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This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1975, John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain Christmas” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1980, the albums, “The Best Of Eddie Rabbitt” and “Horizon,” by Eddie Rabbitt were both certified gold.
  • Today in 1981, Juice Newton’s “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” debuted on the country singles charts.
  • Today in 1991, Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” album was certified for sales of 5-million copies.
  • Today in 1991, Alan Jackson’s album, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1993, Garth Brooks gave a fan a signed guitar at a North Dakota concert after she gave him a picture she had commissioned just for him.
  • Today in 1993, Clay Walker and his wife, Lori, were married.
  • Today in 1993, George Strait topped the charts with the single, “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
  • Today in 1995, Alan Jackson’s “Greatest Hits Collection” album was released.
  • Today in 1997, the Garth Brooks/ Trisha Yearwood duet, “In Another’s Eyes,” was at #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart.
  • Today in 1998, Sawyer Brown played their 3000th show in front of 15,000 fans in Salt Lake City, Utah. The concert offered the band a bit of déjà vu – the venue was where they performed their first gig as a headline act in the mid-’80s
  • Today in 2000, it was revealed that Clint Black and his lovely wife, Lisa Hartman Black, were expecting their first child. On May 8th of 2002, the couple welcomed Lily Pearl as the newest member of the Black family. Their happy news wasn’t revealed until the following day, when “Early Show” co-host Jane Clayson announced the joyous arrival to the world during the 36th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
  • Today in 2000, Faith Hill topped the list of nominees for the first annual “My VH1 Music Awards” with 5 nods. At the ceremonies that followed on November 30th, Faith scored trophies in the “Woman of the Year,” “Do You Want Fries With That Album?” and “Sexiest Video” categories.
  • Today in 2000, the “Another Rosie Christmas” album, which featured the Dixie Chicks singing with Rosie O’Donnell was released. Chris Cagle’s debut album, “Play It Loud,” also arrived in stores for the first time – it was re-released the following June with bonus tracks.
  • Today in 2002, LeAnn Rimes sang the national anthem prior to Game 5 of the World Series where the Giants beat the Anaheim Angels, 16-4.
  • Today 2005, Montgomery Gentry, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley taped a performance for CBS’ “I Walk The Line: A Night For Johnny Cash.”
  • Today in 2006, Trace Adkins performed the national anthem before Game 3 of the World Series. The Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-0.
  • Today in 2006, Big Machine released Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut album.
  • Today in 2010, Don Williams and Jimmy Dean are inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 2012, Randy Travis and The Avett Brothers shot an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
  • Today in 2014, Little Big Town performed the national anthem before Game 3 of the World Series at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Kansas City Royals edged out the Giants, 3-2.

JELLY ROLL ANNOUNCES “BIGGEST TOY DRIVE IN NASHVILLE HISTORY”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Jelly Roll is back at it. The singer/philanthropist has a little time on his hands, now that his “Backroad Baptism” tour has wrapped. He’s just announced on his socials what he’s doing with his off-time.

“What’s up Nashville and the surrounding areas? I am announcing the coolest thing I’ve ever announced. We are doing the biggest toy drive in Nashville history. This is the beginning of a lot more announcements to come. This is just day one of what will be the biggest partnered toy drive in Nashville history. I’m confident that we’re going to do it bigger than it’s ever been done.”

“Buy a toy from this Walmart store and donate it – the first 500 people to donate will get VIP access to see me perform live at the Walmart! The more donations we get the more songs I’ll do for y’all!”

The Walmart Jelly was referring to is the newly-opened Franklin, Tennessee Walmart. The toy drive is already underway, and with that kind of announcement, we’re sure that a) it’s already a massive success and b) those 500 VIP passes are long gone. See his announcement to the right.

