This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 10, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1973, Tammy Wynette’s “Till I Get It Right” topped the Billboard country singles chart.
Today in 1977, “The Best Of The Statler Brothers” album by Statler Brothers was certified gold.
Today in 1979, invited by Porter Wagoner, legendary R&B star James Brown played the Grand Ole Opry. His 17-minute set consisted of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and “Tennessee Waltz.” Some Opry members complained, but Barbara Mandrell said he should’ve been invited to perform five years earlier.
Today in 1981, “I Love A Rainy Night” single by Eddie Rabbitt was certified gold.
Today in 1992, Vince Gill’s “I Never Knew Lonely” album was released.
Today in 1992, Willie Nelson scored a platinum album with “Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson” and a multi-platinum album with “Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be).”
Today in 1993, k.d. lang’s album, “Ingénue,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1993, Travis Tritt’s “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1995, Aaron Tippin’s debut album, “You’ve Got To Stand For Something” went gold.
Today in 1995, Clint Black topped the country charts with “Wherever You Go.”
Today in 2000, Vince Gill and Amy Grant were married in a Nashville ceremony complete with bagpipe players.
Today in 2001, Diamond Rio’s “One More Day” reached #1 in Billboard.
Today in 2003, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines sparked a furor Stateside when she told a London concert crowd, “Just so you know, we’re ashamed the President of the United States is from Texas.” The insanity that followed coined the term “Dixie Chicked” as the band’s name essentially became a dirty word. CDs were burned, and their popularity dropped like a bomb.
Today in 2005, CMT debuted Jo Dee Messina’s “My Give A Damn’s Busted.”
Today in 2007, Trace Adkins’ “Ladies Love Country Boys” topped the Billboard country chart.
Today in 2010, Josh Turner’s album “Deep South” was released.
Today in 2014, Cole Swindell’s single, “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2015, Tim McGraw appeared on ABC’s “Repeat After Me,” where an off-camera comedian feeds him lines to spoof an unsuspecting medical aide. Quoting from “Live Like You Were Dying,” he tells the woman, “I’ve never been skydiving, or Rocky Mountain climbing, or bullriding, but I have practiced kissing on my elbow.”
Today in 2017, Michelle Wright performed a benefit concert for an animal shelter at the Capitol Theatre in Chatham, Ontario.

Rascal Flatts Planning New Album With Huge Guest Stars

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Rascal Flatts‘ comeback continues picking up speed. Just months after announcing they were hitting the road again after several years off, comes news of a new album. “Life Is A Highway: Refueled Duets” is exactly what the title suggests; re-imaginings of some of their biggest hits, with the band accompanied by some big names. The ten-track album will include nine of their biggest hits, redone with friends, along with their new single with the Jonas Brothers, “I Dare You.” The album comes out June 6. See the track list and guests below.

1. “I Dare You” (with Jonas Brothers)
2. “Fast Cars And Freedom” (with Jason Aldean)
3. “My Wish” (with Carly Pearce)
4. “Mayberry” (with Blake Shelton)
5. “Stand” (with Brandon Lake)
6. “Summer Nights” (with Ashley Cooke)
7. “What Hurts The Most” (with Backstreet Boys)
8. “Yours If You Want It” (with Jordan Davis)
9. “Life Is A Highway” (with Lzzy Hale)
10. “I’m Movin’ On” (with Kelly Clarkson)

