Ella Langley Surprises The Ryman Audience By Bringing Out Morgan Wallen

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Bob Ballard

For Ella Langley, it wasn’t enough to take the stage at the legendary Ryman Auditorium; she was intent on making the night extra special. Saying she’d been trying to get a singer to perform a particular song for years, she welcomed Morgan Wallen to the stage, adding that they’d gone through two tours together and finally, Friday night was the night. The two performed an acoustic version of Jason Isbell‘s “Cover Me Up,” with the crowd loving every minute of it.

@hanleyriggs UMMM… @morganwallen came out with @Ella Langley singing “Cover Me Up”#morganwallen #ellalangley ♬ original sound – Hanley Riggs

This day in Country Music History

Posted on November 10, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1956, “Billboard’s” annual DJ’s Poll found that Elvis Presley was the most-played country artist and male artist overall.
Today in 1969, Gene Autry’s “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” recording is certified gold.
Today in 1973, David “Stringbean” Akeman (a regular on the “Porter Wagoner Show” and “HeeHaw”) and his wife, Estelle, were murdered by burglars in their home.
Today in 1984, “Dukes of Hazzard” actor-turned-singer John Schneider had his first #1 country single with “I’ve Been Around Enough to Know.”
Today in 1994, Tracy Lawrence earned a gold record for “I See It Now.”
Today in 1999, George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky” album was certified triple-platinum. The same day, the “Pure Country” film soundtrack was certified multi-platinum for sales of 6-million.
Today in 1999, Vince Gill’s album, “The Key,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1999, Reba McEntire’s album, “What If It’s You” was certified double platinum.
Today in 2000, Billy Yates made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Today in 2000, Travis Tritt’s single, “Best of Intentions,” was #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart.
Today in 2001, Toby Keith appeared on CBS’s “Touched by an Angel” series.
Today in 2001, after a three-year romance, Chalee Tennison married her guitar player, Mark Gillespie, in a private ceremony in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. About 50 of the couple’s closest friends and family members attended the intimate event, which took place in a wedding chapel nestled in the Great Smokey Mountains.
Today in 2003, an incredible list of stars converged on Nashville to honor the late Johnny Cash. The public event, which was hosted by actor Tim Robbins and taped by CMT for broadcast, celebrated the life and musical legacy of the Man In Black. The list of performers included his daughter Rosanne; Brooks & Dunn, Jack Clement, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Larry Gatlin, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Kid Rock, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Hank Williams Jr., Dwight Yoakam, Sheryl Crow and others.
Today in 2004, “Redneck Woman” became Gretchen Wilson’s first gold single.
Today in 2005, Rascal Flatts video for “Skin (Sarabeth)” debuted on CMT.
Today in 2010, Miranda Lambert won three trophies at the 44^th annual CMA awards.
Today in 2013, Rodney Atkins married Rose Falcon in Florida.
Today in 2014, Sam Hunt’s single, “Take Your Time,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2019, Kellie Pickler starred alongside Patrick Duffy as the Hallmark Channel premieres a Christmas movie, “The Mistletoe Secret.” Recurring themes in the two-hour production include deception, community and pie.
Today in 2019, Little Big Town performed “Why Me” at Cash Fest, a Johnny Cash celebration at Nashville’s Memorial Auditorium that raised money for MusiCares. Also appearing are Elle King, Morgan Wallen, Devin Dawson, Cam, Grace Potter and Midland, who cover “(Ghost) Riders In The Sky.”
Today in 2019, Blake Shelton is named Country Artist of 2019 in the E! People’s Choice Awards at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. Taylor Swift’s “Lover” took Album of 2019, and P!nk was named the People’s Champion for her activism.
Today in 2020, Justin Moore, Craig Morgan and Kellie Pickler perform during Salute To Our Heroes, a virtual benefit for the Robert Irvine Foundation on the eve of Veteran’s Day.
Today in 2021, Chris Stapleton won four trophies during the 55^th annual CMA Awards, televised on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. He takes Male Vocalist of the Year, earned Album for “Starting Over” and claimed Single and Song for the title track.

