- Today in 1983, Alabama’s album, “The Closer You Get,” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1986, Dolly Parton opened her Dollywood amusement park in Tennessee.
- Today in 1993, the “Some Gave All” album by Billy Ray Cyrus was certified for sales of 7-million.
- Today in 1994, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks were the big winners at the 29th annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles. Garth skipped the show to be in Nashville with his then-wife, Sandy, as she gave birth to the couple’s second child, August Anna. She was born the night Garth received the ACM’s Entertainer of the Year award for the fourth consecutive year. That same night, “We Shall Be Free” was named Video of the Year.
- Today in 1994, the “Rhythm, Country and Blues” album was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 1996, John Michael Montgomery hit #1 with “Long As I Live.”
- Today in 1997, Travis Tritt, Bill Anderson, Stonewall Jackson and others attended the 50th anniversary celebration for the Ernest Tubb Record Shops in downtown Nashville.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill’s “The Way You Love Me” video made its worldwide debut on CMT’s “Delivery Room.” Other videos premiering included the Kinleys’ “She Ain’t The Girl For You,” “One Voice” from Billy Gilman and Sonya Isaacs’ “Since I Gave My Heart Away.”
- Today in 2000, in an incident that no one has ever been able to truly explain, Roseanne Barr crashed the party that Lonestar’s record company hosted following the ACM Awards show. Lonestar and their friends were busy celebrating their ACM Single of the Year award for “Amazed,” so it’s not surprising that it took some time before anyone noticed that someone had walked away with the trophy presented to the record label. A few days later, Roseanne admitted that she hid the award under her jacket as she left the celebration at the ritzy Posto Restaurant in Los Angeles. She followed her confession by sending the trophy to Nashville, where it was placed on display at the record label’s office.
- Today in 2002, Chely Wright was among “People” magazine’s annual “50 Most Beautiful.” She was the only country singer.
- Today in 2003, Buddy Jewell became the first “Nashville Star.”
- Today in 2006, Ricky Van Shelton wrote an open letter to fans announcing his retirement from the road, assuring fans he and his wife, Bettye were in good health, he said they “need to be close to our families” in Virginia.
- Today in 2007, Taylor Swift picked up a gold single for her debut, “Tim McGraw.”
- Today in 2010, water from the Cumberland River flooded Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House peaking more than two feet above the venue’s stage. The Opry moved to other locations for four months.
- Today in 2013, Keith Urban made a surprising appearance during The Rolling Stones’ show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, joining the band while playing “Respectable.”
- Today in 2014, Kacey Musgraves performs “Follow Your Arrow” at the GLAAD Media Awards in New York, following an introduction by Chely Wright.
- Today in 2017, the video for “Craving You,” by Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris, hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Toby Keith covered “MacArthur Park,” while Dwight Yoakam played “Wichita Lineman” at Carnegie Hall in New York during a salute to Jimmy Webb. A fundraiser for Alzheimer’s, the show also featured Ashley Campbell, Judy Collins, Art Garfunkel, Amy Grant, Graham Nash, and Johnny Rivers.
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Naomi Judd Dies At Age 76
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The country music world is in mourning following the news that Naomi Judd, matriarch of the mother/daughter duo The Judds, passed away Saturday at the age of 76.
“Today we sisters experienced a tragedy,” read a statement from daughters Wynonna and Ashley. “We lost our beautiful mother to the disease of mental illness. We are shattered. We are navigating profound grief and know that as we loved her, she was loved by her public. We are in unknown territory.”
Naomi previously opened up about her struggles with depression during a 2016 interview with “Good Morning America,” saying that throughout her decades-long career she suffered “extreme” and “severe depression,” which got worse after she and Wynonna stopped touring in 2011. She even said she had considered taking her own life.
- The announcement of Naomi’s death came just one day before she and Wynonna were to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the ceremony went on as planned last night, although the red carpet was canceled out of respect for the family.
- “The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum joins family and fans in grieving the sudden loss of Naomi Judd,” read a statement from the Hall. “Following the wishes of the Judd family, the museum will move forward with the Medallion Ceremony on Sunday, May 1, with Wynonna planning on being in attendance.”
