Making the “Spotify Billions Club” is a career achievement, so rare that only 17 country songs have accomplished the feat. Make that 18 now, as Luke Combs‘ “Fast Car” has crossed the billion streams plateau. More incredible: it’s Luke’s third song to do so. Cooler still, it’s the second time “Fast Car” has pulled this off; in January 2025, Tracy Chapman‘s original also joined the exclusive club.
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1954, Johnny Cash married Vivian Liberto in San Antonio, Texas. The couple, who share their daughter, Rosanne, moved to Memphis, where he formed a trio that was signed to Sun Records. The couple divorced in 1967 amid Johnny’s trouble with drug addiction. With the help of June Carter, Johnny beat his addiction and eventually married June in 1968.
- Today in 1981, “Hank Williams Jr.’s “The Pressure Is On” album was released.
- Today in 1984, the “Poncho & Lefty” album by Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson was certified platinum.
- Today in 1989, Merle Haggard’s “His Epic – The First Eleven – To Be Continued” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, the album, “It’s All About To Change,” by Travis Tritt was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Reba McEntire’s “My Kind Of Country” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, the “Pocket Full Of Gold” album by Vince Gill was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Willie Nelson sold his Colorado ranch for $803,000 to help pay off the back taxes he owed the IRS.
- Today in 1992, Doug Stone’s “From The Heart” album was released.
- Today in 1996, Randy Travis’ “Always & Forever” album was certified for sales of 5-million.
- Today in 1997, the Mayor of New York City declared it to be “Garth Brooks Day” in the Big Apple, as Garth played his historic concert in Central Park. A record 980,000 people showed up to see Garth perform with special guests Billy Joel and Don McLean. HBO’s live telecast of the free concert in New York set a ratings record for the cable network. “Garth Live From Central Park” drew HBO’s largest audience for an original program that year and topped the four major broadcast networks in HBO homes.
- Today in 2001, Carolyn Dawn Johnson’s debut album, “Room With a View,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Garth Brooks’ “Double Live” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 15-million.
- Today in 2002, Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2004, Reba McEntire escorted “Somebody” to #1 in Billboard
- Today in 2007, Vince Gill, Mel Tillis and Ralph Emery were announced as the year’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees during a ceremony at the Hall of Fame in Nashville by the Country Music Association.
- Today in 2014, Songwriters busbee, Nate Cyphert and William Wiik Larsen wrote “H.O.L.Y.” in Los Angeles. In 2016, the song becomes a country hit for Florida Georgia Line.
- Today in 2015, Luke Bryan’s album, “Kill The Lights,” was released.
- Today in 2017, Taylor Swift appeared in a Denver courtroom at the start of a trial that pits her against a radio host she accused of grabbing her buttocks backstage at a 2013 concert.
- Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line’s 2016 album, “Dig Your Roots,” was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2017, Toby Keith and Kid Rock performed at Tom Benson Hall Of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, to close the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s week of induction ceremonies. The night’s music included “Red Solo Cup,” “All Summer Long” and “I Love This Bar.”
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: OTIS
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Otis”, a 2 year old Pointer mix. Otis is quite the guy. He likes to dunk his whole face in his water bowl and play in the water that spills out. But hey – that’s not going to stop him from going in for some snuggles right afterwards! Otis loves to play with the other dogs in the yard, go on walks, play in water, or just relax in his kennel. Otis would be an amazing companion for someone who loves to be active, but he would be just as happy vegging out and watching old Disney channel original movies with you! As long as he is in a home, he’s a happy fella.
Otis is fully vaccinated, vetted, neutered, microchipped and ready to go!
And since Otis is the H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $50 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Otis 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 Otis with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Megan Moroney Teams Up With American Girl
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Megan Moroney is bringing her dazzling fashion sense to little girls (and bigger girls) everywhere. The singer and American Girl have teamed up to bring a new line of America Girl outfits inspired by her own stage fits. In a statement, Megan said, “I’ve been an American Girl fan for as long as I can remember. One of my favorite Christmas gifts was getting my first American Girl doll, and I still have her in the box at my parents’ house. As a kid, dolls let your imagination run wild… I had mine doing cheerleading stunts and performing concerts, while I also probably cared a little too much about her outfits,” Moroney says. “Getting to create a collection inspired by my own style feels like such a full-circle moment, and it’s something I’ll always cherish. I hope fans have just as much fun making the collection their own, expressing themselves, and letting their imaginations run wild.”
Available now through the American Girl website and American Girl stores nationwide, the collection features the American Girl x Megan Moroney Stage Outfit, the American Girl x Megan Moroney Fan Fashion Outfit, the American Girl x Megan Moroney Concert-Ready Accessories, the American Girl x Megan Moroney VIP Accessories, and the American Girl x Megan Moroney Guitar & Mic Stand Playset.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1979, Kenny Rogers’ single, “She Believes In Me,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1988, George Strait topped the charts with the single, “Baby Blue.”
