- Today in 1961, Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams become the first artists to be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. That year’s other inductee is music publisher Fred Rose.
- Today in 1973, Dolly Parton’s second #1 song “Jolene” hit the charts.
- Today in 1981, “Willie Nelson’s Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be)” was certified gold.
- Today in 1993, the “Alabama Live” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1995, George Strait topped the charts with “Check Yes Or No” for the second week. The song was later named the 1996 CMA Single of the Year.
- Today in 1998, Mark Chesnutt and his wife, Tracie, welcomed their third child, Cameron Zane, in Beaumont, Texas. Cameron’s middle name, Zane, was inspired by the great Western novelist Zane Gray, one of Tracie’s favorite authors. He joined big brothers Casey and Waylon in the Chesnutt family.
- Today in 2001, Garth Brooks made his debut pitching Dr. Pepper in TV commercials.
- Today in 2002, Bob Dylan, Shel Silverstein, and Dean Dillon entered the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2005, Gretchen Wilson’s “All Jacked Up” was heard in the WB drama, “Smallville.”
- Today in 2009, Carrie Underwood’s album, “Play On,” arrived in stores.
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CMT Announces Two Christmas Specials
Posted on by Bob Ballard
CMT is hoping to help folks get into the holiday mood with two new Christmas specials.
The specials kick off December 8th at 8 pm with “CMT Crossroads: Christmas: Brett Young & Friends” featuring special guests Boyz II Men, Chris Tomlin, Colbie Caillat, Dann Huff, Darius Rucker, Gavin DeGraw and Maddie & Tae.
“It was incredible, and everybody crushed it,” Brett, whose holiday album “Brett Young & Friends Sing The Christmas Classics” is out now, shares. “It’s such an honor and privilege to have my own special,” noting he feels “honored” that his collaborators “would come and grace me with their time and their voices and their talent to make my first special as cool as it is.”
Brett’s special will be followed at 9 pm by “CMT’s A Tennessee Kind Of Christmas” with Amy Grant, Billy Ray Cyrus, Clay Walker, Pam Tillis, Sara & Olivia Evans, Steve Wariner, Tracy Lawrence and Wynonna.
Both specials will re-air during CMT’s Christmas week, December 20th to 25th.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “Sixteen Tons” first appeared on the music charts. One of the fastest selling records in history, it sold more than four million copies.
- Today in 1981, Hank Williams’ album, “Whiskey Bent & Hell Bound,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, the Mavericks’ Paul Deakin and his wife welcomed their son Harrison.
- Today in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus’ self-titled video was certified triple platinum.
- Today in 1992, Diamond Rio released the single, “In a Week or Two.”
- Today in 1993, the “Greatest Hits” album by Waylon Jennings was certified quadruple platinum.
- Today in 1998, the Bellamy Brothers album, “Greatest Hits: Volume 1” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1999, DreamWorks released Toby Keith’s album “How Do You Like Me Now?!”
- Today in 2003, Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Paul Overstreet, and Hal Blair joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in a Loews Vanderbilt Plaza ceremony.
- Today in 2005, Big & Rich’s Big Kenny Alphin and his wife, Christiev Carothers, had a son, Lincoln William Holiday Alphin.
- Today in 2006, Brad Paisley’s “She’s Everything” video made its TV world premiere on CMT.
- Today in 2010, Broken Bow released the Jason Aldean album “My Kinda Party.”
- Today in 2012, ABC launched the sitcom “Malibu Country,” with Reba McEntire portraying a country star attempting to reboot her life in California. McEntire also sings the theme song.
- Today in 2016, Garth Brooks won Entertainer of the Year during the 50th annual Country Music Association awards. It was his fifth time to take the trophy – and first in 18 years.
Little Big Town To Join The Eagles On European Tour
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The Eagles are heading overseas next year and they are bringing Little Big Town with them. The The band will be celebrating their 50th anniversary with a 2022 European stadium tour, with LBT opening on all the dates.
“We’ve been DYING to share this news,” LBT shares. “What a bucket list dream come true.”
The tour, which kicks off June 17th in Arnhem, Netherlands wraps with a huge BST Hyde Park show in London on June 26th, which also features special guests Robert Plant and Allison Krauss. Check out the tour dates below:
- June 17: Arnhem, Netherlads – Gelredome
- June 20: Liverpool, England – Anfield Stadium
- June 22: Edinburgh, Scotland – Murrayfield Stadium
- June 24: Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium
- June 26 – London, England BST Hyde Park
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1947, Eddy Arnold reaches #1 on the Billboard country chart with “I’ll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms).” It spends a total of 21 weeks at the top.
- Today in 1980, Waylon Jennings goes to #1 in Billboard with “Theme From The Dukes Of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys).”
- Today in 2003, Garth Brooks’ “Friends In Low Places” takes the top spot in the CMT special “40 Greatest Drinking Songs.”
- Today in 2011, Miranda Lambert album, “Four The Record,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2012, Blake Shelton won three trophies during the 46th annual Country Music Association awards, broadcast on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. He takes Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist and shares Song of the Year with Miranda Lambert, for “Over You.”
- Today in 2013, The Band Perry’s video for “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” had its world premiere on CMT.
- Today in 2015, Dierks Bentley hosts his 10th annual Miles & Music For Kids motorcycle ride and concert in Nashville. The Ascend Amphitheater show features Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Canaan Smith, The Cadillac Three and Brooke Eden.
- Today in 2018, Faith Hill delivered the keynote speech for a Tennessee conference on economic development at the Opryland Resort in Nashville.
George Strait Drops Video For ‘The Weight Of The Badge’
Posted on 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 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 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 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 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 12th.
- 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 26th 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.”
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