We haven’t gotten any official “guest list” for Lainey Wilson‘s nuptials yet, but props to “Taste of Country” for scouring the pics of the event to figure out who many of the attendees were. The couple wed May 10, and posted a carousel of pics on Instagram, in which a number of country singers and personalities can be ID’d. On hand for the festivities: musicians Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Lauren Alaina, Wynonna Judd, Luke Bryan, Ella Langley, Ashland Craft, Drew Baldridge, Kasey Tyndall, Ian Munsick, along with comedian Leanne Morgan. All this talent and they hired a wedding band? Seems like a missed opportunity.
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Lainey Wilson, Devlin “Duck” Hodges Marry
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Lainey Wilson and her man, Devlin “Duck” Hodges, have pulled the trigger! The two are officially married, tying the knot Sunday at The Ruskin in Dickson, Tennessee. The ceremony took place at the foot of a waterfall on the property after the two arrived in a white horse-drawn carriage. “My absolute dream ceremony,” Wilson told “Vogue.” “There’s a small waterfall flowing down the hill behind the altar and windows. The waterfall is what convinced us to do the ceremony in this spot.” The couple announced their engagement in February 2025.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- 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.”
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: GOJIRA
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Gojira”, a beautiful 3 year old black and white tuxedo kitty. Gojira is a good-sized fella, weighing in around 16 pounds. Gojira is a friendly guy who loves attention, loves kids, enjoys cuddling up on your lap and does ok with other cats and smaller dogs. (Larger dogs freak him out a little.) Gojira is fully vetted, vaccinated, neutered and microchipped, and is ready for his ‘furr-ever’ home!
And since Gojira is the H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $30 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Gojira 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 Gojira with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Garth Brooks To Open Washington DC’s The Spirit Of Independence Festival
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Garth Brooks has been announced as one of the headliners for the upcoming “The Spirit of Independence Festival,” a multi-day festival to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from June 4-6 in Washington, DC. Garth is set to headline Night One of the event. “The Spirit of Independence Festival” will be hosted beneath a tent spanning two city blocks in front of the National Archives. The festival will include free daytime events for families and three evening benefit events to support the foundation. For a complete rundown of the event’s activities, check out the Festival’s website.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- 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.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- 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.
Luke Bryan Uses “American Idol” To Announce Upcoming Album
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Luke Bryan used his role on “American Idol” to get the word out to a huge television audience that he has new music on the way. On Monday night’s show, he announced that his next album, “Signs,” will be released September 18. He also debuted his new single, performing “Fish Hunt Golf Drink” live on the show. The song was officially released yesterday. Check out Luke’s performance of “Fish Hunt Golf Drink” below.
In non-“American Idol” related Luke Bryan news, the singer announced yesterday that he and some buddies are taking over Bridgestone Arena in Nashville for “Luke Bryan & Friends,” an all-star event, on September 24. While no artists have been revealed as yet, Luke’s not taking the stage without bringing some serious star power with him. Pre-sales start today ahead of the general on sale this Friday.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1951, Hank Williams’ “Cold, Cold Heart” reached #1.
- Today in 1995, Ty Herndon scored his first #1 hit, “What Mattered Most.”
- Today in 1998 Tracy Byrd released his album, “I’m From the Country.”
- Today in 2000, Curb Records confirmed Nashville’s worst-kept secret as truth. After months of speculation, it was announced that super couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw would indeed perform together in what would become known as the “Soul 2 Soul” tour.
- Today in 2001, brought the world premiere of Dwight Yoakam’s directorial debut, “South of Heaven, West of Hell,” at the Olympia Theatre in Cannes, France. Dwight also co-wrote the western, which co-stars longtime his love Bridget Fonda, Vince Vaughn, Billy Bob Thornton, Peter Fonda, and Paul “Pee-Wee Herman” Reubens.
- Today in 2001, Tim McGraw received an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Louisiana-Monroe, where he was once a student, but had dropped out to move to Nashville.
- Today in 2006, Jennifer Nettles made her TV acting debut on NBC’s “Las Vegas.” During the episode, Sugarland performed “Something More,” “Just Might Make Me Believe” and “Down In Mississippi (Up To No Good),” its lyrics changed to “down in Las Vegas.”
- Today in 2007, Rascal Flatts’ “Stand” sat pretty at Billboard’s #1 position.
- Today in 2008, The Zac Brown Band’s single, “Chicken Fried,” was released.
- Today in 2012, Alison Krauss and The Eagles received honorary doctorates from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Krauss performs “Down To The River To Pray” during the event.
- Today in 2014, Pizza Hut introduced the chain’s new Blake Shelton signature product, Blake’s Smokehouse BBQ Pizza.
- Today in 2017, Thomas Rhett and his wife, Lauren, announced on social media that they’d adopted a Ugandan girl, Willa Gray Akins.
- Today in 2018, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles delivered the commencement speech at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.
- Today in 2018, Rosanne Cash received an honorary doctorate during a Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston. Also picking up degrees were guitarist Nile Rodgers and jazz musician Esperanza Spalding.
- Today in 2019, Chris Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, welcomed their fifth child, a boy.
- Today in 2019, Allison Moorer married Texas singer/songwriter Hayes Carll.
- Today in 2020, Thomas Rhett’s album, “Center Point Road,” was certified gold by the RIAA
- Today in 2020, the Highwomen’s debut single, “Crowded Table,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2021, a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker was installed in Starkville to commemorate Johnny Cash’s 1965 arrest and overnight stay in the Starkville jail.
Brad Paisley Gives Fans Access To Unreleased And Unfinished Music With “Tacklebox”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Brad Paisley is offering his fans a treasure trove of music from over his 30 year country music career. The country star is releasing new music as part of an ongoing project titled “Tacklebox.” Some of the music is previously unreleased from all eras of his career; other songs were recently written. The first song from “Tacklebox,” “Fallin’,” is available now. “I see this ‘project’ as never-ending. It’s almost like the fans have a direct link to my Dropbox or to a playlist that never ends,” Paisley says. “We are calling it ‘Tacklebox’ because it’s a box full of hooks, country lyric hooks.” Details on upcoming releases will come soon.
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