This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 7, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1971, Gilley’s nightclub, which served as the inspiration for the 1980 movie “Urban Cowboy,” opened in Pasadena Texas.
Today in 1980, the “Classic Crystal” album by Crystal Gayle was certified gold.
Today in 1980, Kenny Rogers’ “Coward Of The County” single was certified gold.
Today in 1983, “The Nashville Network” Cable TV Network was launched. The network featured a variety of country music and entertainment until last year, when honchos dropped the “Nashville” in its moniker and became “The National Network.”
Today in 1983, the “Waitin’ For The Sun To Shine” album by Ricky Skaggs was certified gold.
Today in 1986, Randy Travis made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. He performed “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” after an introduction by Little Jimmy Dickens.
Today in 1990, the album, “Hank Williams Jr. Greatest Hits Volume Two,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1995, “The Garth Brooks Collection” was certified gold, platinum and triple platinum simultaneously.
Today in 1985, the soundtrack to “Honeymoon in Vegas,” featuring remakes of Elvis Presley, and songs by Trisha Yearwood, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel, Travis Tritt, Ricky Van Shelton, Bono, Dwight Yoakam, Amy Grant, and Vince Gill went platinum.
Today in 1998, Sara Evans made her Grand Ole Opry debut – she sang, “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”
Today in 1998, George Strait hit the top of the charts with “Round About Way.”
Today in 2000, George Jones’ “Cold Hard Truth” album was certified gold.
Today in 2000, the “Latest Greatest Straitest Hits” album by George Strait was released.
Today in 2000, Frank “Pee Wee” King died in Louisville, Kentucky, at the age of 86.
Today in 2001, Toby Keith’s single, “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This,” topped the “Radio & Records” country chart for the third time in six, non-consecutive weeks. The accomplishment remains unprecedented in the 28-year history of the “Radio & Records” country chart.
Today in 2001, Montgomery Gentry were named “Top Country Duo” for the second year in a row in the annual “Radio & Records’” Readers’ Poll.
Today in 2001, the 365 Songs of the Century chosen by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts included Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance.”
Today in 2008, CMT’s “40 Sexiest Music Videos” featured Faith Hill’s “Breathe” at the top of the list.
Today in 2010, at the Oscars, Ryan Bingham and T Bone Burnett won Best Original Song for “The Weary King (Theme From Crazy Heart.)”
Today in 2011, Taylor Swift’s single, “Mean,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2015, the Zac Brown Band performed “Homegrown” from New York during NBC-TV’s “Saturday Night Live.”
Today in 2017, Reba McEntire met her wax figure during soundcheck at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The likeness resides at Madame Tussauds’ Nashville

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: PUPPY

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Puppy”, who is interestingly, a cat! Puppy’s 7 months old, very friendly and affectionate, would love to meet you! Puppy is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home.

And because Puppy is the Pet of the Week, the adoption fee is only $30 this week!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Puppy 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 Puppy with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

RANDY TRAVIS’ TOUR TACKS ON 30 MORE DATES

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Bob Ballard

For someone who was put out of commission by health issues for years, Randy Travis is certainly getting back into the swing of things. The country legend has announced that his “More Life Tour” was adding 30 more dates. After the first leg of the tour wraps in May, a second set of dates starts August 21 in Denver. As has been the case so far on the tour, James Dupré will be singing the hits in front of Travis’ original band, while Travis and his wife will be on stage for each show, interacting with the band and celebrating the music. For more details, see Randy’s website. Check out the first ten newly announced dates below.

Aug. 21 – Denver, Colo. @ Paramount Theatre
Aug. 23 – Cheyenne, Wyo. @ Cheyenne Civic Center
Aug. 25 – Gillette, Wyo. @ CAM-PLEX Heritage Theatre
Aug. 26 – Butte, Mont. @ Mother Lode Theatre
Aug. 27 – Missoula, Mont. @ Dennison Theatre
Aug. 28 – Boise, Idaho @ Morrison Theatre
Aug. 29 – Salt Lake City, Utah @ Kingsbury Hall
Sept. 18 – Peoria, Ill. @ Peoria Civic Center
Sept. 19 – Cedar Rapids, Iowa @ Paramount Theatre
Sept. 21 – Branson, Mo. @ Clay Cooper Theater

