• Today in 1953, Hank Williams was on top of the charts with “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”
• Today in 1978, the “Waylon & Willie” album by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson was certified platinum.
• Today in 1980, Alabama signed their first record contract.
• Today in 1981, “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” by David Frizzell and Shelly West hit the top of the charts.
• Today in 1988, Ricky Van Shelton earned a gold record for his debut album, “Wild-Eyed Dream.”
• Today in 1992, Lee Greenwood married 1989’s Miss Tennessee, Kimberly Payne.
• Today in 1992, Wynonna scored her first #1 single as a solo artist with “She Is His Only Need.”
• Today in 1994, Tim McGraw’s first big hit, “Indian Outlaw,” was certified gold, despite controversy over the song’s lyrics. For example, one Cherokee chief called it “insulting to Indians.”
• Today in 1996, Patty Loveless’ album, “When Fallen Angels Fly,” was certified platinum.
• Today in 1997, Tracy Lawrence’s appearance at the Wal-Mart in North Richland Hills, Texas was billed by some as the “largest outdoor in-store appearance in the history of mankind.” The event drew an estimated 6,000 screaming fans, who showed up to hear him perform and see him autograph his album, “The Coast Is Clear.” Later, Tracy took the stage and performed five songs, including “Stars Over Texas,” “Time Marches On” and “Better Man Better Off.” The audience got so rowdy that they actually stormed the stage, bowling over security officers to get Tracy’s autograph.
• Today in 2000, Clay Davidson’s debut album, “Unconditional,” was released.
• Today in 2000, “Manilow Country” premiered on TNN. The two-hour celebration of pop star Barry Manilow’s 25-year career included artists like Deanna Carter, Lila McCann, Neal McCoy, Jo Dee Messina, Lorrie Morgan, Kevin Sharp and Trisha Yearwood covering some of Barry’s biggest hits, from “It’s a Miracle” to “Copacabana.” Barry called his duet of “Could It Be Magic” with Deana Carter his most romantic moment on stage, ever.
• Today in 2000, Collin Raye was the keynote speaker at the 9th annual “Make a Difference Day Awards.”
• Today in 2000, Faith Hill appeared on VH1’s “Divas 2000: A Tribute To Diana Ross,” with Mariah Carey and Donna Summer.
• Today in 2001, Lonestar’s Richie McDonald and his wife, Lorie, welcomed daughter, Maisie Elizabeth McDonald, in Nashville. The girl is noted in the hit “My Front Porch Looking In,” as a “carrot top who can barely walk.”
• Today in 2006, Toby Keith’s new label, Show Dog Nashville, released its first album, Keith’s “White Trash With Money.”
• Today in 2013, Taylor Swift’s Diet Coke ad, featuring her song “22,” debuted during the FOX telecast of “American Idol.”
• Today in 2016, Darius Rucker made a surprise appearance on the South Carolina Gamecocks’ college team, catching a touchdown at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia during the annual Garnet & Black Game. The black team won the contest, 14-13.
• Today in 2017, Lee Brice headlined a black-tie benefit for cancer patients at the East Ivy Mansion in Nashville, joined by American Young, Paul McDonald and Louis Brice.
• Today in 2017, Alabama guitarist Jeff Cook revealed in “The Tennessean” that he’s suffering from Parkinson’s disease, forcing him to cut back significantly on concert appearances
• Today in 2017, the Grand Ole Opry got surprise visits from Blake Shelton, who sang “Honey Bee” and “Ol’ Red,” and from The Oak Ridge Boys, who performed “Elvira” with Home Free. The night’s scheduled guests included Rascal Flatts, Terri Clark and Keith Urban, marking five years since he was asked to join.

• Today in 1971, John Denver makes his pop chart debut with “Take Me Home Country Roads.”
• Today in 1979, the “Greatest Hits” album by Waylon Jennings was released.
• Today in 1982, the single, “Always On My Mind,” by Willie Nelson entered the Top 40 chart.
• Today in 1982, Merle Haggard’s “Big City” hit the top of the charts.
• Today in 1989, after winning countless awards, racking up over 20 #1 hits and selling 50 million records worldwide, Alabama was named “80’s Artist of the Decade” by the Academy of Country Music. Kathy Mattea won Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year for “Eighteen Wheels And A Dozen Roses.”
• Today in 1993, Reba McEntire & Vince Gill share the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart with “The Heart Won’t Lie.”
