- 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 49th 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 79th
- 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.
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1975, the single, “Thank God I’m A Country Boy,” by John Denver entered the top 40 chart.
- Today in 1980, the Bellamy Brothers topped the country charts with “Sugar Daddy.”
- Today in 1995, Alan Jackson’s second album, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” was certified quadruple platinum. On the same day, his third album, “A Lot About Livin’ (and A Little ‘Bout Love),” was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5- million.
- Today in 1995, Brooks & Dunn’s “Brand New Man” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5-million. On the same day, their “Hard Workin’ Man” project was certified quadruple platinum.
- Today in 1995, the album, “Homeward Looking Angel,” by Pam Tillis was certified platinum.
- Today in 1995, Diamond Rio’s album, “Love A Little Stronger,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1995, the “Not A Moment Too Soon” album by Tim McGraw was certified quadruple platinum.
- Today in 1995, Tracy Byrd won two Country Dance Music Awards for the “Watermelon Crawl.”
- Today in 1996, Terri Clark earned a gold record for her self-titled debut album.
- Today in 1996, Shania Twain’s video, “The Woman In Me,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1997, Trace Adkins received his first #1 single in Billboard with “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing.”
- Today in 1999, three of Tammy Wynette’s daughters filed a $50-million lawsuit that blamed the singer’s death on negligence by her husband and her doctor.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw debuted on “Sesame Street” with “Take A Turn,” their song about sharing.
- Today in 2002, Dolly Parton kicked-off the tourist season by serving as the Grand Marshal of her “Chasing Rainbows” parade in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. She officially opened her Dollywood theme park for the season the following day.
- Today in 2003, Darryl Worley started his seven-week stay at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Have You Forgotten?”
- Today in 2008, Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” ranked #1 when CMT debuted its latest installment of “100 Greatest Videos.”
- Today in 2009, Brad Paisley won Top Male Vocalist among three trophies during the 44th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. He also earns Video of the Year, for “Waitin’ On A Woman”; and Vocal Event, for the Keith Urban duet, “Start A Band.”
- Today in 2012, Trace Adkins attended as 250 new acres from the Battle of Shiloh are dedicated by the Civil War Trust at Pickwick Landing State Park in Savannah, Tennessee.
- Today in 2013, the Band Perry headlined the Academy of Country Music’s Party For A Cause at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas. Also on the bill: Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Florida Georgia Line, Greg Bates and Cassadee Pope.
- Today in 2014, Craig Campbell performed at the Las Vegas reception for a couple two days after sitting next to the groom, Tony Ramos, on a flight. The set list included “Keep Them Kisses Comin’.”
- Today in 2014, Keith Urban topped the bill on the second night of the Academy of Country Music’s Party For A Cause at The Linq in Las Vegas. Also appearing: Joe Nichols, Chris Young, Brett Eldredge, Dan + Shay and Jerrod Niemann.
- Today in 2017, Keith Urban was honored with the Recording Artists’ Coalition Award from the Recording Academy for his commitment to music education during the annual GRAMMYs On The Hill Awards in Washington, D.C.
- Today in 2017, the Country Music Association announced Alan Jackson, the late Jerry Reed and songwriter Don Schlitz as the 2017 inductees in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2017, Jana Kramer was honored with the Voice of Empowerment Award from Safe Horizon in New York for speaking out publicly about domestic violence.
Thomas Rhett’s Talks Collaborating With Katy Perry
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Thomas Rhett’s new album “Where We Started” is out now and fans have finally gotten a listen to its title track, which features a guest appearance by Katy Perry.
Thomas says when he first sent her the song to see if Katy was interested, he didn’t expect to hear back, but she got back within a day and told him, “I love this. I resonate with this so well.”
“When she put her vocal on it, it took her, like, two weeks,” he tells Music Mayhem. “She really put a lot of time and effort into this vocal… This reminded me of how amazing a vocalist she is, and I feel like it really came to life.”
- Meanwhile, Thomas is already thinking about another collaboration, this time with One Direction’s Niall Horan. “I feel like every time me and Niall are together we threaten to do some sort of collaboration,” he shares, “We have written a couple of times but I don’t think we have written the song yet for us to do.” He adds, “It would be a lot of fun to just find a week and be like, ‘We’re going here and we’re going to write and whatever the best one is, we’re going to do it together,'” noting, “I can see there being a me and Niall collaboration in the next couple of years.”
