- 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.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “RIVER”
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “River”, a one and a half year old German Shepherd mix. River is a friendly chap who enjoys frolicking in the grass, playing fetch, walks, and he knows some commands. River is well behaved and gets along well with other dogs, but cats are iffy. River is housetrained, he’s great with kids and would make some lucky family the perfect furry companion! He would also make a great first dog for someone who has never had a dog. He’s just that easy to live with!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet River 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 River with Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
PRISCILLA BLOCK GETS EMOTIONAL ON FACETIME WITH JUSTIN MOORE OVER #1 SONG
Justin Moore has climbed to the top of the country charts over a dozen times in his career, so he’s kinda used to it. Priscilla Block, however, is just getting her career started and has just one Top 20 country hit to her credit. So their duet “You, Me And Whiskey” climbing to the top of the country charts – and giving Priscilla her first-ever #1 country hit – is a huge deal for the young singer.
Block posted a clip to Instagram showing a FaceTime session between her and Moore in the wake of the duet hitting #1 – and she got very emotional. “I literally feel like I’m gonna cry,” she tells Justin – and then she did. “Thank you so much for believing in me and trusting me with this, this is seriously one of the best days of my life! I’m sorry I’m crying…but it’s so awesome…”
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1971, a summit meeting of past and present stars of country music took place at Woodland Studios in Nashville as recording began on “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” a triple album released in 1972 by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Legends on the album included “Mother” Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff and Merle Travis.
- Today in 1977, Kenny Rogers’ self-titled album was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, Mark Chesnutt began his first concert tour in Highland, Texas.
- Today in 1991, Vince Gill became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s “Here In The Real World” album was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1998, George Strait’s album, “Carryin’ Your Love With Me,” was certified triple platinum while his “Lead On” album was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1998, Reba McEntire’s “Greatest Hits Volume II” was certified for sales of 5-million.
- Today in 1998, the “Souvenirs” album by Vince Gill was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1998, “The Patsy Cline Collection” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1999, Kenny Chesney’s “I Will Stand” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 2000, there were two only country acts to appear on the 2nd annual Family Television Awards. Reba McEntire hosted the festivities, and Billy Gilman performed.
- Today in 2000, then-Vice President Al Gore personally asked Mary Chapin Carpenter to perform at the Democratic National Convention. Mary Chapin was asked to perform a song from her “Stones In The Road” album called “Why Walk, When You Can Fly.”
- Today in 2000, Jo Dee Messina hit another milestone in her career as it was announced that her album, “Burn,” had debuted on Billboard’s Country Album chart at #1.
- Today in 2001, Cyndi Thomson made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2001, Martie Seidel became Martie Maguire when she married hubby Gareth in a supersecret ceremony in Hawaii. The happy couple was able to keep their news quiet until late-September, when the Dixie Chicks performed on the “Tribute to Heroes” special – Martie was seen wearing what looked to be a wedding ring, and she soon admitted through reps that she and Gareth had indeed exchanged vows. The couple split in 2013 and share three daughters.
- Today in 2001, Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden and his wife, Brenda, welcomed their new son, William Solomon Golden, into the world at 11:04am local time at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. And even though little William arrived 12 days early, he weighed in at a healthy 6-pounds, 13 ¾-ounces.
- Today in 2001, Clint Black hosted the Family Television Awards. He and wife Lisa Hartman Black performed their chart-topping hit, “When I Said I Do,” on the show. Interestingly, the program, which honors the best in family-oriented viewing, was the couple’s first televised appearance since the birth of their daughter, Lily Pearl, that May.
- Today in 2001, one of the biggest stars on the planet became of the brightest in the sky as members of Shania Twain’s announced they had paid to have a star registered in Shania’s name – it’s in the constellation Virgo.
- Today in 2002, for the first time since their 1998 Grand Ole Opry debut, Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison – aka the Dixie Chicks – made their follow-up performance on the legendary stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2006, Kenny Chesney’s nine-minute “You Save Me” video aired on CMT for the first time.
- Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum’s single, “Need You Now,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2009, Brooks & Dunn announced in a short note that they would be ending their partnership after one last tour. The message? “It’s time to call it a day.” And while the pair – aka Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks – have continued recording solo music, they have since offered a reunion of sorts through a series of shows in Las Vegas with Reba McEntire.
