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LAINEY WILSON VISITS VANDERBILT CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Lainey Wilson has been known to bring a young fan or two on stage when she performs, but she recently went to the young fans – at Nashville’s Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. The kids being treated there are sick, injured, and away from home – so visits like Lainey’s mean more than just an interaction with a star – it’s literally therapeutic, and can mean a lift in the spirits as well as helping them heal both mentally and physically.

n an Instagram post from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, there is a video of her performing and speaking to the kids. In it, Wilson says, “Moments like today make me remember why I’ve wanted to do this, why I started doing this. It’s about using your gift for good. It makes me remember what life is truly all about.” 

Source: TasteOfCountry

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1976, the “Spirit” album by John Denver was certified gold.
  • Today in 1977, the day after Elvis Presley’s death, President Jimmy Carter issued the following statement, “Elvis Presley’s death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense and he was a symbol to people the world over, of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of his country.”
  • Today in 1992, Brooks & Dunn’s “Brand New Man” album was certified platinum. It has since been certified for sales of 5-million.
  • Today in 1993, a U.S. postal stamp honoring the late Patsy Cline was unveiled in Boston.
  • Today in 1994, Vince Gill’s “When Love Finds You” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
  • Today in 1994, David Ball’s debut album, “Thinkin’ Problem,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 2000, Lee Ann Womack made her second, appearance on NBC-TV’s “Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” She had just made her debut on the show June 6th, 2000.
  • Today in 2001, Tim McGraw performed on NBC’s “Today” show as part of their “Summer Concert Series” and drew nearly 4,000 fans into Rockefeller Plaza. According to “Today” show sources, this is among the largest crowds they have ever seen as part of their live concert performances. He entertained the masses with three songs – “Angel Boy,” “Things Change” and “Grown Men Don’t Cry” – from his album, “Set This Circus Down.”
  • Today in 2003, LeAnn Rimes sang the national anthem before the NASCAR Winston Cup Series GFSMarketplace 400 at Michigan International Speedway.
  • Today in 2003, it was announced that the Dixie Chicks were the top grossing country tour of the year just as they wrapped up the North American leg of their hugely successful “Top of the World Tour.” In three months, the Chicks played to over 1-million people and pulled in $61-million in ticket sales. The “Top of the World Tour” kicked off on May 1st in Greenville, South Carolina and continued for a total of 63 performances, with an average attendance of 15,753 grossing roughly $976,000 paid attendance for each show. On top of that, 57 of the dates were complete sellouts.
  • Today in 2006, Jason Aldean’s “Amarillo Sky” video had its world premiere on CMT.
  • Today in 2009, Brad Paisley’s “Welcome To The Future” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2012, Florida Georgia Line performed “Cruise” in their Grand Ole Opry debut.
  • Today in 2012, the “Teachers Rock” special aired on CBS-TV. Among the performances, Garth Brooks’ live rendition of “The River,” as well as music by Dierks Bentley, Carrie Underwood, Morgan Freeman and the pop group fun.
  • Today in 2017, Willie Nelson’s concert at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles included a surprise guest: Kris Kristofferson and opening act Kacey Musgraves. They joined Willie for a gospel medley of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “I Saw The Light.”
  • Today in 2017, Keith Urban’s single, “The Fighter,” which features Carrie Underwood, was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA. The same day, Eric Church scored a double-platinum single from the RIAA for “Drink In My Hand,” as well as a platinum award for “Record Year.” He also nabbed gold singles for “Mr. Misunderstood” and his Rhiannon Giddens collabo, “Kill A Word.”

LUKE COMBS ANNOUNCES 2024 TOUR

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Luke Combs has had a career year in 2023, and he’s already planning on being very busy in 2024. Yesterday the country superstar announced his “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour,” which is basically an extension of his current stadium tour. The 2024 leg will run from April to August, playing both Friday and Saturday night each week in a different city (with the exception of University Park, Pennsylvania, which only gets a Saturday night show).

Each city on the tour will see a different set of openers on Friday than they will on Saturday, and Luke has named Cody Jinks, Charles Wesley Godwin, The Avett Brothers, Hailey Whitters, Colby Acuff, Mitchell Tenpenny, Jordan Davis and The Wilder Blue as his rotating opening acts, with the possibility of more openers being added.

Luke’s Instagram post said, “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour. 13 cities. 25 shows. Join/login to my fan club at lukecombs.com (link in bio) to receive pre-sale info (info also emailed to members). Tickets will go on sale to the public next Friday, August 25 at 10 AM local venue time.”