- Today in 1993, Wynonna’s self-titled album was certified triple platinum.
- Today in 1993, Mark Chesnutt hit #1 on the charts with the single, “It Sure Is Monday.”
- Today in 1999, the movie soundtrack album for “The Runaway Bride” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” soundtrack chart, selling 79,000 copies its first week of release. One reason for the CD’s success was that it featured hit singles by the Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride. As a matter of fact, a representative from the record label that released the project said that the achievement proved that country artists and pop artists can exist side by side on a soundtrack and be successful.
- Today in 1999, Lonestar’s single, “Amazed,” began its fifth week at the top of “Radio & Records’” country chart. The achievement broke the previous record set by a group – Alabama had previously spent four weeks at #1 with “Jukebox on My Mind.”
- Today in 2002, Cledus T. Judd’s album, “I Stold This Record,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2002, Phil Vassar’s “American Child” album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney joined a hundred-or-so friends, publishers, songwriters and others gathered in Nashville at ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) to recognize Kenny and his chart-topping smash, “The Good Stuff.”
- Today in 2002, Dixie Chick Natalie Maines tees off on Toby Keith’s “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” in the Los Angeles Daily News: “It’s ignorant, and it makes country music sound ignorant… You’ve got to have some tact.” Their mutual war of words continued for ages.
- Today in 2003, John Mellencamp joins Kenny Chesney to tape an episode of “CMT Crossroads” in Nashville, where the set list includes “Young,” “R.O.C.K. In The U.S.A.” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Radney Foster hosts
- Today in 2004, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan launch their first joint concert tour, playing minor league baseball parks, beginning with at stop at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York
- Today in 2008, Taylor Swift filmed her “Love Story” video in Nashville
- Today in 2011, the Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They sang “Bobbie Sue,” “Elvira” and an a cappella “Amazing Grace” on their big night.
- Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line countersues the producers of the Country Explosion music festival for more than $200,000. The concert execs previously filed a $15-million suit against the duo, alleging they were defamed when the duo’s tour manager told other booking agents about a check that failed to clear the bank.
- Today in 2016, Steven Tyler debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart with “We’re All Somebody From Somewhere.”
- Today in 2016, Kenny Chesney’s concert at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, includes a surprise guest: Sammy Hagar, who played “I Can’t Drive 55.”
- Today in 2017, Vince Gill performed two songs during the funeral for former Notre Dame head coach Ara Parseghian in South Bend, Indiana.
Post Malone Sings Kid-Friendly Version Of “I Had Some Help” With Elmo In New “Sesame Street” Special
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Post Malone is making a special appearance in “Storm on Sesame Street,” premiering on Monday on Netflix and PBS KIDS. The Hip-Hop turned Country star performs a kid-friendly version of his song “I Had Some Help” featuring Morgan Wallen which was re-worked as “A Little Help”. During the special, Elmo and his friends learn how to stay safe and support one another during severe weather storms. Malone later joins Elmo and Abby for a heartfelt performance, singing, “We can go through something hard / So we’re helping our neighbors, but I know we’ll make it through.” The special ends with the “Sesame Street” community rebuilding together while launching Sesame Workshop’s new initiative to help children and families prepare for and recover from extreme weather.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1964, Country Music Hall of Fame member, Jim Reeves, died when his single-engine Beechcraft plane crashed near Nashville, Tennessee.
- Today in 1985, Patsy Cline’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Travis Tritt’s single, “Country Club,” went platinum
- Today in 1992, Brooks & Dunn topped the charts with “Boot Scootin’ Boogie.”
- Today in 1995, Alabama’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified for sales of 4-million and their “Greatest Hits II” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1995, the single, “You’re Gonna Miss Me,” by Brooks & Dunn hit #1.
- Today in 1998, the Dixie Chicks garnered the first #1 hit of their career when “There’s Your Trouble” topped “Radio & Records” country chart.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill received a nomination from the 2000 “VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards” in the “Most Fashionable Artist – Female” category. Nominated with artists like Toni Braxton, Janet Jackson and Jennifer Lopez, Faith was the only country artist to be tapped in any category.
- Today in 2000, it was announced that Brooks & Dunn, Lee Greenwood, Lorrie Morgan and Hank Williams Jr. were on the bill as performers for the Republican National Convention.
- Today in 2001, Blake Shelton’s single, “Austin,” topped the charts – as his self-titled debut album was released. One year later on the same day, the CD was certified gold.
- Today in 2001, Cyndi Thomson’s debut album, “My World,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Toby Keith’s “Unleashed” album debuted at the top of “Billboard’s” country and pop album charts. But that’s not all. Fans snapped up just over 338,000 copies during its first week of release, which gave Toby his first #1 album on the all-genre “Billboard” Top 200 chart.