- The Judds made their last performance together at last month’s CMT Music Awards, where they performed their hit “Love Can Build A Bridge.” They had planned to go out on 10-date reunion tour, that was supposed to kick off September 30th.
- In addition to the Hall of Fame honor, The Judds won nine CMA Awards, eight ACM Awards, and five GRAMMYs, including Best Country Song for “Love Can Build A Bridge.” They also had eight straight number one singles in the 80s.
- Click here for country music’s reaction to Naomi’s death.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1985, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson released the “Highwayman” album.
- Today in 1988, the album, “Remembering Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline,” was released.
- Today in 1989, the “Killin’ Time” album by Clint Black and the “Something Inside So Strong” album by Kenny Rogers were released.
- Today in 1994, Garth Brooks won two honors – Entertainer and Video of the Year – at the 29th Academy Of Country Music awards on NBC, though he wasn’t in Los Angeles to receive them. His wife, Sandy, gave birth to August Anna that night in Nashville.
- Today in 1996, Travis Tritt’s “Greatest Hits – From the Beginning” went platinum.
- Today in 1998, backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Loretta Lynn made the announcement that she intended to return to college and get a degree.
- Today in 1998, Shania Twain was at #1 in Billboard with “You’re Still The One.”
- Today in 2000, Collin Raye released his album, “Tracks,” while Chad Brock’s “Yes!” hit stores.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill and hubby Tim McGraw confirmed plans to perform their hit single, “Let’s Make Love,” at the upcoming ACM Awards. Their subsequent performance absolutely sizzled.
- Today in 2002, highly anticipated CBS-TV special, featuring Clint Black, Lonestar, Celine Dion and others, was taped in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida aboard the U.S.S. Harry Truman. The show, titled “Rockin’ In The USA,” aired the following Memorial Day weekend.
- Today in 2007, Taylor Swift’s debut single, “Tim McGraw,” went gold.
- Today in 2009, Clint Black was fired by Donald Trump during an episode of the NBC-TV series “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
- Today in 2010, water from the Cumberland River floods Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, peaked more than two feet above the venue’s stage. The Opry moves like a nomad to other Nashville locations for the next four months.
- Today in 2011, Lady A’s single, “Just A Kiss,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2013, Alan Jackson performed “He Stopped Loving Her Today” to close George Jones’ memorial at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Other participants include Randy Travis, Brad Paisley, Barbara Mandrell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt and Kenny Chesney.
- Today in 2014, Carrie Underwood wrote “Something In The Water” with Chris DeStefano and Brett James in a Tennessee cabin, weaving in an “I Saw The Light” reference and a section of “Amazing Grace.”
- Today in 2016, Maren Morris underwent a tonsillectomy.
- Today in 2017, Sara Evans headlined a George Michael tribute at City Winery in Nashville. A benefit for the Unlikely Heroes organization, the show also featured Cassadee Pope and songwriters James Slater, Shane Stevens and Desmond Child.
- Today in 2017, Vince Gill and his daughters, Jenny and Corrina Gill, performed the national anthem before an NHL playoff game at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The Predators edged the St. Louis Blues, 2-1, for a crowd that included Kix Brooks, Brothers Osborne, Joe Don Rooney and Carrie Underwood.
Musical About Johnny Cash Coming To Broadway
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Johnny Cash’s life will be the subject of a new Broadway musical, being developed by former Sony music boss Tommy Mottola.
Tentatively titled “Johnny & June,” a reference to the Man in Black and his wife June Carter Cash, the musical will be directed by Tony winner Des McAnuff, who was behind such musicals as “Jersey Boys,” The Who’s “Tommy,” “Big River” and more.
So far no actor has been cast to play Cash. The project is being is being workshopped with Dodgers Theatricals, which is also a producer.
Source: New York Post
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1976, “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” album by Conway Twitty was certified gold.
- Today in 1982, Alabama’s “Mountain Music” album was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 1991, Alan Jackson and Michael Irwin shared song of the year honors at the “Music City News Country Songwriters Awards” in Nashville for “Here In The Real World” — the title track from Jackson’s first album
- Today in 1992, the Judd’s “Final Concert” video was released.