• Today in 1995, George Strait recorded “Check Yes Or No,” and “I Know She Still Loves Me.”
• Today in 1996, Lorrie Morgan’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified platinum.
• Today in 2002, after enjoying more than 4 decades of success in the music business, the Statler Brothers announced plans to say goodbye to touring. The band played their three last shows the following October with the grand finale on October 26^th in Salem, Virginia.
• Today in 2006, Carrie Underwood was the only double-winner at the CMT Music Awards. Keith Urban claimed Video of the Year for “Better Life.”
• Today in 2007, the former home of Johnny Cash and June Carter burned to the ground in Hendersonville, Tennessee, while workers are restoring it for new owner Barry Gibb. Watching helplessly: Marty Stuart, Connie Smith, Tommy Cash, T.G. Sheppard and several Oak Ridge Boys.
• Today in 2009, “Hannah Montana: The Movie” debuted in theaters. Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Bucky Covington and Rascal Flatts all appeared on screen.
• Today in 2010, Jerrod Niemann sang “Lover, Lover” in his Grand Ole Opry debut.
• Today in 2012, Keith Urban was invited by Vince Gill to join the Grand Ole Opry during a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. He was inducted the following April 21^st.

Today in 2013, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare and songwriter/producer Jack Clement were announced as the 2013 inductees in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

• Today in 1956, Carl Perkins’ “Blue Suede Shoes” reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
• Today in 1959, Marty Robbins recorded “El Paso” and “Big Iron” in at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville.
• Today in 1990, Farm Aid IV was held at the Indiana Hoosierdome. Performers included Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, Guns N’ Roses and Jackson Browne. Elton John dedicated the song “Candle in the Wind” to AIDS patient Ryan White during the show. White died later that night.
• Today in 1998, Brooks & Dunn’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified double platinum.
• Today in 1998, Shania Twain’s single, “You’re Still The One,” was certified gold.
• Today in 1999, Shania Twain became the first country female to have two albums reach the high mark for her “Come On Over” album, which was recognized for shipments of 10 million copies.
• Today in 2003, Toby Keith won three awards at the second annual CMT Flameworthy Video Music Awards at Nashville’s Gaylord Entertainment Center.
• Today in 2009, Jason Aldean’s album, “Wide Open,” was released.
• Today in 2012, while performing “Don’t Think I Can’t Love You” during a concert in Vero Beach, Florida, Jake Owen proposed to then-girlfriend, Lacey Buchanan. She said yes – and the couple exchanged vows a month later…on May 7^th, 2012.
• Today in 2013, Miranda Lambert won trophies in three categories for the 48^th annual Academy of Country Music awards, aired by CBS in Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Her titles include: Female Vocalist of the Year and “Over You” took Single Record and Song of the Year.
• Today in 2015, Thomas Rhett’s “Crash And Burn” hit the airwaves.
• Today in 2016, Carrie Underwood performed “Something In The Water” at the close of FOX’s “American Idol.” Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Lauren Alaina, Kelly Clarkson, Danny Gokey, Casey James and Bucky Covington were among the guests on the last edition of the show, where Keith Urban sat on the judges panel.
• Today in 2017, “If Not For You,” the debut solo album by the late Joey Feek, ws released – it had been recorded in 2005.
• Today in 2017, Ben Speer – a member of Gospel Music Hall of Fame group The Speer Family, died in Nashville. He also sang background on the Elvis Presley hits “Heartbreak Hotel,” “I Was The One” and “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.”
• Today in 2017, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill launched their Soul2Soul 2017 Tour at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, with Saints quarterback Drew Brees and Matthew McConaughey among the famous folks in the house.
• Today in 2017, the Patsy Cline Museum opened in downtown Nashville.
• Today in 2019, Dan + Shay claimed three trophies during the 54^th annual Academy of Country Music Awards, aired by CBS from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. They took Vocal Duo of the Year, while “Tequila” earned Single and Song of the Year.
• Today in 2020, John Prine died of complications from COVID-19 at Nashville’s Vanderbilt Medical Center. A 2019 inductee in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, he earned a Top 5 country album with “The Tree Of Forgiveness” and wrote Don Williams’ “Love Is On A Roll” and George Strait’s “I Just Want To Dance With You.”
• Today in 2020, “Me And Patsy Kickin’ Up Dust: My Friendship With Patsy Cline,” authored by Loretta Lynn and her daughter, Patsy Lynn Russell, was released.

