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More Acts Tapped To Join Alan Jackson’s Farewell Concert

Posted on by Bob Ballard

We’re getting closer to the grand finale for a legendary career. Alan Jackson‘s final concert, billed as “Alan Jackson’s Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale,” takes place June 27 in Nashville and people are lining up to appear alongside the country icon. Already on board for the big event: Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Riley Green, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Carrie Underwood and Lee Ann Womack. Yesterday it was announced that Thomas Rhett, Little Big Town and Jake Owen had been added to the bill, with more expected to be named in the coming weeks. If you haven’t already purchased your tickets…sorry. The event has long since been sold out, and at present, there are no plans to livestream the event.

 

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This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1970, Johnny Cash performed at the White House at the invitation of President Richard M. Nixon. Nixon asked Cash to perform “Okie From Muskogee,” but Johnny refused since it wasn’t his song. Instead, he sang his hit, “A Boy Named Sue.”
  • Today in 1992, Aaron Tippin scored his first #1 hit single, “There Ain’t Nothin’ Wrong with the Radio.”
  • Today in 1996, Alan Jackson’s “Greatest Hits Collection” CD was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1997, Toby Keith and his wife Tricia became parents to their third child, a son named Stelen Keith Covel (He joined big sisters Shelley & Krystal).
  • Today in 1998, Clint Black and Skip Ewing’s song, “Something That We Do,” was selected as Song of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
  • Today in 1998, Tim McGraw began a six-week residency at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Just To See You Smile”
  • Today in 1998, “People” magazine announced that Alabama was chosen by readers as America’s favorite band. In “People’s” poll of 1000 readers, Alabama came in first with 4.1% of the vote. Alabama, who first walked away with the category in 1985, barely edged out another band you might have heard of — the Beatles. In the male vocalist category, Garth came out on top in the category with 8% of the vote. George Strait nearly placed second with 3.9%, but he was one-tenth of a percent behind Elton John. And even though the rumors abound that Elvis Presley has been dead since 1977, he placed fourth — just ahead of Wynonna’s old touring and duet partner, Michael Bolton.
  • Today in 2000, ABC-TV began using Lonestar’s smash-hit single, “Amazed,” in promotional spots for their primetime-hit sitcom, “2 Guys and a Girl.”
  • Today in 2000, Garth Brooks was named Artist of the Decade for the ’90s during the American Music Awards. He also won trophies for Favorite Male Country Artist and Favorite Country Album, for “Sevens.” Shania Twain took home two.
  • Today in 2001,Brooks & Dunn’s album “Steers & Stripes” was released.
  • Today in 2004, The Judds make their Grand Ole Opry debut, performing “Flies On The Butter (You Can’t Go Home Again)” and “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days).”
  • Today in 2006, Sugarland announced Kristen Hall was leaving the trio to concentrate on songwriting. While it had been suggested that leaving was her choice, the fact that she’s an open lesbian was rumored as the reason she was pushed out. In July 2008, Hall filed a lawsuit for $14-million against Nettles and Bush in the U.S. District Court in Atlanta says she bankrolled much of the group’s debut album on her credit cards. The remaining band members countered that it was in $100,000 debt at her exit. We’ll never know who would’ve won, as the case was settled in November 2010.
  • Today in 2009, Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley welcomed their second son, Jasper Warren Paisley, at a Nashville hospital.
  • Today in 2011, a “colossal collapse of time management”: John Rich evaluated project leader Gary Busey’s leadership on the night’s episode of “The Celebrity Apprentice,” hosted by Donald Trump on NBC.
  • Today in 2015, Chris Young snagged a gold single from the RIAA for “Lonely Eyes.”
  • Today in 2017, Cassidy Bentley ran the Boston Marathon in three-hours, 26-minutes, with hubby Dierks Bentley and their three kids cheering her on. She raised more than $23-thousand in the process, including donations from Kix Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Nicole Kidman and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
  • Today in 2017, Jon Pardi’s single, “Heartache On The Dance Floor,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2017, Keith Urban scored a platinum album from the RIAA for “Get Closer.”
  • Today in 2019, Taylor Swift was revealed among the “Time” 100 Most Influential people in the world. Also on the list: Donald Trump, Dwayne Johnson, Mark Zuckerberg and Ariana Grande.