- Today in 2002, the Dixie Chicks taped their episode of “CMT Crossroads” with James Taylor in Nashville.
- Today in 2006, Jason Aldean’s single, “Why,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2017, Apple Music launches a commercial for a weekly series, “Carpool Karaoke,” with Willie Nelson’s “On The Road Again” playing behind cameos by Miley Cyrus, James Corden, Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow and Dierks Bentley.
- Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line’s “Smooth” single hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Joe Nichols posted a collaborative video teaming him with rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot on the rap classic, “Baby Got Back.”
- Today in 2019, Morgan Wallen single, “Whiskey Glasses,” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2019, Chris Stapleton celebrated a platinum single from the RIAA for “Millionaire,” and scored two multi-platinum singles: a double-platinum nod for”Broken Halos” and “Tennessee Whiskey?” It was certified six-times platinum.
- Today in 2021, Willie Nelson performed during a voting-rights rally at the Texas State Capitol in Austin at the close of a four-day march.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: JUNEBUG
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Junebug”, an adorable 5 month old female kitten who loves to play with toys. Junebug isn’t a huge fan of being held, but she’s a curious kitty who loves to explore her surroundings. Junebug gets along great with other cats, but hasn’t quite gotten used to dogs yet. Junebug would make any cat-lover a great new furry best friend!
Junebug is fully vaccinated, vetted, spayed, microchipped and ready to go!
And since Junebug is the H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, her adoption fee is only $30 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Junebug 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 Junebug with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Kenny Chesney Gets Ready To “Burn My Boat”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
We’re getting a new track from Kenny Chesney’s upcoming “Silver Sands Marina” project. The singer posted a clip of “Burn My Boat” on social media yesterday, alerting fans the full version would be available tomorrow. About the song, Kenny says, “‘Burn My Boat’ was the exact thing I wanted to say, and it’s in the chorus; recognizing ‘where I’m supposed to be’ is that sense of true arrival, knowing where you’re supposed to be. When you’re restless, and I am, there is no greater peace or freedom.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1955, Johnny Cash records his first version of “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Luther Played The Boogie” and “So Doggone Lonesome” at the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis.
- Today in 1985, Alabama became the first country act to go quadruple-platinum, as the “Mountain Music” and “Feels So Right” albums are certified for shipments of 4 million copies. “The Closer You Get” goes triple-platinum
- Today in 1990, Randy Travis’ album, “Always and Forever,” was certified quadruple platinum.
- Today in 1991, the “Country Club” album by Travis Tritt was certified platinum.
- Today in 1993, the single, “We’ll Burn that Bridge,” by Brooks and Dunn hit #1.
- Today in 1993, Martina McBride’s first big hit, “My Baby Loves Me,” debuted on the country charts.
- Today in 1996, Brooks & Dunn’s album, “Borderline,” and George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky” CD were both certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1997, Terri Clark’s self-titled debut album was certified platinum
- Today in 1999, Lila McCann made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 1999, the film, “Runaway Bride,” starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere, opened in theaters nationwide. Among the folks featured in the film soundtrack were the Dixie Chicks and Martina McBride.
- Today in 2000, the Judds wrapped up their “Reunion Tour” in Virginia Beach, Virginia
- Today in 2002, Brad Paisley celebrated the success of his #1 single, “I’m Gonna Miss Her,” at a party in Nashville.
- Today in 2007, Rodney Atkins received a diploma from Tennessee Tech in Cookeville – 14 years after he stopped taking classes. School officials discovered that he had racked up enough credits in his time there to qualify for a newly created degree.
- Today in 2008, Alan Jackson’s album, “Good Time,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2012, Eli Young Band vocalist Mike Eli and his wife, Kacey, welcomed their first daughter, Kline Olivia Diaz, in Dallas.
- Today in 2015, Lynn Anderson passed at Nashville’s Vanderbilt Medical Center. A Female Vocalist of the Year for both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, she earned a million-seller with her 1970 single, “Rose Garden.”
- Today in 2016, Chris Stapleton performed during the Lollapalooza rock festival at Grant Park in Chicago. His set included “You Are My Sunshine,” “Fire Away,” “Traveller” and closing number “Tennessee Whiskey.”
- Today in 2018, Runaway June’s single, “Buy My Own Drinks,” was released.
- Today in 2020, Darius Rucker raised more than $250-thousand for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with his annual Darius & Friends concert, held as a virtual event from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Also on the bill, Tracy Lawrence and Clint Black.
- Today in 2020, Josh Turner’s “Would You Go With Me” single was certified double-platinum single by the RIAA.
- Today in 2020, Taylor Swift’s single, “betty,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2021, Parker McCollum’s album, “Gold Chain Cowboy,” was released.
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