George Strait Drops Video For ‘The Weight Of The Badge’

Posted on October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Yesterday was First Responders Day and in honor of the occasion George Strait has released a powerful video for his song “The Weight of the Badge,” which highlights stories and moments with our nation’s first responders and their families.

“The men and women in this music video are our friends and neighbors who carry the weight of the badge each day,” George shares. “Thank you. We appreciate you and the sacrifices you and your families make.”

To coincide with the video, George has launched the website TheWeightOfTheBadge.com, which invites people to share their stories and gratitude for the first responders in their lives.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on October 29, 2021October 29, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1976, Elvis Presley recorded his last hit record, “Way Down,” at his studio in the Graceland Mansion. The raw, unedited version can be found on the album, “Our Memories of Elvis, Vol. II.”
Today in 1981, was a big day for Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty. Conway’s “Greatest Hits Volume I” album was certified gold, while Loretta Lynn’s album, “Greatest Hits Volume II,” was certified gold. Plus, the duo’s “Lead Me On” album was also certified gold.
Today in 1983, the single, “Islands in the Stream,” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, became the first country song ever to simultaneously top the country, pop and adult contemporary charts.
Today in 1985, the “Five-O” album by Hank Williams Jr. was certified gold.
Today in 1990, Vince Gill’s “When I Call Your Name” album was certified gold.
Today in 1990, the album, “Killin’ Time,” by Clint Black was certified double platinum.
Today in 1993, the “Honky Tonk Angels” album by Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn was released.
Today in 1993, Brooks & Dunn hit #1 with “She Used to Be Mine.”
Today in 1996, Alan Jackson released the “Everything I Love” album.
Today in 2000, Keith Urban performed at the closing ceremonies for the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
Today in 2002, Patty Loveless’ “Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas” album, Jo Dee Messina’s Christmas CD, “A Joyful Noise,” and Lee Ann Womack’s holiday project, “A Season for Romance,” arrived in stores. Kenny Rogers’ CD, “The Gift,” was also re-released.
Today in 2003, Randy Travis’ album, “Rise and Shine,” was been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Today in 2009, Taylor Swift’s single, “You Belong With Me,” went gold, platinum and double-platinum.
Today in 2011, Blake Shelton began a three-week ride at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “God Gave Me You.”
Today in 2012, The Band Perry’s single, “Better Dig Two,” was released.
Today in 2012, Little Big Town sang “Pontoon,” Big & Rich performed “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” and Cowboy Troy does “I Play Chicken With The Train” on ABC’s telecast of “Dancing With The Stars.”
Today in 2014, Sara Evans and actor Will Chase sang “Put My Heart Down” during an episode of ABC’s country-music drama, “Nashville.”
Today in 2016, Luke Combs performed “Hurricane” and “Tennessee Whiskey” as he made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Today in 2016, Gregg Allman played what proves to be his final concert during the Laid Back Festival at the Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta. It marked his last public performance of “Midnight Rider,” an Allman Brothers Band song that became a country hit when it was remade by Willie Nelson.
Today in 2016, Rodney Crowell visited the emergency room for a cardiac issue after sound check for the Celebrity Barn Dance at the Jaeckle Center in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Ashley Monroe performed, raising $50,000 for the Music Health Alliance…and Crowell reappeared for the final two songs.
Today in 2018, Bobby Bones offered up an Argentine tango to “Mister Sandman” during ABC’s Halloween edition of “Dancing With The Stars.” John Schneider performed a paso doble to music from the movie, “Beetlejuice.”
Today in 2018, Kix Brooks joined Rascal Flatts for an impromptu version of “Folsom Prison Blues” during a MusiCares fundraiser at the Nashville home of jewelry designer Johnathon Arndt. Flatts played nine songs during the private show, including “Yours If You Want It,” “I Like The Sound Of That” and “Fast Cars And Freedom.”
Today in 2019, Keith Urban performed and Carly Pearce spoke during a celebration of life for late producer busbee at City Winery in Nashville. Also in the house were Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Thomas Rhett, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Little Big Town members Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild.
Today in 2020, Willie Nelson’s “Rainbow Connection” provided the soundtrack as Kohl’s launched a coronavirus-themed Christmas commercial featuring senior citizens and kids greeting each other with hand-written signs through windows.

MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “QUINCY”

Posted on October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Quincy”, a 5 year old medium sized Domestic Shorthair/Mix cat. Quincy has a sweet disposition and gets along well with other cats. Quincy is up to date on all his vaccinations, and ready to meet you!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Quincy 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 Quincy with Terry Gott from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Luke Combs, Dan + Shay & More Land People’s Choice Award Nominations

Posted on October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Nominations for the People’s Choice Awards are out with Luke Combs, Dan + Shay and Kacey Musgraves all receiving multiple nods.

All three are up for Country Artist of 2021, along with Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan and Miranda Lambert.

In addition, Kacey’s “Star-Crossed” is nominated for Album of 2021, while Combs is up for Male Artist of 2021 and Dan + Shay are nominated for Group of 2021.