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

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Bear”, a year old American Blue Heeler mix who loves to play, enjoys walks and gets along great with other dogs. Bear’s a little tentative with cats, though. Bear would be an awesome family dog, and has been fully vetted, vaccinated, and microchipped, and would love to meet you!

And since Bear is the H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $50 this week!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Bear 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 Bear with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Reba’s Going To Be A Grandmother

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Congratulations to Reba McEntire, who’s about to be a grandmother once again! While Reba has been a grandmother to her stepchildren’s kids, this will be the first child for her son Shelby Blackstock and his wife, Marissa. The couple announced the happy news on their IGs, along with the reveal that they’re expecting a boy. Alongside pics of the expectant couple at the Magic Kingdom, they wrote “Oh, BOY! We’re beyond excited to FINALLY announce our little man is coming in October. See ya real soon, pal! Mommy + Daddy love you!”

 

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This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1969, Johnny Cash taped “Hello…I’m Johnny Cash,” the first of his ABC-TV weekly shows at the Ryman Auditorium, kicking off with “Folsom Prison Blues.” The show, which featured guests Glen Campbell, Jeannie C. Riley and Joe Tex, becomes the fifth episode aired.
  • Today in 1981, Barbara Mandrell’s “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 1982, Alabama’s “Mountain Music” hit #1 on the country charts.
  • Today in 1982, the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Greatest Hits” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1993, the single, “Hard Workin’ Man,” by Brooks & Dunn hit #3 on the charts.
  • Today in 1996, Brooks & Dunn released their fourth album, “Borderline,” and Toby Keith released “Blue Moon.”
  • Today in 1999, Billy Ray Cyrus guest starred on “Love Boat.” He played “Lonesome Larry Larson,” a sad country star, who cheers up when he finds romance.
  • Today in 1999, Tim McGraw’s “A Place In The Sun” album was released.
  • Today in 1999, Shania Twain became the first woman to be honored as Songwriter/Artist of the Year by the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) during the 32nd annual Songwriter Achievement Awards.
  • Today in 2000, Tracy Lawrence kicked off his 6th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at the Westin Galleria Ballroom in Houston, Texas. That night, he took the stage and performed for the attendees of the amateur-only event, which benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Gulf Coast Chapter, every year.
  • Today in 2000, Reba McEntire’s concert performances were named the Best Country Concert at the 17th Dutch Country Music Awards Gala. Winners of the DCMA’s were selected by the readers of Country Gazette and the members of the Dutch Country Music Association.
  • Today in 2002, Steve Azar’s album, “Waitin’ On Joe,” was released.
  • Today in 2002, Alan Jackson had more than the recent double platinum certification of his album, “Drive,” to celebrate as it became the first country project to achieve a 10-week run in the Top 10 of the “Billboard 200” chart since June 2000. The achievement unseated Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” album. This distinction made Alan the only male country artist to achieve this milestone with multiple projects.
  • Today in 2002, Tammy Cochran was in Los Angeles to join over 150 Home Depot employees and the folks from KaBOOM! (a national organization dedicated to building playgrounds in neighborhoods that need them most) to volunteer their time for an old fashioned “barn raising” of sorts. The crew was there to build an outdoor playground for the La Santa Cruz Child Care Center in East Los Angeles.
  • Today in 2007, Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” video swiped three trophies at the CMT Music Awards, held at Belmont University’s Curb Events Center in Nashville. Among other victors are Jack Ingram, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Sugarland and Kenny Chesney.
  • Today in 2010, Alan Jackson was honored with a star at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 2013, Jason Aldean, Trace Adkins and Eric Church join hosted Keith Urban and Vince Gill in “We’re All For The Hall,” a benefit at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Also appearing were Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Brantley Gilbert and Tim McGraw.
  • Today in 2016, Kane Brown got engaged to Katelyn Jae during a show in Philadelphia.
  • Today in 2016, CBS aired “Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees” – and featured Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini singing “Islands In The Stream,” while Keith Urban covered “To Love Somebody. Little Big Town, Demi Lovato, Pentatonix and John Travolta also turned out.
  • Today in 2015, the two-day ACM Party For A Cause kicked off at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, with Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Dwight Yoakam and Miranda Lambert, among others. CBS shoots it for a special, “ACM Presents: Superstar Duets!” Elsewhere Trisha Yearwood sang “She’s In Love Love The Boy” with a band that included Garth Brooks and Keith Urban during a benefit for ACM Lifting Lives at the Omni Dallas Hotel. That bill included Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Band Perry and Hunter Hayes, who joins Brooks on “The Dance.”
  • Today in 2017, the autobiography “Let Your Love Flow: The Life And Times Of The Bellamy Brothers” was published.
  • Today in 2017, Dierks Bentley’s wife, Cassidy, ran the Boston Marathon in three hours, 26 minutes, with her hubby and their three kids cheering her on. She raised more than $23,000 in the process, including donations from Kix Brooks, Sheryl Crow, Nicole Kidman and Kimberly Williams-Paisley.
  • Today in 2017, Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini covered “Islands In The Stream” and Keith Urban performed “To Love Somebody” as CBS aired “Stayin’ Alive: A Grammy Salute To The Music Of The Bee Gees.” Others taking the stage included Little Big Town, Demi Lovato, Pentatonix and John Travolta.
  • Today in 2017, Keith Urban’s “Get Closer” album went platinum.
  • Today in 2019, Kelsea Ballerini performed “Walkaway Joe” with Carrie Underwood as she joined the Grand Ole Opry. Ballerini also offered up a rendition of “Peter Pan” and “Miss Me More.” The evening included a surprise appearance by Keith Urban, singing “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
  • Today in 2019, Little Big Town and Thomas Rhett guested on the ABC special, “The Disney Family Singalong.” Also performing were Donny Osmond, Julianne Hough, Bobby Bones and Michael Bublé.