George Strait Teases 2026 Texas Show

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Texans have something big to look forward to. Yesterday, George Strait posted a graphic to his socials, along with the caption “An announcement incoming for the Lone Star State.” Just a couple weeks ago, he announced a show in Clemson, South Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 2nd. It’s an in-the-round concert that features Cody Johnson and Wyatt Flores as openers. That show caused a lot of excitement for George Strait fans throughout the southeast; stand by for a smiliar response when King George unveils his plans for Texas.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1994, Kathy Mattea’s album, “A Collection Of Hits,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1994, Sammy Kershaw’s “Feeling Good Train” album was certified gold. The same day his “Haunted Heart” project was certified platinum.
Today in 1994, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” CD was certified for sales of 8-million.
Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ version of “How Do I Live” was certified double platinum – the only country single ever to reach that mark.
Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ “Blue” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 5-million.
Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s “The Woman In Me” album was certified for sales of 10-million.
Today in 1998, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was released, the same day new albums from Jewel, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston hit record stores. After the dust had settled on what record stores called “Super Tuesday,” Garth emerged victorious. He captured the #1 spot on the album charts – and set a first-week sales record of 1.9-million copies.
Today in 1998, “The Prince Of Egypt – Nashville” soundtrack was released. The album featured songs by Vince Gill, Wynonna, Reba McEntire, Clint Black, Faith Hill and Jessica Andrews.
Today in 1999, Tim McGraw’s album, “A Place In The Sun,” was certified double platinum.
Today in 1999, Faith Hill’s Breathe album debuted at the top of both the “Billboard” country and all-genre album charts.
Today in 2000, Pam Tillis’ “All of This Love” album was certified gold.
Today in 2000, Alabama’s “For the Record: 41 Number-One Hits” collection was certified quadruple-platinum.
Today in 2003, Emmylou Harris taped an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York.
Today in 2004, Roger Miller’s “King Of The Road” was recognized at #1 in the CMT special “40 Greatest Road Songs.”
Today in 2009, Taylor Swift was the guest host and musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
Today in 2013, Cassadee Pope earned a gold single for “Wasting All These Tears.”
Today in 2016, Jon Bon Jovi sang “Who Says You Can’t Go Home” during a Hillary Clinton rally at Independence Hall in Philadelphia the night before the presidential election. Also on hand were Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Bill Clinton and Bruce Springsteen.
Today in 2016, Rascal Flatts performed for pediatric patients and family members at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. The music includes “Fast Cars And Freedom” and “Bless The Broken Road.”
Today in 2016, Billy Currington’s “Do I Make You Wanna” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2018, Carrie Underwood collected a gold single from the RIAA for “Cry Pretty.”
Today in 2020, Luke Combs hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Forever After All.”

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

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Churchill”, a lovable 6 1/2 year old Pitbull mix. Churchill has never met anyone he hasn’t immediately made friends with! Churchill loves attention and a sweet guy who would love to cuddle up and watch TV, go for walks or just hang out wherever you are. Churchill not only gets along beautifully with adults and kids, but also gets along well with other pets. And he’s housetrained! Churchill is fully vetted, vaccinated, chipped, neutered and ready to go to a loving home.

And since Churchill is the Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $100 this week!

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

Reba Talks Upcoming Wedding To Rex Linn

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Bob Ballard

One of the bigger “country couple” stories of the year was the announcement that Reba McEntire and longtime BF/”Happy’s Place” co-star Rex Linn were engaged. Naturally, questions have moved on from “When’s he going to pop the question?” to “When are they getting married?” Talking to “E! News,” the couple said that a date hasn’t been set yet, but they did reveal a couple of things about their upcoming nuptials. Reba insisted that the wedding wouldn’t be traditional, saying it would reflect their personalities and the things they love. “It’ll be a lot of fun,” Reba shared. “It’s gonna be a nontraditional wedding because that’s Rex and me.” She added that she and Linn want their wedding day to feel like them rather than a formal, stuffy affair. “We like comfort, we love friends, we love food,” the singer explained. Linn added, “What we’re doing right now honestly is enjoying our engagement time. We haven’t set a date, we’re just going to enjoy our engagement and enjoy going to Happy’s Place every day.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on November 6, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1978, Willie Nelson’s “Willie & Family Live” album was released.
Today in 1980, the single, “On The Road Again,” by Willie Nelson peaked at #20 on the pop singles chart.
Today in 1991, Garth Brooks’ album, “Ropin’ The Wind,” was certified gold, platinum, double platinum, triple platinum AND quadruple platinum simultaneously.
Today in 1994, the “Lead On” album, by George Strait, was released.
Today in 1996, Deana Carter’s “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” album was certified gold.
Today in 1996, Kenny Rogers’ “Eyes That See In The Dark” album was certified double platinum.
Today in 1997, Shania Twain started a five-week reign on Billboard’s country chart with “Love Gets Me Every Time.”
Today in 2003, “Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me” brought Keith Urban to the top of the Billboard country chart.
Today in 2005, Jason Aldean’s self-titled went gold.
Today in 2009, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Ernest Tubb, Kid Rock and Hattie Louise “Tootie” Bess – founder of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge – were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in Nashville.
Today in 2010, the movie, “Country Strong,” starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Tim McGraw, premiered at Nashville’s Green Hills 16 theaters.
Today in 2012, then 19-year-old Scotty McCreery voted for the first time in the presidential election.
Today in 2012, Kenny Chesney’s single “Come Over” was certified platinum by the RIAA. The same day, Miranda Lambert collected a platinum single from the RIAA for “Over You.”
Today in 2013, Florida Georgia Line won twice during the 47^th annual CMA Awards, taking Vocal Duo and Single of the Year, for “Cruise,” during the ABC telecast from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Today in 2015, Tim McGraw’s “Damn Country Music” album and Old Dominion’s debut effort, “Meat And Candy,” were released.
Today in 2015, John Rich performed “Amazing Grace” during a memorial service for Senator Fred Thompson at War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville.
Today in 2015, Joey Feek was placed in hospice care in Muncie, Indiana.
Today in 2017, Thomas Rhett’s “Marry Me” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2017, LoCash scored a gold single from the RIAA for “I Know Somebody.”
Today in 2017, Luke Bryan’s special, “Living Every Day: Luke Bryan” aired on ABC-TV.
Today in 2017, Kris Kristofferson headlined a benefit for an imprisoned Native American activist at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa. Also performing were Jamey Johnson, Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings, Rita Coolidge, Arlo Guthrie and Joe Ely.
Today in 2019, Jake Owen’s “Homemade” video premiered on “Entertainment Tonight.”

