- Today in 1980, The John Travolta movie “Urban Cowboy” premiered. It includes music by Kenny Rogers, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Anne Murray, The Eagles, The Charlie Daniels Band, Jimmy Buffet, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, and J.D. Souther.
- Today in 1981, John Denver’s “Greatest Hits, Volume II” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1992, Wynonna Judd’s debut album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1993, the legendary Conway Twitty passed away. He was 59 years old.
- Today in 1993, Toby Keith’s first single, “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” hit #1 on the charts.
- Today in 1995, the 29th annual Music City News Country Awards were held with Alan Jackson & Reba McEntire walking away as the night’s top winners.
- Today in 2000, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was certified for sales of 13 million. This distinction tied with Bruce Springsteen’s “Live 1975-1985” as the biggest-selling live album in history. As a bit of trivia, that certification pushed Garth’s total career sales to 5 million. As of now, his sales exceed 100 million.
- Today in 2000, George Strait got great news. His 1995 compilation, “Strait Out of the Box,” jumped to the 7-million sales level matching Led Zeppelin’s 1990 self-titled collection as the highest-certified box set released in the ’90s. Plus, George’s 1998 album, “One Step at a Time,” was certified double platinum.
- Today in 2000, Martina McBride was working overtime during her visit to the Washington, D.C. area. After turning in a stellar performance during the George Strait Country Music Festival’s stop in Landover, Maryland, Martina performed another show at the much more intimate setting of the Birchmere, a music hall located in Alexandria, Virginia. Country stars rarely perform two concerts at different places during the same day, but Martina made an exception after hearing the tragic story of a local murder. In April 2000, 8-year-old Kevin Shifflett was stabbed to death as he played outside his grandparents’ home in Alexandria. Martina’s concert raised $100,000 for a reward fund to find the young boy’s killer. Raising $100,000 for one show at the Birchmere was an impressive feat since 500 fans gladly paid $200 per ticket to see Martina’s concert.
- Today in 2000, Vince Gill’s album, “I Still Believe in You,” was certified for sales of 5-million.
- Today in 2000, Mark Chesnutt’s “Greatest Hits” album went platinum.
- Today in 2000, Mary Chapin Carpenter had plenty to celebrate, with her “Stones in the Road” reaching double platinum and her greatest hits collection, “Party Doll and Other Favorites,” going gold.
- Today in 2000, Even in the midst of an extended hiatus, the Dixie Chicks showed no signs of slowing down. Their debut album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified for sales in excess of 11-million. When the critically acclaimed disc surpassed 10-million the trio became the only group in the history of country music to receive a prestigious RIAA Diamond Award. The news was certainly made sweeter for the band as their follow-up album, “Fly,” had already well over the 9-million mark and hit 10-million before summer was in full swing.
- Today in 2001, Trisha Yearwood’s album, “Inside Out,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2003, Dwight Yoakam receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Today in 2007, After kicking off their Soul2Soul concert tour, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill received the Academy of Country Music’s Career Achievement Award.
- Today in 2014, Chris Young had to cancel many tour dates due to the hand he severely cut while making dinner.
- Today in 2016, as he turned 36, Carrie Underwood gave her husband, hockey player Mike Fisher, a cannon.
- Today in 2017, the estate of Bill Monroe announced it was willing to sell rights to his name and likeness, plus tons of memorabilia, including 1,800 personal checks, some of them written to Ralph Stanley, Johnny Paycheck, and Earl Scruggs.
- Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line held the grand opening of its Nashville restaurant, FGL House.
- Today in 2017, Brooks & Dunn made a surprise appearance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, playing “Red Dirt Road” with Darius Rucker as Rucker raised $402,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Center. Also appearing were Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, John Oates, and Michael Ray, who teamed with Rucker on “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
- Today in 2019, Luke Combs received a quadruple-platinum single award from the RIAA for “Hurricane,” a double-platinum cert for “One Number Away” and “Houston, We Got A Problem” went gold as well.
- Today in 2020, Mitchell Tenpenny’s single, “Alcohol You Later,” went gold.
- Today in 2021, Kid Rock lashed out at fans using a homophobic slur during a performance at the FishLipz Bar & Grill in Smithville, Tennessee. The moment became a controversy when the video got posted online.