The AMA Nominees Are Announced!

Posted on by Bob Ballard

The nominees for this year’s American Music Awards are out. Taylor Swift leads the pack with eight nods. Morgan Wallen, Olivia Dean, Sabrina Carpenter, and sombr are all close behind with seven nods each.

Other highlights include Olivia Dean and sombr going head to head in categories including New Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakthrough Album of the Year. EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami, the singing voices of HUNTR/X from “KPop Demon Hunters” were nominated for Song of the Year, Best Vocal Performance, and Best Pop Song.

Queen Latifah will host the 52nd American Music Awards on May 25th in Las Vegas, marking her return to the role 30 years after co-hosting in 1995. The show will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+, with fan voting running through May 8th.

Check out all the nominees below.

GENERAL CATEGORIES

Artist of the Year

  • Bad Bunny
  • Bruno Mars
  • BTS
  • Harry Styles
  • Justin Bieber
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Lady Gaga
  • Morgan Wallen
  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Taylor Swift

New Artist of the Year

  • Alex Warren
  • Ella Langley
  • KATSEYE
  • Leon Thomas
  • Olivia Dean
  • SOMBR

Album of the Year

  • Cardi B – “AM I THE DRAMA?”
  • Fuerza Regida – “111xpantia”
  • Justin Bieber – “SWAG”
  • Lady Gaga – “Mayhem”
  • Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
  • Olivia Dean – “The Art of Loving”
  • Playboi Carti – “MUSIC”
  • Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
  • Tate McRae – “So Close To What”
  • Taylor Swift – “The Life of a Showgirl”

Song of the Year

  • Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
  • Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
  • The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
  • Kehlani – “Folded”
  • Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
  • Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
  • Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
  • Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
  • SOMBR – “back to friends”
  • Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

