• Today in 1950, Sam Phillips opened the Sun Recording Studio, originally known as the Memphis Recording Service, at 706 Union Avenue in Memphis. It became a site for sessions by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis, among others.
• Today in 1975, John Denver scored a gold single with “Back Home Again.”
• Today in 1986, Willie Nelson and Alabama collected four nominations each at the American Music Awards. Lee Greenwood and Hank Williams Jr. were tapped three times each.
• Today in 1991, Billy Ray Cyrus signed his first recording contract with Mercury Records in Ashland, Kentucky. In conjunction with the event, the mayors of Ashland and Flatwoods, Kentucky, each proclaim Billy Ray Cyrus Day.
• Today in 1999, Lee Ann Womack and her record producer husband Frank Liddell welcomed daughter, Anna Lise Liddell, in Nashville.
• Today in 2000, LeAnn Rimes’ self-titled album was certified platinum, becoming the first release to receive a sales award in the new millennium.
• Today in 2001, Toby Keith performed the national anthem before the game and Lee Ann Womack sang “I Hope You Dance” during halftime at the Orange Bowl in Miami. The Oklahoma Sooners beat the Florida State Seminoles, 13-2.
• Today in 2012, Dustin Lynch’s debut single, “Cowboys And Angels,” hit the airwaves.
• Today in 2014, Eric Church’s single, “Give Me Back My Hometown,” was released.
• Today in 2017, Willie Nelson posted a photo on Facebook of an ugly Christmas sweater he received from rapper Snoop Dogg, which was emblazoned with a unique yuletide message: “Smoke Weed Everyday.”
• Today in 2018, LANco’s single, “Greatest Love Story,” went platinum.
• Today in 2018, Mickey Gilley and his son are injured when their car rolls over three times after being hit by another driver who ran a stop sign on Highway 59 near Corrigan, Texas. Gilley fractures an ankle and his right shoulder and postponed a January 6^th
• Today in 2018, Nielsen Music announced Chris Stapleton had the best-selling country album of 2017 with “From A Room: Volume 1,” selling 658-thousand copies during the year. Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” was the most-downloaded country single, at 1.8-million units, and the most-streamed, as well.

· Today in 1950, Lefty Frizzell hit #1 on the Billboard country chart with his debut single, “If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time.”

· Today in 1968, Tammy Wynette’s album, “Stand By Your Man,” was released.

· Today in 1969,J. Thomas received a gold certification for the single, “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head.” It was from the motion picture, “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.”

· Today in 1978, Kenny Rogers’ single, “The Gambler,” topped the country charts.

· Today in 1983, the album, “Family Tradition,” by Hank Williams Jr. was certified gold.

· Today in 1994, Wynonna Judd gave birth to her first child, Elijah Judd Kelly.

· Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s “Come On Over” album was certified gold, platinum and double-platinum.

· Today in 1997, the “Evolution” album by Martina McBride was certified gold.

· Today in 2000, Billy Ray Cyrus presented the Second Annual “Some Gave All” award to the widow of Officer Alan Ragsdale. The event raised money for the family of the Howenwald police officer who was killed in the line of duty earlier in the year.

· Today in 2003, Craig Morgan delivered an acoustic set in Kuwait, the first concert in a Middle Eastern tour for American G.I.s during the holiday season.

· Today in 2005, the movie “Transamerica,” starring Felicity Huffman, opened in scattered theaters. The soundtrack featured Dolly Parton, Jim Lauderdale, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, The Old Crow Medicine Show, Lucinda Williams, and Larry Sparks.

· Today in 2006, Sugarland collected a #1 country single with “Want To.”

· Today in 2011, Taylor Swift’s collaboration with The Civil Wars “Safe & Sound” was released.

• Today in 1948, Hank Williams recorded “Lovesick Blues” in Cincinnati.
• Today in 1960, guitarist Chuck Mead was born in Missouri. He came one of the two lead vocalists in BR549.
• Today in 1973, Merle Haggard’s song “If We Make It Through December” hit #1 on the Billboard country chart.
• Today in 1981, at a rock auction in London, a letter of introduction from Buddy Holly to Decca Records sold for $2,000. At the same event, John and Cynthia Lennon’s marriage certificate was sold for $850 and an autographed program from the world premiere of the Beatles film “Help!” brought in $2,100.
• Today in 1984, The Judd’s and “Why Not Me” were found at #1 on the Billboard country chart.
• Today in 1994, Martina and John McBride welcomed their daughter, Delaney.
• Today in 1995, Clint Black’s album, “One Emotion,” was certified platinum.
• Today in 2002, Nashville’s morning paper, “The Tennessean,” named Alan Jackson the Tennessean of the Year, in great part because of his accomplishments with the song “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” The funny thing is, Alan hails from Newnan, Georgia.
• Today in 2009, The Zac Brown Band’s “Highway 20 Ride” video premiered on CMT.com.
• Today in 2010, “Country Strong” debuted in Los Angeles and Nashville. Time McGraw portrayed the manager of a singer played by Gwyneth Paltrow.
• Today in 2013, Paris, Illinois observed Brett Eldredge Day and unveiled city-limit signs proclaiming the community the “Home of Nashville Recording Artist: Brett Eldredge.”
• Today in 2016, Lucy Hale posted her outrage on Twitter after topless photos were stolen from her phone and posted online.
• Today in 2017, Dustin Lynch made a surprise appearance as the opening act for Garth Brooks at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
• Today in 2017, Lady A’s Dave Haywood and his wife, Kelli, welcomed daughter Lillie Renee Haywood, in Nashville.
• Today in 2018, Brett Young’s “Ticket To L.A.” tops the Billboard country albums chart.

