- 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.
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Songwriting Award To Be Named After Dolly Parton
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Dolly Parton is getting honored in a very special way. The BMI Foundation has renamed their annual Nashville Songwriting Scholarship in her honor. The award will now be known as the Dolly Parton Songwriters Award, and will be handed out annually with the aspiring songwriters chosen from a nationwide competition.
The organization will also create The Dolly Parton Music Fund, which will not only underwrite the annual award, but fund initiatives to support music programs in schools.
“I know how personal and important songwriting is to those that have the talent, and to all the others that enjoy those that have it. I’m proud to be part of a program that will help support songwriting in any way possible,” Dolly shares. “I have been with BMI since I published my first song as a child, so of course I’m very proud and honored to have a BMI Songwriters Award made in my honor.”
The first Dolly Parton Songwriters Award will be handed out next spring. Applications will be accepted starting in October.
Source: Music Row
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1967, Bobbie Gentry released her only hit: “Ode to Billy Joe.”
- Today in 1972, “Baby, Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” by Mac Davis entered the Top 40 chart.
- Today in 1989, Dolly Parton’s single, “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That,” topped the country charts.
- Today in 1992, “Greatest Hits Plus” album by Ricky Van Shelton was released.
- Today in 1998, George Strait led the list of nominees for the 32nd annual CMA Awards, nabbing five nominations, including Entertainer, Album and Single of the Year. These nods made Strait the most nominated artist in the history of the competition (47 nominations).
- Today in 2001, Brooks and Dunn’s inaugural “Neon Circus and Wild West Show” tour, featuring Toby Keith, Montgomery Gentry, Keith Urban and Cledus T. Judd, wrapped up in Pittsburgh.
- Today in 2002, the Summer Music 2002 issue of “Entertainment Weekly” magazine featured six of country music’s “hottest men” have were tapped as exactly that. Who topped the group? None other than Brad Paisley. He was followed (in order) by Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Andy Griggs and Eric Heatherly. Tied for sixth place were Trick Pony’s Keith Burn and Ira Dean. Each profile explained why each guy was selected, what he could improve and what’s coming next in his career.
- Today in 2002, the Associated Press reported that Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Circus & Wild West Show” was the highest-grossing 2002 tour based on per-date revenues.
- Today in 2005, Keith Urban’s album, “Be Here,” was certified double-platinum.
- Today in 2008, Jamey Johnson’s album, “That Lonesome Song,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2010, Charley Pride was part of an 18-person investor group headed by Nolan Ryan that bought the Texas Rangers baseball team for $593 million at an auction in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood’s single, “See You Again,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2014, the “Salt Lake Tribune” reported promoters of the Country Explosion music festival filed a $15-million suit against Florida Georgia Line and its tour manager for defamation after he told other music executives their $205,000 check bounced. The festival claimed the band’s manager was given the check to settle the balance on FGL’s $450k appearance fee, but was asked to hold off on cashing it for three days, to allow for the check to clear. Promoters say he agreed, then proceeded to cash the check the next day, and it bounced, leading him to breach the oral contract. Either way, FGL filed a counter-suit the following February alleging fraud and breach of contract.
- Today in 2015, Taylor Swift’s album “Fearless” is certified seven-times platinum by the RIAA
- Today in 2016, Chris Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over” album went gold.
- Today in 2016, Chris Lane’s debut album, “Girl Problems,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Tim McGraw and Runaway June performed the first show following renovations at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, as part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction events.
- Today in 2019, Old Dominion scored a gold single certification from the RIAA for “Hotel Key” and a gold album nod for “Happy Endings.”
- Today in 2019, Mayor David Briley declared Dolly Parton Day in the city of Nashville.
- Today in 2019, Thomas Rhett launched a limited-edition line of swimwear, the Rhettro Collection, in tandem with fashion company Chubbies.
- Today in 2019, Kelsea Ballerini’s single, “Miss Me More,” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2021, Jake Owen’s “Best Thing Since Backroads” hit the airwaves.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “MAX”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Max”, a one to two year old Shiba Inu mix. Max is a friendly fellow with all of his vetting and vaccinations up to date. Max gets along with other dogs, but he is food aggressive, so if you have other dogs, you would need to feed them separately.