- Today in 2021, Lindsay Ell broke her right leg when she jumped off the bus in Nashville while chasing her dog at the end of a tour.
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KENNY CHESNEY TAKES KELSEA BALLERINI ON VACA TO CELEBRATE END OF A SUCCESSFUL TOUR
Posted on by Bob Ballard
He works hard, he plays hard. Kenny Chesney just wrapped his hugely successful “I Go Back” tour with two dates last weekend in Alabama. Once the fans filed out and the lights came up, Kenny let the road crew pack things up as he packed his bags – and headed for a well-earned vacation in the Caribbean.
The superstar – in a show of friendship and gratitude towards his tour opener – took Kelsea Ballerini along with him for the much needed few days off. And accompanying them both was Kelsea’s boyfriend, “Outer Banks” actor Chase Stokes. “Tour mates turned family. Thanks to everyone that gave so much to the #IGOBACKTOUR. Kenny loves Tekelsea,” Kenny wrote on Instagram (“Tekelsea” is his nickname for Kelsea – springing from the many shots of tequila the two shared on while on tour).
Kelsea also jumped on Instagram during the trip. “spent the last few months touring with my hero turned brother @kennychesney. My heart is so full from a beautiful collection of new memories. Thank you to everyone who made it so dang special”
Source: CountryNow
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1953, Elvis Presley graduated from L.C. Humes High School in Memphis.
- Today in 1986, Randy Travis’ “Storms Of Life” album was released.
- Today in 1992, Hal Ketchum’s Past “The Point Of Rescue” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1992, Martina McBride began her first major concert tour, opening for Garth Brooks in Denver, Colorado.
- Today in 1993, Pam Tillis’ “Homeward Looking Angel” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1995, Wade Hayes’ “Still Dancin’ With You” was the #1 single.
- Today in 1998, Brooks & Dunn’s “If You See Her” album was released. On the same day, Reba McEntire’s released her album “If You See Him.”
- Today in 1998, Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander, a skydiving veteran who had jumped more than 200 times, had his picture taken at 9,500 feet, with the Space Shuttle Discovery streaking skyward in the background over Cape Canaveral.
- Today in 1999, Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” album was certified for sales of eleven million, temporarily tying it with her own “The Woman In Me” as the best-selling album by a female country artist.
- Today in 2000, the Dixie Chicks kicked off their first headlining tour in Winnipeg, Canada.
- Today in 2001, Kenny Chesney‘s single, “Don’t Happen Twice,” was at #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart.
- Today in 2002, Mary Chapin Carpenter married contractor Timmy Smith. Well-known for being intensely private, the nuptials weren’t confirmed until weeks later, by friends of the couple – not from anyone in Mary Chapin’s camp.
- Today in 2000, with his wife Faith Hill on his arm, Tim McGraw was officially named Father of the Year by the National Fatherhood Initiative, at a ceremony in Washington D.C.
- Today in 2003, Alan Jackson’s duet with Jimmy Buffett, “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” was released.
- Today in 2009, Kellie Pickler earned her first gold single with “Red High Heels.”
- Today in 2010, Faith Hill and Emmylou Harris performed at the White House as Paul McCartney received the Library of Congress’ Gershwin Prize. Also playing for the president: Jack White, Elvis Costello, and The Jonas Brothers.
- Today in 2011, Shania Twain received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Today in 2014, the fifth Darius Rucker and Friends benefit raised $120-thousand for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. Guests included the Eli Young Band, Kenny Rogers, Charles Kelley, Clint Black, David Nail and Cassadee Pope.
- Today in 2015, the Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard album, “Django And Jimmie,” was released.
- Today in 2017, Lee Brice and his wife, Sara, welcomed their daughter, Trulee Nanette Brice.
- Today in 2017, Brad Paisley delivers a surprise show for graduating students at a high school commencement in South Barrington, Illinois. He performs “Letter To Me,” “Today” and “Last Time For Everything.”