Collaboration of the Year

  • BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
  • David Guetta, Teddy Swims, Tones And I – “Gone Gone Gone”
  • Morgan Wallen, Tate McRae – “What I Want”
  • PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
  • Shaboozey, Jelly Roll – “Amen”

Social Song of the Year

  • Disco Lines, Tinashe – “No Broke Boys”
  • PinkPantheress – “Illegal”
  • Role Model – “Sally, When The Wine Runs Out”
  • Tyla – “CHANEL”
  • Zara Larsson – “Lush Life”

Best Music Video

  • KATSEYE – “Gnarly”
  • ROSALÍA, Björk, Yves Tumor – “Berghain”
  • Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
  • Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”
  • Tyla – “CHANEL”

Best Soundtrack

  • “F1 The Album”
  • “Hazbin Hotel: Season Two”
  • “KPop Demon Hunters”
  • “Wicked: For Good”
  • “Charli xcx – Wuthering Heights”

Tour of the Year

  • Beyoncé – “Cowboy Carter Tour”
  • Kendrick Lamar, SZA – “Grand National Tour”
  • Lady Gaga – “The Mayhem Ball”
  • Oasis – “Oasis Live ‘25 Tour”
  • Shakira – “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour”

Breakout Tour

  • Benson Boone – “American Heart World Tour”
  • Kali Uchis – “The Sincerely, Tour”
  • The Marías – “Submarine Tour”
  • Megan Moroney – “Am I Okay? Tour”
  • Sleep Token – “Even in Arcadia Tour”

Breakthrough Album of the Year

  • Olivia Dean – “The Art of Loving”
  • SOMBR – “I Barely Know Her”
  • Zara Larsson – “Midnight Sun”

Best Throwback Song

  • 4 Non Blondes – “What’s Up”
  • Black Eyed Peas – “Rock That Body”
  • Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris”

Best Vocal Performance

  • Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
  • The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
  • Lady Gaga – “Abracadabra”
  • RAYE – “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!”
  • SIENNA SPIRO – “Die on this Hill”

Song of the Summer

  • Alex Warren – “FEVER DREAM”
  • Bella Kay – “iloveitiloveitiloveit”
  • BTS – “SWIM”
  • Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
  • Harry Styles – “American Girls”
  • Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
  • PinkPantheress, Zara Larsson – “Stateside”
  • SOMBR – “Homewrecker”
  • Tame Impala, JENNIE – “Dracula”
  • Taylor Swift – “Elizabeth Taylor”

POP CATEGORIES

Best Male Pop Artist

  • Alex Warren
  • Benson Boone
  • Ed Sheeran
  • Harry Styles
  • Justin Bieber

Best Female Pop Artist

  • Lady Gaga
  • Olivia Dean
  • Sabrina Carpenter
  • Tate McRae
  • Taylor Swift

Breakthrough Pop Artist

  • KATSEYE
  • SIENNA SPIRO
  • Zara Larsson

Best Pop Song

  • Alex Warren – “Ordinary”
  • The Singing Voices of HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami – “Golden”
  • Olivia Dean – “Man I Need”
  • Sabrina Carpenter – “Manchild”
  • Taylor Swift – “The Fate of Ophelia”

Best Pop Album

  • Lady Gaga – “Mayhem”
  • Olivia Dean – “The Art of Loving”
  • Sabrina Carpenter – “Man’s Best Friend”
  • Tate McRae – “So Close To What”
  • Taylor Swift – “The Life of a Showgirl”

COUNTRY CATEGORIES

Best Male Country Artist

  • Jelly Roll
  • Luke Combs
  • Morgan Wallen
  • Riley Green
  • Shaboozey

Best Female Country Artist

  • Ella Langley
  • Kelsea Ballerini
  • Lainey Wilson
  • Megan Moroney
  • Miranda Lambert

Best Country Duo or Group

  • Brooks & Dunn
  • Old Dominion
  • Rascal Flatts
  • Treaty Oak Revival
  • Zac Brown Band