- Today in 2012, Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride” video premiered on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Cole Swindell wrote his future hit, “You Should Be Here,” with songwriter Ashley Gorley at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. All this while he was prepping to open for Luke Bryan.
- Today in 2016, Eric Church earned a gold single from the RIAA for “Record Year.”
- Today in 2017, Taylor Swift took the stand in Denver as she insisted a former local disc jockey groped her inappropriately backstage in 2013: “He did not touch my arm. He did not touch my rib,” she said. “He did not touch my hand. He grabbed my bare ass.”
- Today in 2018, the Lady A single, “Need You Now,” was certified nine-times platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2019, Chely Wright performed “Shut Up And Drive” and “Single White Female” at the Grand Ole Opry. It was her first appearance at the Mother Church since she came out in May 2010.
- Today in 2019, Rodney Crowell, Jeannie C. Riley and Claude Gray joined the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
MIRANDA LAMBERT TEAMS WITH GIBSON FOR “THE BLUEBIRD” SIGNATURE GUITAR
Miranda Lambert has announced a partnership with Gibson Guitars to put out her very own “signature guitar” – The Bluebird.
The guitar is a variation of the iconic Gibson Hummingbird, and features a square shoulder mahogany body with a Sitka spruce top, a striking Bluebonnet nitrocellulose lacquer finish celebrating the official flower of Lambert’s home state of Texas, and a custom pickguard.
Miranda said of the partnership, “I have been playing Gibson acoustic guitars for so long now, so to be able to partner with such an iconic brand to create my own version of the classic Hummingbird is a dream come true. I hope this encourages musicians everywhere – especially young girls – to pick up a Bluebird and chase the same dream that guitars have made come true for me.” The guitar is available now, for $4649.00.
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1975, Asleep at the Wheel entered the charts with “The Letter That Johnny Walker Wrote.”
- Today in 1988, Restless Heart had a top five single with “The Bluest Eyes In Texas.”
- Today in 1991, Mac Davis’ “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Tanya Tucker was shaken, but unhurt when her tour bus ended up in the middle of a police chase in Dallas.
- Today in 1994, Johnny Cash withdrew from Woodstock ’94.
- Today in 1996, George Strait’s single, “Carried Away,” hit #1.
- Today in 1997, Elvis Week began in Memphis as fans commemorated the 20th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley.
- Today in 1997, Lonestar topped the charts with the single, “Come Cryin’ To Me.”
- Today in 1998, Trisha Yearwood was #1 on the singles charts with “There Goes My Baby.”
- Today in 2003, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus got engaged to his then-girlfriend, Allison Alderson, in New York City. The couple exchanged vows May 15th, 2004
- Today in 2005, Sugarland taped an installment of CMT’s Crossroads” with Bon Jovi in New York.
- Today in 2010, the single, “As She’s Walking Away,” by The Zac Brown Band Featuring Alan Jackson, hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2014, Jason Aldean began a 14-week ride at #1 on the “Billboard” country singles chart with “Burnin’ It Down.”
- Today in 2014, the Oak Ridge Boys’ Duane Allen was inducted in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Carthage Civic Center. He was also named an honorary admiral in the Texas Navy by governor Rick Perry.
- Today in 2015, Zac Brown Band became the first act to play three nights at Boston’s Fenway Park. The concert included a surprise appearance by Steven Tyler, who joins the band on “Walk This Way” and “Sweet Emotion.”
- Today in 2016, Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney got engaged to former Miss Arkansas Hannah Billingsley – they were married October 20th the following year.
- Today in 2017, one day after Glen Campbell’s death, he was honored at the Grand Ole Opry with a mass performance of “Amazing Grace” by The Oak Ridge Boys, Luke Combs, Easton Corbin, Bill Anderson, Will Hoge, Michael Ray and Jeannie Seely. The same day, Toby Keith honored him during a concert at Coney Island in Brooklyn with a cover of “Wichita Lineman.”
- Today in 2018, Jason Aldean’s album, “Rearview Town,” went gold.
- Today in 2019, pitcher Clayton Kershaw presented Brad Paisley with the Challenge Impact Award during a ping pong event for charity at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
- Today in 2019, Jason Aldean scored a platinum single from the RIAA for “Drowns The Whiskey,” featuring Miranda Lambert.
- Today in 2021, Chris Janson was in his hometown: Perryville, Missouri. Why? To perform and to receive a key to the city from Mayor Ken Baer.