Source: WhiskeyRiff

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1935, Patsy Montana recorded “I Wanna Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart” in New York
  • Today in 1969, Merle Haggard’s blue-collar anthem “Workin’ Man Blues” went to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
  • Today in 1977, Elvis Presley died in his bathroom at Graceland Mansion in Memphis. The most significant pop artist of the 20th century, the beginning and end of his career are grounded in country. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998
  • Today in 1980, Alabama registered its first #1 single in Billboard with “Tennessee River”
  • Today in 2000, Mary Chapin Carpenter sang “Why Walk When You Can Fly” during the Democratic National Convention at the Staples Center in Los Angeles as the party nominated vice president Al Gore for president
  • Today in 2005, Brad Paisley’s “Time Well Wasted” album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2012, Luke Bryan’s single, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” was certified double-platinum. The same day, Jana Kramer scored her first gold single, for “Why Ya Wanna.”
  • Today in 2015, Danielle Peck and husband Josh Smith welcomed their daughter, Ava Smith.
  • Today in 2016, Taylor Swift donated $1-million for Louisiana flood relief after high waters killed 11 people and damaged 40,000 homes.
  • Today in 2017, Midland earned their first gold single for “Drinkin’ Problem.”
  • Today in 2017, Johnny Cash’s children – including Rosanne and John Carter Cash – posted a note on social media saying they were “sickened” to discover a neo-Nazi wore a Cash T-shirt during a violent demonstration in Charlottesville, Virginia, that gained national attention. “Johnny Cash was a man whose heart beat with the rhythm of love and social justice,” they wrote, in part. “Our father…as a person, an icon, or symbol, is not you.”
  • Today in 2019, Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know” was certified quintuple-platinum by the RIAA. On the same day, Jordan Davis scored a platinum single from the RIAA for “Take It From Me.”
  • Today in 2019, Drake White nearly collapsed on stage while opening for Scotty McCreery at Elmwood Park in Roanoke, Virginia. He was later diagnosed with a brain bleed.
  • Today in 2019, Carrie Underwood had a doubly good day. She scored a gold single from the RIAA for “Love Wins” as well as a double-platinum award for the Keith Urban collaboration “The Fighter.”
  • Today in 2020, Dwight Yoakam and his wife, Emily Joyce, welcomed their son, Dalton Loren Yoakam.
  • Today in 2021, Don McLean received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 2021, the Judds, Ray Charles, steel guitarist Pete Drake and drummer Eddie Bayers are announced by the CMA as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Gabby Barrett’s Hometown Gave Her a Key to the City

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Friday was a huge day in the career and the life of Gabby Barrett. The rising country singer performed a post-game concert after the Pittsburgh Pirates played at PNC park in Pittsburgh to over 31K – but that was literally incidental compared to the honors she was bestowed.

Before she took the stage, the Munhall Pennsylvania native received two incredibly high honors in recognition of her success and her proud representation of the city. During an on-field presentation, Munhall Mayor Robert Falce presented Barrett with a key to the city while County Executive Rich Fitzgerald also proclaimed August 11, 2023 as “Gabby Barrett Day” in Allegheny County. Gabby posted her thoughts on the evening on Instagram.

“I am not sure where to start…last night, being in Pittsburgh (my hometown) and headlining a place I remember most of the time performing hardly to anyone, for years and years – there was now 31,000 thousand people in attendance for the show. I cannot put into words the emotions I was balancing before walking on stage. Also, getting to receive the “Key to the City” was nothing short of an honor. God is blessing & were here for the ride. Thank you to my fans that have been there and supported allllllll through these years. It was so wonderful to see familiar faces. Until we return back.. thank you!!!!”

Source: CountryNow

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1957, the Everly Brothers recorded “Wake Up Little Susie” at the Methodist Television, Radio and Film Commission studios in Nashville.
  • Today in 1991, Vince Gill and Alan Jackson lead the way in the 25th annual Country Music Association awards with six nominations apiece. Garth Brooks receives five. Brooks and Gill compete for entertainer against Clint Black, Reba McEntire and George Strait.
  • Today in 1995, Roy Clark performed “Yesterday, When I Was Young” during the funeral for Mickey Mantle at Lovers Lane United Methodist Church in Dallas.
  • Today in 2005, Faith Hill gave the first of two shows at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles with appearances by husband Tim McGraw. Footage from the concerts were used in her Thanksgiving Eve special “Faith Hill: Fireflies.”
  • Today in 2006, Alison Krauss + Union Station picked up a whopping 11 nominations as finalists were announced for the International Bluegrass Music Association award
  • Today in 2011, The Band Perry’s “All Your Life” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2011, Lady Antebellum’s “We Owned The Night” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley was featured on Animal Planet’s “Treehouse Masters.”
  • Today in 2015, Alan Jackson hit #1 on the “Billboard” albums chart with “Angels And Alcohol.”
  • Today in 2015, Sam Hunt was celebrating the first of six weeks at #1 on the “Billboard” country singles chart with “House Party.”
  • Today in 2015, Faith Hill was the surprise guest during husband Tim McGraw’s show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena – she joined him on “It’s Your Love.” Daughter Gracie McGraw was also there – as was Chris Janson, who offered up “Buy Me A Boat.”
  • Today in 2017, Tim Rushlow performed in Texas in his first show since undergoing brain surgery in June. Also on the bill were Larry Stewart and Richie McDonald.

ERIC CHURCH PERFORMS “ON THE ROAD” IN INDIANA

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Eric Church was late to a charity gig in North Carolina because he got caught up writing a new song while en route to the event in the back of his tour bus. He ended up playing the song that night – and has continued playing it in his live performances.