Source: Music Mayhem
The Judds Reuniting For The CMT Music Awards
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The Judds are reuniting. The mother-daughter pair of Naomi and Wynona Judd will come back together to perform on next week’s CMT Music Awards.
The duo is set to perform their classic “Love Can Build A Bridge” in front of Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. They are set to be inducted into the HOF next month.
The will be the pair’s first award show performance in more than two decades.
- The 2022 CMT Music Awards, hosted by Kelsea Ballerini and Anthony Mackie, will air April 11th on CBS, with an extended version with 30 extra minutes of performances to debut April 15th on CMT. Voting is open now.
Source: CMT
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1959, Bill Anderson made his Grand Ole Opry debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
- Today in 1985, the album, “Why Not Me,” by the Judds was certified gold.
- Today in 1987, George Strait scored his 10th #1 hit with “Ocean Front Property.”
- Today in 1989, Alabama’s “Southern Star” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1989, the Judds’ album, “River Of Time,” was released.
- Today in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus’ debut single “Achy Breaky Heart” made its first appearance on the charts.
- Today in 1996, the Mavericks’ album, “Music For All Occasions,” went gold.
- Today in 1998, Trisha Yearwood hit #1 in Billboard with “A Perfect Love.”
- Today in 2000, the home video and DVD versions of the animated TNN movie, “Tom Sawyer,” were released with the soundtrack. The film featured celebrity voices galore with the talents of Rhett Akins, Lee Ann Womack, Mark Wills, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr. and more. For each video sold, MGM donates a percentage of the profits to St. Jude Children’s Research program.
- Today in 2000, SHeDAISY made their television debut on “Live! with Regis & Kathie Lee” singing “This Woman Needs,” while Jessica Andrews guested on “Donny & Marie” with the single, “Unbreakable Heart.”
- Today in 2000, the Wilkinsons’ album, “Here and Now” and BR5-49’s “Coast To Coast” album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2000, the Dixie Chicks’ single, “Goodbye Earl,” was certified gold. On the same day, their debut album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified for sales of 9-million. The project has since been certified for multi-platinum sales of 11-million.
- Today in 2002, Jo Dee Messina celebrated the #1 success of her single, “Bring On The Rain,” during a party on Nashville’s Music Row for songwriters Billy Montana and Helen Darling.
- Today in 2004, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” tops the list as CMT presents “100 Greatest Music ”
- Today in 2006, Rascal Flatts’ album, “Me And My Gang,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2013, Carrie Underwood performed “See You Again” on FOX’s “American Idol.” Casey James was also a musical guest on the show, featuring Keith Urban as a judge.
- Today in 2014, “My Eyes,” by Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Sebastian was released to radio.
- Today in 2016, retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning surprised folks at Nashville’s Winners Bar & Grill and sang “Rocky Top” with Lee Brice and Shay Mooney, of Dan + Shay.
- Today in 2017, Darryl Worley, Josh Thompson and Halfway To Hazard performed at a benefit for Nashville musician Smith Curry at the Tin Roof. The bill also included Zac Brown co-writers Sonia Leigh, Wyatt Durrette and Levi Lowery.
- Today in 2019, Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly broke ground on their “Free Grocery Store” in Nashville.
Keith Urban Drops New Song ‘Nightfalls’
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Keith Urban is back with new music. The singer just dropped the brand new tune “Nightfalls,” which he wrote with Greg Kurstin and Mozella.
“Writing ’Nightfalls’ with Greg Kurstin and Mozella was pure joy,” Keith tells Bang Showbiz. “Two summers have gone by with no way to tour, and the desire to have that feeling again inspired every part of this song and recording”
He adds, “In a world so full of real struggles and fractures, I wanna try and bring something to help us exhale and be in the moment – if only for 3 mins and 41 seconds.”
Source: Keith Urban
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1967, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened for business.
- Today in 1978, Crystal Gayle’s “Ready For The Times To Get Better” hit #1 on the country charts.
- Today in 1979, drummer Mark Herndon joined Alabama.
- Today in 1985, the “40 Hour Week” album by Alabama was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1989, George Strait’s “Baby’s Gotten Good At Goodbye” hit the top of the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 1991, Reba McEntire’s album, “Rumor Has It,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1993, Garth Brooks made the cover of “Rolling Stone,” where he defended his stance on homosexuality and interracial marriage in “We Shall Be Free” saying: “I do believe that God exists. I do believe in the Bible. But I can’t see that loving somebody is a sin.”