- Today in 1992, Doug Stone underwent quadruple-bypass surgery in Nashville after experiencing chest pains three days earlier at a concert in Oregon.
- Today in 1992, Garth Brooks was named Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist at the 27th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Plus: Billy Dean was one of seven double-winners. He took Top New Male Vocalist and Song of the Year, for “Somewhere In My Broken Heart”
- Today in 1996, Kenny Rogers underwent laser gall bladder surgery in Athens, Georgia.
- Today in 1999, “I’m Alright” album by Jo Dee Messina was certified platinum.
- Today in 2002, Alison Krauss + Union Station began a two-night stand at the Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. The shows were recorded for a concert album, “Alison Krauss + Union Station – Live.”
- Today in 2004, Wynonna and the rock band Heart tape an episode of “CMT Crossroads,” hosted by Radney Foster, at Belmont University in Nashville. The set list included “Only Love” and “Girls With Guitars.”
- Today in 2011, Toby Keith is forced to take cover in a bunker when four mortars explode nearby just before he is to go on stage to perform for American soldiers in the Middle East.
- Today in 2013, Hunter Hayes’ “I Want Crazy” video debuts on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Josh Turner’s first book, “Man Stuff: Thoughts On Faith, Family, And Fatherhood,” was released.
- Today in 2015, Taylor Swift placed a 10-minute call to a 12-year-old in Chicago battling lymphoma.
- Today in 2016, Carrie Underwood collected gold singles from the RIAA for a pair of titles: “Heartbeat” and “Smoke Break.”
- Today in 2016, Martina McBride’s “Reckless” album was released.
- Today in 2016, Maren Morris earned her first gold single from the RIAA for “My Church.”
- Today in 2016, Sam Hunt welcomed surprise guests Snoop Dogg, G-Easy and Bebe Rexha for his performance of “House Party” during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.
- Today in 2016, Chris Young celebrated a gold single from the RIAA for “Neon,” plus platinum certification for four tracks: “You,” “Aw Naw,” “Who I Am With You” and “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song).”
- Today in 2017, Blake Shelton, Florida State University alum Jake Owen and Big & Rich delivered the first-ever full-stadium concert at FSU’s Doak Stadium in Tallahassee.
- Today in 2017, Little Big Town sang “I Is For Instruments” in a guest appearance on “Sesame Street.”
- Today in 2017, Shania Twain brought out surprise guest, pop singer Nick Jonas, to help out on “Party For Two” during her show at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Another pop star, One Direction’s Niall Horan, was also in the crowd as Kelsea Ballerini joined Twain on “Any Man Of Mine.”
- Today in 2018, Jason Aldean raised $30-thousand for a cancer charity with a concert at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. He opened with “Take A Little Ride,” closed with “She’s Country” and threw in a cover of “Pink Houses.”
- Today in 2018, Runaway June performed “Buy My Own Drinks” live for the first time during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.
- Today in 2019, Old Dominion paid a visit to pediatric patients at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in California.
- Today in 2019, Eric Church earned double-platinum singles from the RIAA for “Record Year,” “Like A Wrecking Ball” and “Smoke A Little Smoke,” plus a platinum single for “Guys Like Me” and gold awards for “Over When It’s Over” and “Sinners Like Me.” He also scores a double-platinum album for “The Outsiders” and a gold album for “Sinners Like Me.”
- Today in 2020, Hunter Hayes was revealed as the astronaut on the FOX series, “The Masked Singer.”
- Today in 2021, Reba McEntire returned in her recurring role on the CBS sitcom, “Young Sheldon.” The episode introduced viewers to her character’s occupation as a hair stylist.
- Today in 2021, Luke Combs’ video for “Forever After All” debuted.
- Today in 2021, when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the NFL draft, he was joined at his draft party is Darius Rucker.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “PEANUT”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Peanut”, an 8 year old Terrier/MinPin mix. Peanut is affectionate, loves attention, and loves to curl up next to you or on your lap. Peanut’s not a big fan of other dogs, though, so he would be best suited to be the only pet in the family. Peanut is fully vetted, vaccinated, and ready to meet you!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Peanut 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 Peanut with Terry Gott from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Thomas Rhett Wants His Daughters To Be Able To Dance To His Songs
Posted on by Bob Ballard
“Kids attach to melody and beat so much more sometimes than they attach to lyric,” he says. “And so, they really are such a good gauge,” noting that he and his kids have “dance parties weekly.”
