- 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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Alan Jackson Releasing New Album
Alan Jackson is ready to drop a new album. The singer announced that “Where Have You Gone,” his first album of new music in six years, will be released May 14th. The album, Alan’s 25th, will feature 21 songs, 15 of which he wrote himself.
“It’s a little harder country than even I’ve done in the past,” Jackson admits. “And it’s funny, I was driving and listening to the final mixes Keith sent me, and I started to tear up. I was surprised to get so overly emotional, but I just love this kind of music.”
And Alan has previewed the album by sharing the title track. Here’s the tracklist:
“Where Have You Gone”
“Wishful Drinkin’”
“I Can Be That Something”
“Where the Cottonwood Grows”
“Way Down In My Whiskey”
“Things That Matter”
“Livin’ On Empty”
“You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)”
“Where Her Heart Has Always Been (Written for Mama’s funeral with an old recording of her reading from The Bible)”
“The Boot”
“Back”
“Write It In Red”
“So Late So Soon”
“This Heart Of Mine”
“A Man Who Never Cries”
“Chain”
“I Was Tequila”
“I Do (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)”
“Beer:10”
“The Older I Get”
Extra Track: “That’s The Way Love Goes” (A Tribute to Merle Haggard)
This day in Country Music History
- 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.
Eric Church Wants Folks To Get Vaccinated So He Can Get Back On Tour
Eric Church wants to get back to playing in front of fans and because of that he’s doing what he can to convince fans to get their COVID vaccine.
“I view [the vaccines] as a God sent miracle,” he tells “Billboard” in a new cover story. “It became very clear to me that the only way to really get back to normal is through vaccinations. You’ve got to get needles in arms.”
Eric thinks it’s so important that he actually came up with the idea of showing him completing his vaccination on the cover of the magazine. While Eric says he doesn’t “have a problem” with people who don’t want to get vaccinated, he says, “But I view this a little differently than most other things. We’ve never encountered this.”
Eric insists he just “wants to play shows,” and his stance on vaccines isn’t political, noting, “Politics’ job is to divide us – that’s how you win elections.” He adds, “Those things that unite us are music and sports…whether you’re a Democrat or Republican or whatever, you throw your arm around the person next to you. We become one,” insisting, “We need that. I need that.”
Source: Billboard
This day in Country Music History
- Today in 1956, Johnny Cash recorded “I Walk The Line” and “Get Rhythm” at the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis.
- Today in 1961, Buddy Jewell was born in Osceola, Arkansas. He won the first “Nashville Star” TV competition in 2003 that lead him to a recording contract and gold album.
- Today in 1977, “Lucille” led Kenny Rogers to his first #1 country single in Billboard magazine.
- Today in 1982, the “High Notes” album by Hank Williams Jr. was released.
- Today in 1984, Alabama’s “Roll On” album was certified Gold and Platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1990, Diamond Rio signed its first recording contract with Artista Records.
- Today in 1991, the album “Electric Barnyard” by Kentucky Headhunters was released.
- Today in 1991, Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” album was certified triple Platinum. It has since been certified for multi-Platinum sales of 16-million.
- Today in 1992, the “Forever And Ever” video by Randy Travis was certified Gold.
- Today in 1992, Wynonna Judd performed her first solo concert in Midland, Texas.
- Today in 1994, Little Texas topped the Billboard country chart for the first time with “My Love.”
- Today in 1994, Tim McGraw’s single “Indian Outlaw” hit number 15 on the charts.
- Today in 1999, Trisha Yearwood appeared on “Sesame Street,” and got to rub shoulders with one of her biggest childhood influences. She said, quote, “As a child, Grover was my hero. To finally get to meet my childhood hero and have an opportunity to perform with him is something I’ll never forget.”
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill’s “Breathe” album was certified multi-Platinum for sales of six-million copies.
- Today in 2002, Elton John and Ryan Adams performed together at a studio in the Grand Ole Opry House for a taping of “CMT Crossroads.” Among their collaborations are duets on Jim Reeves’ “He’ll Have To Go” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire.”
- Today in 2004, Martina McBride’s image was shown on the billboard above NASDAQ’s headquarters in New York’s Times Square as Lifetime TV and the National Domestic Violence Hotline honored her commitment to ending domestic violence.
- Today in 2005, Tracy Byrd launched his 10th annual Homecoming Weekend.
- Today in 2006, Craig Morgan broke his left wrist and suffered a concussion after he’s thrown over handlebars in an accident during a cross-country motorcycle race in Bucksnort, Tennessee. He continued to finish the race and perform that evening.
- Today in 2006, Brad Paisley performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” during the funeral for Buck Owens at the Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield. Garth Brooks, Chris Hillman, Herb Pederson, Lulu Roman, Dwight Yoakam, John Berry and Trace Adkins were also in attendance.
- Today in 2007, Taylor Swift helped the Los Angeles Dodgers launch the new baseball season, by performing a 30-minute concert at Dodger Stadium in advance of the game and singing the national anthem before the first pitch.
