Thomas Rhett Announces “The Soundtrack To Life Tour”

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Thomas Rhett surprised fans yesterday by announcing he’s hitting the road. His 20 date “Soundtrack of You Life Tour” kicks off July 9 in Nashville, with stops in Dallas, Sacramento and more before a final show in Omaha October 24. Ernest, Kashus Culpepper, Zach John King, Vincent Mason and Conner Smith will join throughout the summer in rotating support slots, with Emily Ann Roberts kicking off each night of the tour. Presales start tomorrow, with the general onsale beginning on Friday at 10AM local time. For a complete list of dates and ticket information, visit Rhett’s website. See the first ten dates of the tour below.

July 9 – Nashville, TN – TBA
July 11 – Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
July 16 – Hartford, CT – The Meadows Music Theatre
July 17 – Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
July 18 – Hershey, PA – TBA
Aug 13 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
Aug 14 – Bethel, NY – Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Aug 20 – Evansville, IN – Ford Center
Aug 22 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
Sept 10 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center

This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 10, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1973, Tammy Wynette’s “Till I Get It Right” topped the Billboard country singles chart.
Today in 1977, “The Best Of The Statler Brothers” album by Statler Brothers was certified gold.
Today in 1979, invited by Porter Wagoner, legendary R&B star James Brown played the Grand Ole Opry. His 17-minute set consisted of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Tennessee Waltz.” Some Opry members complained, but Barbara Mandrell said he should’ve been invited to perform five years earlier.
Today in 1981, “I Love A Rainy Night” single by Eddie Rabbitt was certified gold.
Today in 1992, Vince Gill’s “I Never Knew Lonely” album was released.
Today in 1992, Willie Nelson scored a platinum album with “Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson” and a multi-platinum album with “Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be).”
Today in 1993, k.d. lang’s album, “Ingénue,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1993, Travis Tritt’s “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1995, Aaron Tippin’s debut album, “You’ve Got To Stand For Something” went gold.
Today in 1995, Clint Black topped the country charts with “Wherever You Go.”
Today in 2000, Vince Gill and Amy Grant were married in a Nashville ceremony complete with bagpipe players.
Today in 2001, Diamond Rio’s “One More Day” reached #1 in Billboard.
Today in 2003, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines sparked a furor Stateside when she told a London concert crowd, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.” The insanity that followed coined the term “Dixie Chicked” as the band’s name essentially became a dirty word. CDs were burned, and their popularity dropped like a bomb.
Today in 2005, CMT debuted Jo Dee Messina’s “My Give A Damn’s Busted.”
Today in 2007, Trace Adkins’ “Ladies Love Country Boys” topped the Billboard country chart.
Today in 2010, Josh Turner’s album “Deep South” was released.
Today in 2014, Cole Swindell’s single, “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2015, Tim McGraw appeared on ABC’s “Repeat After Me,” where an off-camera comedian feeds him lines to spoof an unsuspecting medical aide. Quoting from “Live Like You Were Dying,” he tells the woman, “I’ve never been skydiving, or Rocky Mountain climbing, or bullriding, but I have practiced kissing on my elbow.”
Today in 2017, Michelle Wright performed a benefit concert for an animal shelter at the Capitol Theatre in Chatham, Ontario.