“CMA Country Christmas” Details Revealed

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Bob Ballard

The hosts and performers for this year’s “CMA Country Christmas” have been announced. Hosting this year are Christian singer Lauren Daigle and country music’s Jordan Davis. As far as performers, it’s a country-heavy lineup, with Megan Moroney, Riley Green, Lady A, Little Big Town and Parker McCollum all slated to appear, along with non-country acts the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks and BeBe Winans. The 16th annual edition of the holiday special will air December 2 on ABC.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on November 5, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1990, Pam Tillis released the single, “Don’t Tell Me What to Do.”
Today in 1995, BlackHawk released the single “Like There Ain’t No Yesterday.”
Today in 1996, Terri Clark’s album, “Just The Same” and Reba McEntire’s “What If It’s You” album arrived in stores.
Today in 2001, it was announced that Alan Jackson raised over $200,000 (after expenses) at his October 27^th benefit concert for “Angels House,” the Newnan-Coweta Children’s Shelter, in his hometown of Newnan, Georgia.
Today in 2002, Johnny Cash’s “American IV: The Man Comes Around” album was released. It’s the last album of new material issued during the singer’s life.
Today in 2003, Alan Jackson and Johnny Cash won three trophies each in the 37^th annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House on CBS. Jackson earns Entertainer of the Year; Male Vocalist; and Vocal Event, for “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.”
Today in 2006, Reba McEntire and Ronnie Milsap were among the first six inductees in Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame. Also added: Roy Orbison, songwriters Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, The Fisk Jubilee Singers and conductor Kenneth Schermerhorn.
Today in 2013, Blake Shelton was the only country artist nominated twice in the annual People’s Choice Awards. “The Voice,” the NBC series that used him as a coach, is also nominated for Favorite Competition TV Show.
Today in 2014, Miranda Lambert won four times during the 48th annual Country Music Association awards, aired by ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. She won Female Vocalist of the Year; Album, for “Platinum”; Single, for “Automatic”; and Music Event, for the Keith Urban duet “We Were Us.”
Today in 2016, Blackberry Smoke’s “Like An Arrow” was burning up at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
Today in 2018, Eric Church performed “Working On The Highway” with Bruce Springsteen in “Stand Up For Heroes,” a benefit that raises $5.4-million for wounded veterans at the Hulu Theater at Madision Square Garden in New York. Also aboard: Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers and Jim Gaffigan.
Today in 2018, Cole Swindell’s single, “Love You Too Late,” was released.
Today in 2019, the Tim McGraw fitness book, “Grit & Grace: Train The Mind, Train The Body, Own Your Life,” is published.
Today in 2019, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Patty Griffin and Jackson Browne performed at the Warner Theatre in Washington, D.C., in the launch of The Lantern Tour II: Concerts for Migrant and Refugee Families.
Today in 2020, Dan + Shay’s “Take Me Home For Christmas” hit the airwaves.

Mark Chesnutt Gives Health Update

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Mark Chesnutt paused his live performance schedule as he experienced a “medical issue.” Chesnutt has had health problems for years, so fans became concerned when the singer was forced to cancel shows over the issue. It was reported at the time that a combination of low sodium and high blood pressure were the cause of Chesnutt’s problems, but in a Facebook update, he explained that he’s feeling much better and ready to get back to it. “Hey everybody! I just wanted you to know that we will be back on the road starting November 7th. I’m feeling great and ready to see y’all. Check out my website to find shows near you. See ya!”

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