Breakthrough Country Artist

  • Sam Barber
  • Tucker Wetmore
  • Zach Top

Best Country Song

  • BigXthaPlug, Bailey Zimmerman – “All The Way”
  • Ella Langley – “Choosin’ Texas”
  • Morgan Wallen – “Just In Case”
  • Russell Dickerson – “Happen To Me”
  • Shaboozey – “Good News”

Best Country Album

  • BigXthaPlug – “I Hope You’re Happy”
  • Megan Moroney – “Cloud 9”
  • Morgan Wallen – “I’m The Problem”
  • Sam Barber – “Restless Mind”
  • Tucker Wetmore – “What Not To”

HIP-HOP CATEGORIES

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist

  • Don Toliver
  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Playboi Carti
  • Tyler, The Creator
  • YoungBoy Never Broke Again

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist

  • Cardi B
  • Doechii
  • GloRilla
  • Sexyy Red
  • YKNIECE

Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist

  • EsDeeKid
  • Monaleo
  • PLUTO

Best Hip-Hop Song

  • Cardi B – “ErrTime”
  • Drake – “NOKIA”
  • Gunna, Burna Boy – “wgft”
  • Playboi Carti, The Weeknd – “Rather Lie”
  • YKNIECE, Quavo, Metro Boomin, Breskii – “Take Me Thru Dere”

Best Hip-Hop Album

  • Cardi B – “AM I THE DRAMA?”
  • Don Toliver – “OCTANE”
  • Gunna – “The Last Wun”
  • Playboi Carti – “MUSIC”
  • YoungBoy Never Broke Again – “MASA”

R&B CATEGORIES

Best Male R&B Artist

  • Bruno Mars
  • Chris Brown
  • Daniel Caesar
  • PARTYNEXTDOOR
  • The Weeknd

Best Female R&B Artist

  • Kehlani
  • Summer Walker
  • SZA
  • Teyana Taylor
  • Tyla

Breakthrough R&B Artist

  • Leon Thomas
  • Mariah the Scientist
  • Ravyn Lenae

Best R&B Song

  • Bruno Mars – “I Just Might”
  • Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller – “It Depends”
  • Kehlani – “Folded”
  • Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
  • Mariah the Scientist – “BURNING BLUE”

Best R&B Album

  • Bruno Mars – “The Romantic”
  • Justin Bieber – “SWAG”
  • Leon Thomas – “MUTT”
  • Mariah the Scientist – “HEARTS SOLD SEPARATELY”
  • Summer Walker – “Finally Over It”

LATIN CATEGORIES

Best Male Latin Artist

  • Bad Bunny
  • Junior H
  • Peso Pluma
  • Rauw Alejandro
  • Tito Double P

Best Female Latin Artist

  • Gloria Estefan
  • KAROL G
  • Natti Natasha
  • ROSALÍA
  • Shakira

Best Latin Duo or Group

  • Clave Especial
  • Fuerza Regida
  • Grupo Firme
  • Grupo Frontera
  • Julión Álvarez y su Norteño Banda

Breakthrough Latin Artist

  • Beéle
  • Kapo
  • Netón Vega

Best Latin Song

  • Bad Bunny – “NUEVAYoL”
  • benny blanco, Selena Gomez, The Marías – “Ojos Tristes”
  • Fuerza Regida – “Marlboro Rojo”
  • Fuerza Regida, Grupo Frontera – “ME JALO”
  • KAROL G – “LATINA FOREVA”

Best Latin Album

  • Fuerza Regida – “111xpantia”
  • KAROL G – “Tropicoqueta”
  • Netón Vega – “Mi Vida Mi Muerte”
  • Peso Pluma, Tito Double P – “DINASTÍA”
  • ROSALÍA – “Lux”