MORE ON DARIUS RUCKER’S UPCOMING ALBUM
Darius Rucker‘s first album in six years, “Carolyn’s Boy,” is on the way and here are the details. The new album will be out October 6, and will feature 15 songs – three which we’ve already heard (“Beers & Sunshine,” “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” and “Ol’ Church Hymn” with Chapel Heart).
Along with the announcement came a new Darius track, “Have A Good Time” – and more details about the entire project. There is a song co-written with pop singer Ed Sheeran (“Sara”) and a cover of a Rihanna tune (“Lift Me Up”) that appeared on the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack in its original form. The album is named after Rucker’s mother, a nurse who passed away in 1992 before she could see her son become famous as lead singer of the rock band Hootie & The Blowfish. Check out the tracklist below, and listen to the newly-released track.
Tracklist for Darius Rucker’s “Carolyn’s Boy”
1. “Beers and Sunshine”
2. “In This Together”
3. “Never Been Over”
4. “Fires Don’t Start Themselves”
5. “Ol’ Church Hymn” (Feat. Chapel Hart)
6. “7 Days”
7. “Same Beer Different Problem”
8. “Sara”
9. “Have a Good Time”
10. “Sure Would Have Loved Her”
11. “Southern Comfort”
12. “3AM in Carolina”
13. “Lift Me Up”
14. “Stargazing”
Source: TasteOfCountry
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1954, Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto in San Antonio, Texas. The couple, who share their daughter, Rosanne, moved to Memphis, where he formed a trio that was signed to Sun Records. The couple divorced in 1967 amid Johnny’s trouble with drug addiction. With the help of June Carter, Johnny beat his addiction and eventually married June in 1968.
- Today in 1981, “Hank Williams Jr.’s “The Pressure Is On” album was released.
- Today in 1984, the “Poncho & Lefty” album by Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson was certified platinum.
- Today in 1989, Merle Haggard’s “His Epic – The First Eleven – To Be Continued” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, the album, “It’s All About To Change,” by Travis Tritt was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Reba McEntire’s “My Kind Of Country” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, the “Pocket Full Of Gold” album by Vince Gill was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Willie Nelson sold his Colorado ranch for $803,000 to help pay off the back taxes he owed the IRS.
- Today in 1992, Doug Stone’s “From The Heart” album was released.
- Today in 1996, Randy Travis’ “Always & Forever” album was certified for sales of 5-million.
- Today in 1997, the Mayor of New York City declared it to be “Garth Brooks Day” in the Big Apple, as Garth played his historic concert in Central Park. A record 980,000 people showed up to see Garth perform with special guests Billy Joel and Don McLean. HBO’s live telecast of the free concert in New York set a ratings record for the cable network. “Garth Live From Central Park” drew HBO’s largest audience for an original program that year and topped the four major broadcast networks in HBO homes.
- Today in 2001, Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s debut album, “Room With a View,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 15-million.
- Today in 2002, Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2004, Reba McEntire escorted “Somebody” to #1 in Billboard
- Today in 2007, Vince Gill, Mel Tillis and Ralph Emery were announced as the year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees during a ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Nashville by the Country Music Association.
- Today in 2014, Songwriters busbee, Nate Cyphert and William Wiik Larsen wrote “H.O.L.Y.” in Los Angeles. In 2016, the song becomes a country hit for Florida Georgia Line.
- Today in 2015, Luke Bryan’s album, “Kill The Lights,” was released.
- Today in 2017, Taylor Swift appeared in a Denver courtroom at the start of a trial that pits her against a radio host she accused of grabbing her buttocks backstage at a 2013 concert.
- Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line’s 2016 album, “Dig Your Roots,” was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2017, Toby Keith and Kid Rock performed at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, to close the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s week of induction ceremonies. The night’s music included “Red Solo Cup,” “All Summer Long” and “I Love This Bar.”
KEITH URBAN, KIX BROOKS AMONG 2023 NASHVILLE SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Keith Urban and Kix Brooks headline a talented group of songwriters who were announced as the 2023 inductees into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame yesterday. The other three: David Lee Murphy, Casey Beathard and Rafe Van Hoy.