- Today in 2007, Clay Walker took part in opening day for the Houston Astros, singing the national anthem in advance of the baseball game and performing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch.
- Today in 2008, Carrie Underwood and the Wreckers’ Michelle Branch were among the performers at a special free concert in Indianapolis, Indiana in conjunction with the NCAA Final Four championship games.
- Today in 2008, Montgomery Gentry’s Eddie Montgomery broke ground for his new Eddie Montgomery Steakhouse, the restaurant he was opening in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
- Today in 2008, Steve Azar took part in the Murray Brothers’ eighth annual Caddyshack Charity Golf Tournament. The star-studded event, held near Jacksonville, Florida, raised funds for St. Vincent’s Mobile Health Outreach, a facility on wheels that provides health care services to the homeless, migrant farm workers, and disadvantaged people of northeast Florida.
- Today in 2008, Chuck Wicks and Luke Bryan took part in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business’ “The Insider’s View” seminar series.
- Today in 2013, Republic Nashville released The Band Perry’s album “Pioneer.”
- Today in 2013, new country releases included Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” remix featuring Nelly.
- Today in 2013, Wynonna Judd was the first celebrity voted off “Dancing With the Stars.”
- Today in 2015, Lynn Anderson, Tanya Tucker, John Berry, T. Graham Brown and John Conlee participated in a celebrity waiters event at the Stones River Country Club in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to raise money for a child-abuse agency. Also working the floor – Jan Howard, Barbara Fairchild, Crook & Chase and Rex Allen Jr.
- Today in 2016, Lee Brice surprised a military widow with the 1992 Chevy Silverado pickup her late husband formerly owned during the ACM Party For A Cause in Las Vegas. Brice donated a $40,000 check to the Folds of Honor charity and sang “I Drive Your Truck.” Eric Paslay and Charles Kelley also showed up to perform “The Driver” with Dierks Bentley.
- Today in 2017, Clint Black postponed a concert at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center in Tennessee for a week as he battled an unspecified illness.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: “MARCUS”
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Marcus”, a 4 month old Husky mix. Marcus is a sweet pup who was born at the shelter, and in spite of being a puppy, he’s got a pretty mellow disposition. Marcus is fully vaccinated and gets along well with other dogs and even cats. He loves kids and grown-ups and would love to meet you!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Marcus 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 with Terry Gott from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Blake Shelton & Gwen Stefani Planning Summer Wedding
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani got engaged back in October, and now Blake has given folks a clue as to when they plan to make things official. During an appearance on “Today with Hoda and Jenna,” Blake spilled the beans that he and Gwen are hoping to tie the knot, “this summer.”
“With COVID-19, it looks like it may be OK, but I don’t know. So, that’s tentatively the plan. We’ll see,” he explained, adding, “I’m afraid if she and I wait until next November, then I’m right back into ‘The Voice’ cycle again. And I really want to be able to have plenty of time before and after.”
While both Miley Cyrus and Adam Levine said they were interested in performing at the wedding, Blake isn’t really sure that’s going to happen.
“You know, it’s starting to sound like a Coachella lineup here all of a sudden. I’ve got all these superstars saying they’re going to do it,” he said. “I hope so, I don’t know. I’m telling you, I’m not just saying this because it’s the line, it’s — we really don’t know.”
He adds hat he’d love to have “this amazing concert wedding,” but the pandemic may put a crimp in plans like that. He explains, “we’re just waiting every day, just like everybody else, to see what our summer is going to look like and then go from there.”
And the wedding wasn’t the only topic Blake talked about. He also discussed his upcoming album “Body Language,” Ariana Grande joining “The Voice” ad his new hard seltzer with Smithworks. Check it out to the right.
Source: Today
This day in Country Music History
- 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.
Blake Shelton Announces New Album “Body Language”
Blake Shelton is getting ready to release a new album. The singer just announced he’ll drop his 12th studio album, “Body Language,” on May 21st.
“We’ve been working on this album on and off for two years now, and I’m very proud of what we have put together,” Blake shared. “We certainly had some unique challenges with the pandemic, but we also had a lot of fun. We explored new sounds while making sure to get in some classic country.”
The album will feature 12 songs, including his number one song “Happy Anywhere,” his collaboration with fiancée Gwen Stefani, as well as his latest single “Minimum Wage.” It also features a guest appearance by The Swon Brothers on the album’s title track. Check out the track list below:
“Minimum Wage”
“Body Language” (feat. The Swon Brothers)
“Happy Anywhere” (feat. Gwen Stefani)
“Now I Don’t”
“Monday Mornin’ Missin’ You”
“Corn “
“Makin’ It Up As You Go”
“Whatcha Doin’ Tomorrow”
“The Girl Can’t Help It”
“The Flow”
“Neon Time”
“Bible Verses”
This day in Country Music History
- 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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