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Max 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 Max with Terry Gott from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Report: Taylor Swift Starts Work On New Album
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Taylor Swift is reportedly working on a new album! The report claims that it’ll be her first album of original material in almost two years. She’s supposedly been both writing and recording over the last few weeks in Nashville in hopes of surprising her fans.
“Taylor is enjoying the process of tinkering with new sounds and is set to showcase a range of genres on her next album, which will surprise her fans,” an insider spills. “It’ll also be her most collaborative album yet and she is eager to work with up-and-coming female artists and producers.”
Some friends are helping with the writing, too, the source continues. “She recently invited some friends to write with her and the songs they came up with reminded her team of Stevie Nicks and Joan Armatrading.”
Taylor’s been know to reference exes in the past, but this album will reportedly allude to her romance with Joe Alwyn. “Her fans are used to hearing about her break-ups but her outlook on romance has changed since being with Joe and this will come through in the music,” the insider added.
Source: The Sun UK
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- 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.”
Chris Stapleton Spotted Helping With Kentucky Flood Relief
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Folks in Kentucky have been dealing with catastrophic flooding which has destroyed homes, and killed at least 37 people, with hundreds more unaccounted for. Plenty of folks have been doing what they can to help, and that includes Chris Stapleton.
The country superstar, a native of Kentucky, was seen at a Prestonburg, Kentucky Walmart buying supplies to help those affected by the flooding. And while he originally went unnoticed folks soon started realizing it was Chris helping out.
“Chris Stapleton is loved in eastern KY b/c he’s from Johnson County and he’s immensely talented. But also b/c of this,” someone on Twitter shared, next to photos of Chris at the Walmart and posing with two men. “That’s Chris in the Prestonburg Walmart buying stuff for folks and cleaning houses in Knott County.”
Chris is known for doing a lot to help his home state. He started his Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund, which donates money to different Kentucky-based charities. He also headlined “A Concert for Kentucky” back in April, which raised $1 million for the charity.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1985, Alabama topped the chart for the 17th time with the single, “40 Hour Week.”
- Today in 1991, Trisha Yearwood hit #1 with the single, “She’s In Love With The Boy.”
- Today in 1992, the album, “Lyle Lovett & His Large Band,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1992, “Their Final Concert” video by the Judds was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 1993, Clay Walker’s self-titled debut album was released.
- Today in 1997, At the request of NASA, Diamond Rio hosted a 30th anniversary bash for the Kennedy Space Center. The group performed in the Rocket Garden area of the Visitor Center.
- Today in 1999, Patsy Cline received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- Today in 1999, the Country Music Association nominations were announced. Tim McGraw scored seven nods, with wife Faith Hill nabbing two. Perennial nominee Vince Gill returned with five nominations.
- Today in 2000, Shania Twain, the Wilkinsons and Terri Clark topped the list of nominees at the 2000 Canadian Country Music Awards.
- Today in 2000, as former Texas governor George W. Bush accepted the Republican presidential nomination, Brooks & Dunn, Lorrie Morgan and a number of other country artists looked on. Just before Bush’s acceptance speech, Brooks & Dunn performed “Hard Workin’ Man.”
- Today in 2001, Blake Shelton hit the #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart with his debut single, “Austin.” A day later, he did the same on “Billboard’s” Top Country Singles chart.
- Today in 2010, Taylor Swift’s “Fifteen” received an MTV Video Music Awards nomination for Best Female Video pitting her against Beyonce, Kesha, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. She lost to Gaga, but then…unlike the previous year when she won for “You Belong With Me,” she also didn’t have to deal with Kanye.
- Today in 2017, Still not dead: Willie Nelson insisted he’s still alive following an errant report lighting up Twitter that he’d passed away.
- Today in 2018, Blake Shelton’s concert at the Watershed Music Festival included a surprise appearance by his then-girlfriend, Gwen Stefani, who performed “Hollaback Girl” at the Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington.