Over the weekend in Noblesville, Indiana, Eric once again played the new song, using it as his show closer.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1964, Roy Rogers had a nine-hour surgery to repair vertebrae in his back damaged by years of riding his horse, Trigger.
  • Today in 1982, “Ernest Tubb makes his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1995, Shania Twain was certified double-platinum for the first time in her career, with “The Woman In Me.”
  • Today in 1995, Garth Brooks’ “The Hits” became the first best-of album by a country-based artist certified for shipments of 7-million units.
  • Today in 2001, Alison Krauss + Union Station’s album, “New Favorite,” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2003, a power outage zapped the electricity for 50-million residents in the Northeast – so Jo Dee Messina improvised with a 30-minute acoustic set at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, New York. Her performance included the apropos “The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia.”
  • Today in 2003, Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick performed for 25,000 troops and president George W. Bush at Miramar Marine Air Corps Station near San Diego. Among the day’s selections: “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue (The Angry American)” and “The Fightin’ Side Of Me.”
  • Today in 2007, Luke Bryan’s debut album, “I’ll Stay Me,” was released.
  • Today in 2007, Heartland’s Jason Albert and his wife, Kelly, welcomed their daughter, Kelson Noel Albert, at Huntsville Hospital in Alabama.
  • Today in 2012, Dierks Bentley’s single “Sideways” went gold.
  • Today in 2012, Ricky Skaggs was added to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Hendersonville, Tennessee, along with Aretha Franklin and four other acts.
  • Today in 2017, Thomas Rhett’s single, “Craving You,” featuring Maren Morris, was certified gold by the RIAA. The same day, Justin Moore’s “Bait A Hook” single reeled in a platinum award.
  • Today in 2017, a North Carolina judge dismissed a copyright lawsuit brought against Alan Jackson by songwriter Timothy Arnett, who maintained that Jackson’s hit “Remember When” ripped off his own “Remember Me.”

CARRIE UNDERWOOD DROPS NEW SONG, ‘GIVE HER THAT’

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Carrie Underwood teased new music yesterday – and delivered overnight.

Jumping on her socials, the country superstar told everyone that a new track from her upcoming deluxe version of “Denim & Rhinestones” would be coming out at midnight – and it did. Titled “Give Her That,” the song is the third of six new songs we’ve heard so far from her upcoming expanded version of “Denim & Rhinestones.” That album drops September 22.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1952, Hank Williams was fired from the Grand Ole Opry for unreliability due to alcoholism.
  • Today in 1984, “That’s The Thing About Love” by Don Williams topped the country charts.
  • Today in 1989, Holly Dunn was #1 with the single, “Are You Ever Gonna Love Me.”
  • Today in 1992, Alabama’s “American Pride” album was released.
  • Today in 1993, Alan Jackson’s “A Lot About Livin’” album was certified double platinum.
  • Today in 1994, Neal McCoy earned his first gold album for “No Doubt About It.”
  • Today in 1995, the album, “The Last One To Know,” by Reba McEntire was certified for sales of one million copies, bringing her total number of platinum albums to 11.
  • Today in 1998, Vince Gill’s album, “The Key,” was released.
  • Today in 1998, the Wilkinsons released their debut album, “Nothing But Love.”
  • Today in 1998, the Dixie Chicks received the first of their many chicken-feet tattoos, which adorn their feet and ankles. Each tattoo celebrates the band’s #1 hits and album sales certifications.
  • Today in 1999, John Michael Montgomery’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2000, Lonestar’s single, “What About Now,” ended Lee Ann Womack’s six-week reign she enjoyed at the top of “Radio & Records’” country chart with “I Hope You Dance.”
  • Today in 2001, Blake Shelton picked up his first #1 single in Billboard with “Austin,” which remained at the top for five weeks.
  • Today in 2005, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer were married in Nashville in his seventh wedding and her second. The couple divorced in 2014, but do have a son together.
  • Today in 2005, Billy Currington’s “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2006, “CMT Cross Country” debuts, demonstrating the parallels between a pair of country performers. The inaugural episode matches Josh Turner with one of his biggest influences, Randy Travis.
  • Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now” album was released.
  • Today in 2010, Luke Bryan and his wife, Caroline, welcomed son Tatum “Tate” Christopher Bryan.
  • Today in 2013, Kenny Chesney’s “Come Over” hit the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2017, Lindsay Ell’s debut album, “The Project,” was released.
  • Today in 2017, Taylor Swift’s former bodyguard testified in a Denver courtroom that he saw a disc jockey grab her buttocks during a 2013 photo op. Later in the day, the judge dropped the radio host’s suit against Swift, though her mother and an employee were still defendants as the dee jay seeks damages for losing his job.
  • Today in 2017, Jason Aldean holds a Concert For The Kids with Luke Combs at Macon Coliseum in Georgia, raising $700,000 for the local Children’s Hospital. A section of road at the hospital was dedicated as Jason Aldean Way.
  • Today in 2018, Kenny Chesney’s “Songs For The Saints” album hit the top spot on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2018, Dolly Parton won the inaugural Dolly Parton Excellence In Leadership Award during a ceremony at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
  • Today in 2019, when he performed at the Railbird Festival, Tyler Childers received a key to the city of Lexington, Kentucky.

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