Source: WhiskeyRiff

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1974, Charlie Rich’s album, “There Won’t Be Any More,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1992, the single, “Seminole Wind,” by John Anderson went to #1 on the country charts. The same day, John’s album with the same name was certified gold.
  • Today in 1993, Suzy Bogguss hit the top 10 with “Just Like The Weather.”
  • Today in 1996, Tracy Lawrence’s “Time Marches On” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1997, Barbara Mandrell gave her final musical performance at the Grand Ole Opry House, quitting music to concentrate on acting.
  • Today in 1999, Garth Brooks joined Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Aretha Franklin, Lenny Kravitz, John Mellencamp and others participates in Washington D.C. on the White House lawn for what was billed as the Concert of the Century.
  • Today in 2000, it was revealed that Garth Brooks had saved two boys from a house fire in Oklahoma three days earlier.
  • Today in 2000, John Michael Montgomery’s single, “The Little Girl,” topped the country charts. It was John Michael’s biggest song since 1993’s “I Swear” occupied the #1 spot on the charts for four weeks straight.
  • Today in 2000, the album, “Smoke Rings In The Dark,” by Gary Allan was certified gold.
  • Today in 2000, the Dixie Chicks’ “Fly” album was certified for sales of 7-million.
  • Today in 2000, Billy Gilman was recognized by two Hollywood trade magazines. He was named as one of the top 10 youths in entertainment by “Daily Variety” and was nominated for the “Young Star Award” from “The Hollywood Reporter.”
  • Today in 2001, the “Great Hits Collection” by Alan Jackson was certified for sales of 5-million.
  • Today in 2001, Reba McEntire’s “Greatest Hits Volume III: I’m A Survivor” project was released.
  • Today in 2001, Tracy Lawrence’s self-titled album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2004, George Strait’s “I Hate Everything” takes a seat at #1 in Billboard.
  • Today in 2007, the “Raising Sand,” an album from Alison Krauss with Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2010, Blake Shelton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2015, Carrie Underwood’s “Storyteller” album was released.
  • Today in 2017, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle and Mary Chapin Carpenter launched the Lantern Tour, a benefit for immigrants and refugees, at Nashville’s City Winery. Also appearing were Jackson Browne, Graham Nash, Shawn Colvin and Lila Downs.
  • Today in 2017, Vern Gosdin was posthumously inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Music City Center. Also inducted were “Friends In Low Places” author Dewayne Blackwell, “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” writer Walt Aldridge, “Chattahoochee” composer Jim McBride and “Live Like You Were Dying” writer Tim Nichols.
  • Today in 2017, Jason Aldean was the surprise performer for about 1200 conference attendees of the American Trucking Management Conference in Orlando.
  • Today in 2017, Shania Twain was a guest judge on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.”
  • Today in 2017, Luke Combs collects a gold single from the RIAA for “When It Rains It Pours.”

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

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Gillian”, a 2 year old terrier mix. Gillian is kind of a shy gal at first, but will warm up to you fast if you offer her a treat and/or a squeaky toy. (She LOVES those!) Gillian gets along great with kids, other dogs and even cats! She rides well in the car and is totally housetrained. Gillian’s a medium-small dog who weighs about 30 lbs. She’s fully vetted, vaccinated, spayed and ready to meet you!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Gillian or any of the pets at Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter, visit www.stephenmemorial.org/ and fill out an adoption application.

Check out our visit about with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

KENNY CHESNEY TEASES MYSTERY TOUR

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The rumor mill began to work overtime following a recent Kenny Chesney post on social media. The country star shared a video featuring multiple artists that have led some to believe a major tour is in the works.

Chesney’s No Shoes Nation got excited when the singer posted two chairs on a dock overlooking the sun setting over the ocean. As the video plays on, Chesney’s single with Uncle Kracker (“When The Sun Goes Down”), along with Zac Brown Band’s “Toes,” Megan Moroney’s “Ain’t She Pretty” and Kracker’s “Smile,” played in the background.

 

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1951, Hank Williams signed a movie contract with MGM.
  • Today in 1955, a little known singer, Elvis Presley, played at a sock hop at Brooklyn High School (a Cleveland suburb) in his first appearance outside his native South (along with Pat Boone and Bill Haley and the Comets).
  • Today in 1967, Sonny James and Bobbie Gentry hosted the first CMA Awards presentation.
  • Today in 1982, the Statler Brothers’ “Christmas Card” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1991, Clint and Lisa Hartman Black were married on a farm outside of Houston. In his vows, Clint told Lisa, “Our two lives will become one life and together the two of us will overcome what would overcome one.”
  • Today in 1992, Travis Tritt’s album, “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1992, the film, “Pure Country,” starring George Strait, premiered in Nashville. Attendees included George, Garth Brooks, Joe Diffie and Randy Travis.
  • Today in 1993, Mark Chesnutt’s “Almost Goodbye” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, the “Heartaches” album by Patsy Cline was certified gold.
  • Today in 1998, Deana Carter’s Everything’s Gonna Be Alright album was released.
  • Today in 1999, Martina McBride’s album, “Emotion,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 2000, Vince Gill and Amy Grant adopted a mixed-breed puppy from Love at First Sight in Nashville’s Sylvan Park. The family’s new addition was a 6-week-old golden retriever-Shetland sheep dog mix.
  • Today in 2008, The Zac Brown Band’s “Chicken Fried” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2009, Curb released Tim McGraw’s “Southern Voice” album
  • Today in 2011, The Eli Young Band earned its first platinum single for “Crazy Girl.”
  • Today in 2012, Brad Paisley headlined the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time. The bill also included The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.
  • Today in 2013, Kelly Clarkson married Brandon Blackstock in Tennessee.
  • Today in 2016, Little Big Town’s “Better Man,” which written by Taylor Swift, hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2017, Shay Mooney married Hanna Billingsley on his family’s property in Arkansas. Dan Smyers, the other half of Dan + Shay, is a member of the wedding party.
  • Today in 2018, Eric Church’s “Desperate Man” debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2019, Brooks & Dunn, Ray Stevens and record producer Owen Bradley were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 2020, Tim McGraw was honored with the Tom Hanks Caregiver Champion Award by the Elizabeth Dole Foundation in an online ceremony. McGraw performs “I Called Mama.”
  • Today in 2020, a life-size statue of Loretta Lynn was unveiled outside the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
  • Today in 2020, David Nail and his wife, Catherine, welcomed their daughter, Ellie Britton Nail.