- Today in 2017, Luke Combs’ debut album, “This One’s For You,” was released.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: BULL
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Bull”, a 5 year old Pit Bull. Bull is a super-friendly fellow who loves everyone, including kids. Bull gets along great with other dogs and is ok with cats. Bull is likely house-trained, he’s fully vetted and vaccinated and would make a terrific new best friend for some lucky family!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Bull 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 Bull with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
CARRIE UNDERWOOD PLAYING SELECT TOUR DATES WITH GUNS N’ ROSES
Posted on by Bob Ballard
It’s not as unlikely a pairing as it would seem at first glance. Carrie Underwood has long been a fan of rock legends Guns N’ Roses – often covering them in concert, bringing Axl Rose up on stage on her most recent tour, and even making their t-shirt part of her regular wardrobe. So imagine her excitement when the legendary rockers announced their upcoming tour – and she’ll be opening several shows! Is she pumped? Just check out her Instagram:
“SO ready for this! I’m joining @gunsnroses for select dates on their North American Tour in August and I CANNOT WAIT!!”
Shows featuring Carrie include two in Canada and one in her hometown of Nashville:
8/05/23 Moncton, NB
8/08/23 Montreal, QC
8/26/23 Nashville, TN
Tickets for those shows are already on sale. Unfamiliar with how they sound together? Check out their joint performance at the Stagecoach Festival last year.
Source: WhiskeyRiff
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1964, Dolly Parton moved to Nashville a day after her high school graduation and met her future husband, Carl Dean, at a laundromat.
- Today in 1974, Ronnie Milsap collected the first #1 country single of his career with “Pure Love.” Here’s a fun fact, it was written by Eddie Rabbitt.
- Today in 1975, Willie Nelson’s “Red Headed Stranger” album was released.
- Today in 1991, Diamond Rio collected their first #1 single on the “Billboard” country chart with their debut, “Meet In The Middle.”
- Today in 1994, Restless Heart performed at the opening of The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville after a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Marty Stuart and Tanya Tucker. Among the acts that become the house band at the venue: Lonestar, Ricochet and Sons of the Desert.
- Today in 1997, Kenny Rogers married Wanda Miller.
- Today in 1999, Brad Paisley’s debut album, “Who Needs Pictures,” was released.
- Today in 2006, Josh Turner claimed the first two gold singles of his career, awarded for “Long Black Train” and “Your Man.”
- Today in 2011, Luke Bryan taped an installment of “CMT Crossroads” with The Doobie Brothers at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. Included in the set list: “Do I,” “Rain Is A Good Thing,” “Long Train’ Runnin'” and “China Grove.”
- Today in 2012, The Band Perry’s video for “Postcard From Paris” debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Brad Paisley put on a surprise two-hour after-concert show at 1am at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. He was joined alive with Randy Houser, Charlie Worsham and Leah Turner.
- Today in 2014, Rolling Stone Country ranked Johnny Cash’s “I Walk The Line” #1 as it lists the “100 Greatest Country Songs Of All Time.”
- Today in 2015, Rhonda Adkins rescinded her divorce petition from Trace Adkins. The move would allow them to settle without public scrutiny…but they remain married today.
- Today in 2015, Brothers Osborne’s John Osborne (the one with the beard) married singer/songwriter Lucie Silvas.
- Today in 2018, Maddie & Tae’s Maddie Marlow announced on social media that she was engaged to longtime boyfriend Jonah Font…the happy couple said their “I do’s” November 2019 and Maddie Marlow became Maddie Font.
- Today in 2018, Tracy Byrd, Rick Trevino and Deryl Dodd play a benefit for abused foster children at the South Plains Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas.
- Today in 2019, Kellie Pickler starred as the Hallmark Channel debuted “Wedding At Graceland.” Lee Brice appeared in a singing role.
- Today in 2019, Taylor Swift publicly urged the Senate to pass the Equality Act, which would ban discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
- Today in 2020, decades after Ricky Skaggs quit school one credit short of graduating to begin his music career, he was surprised with a diploma from Lawrence County High School in Louisa, Kentucky, during a virtual commencement ceremony.
- Today in 2020, Mickey Guyton’s single “Black Like Me” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2020, the “Iconic Women Of Country” special debuted on PBS, celebrating such classic female acts as Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Patsy Cline, Connie Smith, Tammy Wynette and Jeannie C. Riley.
- Today in 2021, the Oak Ridge Boys joined Governor Bill Lee in Jonesborough, Tennessee, to celebrate the state’s 225th anniversary.