• Today in 1974, Waylon Jennings’ single, “Rainy Day Woman,” entered the country charts
• Today in 1979, Willie Nelson made his movie debut with the film, “The Electric Horseman,” which opened in theaters nationwide. His songs, “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys” and “Midnight Rider” were included in the soundtrack.
• Today in 1983, the “20 Greatest Hits” album by Kenny Rogers was certified gold and platinum.
• Today in 1985, George Strait’s “The Chair” was sitting at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
• Today in 1988, K.T. Oslin’s album, “This Woman,” was certified gold.
• Today in 1996, Garth Brooks was #1 on the charts with the single, “That Ol’ Wind.”
• Today in 1999, the holiday album, “Garth Brooks & The Magic Of Christmas,” was certified gold and platinum.
• Today in 2001, Josh Turner made his Grand Ole Opry debut – he performed “Long Black Train.”
• Today in 2002, “Who’s Your Daddy?” had Toby Keith at #1 on the Billboard country chart.
• Today in 2007, “Oklahoma Today” magazine named Vince Gill the Oklahoman of the Year.
• Today in 2007, Reba McEntire and Carole King performed “Everyday People,” from the album “Reba Duets,” during the CBS-TV special “A Home For The Holidays.” Also appearing: Sheryl Crow, Fergie and James Blunt.
• Today in 2010, the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine named “Home Cooking With Trisha Yearwood” one of the five worst cookbooks of the year. The book gets knocked for being “loaded with fat and cholesterol” Oh well…
• Today in 2011, Martina McBride sings “O Holy Night” and “Blessed” while hosting the annual CBS special “A Home For The Holidays.” Guests include Justin Bieber, Gavin DeGraw, OneRepublic and Mary J. Blige.
• Today in 2012, Kelly Clarkson delivered a holiday concert and visited patients at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. Among her performances: “Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “White Christmas” and “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”
• Today in 2013, two gay men were booted from Cactus Canyon in Victoria, Texas, for slow-dancing to Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys And Angels.” Apparently, the couple had danced together to hip-hop, and that was okay – but was told the club has a policy against same-sex dancing to country.
• Today in 2013, Ray Price was celebrated during a memorial service at the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant, Texas. “Blue” songwriter Bill Mack and radio host Eddie Stubbs address mourners, who heard versions of “In The Garden” and “Danny Boy.”
• Today in 2016, Dustin Lynch defeats Cassadee Pope in an episode of Spike TV’s “Lip Sync Battle,” using whipped cream in a sex simulation to Ludacris’ “What’s Your Fantasy.” Pope performed to Panic! At The Disco’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” with a surprise appearance by the band’s lead singer, Brendon Urie.
• Today in 2017, Midland performed for Robert Redford at the actor’s Sundance Ranch in Utah.
• Today in 2018, Mark Wills performed “Don’t Laugh At Me” after Vince Gill invited him to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Jimmy Capps also celebrated 60 years as a guitarist in the Opry house band, playing songs that he helped record: “The Gambler,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “Elvira” and “Stand By Your Man.”
• Today in 2020, T. Oslin passed away in an assisted-living facility in Middle Tennessee. A member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, she snagged GRAMMY Awards, plus ACM and CMA honors behind the hits “80s Ladies,” “Do Ya’,” “Hold Me” and “Come Next Monday.” Oslin also wrote Gail Davies’ “‘Round The Clock Lovin’.”
• Today in 2020, Kenny Rogers’ single, “The Gambler,” and Vernon Dalhart’s “The Wreck Of The Old ’97” were named as new entries in the Grammy Hall of Fame, along with USA For Africa’s “We Are The World” and the “Trio” album, featuring Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris.
• Today in 2021, Eric Church performed “Joy To The World” as PBS premiered “In Performance At The White House: Spirit Of The Season.” Other artists included Pentatonix, Norah Jones, Billy Porter and The Jonas Brothers.