Some of the songs his daughters really love include Jonas Brothers’ “Sucker” and One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful.”
So with his album, Thomas shares, “I am trying to make songs that they are going to wanna be like, I love that song.”
Source: Thomas Rhett
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1973, Charlie Rich rose to number one on the Billboard country chart with “Behind Closed Doors.”
- Today in 1978, the “Here You Come Again” album by Dolly Parton was certified platinum.
- Today in 1984, the Judds’ first #1 hit, “Mama He’s Crazy,” debuted on the charts.
- Today in 1989, George Strait’s “Beyond The Blue Neon” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1993, John Michael Montgomery earned his first gold album with his debut, “Life’s a Dance.”
- Today in 1994, John Berry’s son, Sean Thomas Berry, was born. Hours later the nurses found John sitting on a hallway floor with a massive headache, only to find a cyst on his brain through a CAT scan.
- Today in 1995, Lorrie Morgan’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” hit the charts.
- Today in 1998, Clint Black made his dramatic TV acting debut when he co-starred in the CBS TV movie “Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack,” with his wife Lisa Hartman Black.
- Today in 1998, Trisha Yearwood made her dramatic TV acting debut on CBS TV’s “Jag”, playing Lt. Cmdr. Theresa Coulter – a forensic pathologist.
- Today in 2000, Rascal Flatts made their Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill and Shania Twain were tapped as two of “People” magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful.”
- Today in 2001, Brooks & Dunn began a six-week stay at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You.”
- Today in 2003, Reba McEntire began a one-week stint as the center square on “Hollywood Squares.” Also occupying squares on the syndicated gameshow: Henry Winkler, John Ritter and Kermit The Frog.
- Today in 2005, Eddie Montgomery lost his footing when he stepped on a speaker cabinet during the third song in a Montgomery Gentry show in Asheville, North Carolina. After the band’s 90-minute set, he had X-rays and discovered he’d broken his left wrist.
- Today in 2005, CMT premiered videos for Sugarland’s “”Something More,” Jamie O’Neal’s “Somebody’s Hero” and Jason Aldean’s “Hicktown.”
- Today in 2006, Carrie Underwood debuted album “Some Hearts” went triple-platinum.
- Today in 2009, Jason Aldean earned a gold single for “She’s Country.”
- Today in 2012, Sheryl Crow ran her first half-marathon, finishing the 13.1-mile course in less than two hours during the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. Joanna Smith sang the national anthem and ran the half. Diamond Rio’s Gene Johnson runs his first half, Jimmy Olander his first full marathon.
- Today in 2013, proceeds from Willie Nelson’s show at the Backyard in Austin were donated to the fire department in West, Texas, following an April 17th explosion at a fertilizer plant. The total came to $125-thousand.
- Today in 2014, Dan + Shay single, “Show You Off,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2014, Eric Paslay earned his first RIAA-certified gold single, for “Friday Night.” The same day, Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On” was certified gold – and so was Thomas Rhett’s “Get Me Some Of That.”
- Today in 2014, Willie Nelson was awarded a fifth-degree black belt in gong kwan yu sul, a Korean martial arts practice, at the Master Martial Arts studio in Austin.
- Today in 2015, The Zac Brown Band album, “Jekyll + Hyde,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Craig Wayne Boyd married Taylor Borland…soon after they and just a few days ago – on April 25th – the couple added daughter Blakely Kay Boyd to their brood!
- Today in 2016, Brad Paisley headlined a benefit in Nashville for Sean Penn’s Haitian relief fund. The guest list includes Sheryl Crow, Big Kenny, Jewel, Scott Hamilton, Tracie Hamilton and Ty Herndon.
- Today in 2017, Luke Combs nabs a gold single from the RIAA for “Hurricane.”
- Today in 2018, Jason Aldean’s single, “Rearview Town,” cruised to #1 on the “Billboard” Country Singles chart.