Ella Langley’s “Choosin’ Texas” Achieves A Billboard Chart First

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Ella Langley‘s “Choosin’ Texas” continues to establish itself as her career record (so far). The song was the first to simultaneously top Country Airplay, Hot Country Songs and the all-genre Billboard Hot 100; it revisited the top of the Hot 100 as Megan Moroney ruled Top Country Albums with her “Cloud 9,” marking the first time that two women who primarily record country music have led those charts in the same week. And now, the song pulls off a new trick. Since 1990, only 20 songs (including “Choosin’ Texas”) have dropped out of the top spot on Country Airplay chart, only to return to #1. Langley did that, but she did it in a way never done before. “Texas” was #1, dropped out for three weeks, and is #1 again this week…the first time a song hit the top of the chart, fell out or three weeks, then mounted a comeback to return to #1.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1948, the Nitty Gritty’s drummer and singer Jimmie Fadden was born in Long Beach, California.
Today in 1964, the Statler Brothers open for Johnny Cash’s show in Canton, Ohio, when the Man in Black was late. Cash added them to his touring cast for the next eight years.
Today in 1974, the last Saturday night performance of the Grand Ole Opry at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium was held as the show moved the new Opryland. The Ryman had been home to the show since 1941.
Today in 1984, Kris Kristofferson received the first Roger Miller Memorial Award for lifetime achievement as a songwriter at the TNN/Music City News Country Songwriters Awards show.
Today in 1990, the “Reba” video by Reba McEntire was certified gold.
Today in 1991, Alan Jackson topped the Billboard country singles chart for the first time with “I’d Love You All Over Again.”
Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s number one hit single “Chattahoochie” was named Song of the Year at the 11th annual Music City News Country Songwriters Awards.
Today in 1995, BlackHawk’s debut album was certified Platinum.
Today in 1998, LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live” single was certified triple platinum.
Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s #1 hit single, “Chattahoochee,” was named Song of the Year at the 11th annual Music City News Country Songwriters Awards.
Today in 1995, BlackHawk’s debut album was certified platinum.
Today in 2002, Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw paired up for the #1 position on the Billboard country singles chart with “Bring On The Rain.”
Today in 2003, it was announced that the Muscular Dystrophy Association had selected Linda Davis as the 2003 MDA Spokesperson.
Today in 2003, Tim McGraw and the American Red Cross announced a joint initiative to raise funds to benefit the local Red Cross chapters located in the more than 50 U.S. cities where his tour “Tim McGraw & The Dancehall Doctors’ ONE BAND SHOW” was set to stop. Ultimately, the Red Cross received the hefty sum of $43,000.
Today in 2004, Clay Walker launched a tour behind his album “A Few Questions” with a show in Nashville.
Today in 2004, Mark Wills’ album “The 20th Century Masters: The Best of Mark Wills,” Cross Canadian Ragweed’s disc “Soul Gravy,” and James Otto’s CD “Days of Our Lives” arrived in stores.
Today in 2005, Blue County performed a mini-concert during an episode of the CBS daytime soap “As The World Turns.”
Today in 2006, The Rolling Stones chose Merle Haggard as their opening act when the band played at the Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Today in 2007, Bucky Covington made his debut at the Grande Ole Opry performing “A Different World.”
Today in 2008, Naomi Judd crowned the winner at the end of the three-day 3rd Annual Prilosec OTC Bunco Championship at Caesars Palace Las Vegas.
Today in 2009, Chuck Wicks and Jewel’s husband Ty Murray began their run on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”
Today in 2009, Mac McAnally gifted Kenny Chesney with the Martin Guitar he used to write “Back Where I Come From” and “Down The Road.”
Today in 2010, new releases included Gary Allan’s CD “Get Off On The Pain,” and Matt Kennon’s debut EP, “The Call.”
Today in 2011, Randy Houser’s bus erupted in flames in Charleston, South Carolina. The band was uninjured but all of their gear and personal belongings were damaged in the wreck.
Today in 2013, Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman launched season two of her GAC cooking series, “Kimberly’s Simply Southern.”
Today in 2017, Martina McBride threw a shower for expectant mothers at the Covenant House, a homeless shelter in New York.
Today in 2017, obsessed fan Mohammed Jaffar was arrested on stalking charges after repeatedly showing up at Taylor Swift’s New York penthouse apartment for several months. How annoying was he? In one instance, he reportedly rang her doorbell for a full hour. He still hasn’t faced trial…at last check, he’s mentally unfit to do so.
Today in 2017, Kid Rock announced the launch of the American Badass charcoal grill. Though it actually comes in charcoal and gas versions, Rock’s motivation is that the grill is 100% American made “down to the last screw.”
Today in 2017, Old Dominion joined band member Brad Tursi for the funeral of his 30-year-old brother, Drew Tursi, at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Johnny Cash Doc Coming To A&E