ROCK CATEGORIES

Best Rock/Alternative Artist

  • Deftones
  • Linkin Park
  • The Marías
  • Sleep Token
  • Twenty One Pilots

Breakthrough Rock/Alternative Artist

  • Geese
  • Gigi Perez
  • SOMBR

Best Rock/Alternative Song

  • Noah Kahan – “The Great Divide”
  • Linkin Park – “Up From The Bottom”
  • SOMBR – “back to friends”
  • Sublime – “Ensenada”
  • Tame Impala – “Dracula”

Best Rock/Alternative Album

  • Sleep Token – “Even In Arcadia”
  • SOMBR – “I Barely Know Her”
  • Tame Impala – “Deadbeat”
  • Twenty One Pilots – “Breach”
  • Zach Bryan – “With Heaven On Top”

DANCE/ELECTRONIC CATEGORIES

Best Dance/Electronic Artist

  • Calvin Harris
  • David Guetta
  • Fred again..
  • ILLENIUM
  • John Summit

K-POP CATEGORIES

Best Male K-Pop Artist

  • ATEEZ
  • BTS
  • ENHYPEN
  • Stray Kids
  • TOMORROW X TOGETHER

Best Female K-Pop Artist

  • aespa
  • BLACKPINK
  • ILLIT
  • LE SSERAFIM
  • TWICE

AFROBEATS CATEGORIES

Best Afrobeats Artist

  • Burna Boy
  • MOLIY
  • Rema
  • Tyla
  • Wizkid

AMERICANA/FOLK CATEGORIES

Best Americana/Folk Artist

  • Lord Huron
  • The Lumineers
  • Mumford & Sons
  • Noah Kahan
  • Tyler Childers

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1963, five weeks after Patsy Cline was killed in a plane crash, her song “Sweet Dreams (Of You)” was released.
  • Today in 1981, Ronnie Milsap recorded “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World.”
  • Today in 1985, the “Greatest Hits” album by Lee Greenwood was released.
  • Today in 1989, Dolly Parton was a guest host on “Saturday Night Live,” singing “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That.”
  • Today in 1992, Reba McEntire’s video, “For My Broken Heart,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1993, Trisha Yearwood’s “Hearts in Armor” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1994, the “Best Of Reba McEntire” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, the Statler Brothers got great news on two fronts. Their “Partners In Rhyme” album was certified gold and “The Best Of The Statler Brothers” collection was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1996, Alan Jackson released the single, “Home.”
  • Today in 1996, Clay Walker was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and told he would be dead within eight years. He is still alive today.
  • Today in 1997, Sawyer Brown’s album, “Six Days On The Road,” was released.
  • Today in 1997, Aaron Tippin’s “Greatest Hits and Then Some” collection arrived in stores.
  • Today in 1998, in a first for CMT, the network launched Faith Hill’s album “Faith” with a live concert. Others participating on the show included Tim McGraw, Vince Gill and singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman.
  • Today in 1999, Shania Twain’s self-titled debut album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1999, the British music magazine, “Mojo,” compiled a list of the Top 100 Singers of All Time – in every genre of music. While John Lennon topped the list, country legends were well represented, too. Elvis Presley came in at #2, and the list also included Buddy Holly at #41, Emmylou Harris at #43, Johnny Cash at #45, Willie Nelson at #47, Patsy Cline at #55, Charlie Rich at #70 and Hank Williams Sr. at #91.
  • Today in 1999, Vince Gill’s Volvo was rear-ended on West End Avenue in Nashville, causing a three-car collision. While handling the paperwork, the driver who hit Gill’s car gave him a tape, hoping Gill will record one of his songs.
  • Today in 2002, CRIKEY! Steve Irwin and Jamie O’Neal together? Yup…well…sorta. According to Australia’s “Business Review Weekly,” they were among the top-earning entertainers Down Under. With an estimated income of $8.7-million in 2001, “The Crocodile Hunter” was just shy of Jamie’s longtime friend/actor Russell Crowe and legendary rockers AC/DC on the earnings list. Jamie herself came in at #57.
  • Today in 2004, Big & Rich staged a parade in Nashville as they shot the video to “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).” Also taking part: Gretchen Wilson, Gary Chapman and the Atlanta Falcons cheerleaders.
  • Today in 2008, Lady Antebellum’s self-titled debut album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2013, Kellie Pickler was told she was a “million-dollar dancer” on “Dancing With The Stars.”
  • Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton celebrated his 40th birthday…with the arrival of his twin boys, Macon and Samuel. The world got the news on the 53rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards when host Reba McEntire announced the news live during the show.