GARTH BROOKS TELLS KELLY CLARKSON HE ONCE SHOWERED WITH STEVEN TYLER
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Garth Brooks stopped by “The Kelly Clarkson Show” and regaled Kelly – and the audience – with the story of how he once showered with Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler – an off-hand comment he made that Kelly almost missed, doubling back to ask, “Did you say you showered with him??”
So Garth told the story of how he was showering before a concert in 2008 – he was set to perform “The Last Play At Shea” concert in New York with Billy Joel – “I’m in there showering, getting ready for the show – and I have soap in my eyes, I look around – and there’s Steven Tyler, he’s showering too!”
To be fair, the showers were communal – it was the old locker room at Shea Stadium. “How many people get to say that?” Garth asked, to which Kelly replied, “Well, who knows? He’s rock n’ roll!”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1962, George Jones reached #1 on the Billboard Country chart with “She Thinks I Still Care.”
- Today in 1965, Roger Miller received a gold single for “King of the Road.”
- Today in 1977, “Smokey & The Bandit” premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed, singer of “East Bound And Down.” John Schneider appeared in a small walk-on role.
- Today in 1979, Waylon Jennings and Jessi Cotler had a son, Waylon Albright “Shooter” Jennings. He grew up to become an artist earning a Top 10 country album with 2012’s “Family Man.” He played his father in the 2005 movie “Walk The Line.”
- Today in 1989, Clint Black hit #1 with his very first single, “A Better Man.” He was the first country artist to reach the top spot with a debut single since Freddy Fender in 1975.
- Today in 1990, Ronnie Dunn married his wife, Janine.
- Today in 1992, Mercury released Billy Ray Cyrus’ debut album, “Some Gave All.”
- Today in 1997, Trisha Yearwood’s version of “How Do I Live” was released.
- Today in 1998, the “Hope Floats” soundtrack was released, featuring Garth Brooks, Deana Carter, Trisha Yearwood, Lila McCann and Martina McBride. Also released on this day: Terri Clark’s “How I Feel,” Gary Allan’s “It Would Be You” and Keith Harling’s “Write It In Stone.”
- Today in 2000, Eric Heatherly made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2000, Toby Keith officially became a “good ole boy” when he appeared in the CBS-TV movie, “The Dukes of Hazzard – Hazzard in Hollywood.”
- Today in 2005, Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2007, Sugarland copped the #1 position in Billboard with “Settlin'”
- Today in 2013, Donald Trump declared Trace Adkins the winner of “The Celebrity Apprentice” over Penn Jillette on NBC. Adkins sang “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” during the episode, which saw him collect checks from Wynonna Judd, Thompson Square, Billy Ray Cyrus and The Oak Ridge Boys.
- Today in 2015, Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album, “The First Time,” was released.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “AJAX”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Ajax”, a 5 year old American Stafforshire mix who is one of the best behaved dogs you will ever meet! He loves affection and will give you a kiss, but is not a ‘lickin’ machine’. Ajax loves to play, is great with kids and would love to meet you! Ajax is fully vetted, vaccinated and ready to go!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Ajax 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 Ajax with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
BLAKE SHELTON HAD NO IDEA REBA WAS HIS REPLACEMENT ON ‘THE VOICE’
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Reba McEntire was officially named as Blake Shelton‘s successor in the big red chair on “The Voice” when the show comes back for Season 24.
ETOnline actually asked Reba back in January who could fill Blake’s shoes once he left – and she played it off, not acknowledging the fact that she knew just the person – and it was her! Reba said at the time, “Who could fill Blake’s shoes? To fill Blake’s chair? Wow. That’s gonna be tough. He did a great job, and kudos to him.”
Now that the news is official, ETOnline called her out on her little white lies, and then asked the follow-up question: did she confide in Blake, get his advice on taking the job? Reba admitted that Blake was nosing around about it. “He kept asking if I was gonna do it, so I couldn’t tell him that I was gonna do it, because they say he can’t keep a secret!”
Blake’s final two episodes on “The Voice” will be next Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. PT/ET on NBC. Season 24 is set to premiere this fall and will air on Mondays (8/7c) and Tuesdays (9/8c). The show will also stream the next day on Peacock.
Source: CountryNow
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