- Today in 1996, Alabama’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5-million. At the time, it was the best-selling project by a country group ever.
- Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks’ “Wide Open Spaces” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5-million.
- Today in 2000, TNN premiered the animated movie, “Tom Sawyer.” Rhett Akins was the voice of Tom Sawyer, Lee Ann Womack provided the voice of Becky Thatcher, Mark Wills was Huck Finn and Waylon Jennings was Judge Thatcher. Hank Williams Jr. was at his “bad boy” best, infusing his voice into the menacing character of Injurin’ Joe. Marty Stuart provided the voice for the zealous Reverend, television veteran Betty White voiced Aunt Polly, while film and television icon Don Knotts had the perfect voice for the befuddled Mutt Potter.
- Today in 2002, Chris Cagle scored his very first #1 hit with his single, “I Breathe In, I Breathe Out.”
- Today in 2003, Johnny Cash was released from a hospital after a bout of pneumonia.
- Today in 2003, Chris Cagle’s self-titled album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2003, Darryl Worley enjoyed a second week at the top of the singles charts with “Have You Forgotten?”
- Today in 2004, Carlene Carter’s bond was revoked after she failed a drug test. The bond was in conjunction with an earlier arrest, in which she had been charged with stealing a dead man’s identity to get prescription drugs.
- Today in 2004, Rachel Proctor performed at the Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee’s annual Taste of Spring fundraiser in Nashville.
- Today in 2006, Willie Nelson held a press conference and broke ground on the new Pacific BioDiesel Texas, on a two-acre parcel adjacent to Carl’s Corner Truck Stop in Carl’s Corner, Texas.
- Today in 2006, Eric Church made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Church performed his debut single, “How ‘Bout You,” then segued into the Leadbelly song “Black Betty.”
- Today in 2006, Craig Morgan was in a cross country motorcycle accident in Bucksnort, Tennessee, where he sustained a broken left wrist and a mild concussion. The singer finished the race, placing third, before going to the hospital. He also performed that night.
- Today in 2006, Tim McGraw stepped in for Sheryl Crow at the 18th annual Bob Costas Benefit for SSM Cardinal Glenn on Children’s Medical Center show in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Today in 2006, More than six thousand mourners filed past an open casket on the dance floor of Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace nightclub to pay their last respects to the country music icon.
- Today in 2007, the Dixie Chicks’ “Taking the Long Way” was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2007 Juno Awards. Emerson Drive, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and George Canyon were also nominees.
- Today in 2007, Sugarland performed at MyCokeFest at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta, Georgia, which was a free music event held in conjunction with the NCAA Men’s Final Four.
- Today in 2008, Dolly Parton was the guest mentor on “American Idol.”
- Today in 2008, new album releases included George Strait’s “Troubadour,” Kathy Mattea’s “Coal,” Josh Gracin’s “We Weren’t Crazy,” and Willie Nelson’s “One Hell of a Ride.”
- Today in 2008, Vince Gill and Larry Gatlin helped launch the 16th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriter Festival in Nashville.
- Today in 2012, Taylor Swift was named the Academy of Country Music’s Entertainer of the Year for a second consecutive year at the 47th annual ACM Awards. Meanwhile, Jason Aldean and Miranda Lambert took home multiple awards, while Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band, Toby Keith, and Scotty McCreery were also honored.
- Today in 2012, Terri Clark got the nod for Country Album of the Year for “Roots and Wings” at the 2012 Juno Awards, which are the Canadian equivalent of the Grammys.
- Today in 2012, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Charlie Daniels, Emmylou Harris and Patty Loveless were some of the stars who participated in a special memorial service for bluegrass legend Earl Scruggs, who had died four days earlier.
- Today in 2014, Dierks Bentley performed at the Station Inn in Nashville with two surprise guests: Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “BELLA”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Bella”. Bella is an 8 year old tortoise-shell kitty who is declawed, and fully vetted. Bella is spayed, has a sweet disposition, and ready to find her furr-ever home!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Bella 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 Bella with Terry Gott from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
CMT Reviving “Storytellers” With Brooks & Dunn
Posted on by Bob Ballard
CMT is bringing back a classic series. The network just announced they are reviving VH1’s “Storytellers.” The first episode of “CMT Storytellers” will feature Brooks & Dunn and debut April 13th, at 8 pm.