Posted on March 6, 2026March 6, 2026 by Bob Ballard

A new Johnny Cash documentary is set to air on A&E. “Johnny Cash: The Man Comes Around” is being described as “an intimate family portrait, a true crime thriller, and a revelatory deconstruction of the Man in Black, examining the legendary artist through his profound connection to the island of Jamaica.” The documentary investigates the 1981 Christmas Day home invasion during which the Cash family was held hostage by masked gunmen. The story is told for the first time by Cash himself, in never-before-heard audio recordings, alongside rare photos, home video, and interviews with his son John Carter Cash, who was present during the robbery, as well as family members Rosanne Cash and Carlene Carter, and musicians and collaborators including Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle and Will Oldham. No word yet on when the documentary will debut.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 6, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1983, CMT made its cable debut with Faron Young’s video “It’s Four In The Morning.”
Today in 1999, Sara Evans got her first #1 single with “No Place That Far.”
Today in 1999, George Jones was driving home in Nashville when he tried to play his single “Choices” for his stepdaughter on his cellphone. His car crashed, seriously injuring him. Later, police found an opened vodka bottle in the car.
Today in 2003, George W. Bush presented the National Medal of Arts at the White House to George Jones and Smokey Robinson.
Today in 2006, Miranda Lambert got her first gold single with “Kerosene.”
Today in 2010, Brad Paisley fell off the stage during a concert as he sang the last notes of his final song “Alcohol.” He was treated a local hospital for bruises – and no, he wasn’t tipsy.
Today in 2012, the Country Music Association announced that Garth Brooks, Connie Smith, and session piano player Hargus “Pig” Robbins were the next to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Today in 2014, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo announced an $18,000 scholarship in the name of Reba McEntire as she played Reliant Stadium. Her set list included “Whoever’s In New England,” “Consider Me Gone” and “Fancy.”
Today in 2017, com reported that Blake Shelton’s mother, Dorothy Shelton, had placed the home where he grew up on the market. The asking price for the three-bedroom structure and quarter-acre of land is $250,000.
Today in 2017, Kelsea Ballerini co-hosted the CBS daytime show, “The Talk,” for one day.
Today in 2018, Cam teamed with Smokey Robinson to shoot an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The set included “The Tears Of A Clown,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Diane” and “Burning House.”

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

Posted on March 5, 2026March 5, 2026 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Evangeline”, a positively adorable 11 month old female pooch. Evangeline is great with other dogs, but she gets excited around cats. Evangeline loves kids and people in general, and would make an awesome family dog! Evangeline is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped, and neutered, and she is ready for her ‘furr-ever’ home!

And since Evangeline is the H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, her adoption fee is only $50 this week!

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

Reba Lined Up For 2nd Annual Susan G. Komen Benefit

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Bob Ballard

The battle against breast cancer has a new, formidable ally. Yesterday it was announced that Reba McEntire would be performing at the upcoming 2nd Annual Susan G. Komen event. The kicker: this is Reba’s only scheduled concert event for 2026. “Band As One Nashville Concert for the Cure: Trisha Yearwood & Friends” will feature Reba, Yearwood, Charles Kelley, The Band Loula, Ashley McBryde, Lukas Nelson, Rissi Palmer, War & Treaty, Hailey Whitters and more. The event takes place Sunday, March 22 at the Opry House in Nashville. You can purchase tickets at komen.org/bandasone.