Ella Langley Continues To Set Records With “Choosin’ Texas”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Every week that goes by, Ella Langley‘s “Choosin’ Texas” sets new records. While it’s a little early to call it her career record, this one’s gonna be tough to beat. On Billboard’s most recent “Top 100” chart, the song once again sits in the #1 slot, making it her 6th non-consecutive week on top of the all-genre chart. As if that wasn’t a strong enough showing, her new single, “Be Her,” climbs into the Top 10 at #8. And then there’s the “Hot Country Songs” chart, where “Texas” notches it’s twentieth week at #1, with “Be Her” right behind it at #2. Langley becomes only the second woman to chart two titles in the top 10 of the “Hot 100” and “Hot Country Songs” simultaneously; Taylor Swift first did it with “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” and “Red” back in October 2012.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1932, Loretta Lynn was born in Butcher Holly, Kentucky. She was the first woman to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year award in 1972 and landed in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988.
  • Today in 1958, Don Gibson’s “Oh Lonesome Me” hit the top spot on the Billboard country chart.
  • Today in 1964, Fiddler Stuart Duncan was born in Quantico, Virginia. He plays on numerous country hits with the Nashville Bluegrass Band and also with Faith Hill (“Breathe”), The Band Perry (“If I Die Young”) and Shania Twain (“Man! I Feel Like A Woman!).
  • Today in 1979, the “Classics” album by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West was released.
  • Today in 1979, Barbara Mandrell’s remake of the R&B hit, “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want To Be Right” tops the Billboard country chart.
  • Today in 1981, Hank Williams Jr. recorded “A Country Boy Can Survive.”
  • Today in 1983, Kenny Rogers’ album, “We’ve Got Tonight,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1986, “Alabama’s Greatest Video Hits” video by Alabama was certified gold. As a bonus, Alabama won Entertainer of the Year for a record fifth straight time at the 21st annual Academy of Country Music awards, aired by NBC from Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California. The band also collected its sixth straight Top Vocal Group trophy.
  • Today in 1992, the single, “Achy Breaky Heart,” by Billy Ray Cyrus was released.
  • Today in 1997, the website, country.com, now known as CMT.com, was officially launched.
  • Today in 1997, Pam Tillis released her single “All the Good Ones Are Gone.”
  • Today in 1998, Shania Twain joined Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Gloria Estefan and Carole King at New York’s Beacon Theatre for a taping of “VH1 Divas Live,” with all six singers combining talents on “Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like).”
  • Today in 1999, the body of Tammy Wynette was exhumed and an autopsy performed in Nashville at the request of her husband, George Richey.
  • Today in 2000, Brad Paisley was named International Rising Star at the HMV British Country Music Awards. Other prizes went to Reba McEntire was dubbed the International Female Vocalist (for the second consecutive year) and the Dixie Chicks scored two trophies in the International Group/Duo and International Album categories. George Jones snagged an award for International Male Vocalist while Dolly Parton won for International Independent Artist. Alison Krauss & Union Station didn’t do too badly either, they garnered their 7th consecutive win as International Bluegrass Group.
  • Today in 2002, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett and Dave Matthews were among the artists saluting Willie Nelson at a special concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
  • Today in 2004, Dolly Parton was honored as a Living Legend by the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
  • Today in 2008, Taylor Swift, Kellie Pickler, and Trace Adkins were the big winners at the CMT Music Awards. Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, and Brad Paisley also took awards, along with country-rock duets by Bon Jovi and LeAnn Rimes and Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
  • Today in 2008, the CMT talent competition “Can You Duet” debuted. Amongst the panelists were Naomi Judd and “Amazed” songwriter Aimee Mayo.