This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 6, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1983, CMT made its cable debut with Faron Young’s video “It’s Four In The Morning.”
Today in 1999, Sara Evans got her first #1 single with “No Place That Far.”
Today in 1999, George Jones was driving home in Nashville when he tried to play his single “Choices” for his stepdaughter on his cellphone. His car crashed, seriously injuring him. Later, police found an opened vodka bottle in the car.
Today in 2003, George W. Bush presented the National Medal of Arts at the White House to George Jones and Smokey Robinson.
Today in 2006, Miranda Lambert got her first gold single with “Kerosene.”
Today in 2010, Brad Paisley fell off the stage during a concert as he sang the last notes of his final song “Alcohol.” He was treated a local hospital for bruises – and no, he wasn’t tipsy.
Today in 2012, the Country Music Association announced that Garth Brooks, Connie Smith, and session piano player Hargus “Pig” Robbins were the next to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Today in 2014, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo announced an $18,000 scholarship in the name of Reba McEntire as she played Reliant Stadium. Her set list included “Whoever’s In New England,” “Consider Me Gone” and “Fancy.”
Today in 2017, com reported that Blake Shelton’s mother, Dorothy Shelton, had placed the home where he grew up on the market. The asking price for the three-bedroom structure and quarter-acre of land is $250,000.
Today in 2017, Kelsea Ballerini co-hosted the CBS daytime show, “The Talk,” for one day.
Today in 2018, Cam teamed with Smokey Robinson to shoot an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The set included “The Tears Of A Clown,” “I Second That Emotion,” “Diane” and “Burning House.

Post Malone Announces “Travelin’ Tailgate”

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Bob Ballard

How do you make a Post Malone party even bigger? Posty has announced the Travelin’ Tailgate, his first-ever traveling party at select concert dates, which will consist of live music, great food, exclusive merch, carnival games, photo opportunities, and tattoos by Posty’s personal tattoo artists. Oh, and you also get the chance to win a 2025 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The free event takes place outside certain stops on the singer’s tour and runs from noon until 6 pm at each stop. Check out the Travelin’ Tailgate dates and cities below:

May 3 – Las Vegas, NV @ Allegiant Stadium
May 9 – Arlington, TX @ AT&T Stadium
May 11 – Atlanta, GA @ Mercedes Benz Stadium
May 18 – Detroit, MI @ Ford Field
May 24 – Philadelphia, PA @ Citizens Bank Park
May 31 – Boston, MA @ Gillette Stadium
June 8 – Miami, FL @ Hard Rock Stadium
June 13 – Ridgedale, MO @ Thunder Ridge Nature Arena
June 15 – Denver, CO @ Empower Field at Mile High
June 21 – Glendale, AZ @ State Farm Stadium

This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 5, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1960, Elvis Presley was discharged from the Army.
Today in 1963, a plane crash in Tennessee claimed the lives of Patsy Cline, Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins and pilot Randy Hughes as they returned to Nashville from a charity concert in Kansas City.
Today in 1973, Alabama appeared for the first time as performers at the Bowery Club in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Today in 1976, Johnny Cash recorded “One Piece At A Time” at the House of Cash.
Today in 1983, Ronnie Dunn debuted on the country charts as a solo act. Eight years later he returned to the charts as one half of the duo Brooks and Dunn with singing partner Kix Brooks.
Today in 1986, MCA released Steve Earle’s album “Guitar Town.”
Today in 1988, Alabama scored a number-one hit as “Face to Face,” the band’s duet with K.T. Oslin. topped “Billboard’s” country chart.
Today in 1991, the “Pocket Full Of Gold” album by Vince Gill was released.
Today in 2001, Montgomery Gentry were named national spokesmen for Jim Beam and the company’s “Country Band Search.” As part of the deal, the duo hit the road in a bus emblazoned with their name and the company’s logo during a club tour sponsored by the distillery.
Today in 2003, Shania Twain was named as one of eleven inductees for Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto’s Theatre District. She attended the induction ceremonies that occurred in June.
Today in 2004, Gretchen Wilson’s debut single, “Redneck Woman,” was released to radio.
Today in 2004, Brad Paisley was named the 2004 Artist Humanitarian of the Year by the Country Radio Broadcasters at the Country Radio Seminar in Nashville.
Today in 2005, Pat Green made his Grand Ole Opry debut at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House.
Today in 2006, Dolly Parton, who was nominated for an Academy Award for her song “Travelin’ Thru” in the Original Song category, lost to “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” by Three 6 Mafia. When Dolly walked the red carpet for the 78th annual awards, she was wearing diamond jewelry worth more than two-million dollars.
Today in 2006, Billy Ray Cyrus laid his father, Ron, to rest at a funeral in Wellington, Kentucky. The elder Cyrus had recently died of lung cancer.
Today in 2007, George Strait racked up eight nominations to top the ballot at Academy of Country Music Awards, unveiled at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame. Brooks & Dunn collects seven, and Ronnie Dunn garner collected another on his own.
Today in 2008, Trace Adkins, Garth Brooks, and Clay Walker were among the participants at the annual Country Radio Seminar in Nashville. Trace performed an invitation-only concert, and brought his “Celebrity Apprentice” co-stars Omarosa, Marilu Henner, Nely Galan, and Tiffany Fallon with him, quote, “just to show them a little about the music business here.” Garth performed as well, and discussed his life and career with the crowd. Meanwhile, Walker received the Humanitarian of the Year Award for his efforts in the fight against multiple sclerosis.
Today in 2009, Taylor Swift made her first TV acting debut on CBS’ “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Her character was stabbed in the heart with scissors.
Today in 2010, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook became parents with the birth of their first child, son Elijah Dylan Westbrook.
Today in 2011, Blake Shelton hit the top of the Billboard country singles chart with “Who Are You When I’m Not Looking.”
Today in 2013, Ashley Monroe’s “Like A Rose” was released.
Today in 2016, “Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: 50 Years And Circlin’ Back” debuted on PBS. The fundraiser features Vince Gill, Jackson Browne, Alison Krauss, Jerry Jeff Walker, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas and Jimmy Ibbotson, all of whom joined the Dirt Band on the finale, “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
Today in 2018, Katie Armiger took part in a Nashville press conference to voice support for a bill that would defend independent contractors in Tennessee’s music business against sexual harassment.