• Today in 1957, Brenda Lee made her debut on the country chart with “One Step at a Time.” She was 12-years-old at the time, just a year younger than LeAnn Rimes was when she debuted with her single, “Blue,” in 1996.
• Today in 1982, the album, “Bobbie Sue,” by the Oak Ridge Boys was certified gold.
• Today in 1987, the “Half Nelson” album by Willie Nelson was certified gold.
• Today in 1987, Hank Williams Jr. was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music while Randy Travis won the Album of Year award for “Storms of My Life.”
• Today in 1987, singing cowboy Gene Autry becomes the first person honored with five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
• Today in 1990, Alan Jackson’s single, “Here in the Real World,” topped the “Radio & Records’” country chart. Aside from the obvious notable achievement, this also marked his first chart hit.
• Today in 1992, Diamond Rio’s single “Walkin Away” hit #2 on the charts.
• Today in 1994, Restless Heart’s “Big Iron Horses” album was certified gold.
• Today in 1996, Garth Brooks was honored by the NAACP for promoting civil rights with his song, “We Shall Be Free.”
• Today in 1998, Tammy Wynette died in Nashville at the age of 55. While her cause of death was originally listed as a blood clot to the lungs, her daughters weren’t so sure. In fact, they took their suspicions to court and sued Tammy’s physician, Wallis Marsh, for mismanaging their mother’s case. Included in the suit was pharmacy Care Solutions of Nashville for delivering the painkiller and Tammy’s last husband, George Richey, for helping to administer her medications. In April 2002, the legal challenge was resolved in a secret, out-of-court settlement.
• Today in 1998, led by Tim McGraw, a group of country artists, filed suit against Los Angeles resident Jim Salmon who registered the names of the plaintiffs as website domain names. Those joining Tim in the suit included Deana Carter, Vince Gill, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, Mindy McCready, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Pam Tillis and Trisha Yearwood.
• Today in 1999, Montgomery Gentry’s album “Tattoos & Scars” was released. The album was released two months early due to overwhelming demand and has since been certified gold.
• Today in 1999, Johnny Cash made an unannounced appearance at his tribute concert in New York City. He performed his classic hit “Folsom Prison Blues.” Other artists at the tribute included Mary Chapin Carpenter, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow.
• Today in 2000, Brooks & Dunn kicked off their tour to support the “Tight Rope” album in Madison, Wisconsin. The show featured Lonestar, Montgomery Gentry, Mark Wills, Andy Griggs and Yankee Grey as rotating opening acts.
• Today in 2000, Brad Paisley was presented with a gold album for his debut release, “Who Needs Pictures,” in Nashville. The project was certified for sales of 500,000 weeks earlier.
• Today in 2001, the “Girls’ Night Out” summer tour, which featured Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Sara Evans, Jamie O’ Neal and Carolyn Dawn Johnson was officially announced.
• Today in 2002, following their performance at the Grand Ole Opry, Trick Pony were surprised onstage with a gold album by Brooks & Dunn.
• Today in 2002, Brad Paisley was in Wheeling, West Virginia for his first-ever homecoming benefit event at the Wheeling Civic Center. The sell-out event, which was officially titled, “Brad Paisley and Jamboree USA present ‘An Evening Back Home,'” was a fundraiser for the Brad Paisley Foundation. Proceeds from the concert went to local charities in the Upper Ohio Valley Area (where he was born and raised).
• Today in 2007, Luke Bryan made his Grand Ole Opry debut with a performance of “All My Friends Say.”
• Today in 2009, George Strait was honored as the Academy of Country Music’s Artist of the Decade during a taping for a CBS-TV special at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Strait closes the night with the rest of the cast backing him on “Troubadour.”
• Today in 2013, George Jones performed at the Knoxville Coliseum in Tennessee in what turns out to be the last concert of his life. It marked his final public performance of “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
• Today in 2014, Miranda Lambert took home three trophies during the 49^th annual Academy of Country Music Awards: Female Vocalist of the Year; Single Record, for “Mama’s Broken Heart”; and Vocal Event, for the Keith Urban duet, “We Were Us.”
• Today in 2016, Merle Haggard died of pneumonia at his home on his 79^th
• Today in 2017, the late Merle Haggard was honored with an all-star concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, featuring Willie Nelson, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Loretta Lynn and Jamey Johnson.