BLAKE SHELTON WILL RE-LAUNCH HONKY TONK TOUR IN 2024

Posted on by Bob Ballard

If you’ve been wondering what Blake Shelton has been up to since leaving “The Voice,” you can stop. The country singer has given fans and followers an answer: he’s reuniting his “Honky Tonk Tour” early next year.

“We’re going #BackToTheHonkyTonk in 2024,” posted Shelton on his social media. Previously traveling the country in February and March of this year, the new trek will kick off February 22nd in Hershey, PA before making 17 stops around North America.

And Shelton’s bringing some friends along with him. Former “Team Blake” contestant on “The Voice,” Emily Ann Roberts, and Dustin Lynch will be opening up for Shelton along the way. Tickets drop next Friday, October 27th, and you can see some dates below in the meantime.

2/22- Hershey, PA

3/01- Austin, TX

3/09- Calgary, AB

3/16- Portland, OR

3/29- Wichita, KS

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1952, Hank and Billie Jean Williams repeated their wedding vows onstage in New Orleans.
  • Today in 1963, Buck Owens attained the #1 spot on the Billboard country singles chart with “Love’s Gonna Live Here.”
  • Today in 1972, the album, “The Best Of Charley Pride, Vol. 2,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1984, Willie Nelson’s “Stardust” album was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1985, Reba McEntire sang the national anthem prior to the first game of the World Series at Royal Stadium in Kansas City. The Cardinals beat the Royals, 3-1
  • Today in 1991, Country Music Hall of Fame member and Grand Ole Opry announcer Grant Turner died six hours after being on the Opry stage.
  • Today in 1993, Patty Loveless’ album, “Only What I Feel,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, George Jones & Tammy Wynette performed the only full-fledged Nashville concert of their career, uniting on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry House.
  • Today in 1997, on stage at the Grand Ole Opry, Vince Gill honored his late friend and influence, John Denver. Vince played “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” and invited the audience to sing along.
  • Today in 1999, Keith Urban’s self-titled debut album as a solo artist arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2002, Keith Urban began a six-week stay at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Somebody Like You.”
  • Today in 2006, Keith Urban checked into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, to cope with a recurrence of substance abuse. In a statement, he offered, “One can never let one’s guard down on recovery, and I’m afraid I have”
  • Today in 2011, Scotty McCreery performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” before game 1 of the World Series at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. The Cardinals win the opener, 3-2, against the Texas Rangers, partially owned by Charley Pride.
  • Today in 2013, Jason Aldean headlined the historic Hollywood Bowl for the first time. Filling out the bill were Jake Owen and Thomas Rhett.
  • Today in 2015, Blake Shelton sued “In Touch Weekly” for more than $1-million, saying a cover story that claimed he had gone to rehab defamed him. Overcoming a number of legal hurdles – including the need to prove that the headlines weren’t protected free speech – Shelton settled with the mag in April 2017.
  • Today in 2017, Big & Rich, Cam and surprise guests Rascal Flatts played a benefit concert for Route 91 Music Festival shooting victims at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.
  • Today in 2017, Dierks Bentley lead a tribute concert to the late Ralph Stanley at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. Also on the bill are Darryl Worley, Heidi Newfield, Nathan Stanley, Ralph Stanley II, T. Graham Brown, T Bone Burnett and Doug Supernaw.
  • Today in 2017, Darius Rucker made his first appearance at the historic Apollo Theater in New York.
  • Today in 2018, Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit’s “Live From The Ryman” album was released.
  • Today in 2019, Dan + Shay took Justin Bieber along for the ride as the trio’s “10,000 Hours” was at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2019, Brantley Gilbert’s “Fire & Brimstone” album debuted in the top position on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2019, a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker for Steve Azar was unveiled in Greenville.
  • Today in 2020. Jeff Bridges revealed he’d been diagnosed with lymphoma and was beginning recovery. The actor had a Top 10 country album with a self-titled project in 2011.
  • Today in 2020, Eric Church’s single, “Hell Of A View,” was released.