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This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1960, Elvis Presley was discharged from the Army.
Today in 1963, a plane crash in Tennessee claimed the lives of Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and pilot Randy Hughes as they returned to Nashville from a charity concert in Kansas City.
Today in 1973, Alabama appeared for the first time as performers at the Bowery Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Today in 1976, Johnny Cash recorded “One Piece At A Time” at the House of Cash.
Today in 1983, Ronnie Dunn debuted on the country charts as a solo act. Eight years later he returned to the charts as one half of the duo Brooks and Dunn with singing partner Kix Brooks.
Today in 1986, MCA released Steve Earle’s album “Guitar Town.”
Today in 1988, Alabama scored a number-one hit as “Face to Face,” the band’s duet with K.T. Oslin. topped “Billboard’s” country chart.
Today in 1991, the “Pocket Full Of Gold” album by Vince Gill was released.
Today in 2001, Montgomery Gentry were named national spokesmen for Jim Beam and the company’s “Country Band Search.” As part of the deal, the duo hit the road in a bus emblazoned with their name and the company’s logo during a club tour sponsored by the distillery.
Today in 2003, Shania Twain was named as one of eleven inductees for Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto’s Theatre District. She attended the induction ceremonies that occurred in June.
Today in 2004, Gretchen Wilson’s debut single, “Redneck Woman,” was released to radio.
Today in 2004, Brad Paisley was named the 2004 Artist Humanitarian of the Year by the Country Radio Broadcasters at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.
Today in 2005, Pat Green made his Grand Ole Opry debut at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.
Today in 2006, Dolly Parton, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her song “Travelin’ Thru” in the Original Song category, lost to “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia. When Dolly walked the red carpet for the 78th annual awards, she was wearing diamond jewelry worth more than two-million dollars.
Today in 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus laid his father, Ron, to rest at a funeral in Wellington, Kentucky. The elder Cyrus had recently died of lung cancer.
Today in 2007, George Strait racked up eight nominations to top the ballot at Academy of Country Music Awards, unveiled at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. Brooks & Dunn collects seven, and Ronnie Dunn garner collected another on his own.
Today in 2008, Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, and Clay Walker were among the participants at the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. Trace performed an invitation-only concert, and brought his “Celebrity Apprentice” co-stars Omarosa, Marilu Henner, Nely Galan, and Tiffany Fallon with him, quote, “just to show them a little about the music business here.” Garth performed as well, and discussed his life and career with the crowd. Meanwhile, Walker received the Humanitarian of the Year Award for his efforts in the fight against multiple sclerosis.
Today in 2009, Taylor Swift made her first TV acting debut on CBS’ “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Her character was stabbed in the heart with scissors.
Today in 2010, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook became parents with the birth of their first child, son Elijah Dylan Westbrook.
Today in 2011, Blake Shelton hit the top of the Billboard country singles chart with “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.”
Today in 2013, Ashley Monroe’s “Like A Rose” was released.
Today in 2016, “Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: 50 Years And Circlin’ Back” debuted on PBS. The fundraiser features Vince Gill, Jackson Browne, Alison Krauss, Jerry Jeff Walker, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Jimmy Ibbotson, all of whom joined the Dirt Band on the finale, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
Today in 2018, Katie Armiger took part in a Nashville press conference to voice support for a bill that would defend independent contractors in Tennessee’s music business against sexual harassment.

Travis Tritt Reveals 2026 Tour Dates

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Yesterday Travis Tritt announced his 2026 tour plans. Kicking off next month, the 47-date trek includes festivals, opening slots for acts like the Red Clay Strays, Koe Wetzel, Jason Aldean and Zach Top, as well as shows with his kids Tristan Tritt and Tyler Reese Tritt. The tour begins April 16th in Memphis, with stops in Fort Worth, Biloxi and more before a final show November 13th in Atlanta. Visit Tritt’s website for tickets and more information. Check out the first ten dates on the tour below.

April 16 – Memphis, TN – Graceland Soundstage
April 17 – Bossier City, LA – Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana
April 18 – Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
April 24 – Florence, SC – Florence Civic Center
April 25 – Charleston, WV – Clay Center
April 26 – Bowling Green, KY – SKyPAC
May 14 – Augusta, GA – Bell Auditorium
May 15 – Danville, VA – The Pantheon
May 16 – Auburn, AL – Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center – Ham Amphitheatre
May 28 – Midland, TX – Basin PBS

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