The People’s Choice Awards air on both NBC and E! on December 7 at 9 p.m. Voting is now open here. Check out the country nominees below:

Country Artist of 2021

Blake Shelton
Carrie Underwood
Dan + Shay
Kacey Musgraves
Kane Brown
Luke Bryan
Luke Combs
Miranda Lambert

This day in Country Music History

Posted on October 28, 2021October 28, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1939, Bill Monroe joined the Grand Ole Opry.
Today in 1969, the “Suspicious Minds” single by Elvis Presley was certified gold.
Today in 1991, the album, “Sticks And Stones,” by Tracy Lawrence was released.
Today in 1991, “The Best Of The Statler Brothers” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1993, Garth Brooks’ “In Pieces” was certified gold, platinum and triple platinum simultaneously
Today in 1994, the “Super Hits” album by Johnny Cash was released.
Today in 1994, Ronnie Dunn and his wife, Janine, welcomed their daughter, Haley Marie.
Today in 1996, Lonestar’s self-titled debut album was certified gold.
Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s single, “Love Gets Me Every Time,” was certified gold.
Today in 1997, authorities in Monterey County, California said that John Denver had no alcohol or drugs in his system when he was killed in a plane crash the previous October 12^th.
Today in 1998, Reba McEntire’s “If You See Him” album was certified platinum.
Today in 2001, Lonestar’s Richie McDonald ran his first marathon – the 26^th annual Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C. – raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Today in 2003, Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Essential” album, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “The Other Side,” and “Happy Holidays” from Kelly Willis/Bruce Robison arrived in stores.
Today in 2004, Big & Rich received their first gold single for “Save a Horse (Ride A Cowboy).”
Today in 2006, Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” made it’s way to #1 in Billboard.
Today in 2010, Lady Antebellum sang the national anthem at San Francisco’s AT&T Park, where the Giants beat the Texas Rangers, 9-0, in a World Series game.
Today in 2013, Tyler Farr snared a platinum single for “Redneck Crazy.”
Today in 2014, Jason Aldean and Bob Seger shot an installment of “CMT Crossroads,” at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee. They played “Hollywood Nights,” “Against The Wind,” “Night Train” and “Tattoos On This Town.”

Luke Bryan Helped A Stranded Mom With A Flat Tire

Posted on October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 by Bob Ballard

As if we needed another reason to like Luke Bryan. The singer came to the rescue of mom who was stuck on a Tennessee road with a flat tire.

Courtney Potts shared a TikTok video of Luke coming to her aid, pulling over to help Courtney change her tire. “When my tire blew in small town in Tennessee, who stopped to help? Luke Bryan,” she shares in the video. “He deserves all the praise. …I cannot thank him enough for stopping to help me and my babies.”

The video shows Luke helping her remove her car’s lug nuts, with Courtney noting, “Thank you again @lukebryan. I cannot thank you enough for helping me and my kids! It really made our day so much better.”

Check out the video HERE.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1994, Mark Chesnutt earned a platinum album for “Almost Goodbye.”
Today in 1997, Clint Black’s “Nothing But the Taillights” was certified gold.
Today in 1997, Johnny Cash announced he had a form of Parkinson’s disease. As a result, he canceled plans to promote his memoirs “Cash: The Autobiography” and a CD. It was eventually discovered that he had been misdiagnosed and actually had autonomic neuropathy, a condition that related to diabetes.
Today in 1998, Sara Evans released her breakthrough album, “No Place That Far.”
Today in 1998, the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified double platinum.
Today in 2001, Garth Brooks announced plans to release one more album before going into retirement at the end of 2001. Garth acknowledged that many of his friends and business associates had begged him to avoid using the word “retirement.” Garth explained, “I can only be as honest as I can be. I don’t know how else to say it: I’m here to announcement my retirement. It’s a thing I feel good about.”
Today in 2004, Florence County, South Carolina celebrated Josh Turner Day when he performed at the Florence Civic Center.
Today in 2007, Kenny Chesney locked in a #1 single on the Billboard country chart with “Don’t Blink.”
Today in 2012, Jason Aldean raised $509,000 for charity with his annual Concert for the Cure at the Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas.
Today in 2013, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare and songwriter/producer Jack Clement were officially inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Today in 2014, Sam Hunt’s debut album, “Montevallo,” was released.
Today in 2015, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild debuted the fashion line, Fair Child.
Today in 2018, Rory Feek walked his daughter, Hopie, down the aisle as she marries her fiancée, Wendy, at Feek’s farm in Pottsville, Tennessee.
Today in 2020, Jerry Lee Lewis was honored with “Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years Of The Killer,” an online benefit for World Vision with Willie Nelson, Chris Janson, Mickey Gilley, Marty Stuart, Elton John, Tom Jones and Lee Ann Womack.

Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood Land New Number One

Posted on October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood have a new number one. The pair’s collaboration, “If I Didn’t Love You,” tops the “Billboard” Country Airplay chart.