• Today in 1968, the album, “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” by Jeannie C. Riley was certified gold.
• Today in 1986, Randy Travis became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
• Today in 1989, Charlie Daniels’ single, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” was certified platinum. It was released in 1979.
• Today in 1989, the album, “Loving Proof,” by Ricky Van Shelton was certified platinum.
• Today in 1991, Tanya Tucker’s album, “What Do I Do With Me,” was certified gold.
• Today in 1991, Collin Raye’s “Love, Me” topped the country singles charts.
• Today in 1992, Alan Jackson was #1 on the charts with “She’s Got the Rhythm (I’ve Got the Blues),” which he co-wrote with Randy Travis.
• Today in 1996, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s album, “A Place In The World,” was certified gold.
• Today in 1997, Martina McBride was #1 on the singles charts with “A Broken Wing.”
• Today in 1999, Garth Brooks’ single, “Lost In You,” was certified gold.
• Today in 1999, country music legend Hank Snow died in Nashville at age 85.
• Today in 2000, the January issue of “Ladies Home Journal” magazine arrived on newsstands and featured Faith Hill as one of “The Most Fascinating Women To Watch of 2001.” She shared the distinction with famous faces like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Julia Roberts and Bette Midler.
• Today in 2000, “Entertainment Weekly” magazine’s year-end special issue dubbed Lee Ann Womack’s album, “I Hope You Dance,” as the #1 choice on their annual “Best Country Albums” list.
• Today in 2000, Shania Twain’s album, “Come On Over,” was voted one of music’s “new classics” by BarnesandNoble.com. She was in some pretty amazing company as her album was one of five and the only country offering. The other albums were U2’s “Joshua Tree,” “Ten Summoner’s Tales” by Sting, “Ray of Light” from Madonna and Andrea Bocelli’s “Romanza.”
• Today in 2000, Faith Hill was named “Billboard” magazine’s Top Country Female Artist, and her hit “Breathe” landed at the top of the 2000 “Billboard” Hot 100 chart. Ironically, the power ballad never made it to #1 on the chart, instead spending three weeks at #2, but sustained airplay helped it earn top honors in the year-end tally. She also turned up at #9 in the Top 40 and #4 in the Adult Contemporary categories.
• Today in 2000, Tim McGraw was named Top Country Male Artist of the Year by “Billboard” magazine, while Toby Keith topped the country singles category with “How Do You Like Me Now?!” Phil Vassar, who charted the #1 song, “Just Another Day in Paradise,” was named Top New Country Artist.
• Today in 2000, lots of gold and platinum certifications were announced by the RIAA. Faith Hill’s “Breathe” album was certified for sales of 5-million, Reba McEntire’s “So Good Together” project was certified platinum. Toby Keith also earned platinum certification for his “Greatest Hits, Volume 1” collection, while Tim McGraw’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously. John Michael Montgomery’s “Brand New Me” went gold.
• Today in 2000, In their year-end wrap-up, the RIAA announced that Faith Hill and the Dixie Chicks were tied for the honor of having the best-selling albums of the year for “Breathe” and “Fly” respectively.
• Today in 2000, folks in Brad Paisley’s hometown of Glendale, West Virginia, began welcoming visitors to the town with a brand new sign that read: “Glendale, West Virginia – Home of Brad Paisley, Member of the Grand Ole Opry.”
• Today in 2002, Faith Hill participated in the CBS special, “A Home for the Holidays.” The one-hour program was aimed at finding adoptive homes for children in foster care.
• Today in 2003, Gary Allan’s “Songs About Rain” video debuted on CMT.
• Today in 2005, Kristen Hall parted ways with Sugarland bandmates Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush.
• Today in 2009, Carrie Underwood got engaged to Ottawa Senators hockey player Mike Fisher at his home in Ontario. The happy couple is expecting their first child, a son, this spring.
• Today in 2012, Tate Stevens was pronounced the winner of FOX-TV’s “The X Factor.” He performed Chris Young’s “Tomorrow” and “Please Come Home For Christmas” in the finale.
• Today in 2014, Little Jimmy Dickens performed “Out Behind The Barn” in what turned out to be his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
• Today in 2016, a four-acre plot formerly owned by Johnny Cash in Hendersonville, Tennessee, was sold at auction. The main house on the property had been destroyed by fire in 2007.
• Today in 2017, Michael Ray was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of an illegal substance, hash oil, after rear-ending another car at a McDonald’s drive-through in his hometown, Eustis, Florida. The charge was ultimately reduced to reckless driving.
• Today in 2019, Granger Smith and his wife, Amber Smith, announced the formation of the River Kelly Fund, a charitable operation named in honor of their son, who drowned in June.
• Today in 2019, Dierks Bentley’s single “Say You Do” went platinum. The same day, the RIAA awarded Jon Pardi with a double-platinum single for “Heartache On The Dance Floor.”
• Today in 2020, Miranda Lambert performed an acoustic version of “Bluebird” as CBS airs the adoption special “A Home For The Holidays.” The lineup also included Leslie Odom Jr., Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban and Meghan Trainor.
• Today in 2020, CBS aired “Garth & Trisha Live! A Holiday Concert Event.” The set list included “Silent Night,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Frosty The Snow Man” and “Hard Candy Christmas.”