The show will feature Brooks & Dunn performing for a small, intimate audience, telling stories about their songs and careers. Songs on the episode include “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” “Only in America,” and more.
“Storytellers” originally aired from 1996 to 2015, with stars like Elton John, Billy Joel, James Taylor, and Bonnie Raitt, taking part. Several country stars did as well, including Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash.
- In addition, CMT is also bringing back another season of “Campfire Sessions.” The first episode, airing April 12th, will feature Little Big Town.
Source: CMT
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1962, Patsy Cline hit the top of the country charts with “She’s Got You.”
- Today in 1973, Johnny Rodriguez charted his first number one song “You Always Come Back To Hurting Me.”
- Today in 1981, Dolly Parton performed “9 to 5” at the Oscar awards, delayed for a day after the shooting of President Reagan.
- Today in 1986, Alabama’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified Gold and Platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1992, the “Wynonna” album by Wynonna Judd was released.
- Today in 1992, Mark Chesnutt’s second album “Longnecks and Short Stories” was released.
- Today in 1995, Joe Diffie’s single “So Help Me Girl” topped the charts.
- Today in 1998, Alan Jackson’s “The Greatest Hits Collection” went quadruple-platinum.
- Today in 1998, Brooks and Dunn shot footage for their “If You See Him, If You See Her” video with Reba McEntire.
- Today in 2000, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Riders in the Sky presented their 21st annual benefit concert to aid Hospital Hospitality House. It offers a home away from home for family members of critically ill patients and outpatients receiving medical treatment in Nashville area hospitals.
- Today in 2002, Jo Dee Messina was in Atlanta to perform the national anthem for the Atlanta Braves’ season opener.
- Today in 2003, the Great American Ball Park opened with the Cincinnati Reds losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates. President W. Bush threw out the first pitch and Clay Walker and Lee Greenwood sang “God Bless The U.S.A.”
- Today in 2005, The “Honky Tonk Angels” album — featuring Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette — was certified Platinum.
- Today in 2006, John Michael Montgomery held his first Hunting & Fishing Show in Bardstown, Kentucky.
- Today in 2006, Tim McGraw made a guest appearance on “The Today Show” where he performed “When the Stars Go Blue” and other hits.
- Today in 2006, Jake Owen made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2006, at the Kennedy Center, Vince Jill, Kris Krostofferson, Lee Ann Womack, and The Judds sang “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” as part of three weeks of country shows in the capitol.
- Today in 2007, Angela Hacker, “Nashville Star’s” season five winner, made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2007, LeAnn Rimes made an appearance at the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality dinner, an event supporting the gay community.
- Today in 2009, Brad Paisley learned he’d won the Academy of Country Music Awards for Video of the Year with his clip “Waitin’ On a Woman,” and that he and Keith Urban got the nod for Vocal Event of the Year for their collaborative hit “Start a Band.” The winners in these categories were announced in advance of the annual ACM Awards ceremony, which took place five days later.
- Today in 2009, Craig Morgan hosted his Charity Ride, which included an acoustic concert and silent auction as well as a motocross and four-wheeler ride in Van Leer, Tennessee.
- Today in 2009, new CD releases included Keith Urban’s “Defying Gravity,” Rodney Atkins’ “It’s America,” and Dailey and Vincent’s “Brothers From Different Mothers.”
- Today in 2011, Mel McDaniel died at his Nashville-area home following a battle with lung cancer. He was 68.
- Today in 2011, Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina sang “I Told You So,” the Randy Travis/Carrie Underwood duet on “American Idol.”
- Today in 2012, Taylor Swift received The Big Help Award at the Kids’ Choice Awards from First Lady Michelle Obama, who presented the award.
- Today in 2013, Blake Shelton hosted the NRA Country/ACM Celebrity Shoot in Boulder City, Nevada, which raised money for military related charities while Darius Rucker hosted the ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic charity event in Las Vegas. Both fundraisers were held in conjunction with the annual Academy of Country Music awards.
- Today in 2013, a second visitation day was held for the late Earl Scruggs at a Nashville funeral home. The bluegrass legend died a few days earlier at the age of 88.
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