Urban and Brooks are well known for their own careers, as well as being two of the most well-respected songwriters in country music. David Lee Murphy, while also scoring several hits on his own, has written hits for Blake Shelton, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean and more. Beathard is a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year, with songwriting credits on hits by Gary Allan, Billy Ray Cyrus, Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, and Eric Church. Van Hoy’s career includes writing hits for Mark Chestnutt, the Oak Ridge Boys, Barbara Mandrell and George Jones.
The 53rd annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala will take place at the Music City Center in Nashville on Oct. 11.
Source: TasteOfCountry
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1959, Skeeter Davis joined the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1963, Connie Smith won a talent contest in Columbus, Ohio, and gained the attention of guest artist Bill Anderson, who helped her get her first recording contract.
- Today in 1966, Roger Miller’s “Dang Me” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1981, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White were married.
- Today in 1984, the Judds made their first appearance at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Mama He’s Crazy.”
- Today in 1987, Dolly Parton announced she’d lost 50 pounds.
- Today in 1992, Dolly Parton’s “Eagle When She Flies” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1995, Lee Roy Parnell hit the top of the charts with his single, “A Little Bit Of You.”
- Today in 1996, Trisha Yearwood and Faith Hill performed with Stevie Wonder, Al Green, Little Richard and Gloria Estefan at the closing ceremonies at the Atlanta Olympics.
- Today in 1998, George Strait led with five nominations at the 32nd annual Country Music Association Awards.
- Today in 2001, Jason Aldean married Jessica Ussery in Macon, Georgia. They divorced in 2013 following his highly publicized affair with Brittany Kerr. Aldean went public with Kerr in early 2014.
- Today in 2008, Brooks & Dunn received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Today in 2009, Miranda Lambert’s single, “White Liar,” was released.
- Today in 2010, Taylor Swift’s “Mine” was rush-released by her record label after the song was leaked on the Internet.
- Today in 2011, the Brad Paisley/Carrie Underwood duet, “Remind Me,” was certified gold single by the RIAA.
- Today in 2012, Dierks Bentley’s single, “5-1-5-0,” hit #1 on the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 2014, the Eagles’ “Hell Freezes Over” album was certified nine-times platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2014, Vince Gill became a granddaddy as his daughter, Jenny Gill, and her husband, Josh Van Valkenburg, welcomed their son, Wyatt Gill Van Valkenburg.
- Today in 2015, Tim McGraw’s single, “Top Of The World,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2016, Kelsea Ballerini’s single, “Peter Pan,” went gold and her single from “Love Me Like You Mean It,” was certified platinum. The same day, Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere On A Beach” was certified as a platinum single by the RIAA.
- Today in 2017, Brett Eldredge’s self-titled album was released.
- Today in 2017, Keith Urban’s single, “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” was certified double-platinum single by the RIAA. On the same day, Luke Bryan’s single, “Fast,” went gold and his song, “Strip It Down,” was certified double-platinum. The RIAA also certified Chris Lane’s “For Her” as gold.
- Today in 2017, Kip Moore’s was celebrating his album, “Up All Night,” being certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2017, it was a pretty huge day for Billy Currington – as 10 of his singles were certified by the RIAA. Among them? Gold awards for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To,” “Don’t It,” “Don’t,” “I Got A Feelin’,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll” and “Love Done Gone.”
- Today in 2018, during her show at the Rogers Centre in Toronto, Taylor Swift brought out surprise guest Bryan Adams for a duet on “Summer Of ’69.”
- Today in 2019, while performing at the Lollapalooza rock festival at Grant Park in Chicago, Kacey Musgraves led the audience in an angry, four-letter rebuke of politicians for their inability to act on gun violence. This, as two mass murders in the previous 24 hours led to more than 30 deaths in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio.
- Today in 2019, ABC’s presentation of “Country Fest” opened with Carrie Underwood singing “Southbound” and closed with Tim McGraw and Luke Combs performing “Real Good Man.” In between, acts taking the stage included Dan + Shay, Kane Brown, Maren Morris, Midland and Dierks Bentley, and more. .” Hosting the big show? Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini and Bobby Bones.
- Today in 2020, Expedition 63 astronaut Chris Cassidy posted a video of him lip-synching Travis Tritt’s “It’s A Great Day To Be Alive.”
- Today in 2020, Wynonna and Yolanda Adams performed “I’m Not Tired Yet” during the CBS special, “John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero.” Other participants included John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Pharrell Williams and Jennifer Hudson, who sang “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”