- Today in 2018, Dan + Shay snagged a platinum single from the RIAA for “Tequila.”
- Today in 2018, Cole Swindell’s “Let Me See Ya Girl” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2021, Carly Pearce was inducted as a new member of the Grand Ole Opry. During her performance, she offered up “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” as well as a duet with Trisha Yearwood on “How Do I Live,” and sang “Making Believe” with Yearwood and Jeannie Seely.
Report: Naomi Judd Cut Daughters Out Of Will
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Naomi Judd died back in April, and now a new report claims she didn’t leave any of her estate to her two daughters Wynona and Ashley.
Radar reports that Naomi’s husband Larry Strickland, who she wed in 1989, has been named Executor of her estate, leaving him total control of her fortune. And if he “ceases or fails to serve,” she chose her brother-in-law, Reginald Strickland, and Daniel Kris Wiatr as Co-Executors.
The estate is set to be worth $25 million, and Radar claims Wy is “upset” with her mother’s decision, especially because as a co-member of The Judds, she “believes she was a major force behind her mother’s success.”
Source: Radaronline
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1969, the single, “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town,” by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition peaked at #6 on the pop singles chart.
- Today in 1980, Johnny Lee’s single, “Lookin’ For Love,” entered the Top 40 chart.
- Today in 1988, Restless Heart’s “Big Dreams In A Small Town” album was released.
- Today in 1988, the album, “Buenos Noches From A Lonely Room,” by Dwight Yoakam was released.
- Today in 1988, The Judds’ “Greatest Hits” album was released.
- Today in 1990, Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, George Strait’s “Beyond The Blue Neon” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, the Tractors’ self-titled debut album was released.
- Today in 2000, the felony charges filed against Tim McGraw in connection with the infamous “horse incident” in Buffalo were dropped. Since he and Kenny Chesney still faced a variety of misdemeanor charges, the case eventually went to trial and the pair was completely exonerated.
- Today in 2000, Keith Urban made history when he became the first Australian male country artist to earn a U.S. Top 10 country single with “Your Everything.”
- Today in 2000, Trace Adkins and Charlie Daniels appeared in an episode of TNN’s “18 Wheels of Justice.”
- Today in 2003, Montgomery Gentry’s “Hell Yeah” video debuted on CMT’s “Most Wanted Live.”
- Today in 2005, ABC aired “CMA Music Festival: Country Music’s Biggest Party.”
- Today in 2006, The “Cars” soundtrack was certified gold.
- Today in 2008, Dierks Bentley played the Lollapalooza rock festival in Chicago.
- Today in 2010, Brad Paisley’s “Anything Like Me” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2014, Hunter Hayes performed in a concert honoring the 75th anniversary of the Baseball Hall of Fame at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, New York. He shared the stage with Paul Simon, Yolanda Adams and the Boston Pops.
- Today in 2016, a California court dismisses a lawsuit filed by Sara Evans’ ex-husband, Craig Schelske, against TMZ. He had claimed he was not a public figure, thus should not have been mentioned in an unfavorable newscast. The court says he, in fact, made himself a public figure through his divorce proceedings.
- Today in 2017, former “Duke Of Hazzard” star Tom Wopat was arrested in Waltham, Massachusetts, for sexual assault and cocaine possession. He recently took a plea deal and avoided jail time.
- Today in 2017, Brett Eldredge was a guest on the E! series, “Hollywood Medium,” where he believed he makes contact with his late grandfather.
- Today in 2018, Tyler Farr was rushed to an emergency room with a sprained ankle and a minor head injury after being tackled by a security guard at the Bayfront Festival Park in Duluth, Minnesota. It seems the guard thought he was an out-of-control fan, not the artist he was supposed to protect. All was well in the end, however – and Tyler went on to perform at the WE Fest the following day.
- Today in 2019, Justin Moore became a subway singer, performing “Point At You,” “You Look Like I Need A Drink” and “The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home” underground in midtown New York City. See it HERE.
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