  • Today in 2008, Kelly Pickler won three trophies during the CMT Music Awards at Belmont University’s Curb Events Center in Nashville.
  • Today in 2008, Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery and his wife, Tracy, were honored for their charitable efforts on behalf of the Danville, Kentucky fire department’s Christmas Toy Drive. Danville is the singer’s hometown.
  • Today in 2009, LeAnn Rimes’ book “What I Cannot Change” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2010, Kenny Chesney attended a special advanced screening of his concert film “Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D” in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
  • Today in 2010, Garth Brooks was in Washington, DC for Grammys on the Hill, a music advocacy and awards event.
  • Today in 2010, Lyric Street Records announced that the label was closing. Rascal Flatts was among the acts with the company.
  • Today in 2011, Jason Aldean joined Kelly Clarkson to perform their chart-topping collaboration “Don’t You Wanna Stay” on “American Idol.”
  • Today in 2012, Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood married Kelli Cashiola at Front Porch Farms in Ashland City, Tennessee. Lady A bandmates Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott attended. Singer/songwriter Dave Barnes performed.
  • Today in 2012, Trisha Yearwood launched her cooking show, “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen,” on the Food Network.
  • Today in 2013, Trace Adkins plays a caveman as his team creates a silent movie to support Australian Gold suntan lotion on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” hosted by Donald Trump. As the winning project manager, Adkins earns $40,000 for his charity, the American Red Cross.
  • Today in 2015, “Oh Gussie! Cooking And Visiting In Kimberly’s Southern Kitchen,” a cookbook by Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman.
  • Today in 2015, albums arriving in stores included: Reba McEntire’s “Love Somebody” and Dwight Yoakam’s “Second Hand Heart.”
  • Today in 2015, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and Lyle Lovett played for President Barack Obama as PBS shots a gospel-themed installment of “In Performance At The White House.”
  • Today in 2017, Brett Young’s single, “In Case You Didn’t Know,” and Brett Eldredge’s track, “Wanna Be That Song,” both went gold.
  • Today in 2017, Keith Urban’s albums, “Fuse” and “Greatest Hits,” both went platinum.
  • Today in 2017, Madame Tussauds opened a Nashville location at the Opry Mills Mall. Artists represented in the wax museum include Kenny Rogers, Elvis Presley, Blake Shelton, George Jones, Reba McEntire and Loretta Lynn.
  • Today in 2018, Kacey Musgraves’ album, “Golden Hour,” debuted in the top spot on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2019, Hal Ketchum’s wife, Andrea, revealed the singer was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, forcing him to stop touring. He ultimately passed away November 23rd, 2020.
  • Today in 2020, Brett Young’s single, “Catch,” went gold single.
  • Today in 2020, Luke Combs wrote “Six Feet Apart” via Zoom with Brent Cobb and Rob Snyder.
  • Today in 2020, Tyler Rich scored a gold single from the RIAA for “The Difference.”
  • Today in 2020, Jake Owen’s “Made For You” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2021, the Twelve Thirty Club, a restaurant owned in part by former ACM Awards nominee Justin Timberlake, opens in Nashville.

July 8 Is Officially “Toby Keith Day” In Oklahoma

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Oklahoma is recognizing the life and legacy of Toby Keith this summer. The state has proclaimed the late country legend’s birthday, July 8, as “Toby Keith Day.” Governor Kevin Stitt made the announcement during Oklahoma Music and Film Day at the state capitol.

“Born on July 8th, 1961 in Clinton, Oklahoma. He was raised in Moore and was later a resident in Norman, rising from humble beginnings to become one of the most successful, influential, and recognizable country music artists in American history…He remained deeply connected to his Oklahoma roots and proudly reflected the character, resilience, independence, and patriotism of our state through his music and through his steadfast support of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces, including numerous USO tours…I now proclaim July 8, 2026 as Toby Keith Day.”

 

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