“I am so proud of this song,” Jason tells “Billboard.” “I felt like we had something really special with this one from the start, but to have Carrie get on board, too, she just took it to a different level.”

The song is now Jason’s 24^th number one, and his third consecutive number one. It’s also Carrie’s 16^th chart topper, and her first since 2016’s “Church Bells.”

Elsewhere on the chart…

Walker Hayes’ “Fancy Like” tops the “Billboard” Hot Country Songs chart for a 15^th week. It is also at four on the all-genre “Billboard” Hot 100 singles chart.
Zac Brown Band’s latest album “The Comeback” debuts at three on the “Billboard” Top Country Albums chart, moving 19,000 equivalent album units.
Luke Combs’ latest “Cold As You” is at nine on the Hot Country Songs chart, his 14^th Hot Country Songs Top 10.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on October 26, 2021October 26, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1969, Waylon Jennings married his wife, Jessi Colter.
Today in 1976, Charlie Daniels’ “Fire On The Mountain” album was released.
Today in 1978, Anne Murray’s “You Needed Me” single was certified gold.
Today in 1993, the video, “Livin’, Lovin’, And Rockin’ That Jukebox,” by Alan Jackson video was released.
Today in 1993, Trisha Yearwood’s album, “The Song Remembers When,” was released.
Today in 1993, Dwight Yoakam’s “This Time” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1994, the Tractors’ self-titled debut album and Joe Diffie’s “Third Rock From The Sun” album were both certified gold.
Today in 1998, John Michael Montgomery raised over $14,000 for the Jessamine Humane Society at his Putt for Paws golf tournament and concert. He noted, quote, “We have a moral obligation to take care of these homeless animals. After all, we domesticated them.”
Today in 1999, LeAnn Rimes’ self-titled album was released.
Today in 1999, Alan Jackson’s album, “Under The Influence,” was released.
Today in 2000, Garth Brooks was in Nashville to celebrate the milestone of selling 100-million album in the last decade. He is the only recording artist to accomplish this incredible feat, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Plus, Garth is also credited as being the fastest selling artist in RIAA history, and the only artist with four albums that have sold over 10-million copies each (“No Fences,” “Ropin’ The Wind,” “The Hits,” and “Double Live”). The same day, he announced his intention to retire.
Today in 2001, Garth Brooks announced that he planned to release one more album – “Scarecrow” – before going into retirement at the end of 2001. Garth acknowledged that many of his friends and business associates had begged him to avoid using the word “retirement.” Garth explained, “I can only be as honest as I can be. I don’t know how else to say it: I’m here to announce my retirement. It’s a thing I feel good about.”
Today in 2002, the Statler Brothers went into retirement, playing their final date as a touring act at the Salem Civic Center in Virginia. Their last song: “Amazing Grace.”
Today in 2004, Sugarland’s debut album, “Twice The Speed Of Life” was released.
Today in 2006, Reba McEntire was celebrated in the first “CMT Giants” concert at Los Angeles’ Kodak Theatre. Participants included Brooks & Dunn, Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood, Wynonna, Martina McBride, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Jennifer Nettles and LeAnn Rimes.
Today in 2011, Taylor Swift welcomed a surprise guest, Shawn Colvin, to sing “Sunny Came Home” during a concert at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin.
Today in 2015, Chris Stapleton’s “Nobody To Blame” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2017, Thomas Rhett’s single, “Unforgettable,” was certified gold by the RIAA.
Today in 2018, Kane Brown was featured when Nashville Lifestyles magazine unveiled its annual list of the city’s 25 Most Beautiful People. Also included are new artist Ryan Griffin, “Tequila” songwriter Nicolle Galyon and Thomas Rhett’s wife, Lauren Akins.
Today in 2018, Josh Turner’s gospel album, “I Serve A Savior,” arrived on store shelves.
Today in 2018, Lady A performed an acoustic concert in Boston, helping to raise $123,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Today in 2019, Scotty McCreery performed in the United Kingdom for the first time, launching at Bush Hall in London.
Today in 2020, Jason Aldean’s single, “Blame It On You,” hit the airwaves.

Chris Stapleton Postpones Show To Rest His Voice

Posted on October 25, 2021October 25, 2021 by Bob Ballard

Chris Stapleton has been forced to reschedule a trio of shows, including his two shows in Nashville in order to rest his voice.

“On doctor’s orders, I will need to continue my vocal rest through the weekend in order to fully heal,” reads a note on social media. “I am sorry that so many of you have been inconvenienced and I’m truly thankful for your patience and understanding.”

Chris’ two Nashville shows have been moved to December 10^th and 11^th, while his concert in Cincinnati is being moved to 2022, although no date has been announced yet.

“Nothing is more personal to me than the experience of music,” Chris writes. “I’m eternally grateful for the privilege of sharing in that journey with all of you night after night.” He adds, “Thank you for your continued support and I hope to see you all soon.”

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