Garth Brooks Announces Fifth Anthology

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Garth Brooks is rapidly catching up to the present. Yesterday he announced his fifth “Anthology” collection, “The Anthology Part V: The Comeback – The First Five Years.” The collection has six CDs containing 66 songs, including seven live recordings and over 150 never before seen behind-the-scenes photos. To launch the Anthology on TalkShopLive, Brooks will do a weekly series of one-on-one conversations with those that were with him for the comeback. The first conversation will stream Monday, March 10th, followed by one on March 17, March 24 and March 31. The final conversation will be with wife Trisha Yearwood on Friday, April 4th. All conversations will stream at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT.

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This day in Country Music History

Posted on March 4, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1967, Merle Haggard’s “The Fugitive” rose to #1 on the Billboard chart for the first time.
Today in 1975, Mac Davis won Favorite Male Musical Performer and Olivia Newton-John won the female honor in the first People’s Choice Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles. Other winners included: Barbra Streisand, John Wayne, The Osmonds, and Mary Tyler Moore.
Today in 1978, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson’s “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” sat at Billboard’s #1 spot for four weeks.
Today in 1980, Sissy Spacek played the lead role of Loretta Lynn’s life in “Coal Miner’s Daughter” which premiered in Nashville on March 4^th.
Today in 1983, George Jones married Nancy Sepulveda at his sister’s home, Helen Scroggins, in Woodville, Texas. They ate their wedding-night dinner at a Burger King near Jasper, Texas.
Today in 1994, “Reba McEntire’s Greatest Hits” became her fifth double-platinum album.
Today in 2003, Toby Keith received eight nods to lead the competition when the Academy of Country Music announced its nominees in Los Angeles at Tiffany’s.
Today in 2006, Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” reached Billboard’s #1 spot.
Today in 2008, Alan Jackson’s “Good Time” album was released.
Today in 2010, Rascal Flatts played a guest role on CBS-TV’s “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.”
Today in 2016, Joey Martin Feek, of the duo Joey+Rory, died after a lengthy battle with cancer in Alexandria, Indiana. Named Top New Duo by the Academy of Country Music in 2010, they will earn a Grammy in 2017 with “Hymns That Are Important To Us,” released just weeks before her passing.
Today in 2018, the Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry revealed she’d filed for divorce from J.P. Arencibia, her baseball player husband of four years.
Today in 2019, Eddie Montgomery, LoCash, RaeLynn and Chris Janson helped raise more than $120-thousand for at-risk youth during the 12^th annual Jeffrey Steele & Friends concert at the Franklin Theatre in middle Tennessee. Also appearing: Steve Dorff, Travis Denning and Steve Cropper.

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