospel artists.

Gary Clark Jr. opened for them on Sunday . . . Tyler Childers will be at their show in Orlando on June 3rd . . . and Lainey Wilson is set to open their second show in Chicago on June 30th.

Other openers include Lawrence, The Pretty Reckless, The War and Treaty, and Mexican artist Carin León.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1974, “The Best Of The Best Of Merle Haggard” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1982, the “Always On My Mind” album by Willie Nelson was certified gold.
  • Today in 1993, Alan Jackson’s single, “Tonight I Climbed The Wall,” hit the top of the charts.
  • Today in 1994, Faith Hill’s remake of “Piece Of My Heart” grabs the #1 spot on the Billboard country chart.
  • Today in 1996, Mindy McCready’s album, “Ten Thousand Angels,” was released.
  • Today in 1996, BR5-49 released the album, “Live From Robert’s Western World Home.”
  • Today in 1999, Jo Dee Messina appeared on CBS TV’s Nash Bridges as “Tammy McGraw.” In the episode, Nash was trying to track down a group of female robbers, whom he suspected as being manipulated by their jailed husbands. In the process, he goes to Jo Dee’s character for help. Besides acting in the show, Jo Dee also performed her hit single, “Lesson In Leavin’.”
  • Today in 2002, Tracy Byrd, Charlie Daniels, Andy Griggs, Blake Shelton and Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry spent the morning on Nashville’s Percy Priest Lake for the second annual “Fishing For A Cure” tournament, which raised money for the T.J. Martell Foundation for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.
  • Today in 2002, the albums, “Cledus Envy” by Cledus T. Judd; “The Soul & The Edge” from Johnny Paycheck and “Super Hits” by Collin Raye, arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2006, Big & Rich perform at a rally sponsored by human rights agencies in Washington, D.C., to call attention to genocide in the Darfur region of Sudan.
  • Today in 2007, Sheryl Crow brought home her adopted son, Wyatt Steven Crow. And then, on the dame date in 2010, her son Levi James was born – Sheryl waited until June of that year to make the announcement.
  • Today in 2011, Garth Brooks attended the wedding of Las Vegas casino magnate Steve Wynn. Clint Eastwood was best man. Also in attendance: Priscilla Presley, Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme.
  • Today in 2011, Miranda Lambert raised $294,000 with her fourth annual Cause For Paws benefit concert in Tyler, Texas, with guests Josh Kelley and Stoney LaRue.
  • Today in 2013, Kenny Chesney’s “Life On A Rock” album was released.
  • Today in 2014, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s “We Were Us,” Miranda’s “Automatic” and music by Dan + Shay were all featured in the background during an episode of ABC’s “Nashville.”
  • Today in 2015, Little Big Town received a gold single for “Girl Crush” from the RIAA. The same day, Florida Georgia Line’s single, “Dirt,” went double platinum.
  • Today in 2015, Atlantic Council recognized Toby Keith with its Distinguished Leadership Award in Washington, D.C. During the ceremony, Toby performed “American Soldier.”
  • Today in 2016, Dierks Bentley was sunnin’ himself at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Somewhere On A Beach.”
  • Today in 2016, Cassadee Pope and Terri Clark are part of a nine-person team that runs the marathon as a relay in the St. Jude Rock ‘N’ Roll Nashville Races.
  • Today in 2017, Jana Kramer threw the ceremonial first pitch when Los Angeles defeats baseball’s Philadelphia Phillies, 5-3, at Dodger Stadium.
  • Today in 2019, Wynonna, Vince Gill, The Oak Ridge Boys and Ricky Skaggs participated in a tribute to Christian artist Michael W. Smith at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Also taking part were Amy Grant, Randy Travis, Lee Greenwood and The Gatlins.
  • Today in 2020, Brett Young’s “Lady” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2021, Thomas Rhett’s album, “Country Again (Side A),” was released.

NEWSLETTER

Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.