- Today in 2018, Ty Herndon performed “America, The Beautiful” for the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C. The high-profile audience included politicians Nancy Pelosi and Chris Christie, comedian Kathy Griffin and actor Rob Reiner.
- Today in 2019, Chris Stapleton made a cameo appearance as a warrior in the final season of the HBO drama, “Game Of Thrones.”
Chris Stapleton’s Kentucky Concert Raises Over $1 Million For Charity
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Chris Stapleton headed to his home state of Kentucky this weekend for a very special show which raised a lot of money. The singer headlined the benefit show, “A Concert for Kentucky” and raised over $1 million for his and wife Morgane’s Outlaw State of Kind Hometown Fund.
The concert, the first ever held at the University of Kentucky’s Kroger Field, featured guest appearances by Willie Nelson and Family, Sheryl Crow, and Madeline Edwards.
“As a musician I can’t think of a greater honor than reaching a point where we can play a show for 40,000 people and give all of the profits back to a community that has been so unfailingly loyal and supportive,” Chris shared on Instagram. “It is a tremendously pure and rewarding moment to get to provide the medicine that is music in that space,” adding, “I’m grateful to everyone who came to the show and to all of the musicians, managers, agents and crew members that made this moment possible.”
Money raised will go to a variety of charities including the Red Cross, Farm Aid, City of Hope, Blue Grass Community Foundation, Music Health Alliance, MusiCares, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity and more.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1968, Merle Haggard’s “The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde” reached #1 in Billboard.
- Today in 1976, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris performed together for the first time for a taping of the TV show, “Dolly.”
- Today in 1993, Brooks & Dunn’s “Hard Workin’ Man” went gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1997, Alan Jackson hit #1 with “Tonight I Climbed the Wall.”
- Today in 1999, the “Always Never The Same” album by George Strait was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 2000, “People” magazine’s annual “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” list was released with Faith Hill and Shania Twain among the honorees. When asked what the most important aspect of beauty is, Faith had a very candid answer. She said, quote, “I always said I wanted huge breasts, because I used to think that was the most important quality.” Somehow, we think her husband, Tim McGraw, likes Faith just the way she is. This appearance in the 50 Most Beautiful People list was the first for Shania and the second for Faith who was included back in 1995.
- Today in 2001, a stretch of highway in Trisha Yearwood‘s hometown of Monticello, Georgia was named for her.
- Today in 2004, Interscope released Loretta Lynn’s “Van Lear Rose” album. It was produced by White Stripes’ Jack White.
- Today in 2004, Epic released Gretchen Wilson’s debut single “Redneck Woman.”
- Today in 2008, Emmylou Harris and Ernest “Pop” Stoneman were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the medallion ceremony in Nashville.
- Today in 2009, CMT debuted Randy Houser’s “Boots On” video.
- Today in 2010, Shania Twain mentored the final six competitors on FOX-TV’s “American Idol,” with Casey James. The episode’s list included “You’ve Got A Way,” “Any Man Of Mine,” “No One Needs To Know” and “You’re Still the One.”
- Today in 2011, Jason Aldean lead the finalists of the CMT Music Awards with four nominations.
- Today in 2012, CMT debuted Dustin Lynch’s “Cowboys And Angels,” Easton Corbin’s “Lovin’ You Is Fun” and Thomas Rhett’s “Something To Do With My Hands.”
- Today in 2016, Miranda Lambert was an unexpected guest, joining Chris Stapleton, Morgane Stapleton and Anderson East on “My Girl” during a show at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles.
- Today in 2017, Pat Green played a free concert for military personnel at Fort Hood in Texas.
- Today in 2017, Dierks Bentley scored a gold single from the RIAA for “Black” and a platinum for “Different For Girls.”
- Today in 2018, Florida Georgia Line brings out surprise guest Jason Derulo for “This Is How We Roll” during the Stagecoach country festival in Indio, California. They also welcome Jake Owen and Chris Lane for “Sun Daze” and Morgan Wallen for “Up Down.”
- Today in 2019, Matt Stell performed “Prayed For You” during his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2020, “Nobody But You,” the Blake Shelton duet with Gwen Stefani, was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- Today in 2021, Colt Ford underwent surgery for cancer in his right eye.
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