SHANIA TWAIN LOVES THAT TAYLOR SWIFT WEARS HER MERCH

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Shania Twain knows a thing or two about being an incredibly hot young pop and country star – so when Drew Barrymore brought up Taylor Swift on “The Drew Barrymore Show,” Shania could absolutely relate.

Drew started off the conversation by asking how Shania felt seeing Taylor Swift – the biggest music star on the planet right now – wearing a shirt with her name and face on it, and Shania gushed about the young star.

“Isn’t she a doll?” she asked, before dropping tons of praise on her. “She’s so…we’re in sync in a lot of ways. And I really have a lot of respect and compassion for her whole..the weight of any young artist in her position is enormous. And she just gets it through so…seamlessly, effortlessly, but we all know it’s a lot of effort. A lot of work…she’s a hard, hard worker. Anyway, it’s really cool – I think that was sweet of her.”

Source: The Drew Barrymore Show/YouTube

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1983, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton received a gold single for “Islands In The Stream.”
  • Today in 1984, Mickey Gilley was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 1997, Deana Carter ended up at #1 on the Billboard chart with “How Do I Get There.”
  • Today in 2002, a new episode of “CMT Crossroads” aired, pairing The Dixie Chicks and James Taylor.
  • Today in 2005, Carrie Underwood’s single, “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2007, Alison Kraus teamed up with Robert Plant for a “CMT Crossroads.”
  • Today in 2009, Toby Keith was named Songwriter/Artist of the Decade and “Live Like You Were Dying” author Craig Wiseman is honored as Songwriter of the Decade by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
  • Today in 2009, Tammy Wynette was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with “I Hope You Dance” author Mark D. Sanders and “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” creator Kye Fleming.
  • Today in 2011, Colt Ford announced the creation of his own brand of alcohol, Goodtime Moonshine and Goodtime Vodka.
  • Today in 2011, Miranda Lambert’s single, “White Liar,” went platinum. On the same date in 2013, she got a platinum award for the song, “Kerosene.”
  • Today in 2014, Blake Shelton’s “Bringing Back The Sunshine” debuted in the top spot on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2014, Angaleena Presley made her Grand Ole Opry debut as a solo artist. The night’s lineup also featured Kristian Bush, Lorrie Morgan, Bill Anderson, Jean Shepard and “Nashville” actor Charles Esten.
  • Today in 2016, Justin Moore’s single, “Somebody Else Will,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2016, the children’s picture book, “Coat Of Many Colors,” which was based on the Dolly Parton song, was published.
  • Today in 2016, Brothers Osborne sunk two out of three shots from center ice during intermission of an NHL game at the United Center in Chicago, winning $1,000 for charity. The Blackhawks defeat the Flyers, 7-4.
  • Today in 2016, Randy Travis made a surprise appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2016, Kris Kristofferson was recognized with the Woody Guthrie Prize for embodying the spirit of the late singer/songwriter.
  • Today in 2016, Blake Shelton joined Gwen Stefani to perform “Go Ahead And Break My Heart” for the final state dinner of Barack Obama’s presidency at the White House in Washington, D.C. Others in the room included Jerry Seinfeld, Mario Andretti and James Taylor.
  • Today in 2017, Lee Brice picked up five sales awards from the RIAA. The albums “I Don’t Dance” and “Love Like Crazy” were certified gold, while his single, “That Don’t Sound Like You,” went gold; the song “Drinking Class” hit platinum and “Hard To Love” went double-platinum.
  • Today in 2017, instead of accepting awards at the CMT Artists of the Year show in Nashville, singer Jason Aldean and other stars honored the victims of the mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vegas.
  • Today in 2018, Keith Urban visited a dying fan before a concert in Ohio, performing “Blue Ain’t Your Color” at the bedside of 25-year-old Marissa English at St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo.
  • Today in 2019, it was a “golden” day for Keith Urban and Gary Allan, who each scored gold certifications for their respective singles, “Parallel Lines” and “Her Man.”
  • Today in 2019, Brantley Gilbert’s single, “Stone Cold Sober,” was certified gold. On the same day, Dierks Bentley’s single, “Living,” went gold and Kacey Musgraves? She collected gold singles for “Rainbow” and “Biscuits.”
  • Today in 2019, Cody Jinks album, “The Wanting,” was released.
  • Today in 2019, Luke Bryan collects platinum singles from the RIAA for “Move” and “Knockin’ Boots.”

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