There was a time not that long ago when country legend Tim McGraw thought it was time to retire. For a guy who prided himself in keeping in top shape, getting hit with injuries that required two knee replacements and four back surgeries was not only painful but soul-crushing. As he told a concert crowd recently, “I’ve had four back surgeries and double knee replacements, just in the last couple of years. Things were getting really bad, (and I was) getting depressed over it…And this spring, before I had my final back surgery, things were getting really bad, so I was seriously contemplating and figuring out how to walk away. I didn’t want to, but I didn’t think it was going to get better.” Thankfully, he’s doing much better; losing two icons to retirement (with Alan Jackson hanging it up) in a short period of time would have been tough on country music fans.
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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.
Trisha Yearwood Announced As Host For Second “Band As One Nashville Concert for the Cure”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The second annual “Band As One Nashville Concert for the Cure” has been announced. The first one, headlined by Trisha Yearwood, raised over $700-thousand for those impacted by breast cancer earlier this year. Once again, Yearwood will host, with more performers to be announced before the day of the show. The concert will take place on March 22nd at the Grand Ole Opry House. Tickets will be available this Friday at 10AM local time. Visit the Opry’s website for more information and to purchase tickets.
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.”
- Today in 2016, it was a big day for albums as Cole Swindell’s “Down Home Sessions III” EP, Jimmy Buffett’s Christmas album, “‘Tis The SeaSon”; Brett Eldredge’s Christmas album, “Glow,” and Kenny Chesney’s album, “Cosmic Hallelujah,” were all released.
- Today in 2016, “The Very Best Of Dwight Yoakam” was certified platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2017, Kelsea Ballerini donated $20,000 to the choral department when she delivered a homecoming concert at Central High School in Knoxville. The set included “Legends,” “Dibs,” “Love Me Like You Mean It” and “Peter Pan.”
- Today in 2017, Luke Bryan crashed a wedding reception in Savannah, Georgia, where he’d been taping an episode of “American Idol.” Bryan danced with the rest of the partygoers to one of his own songs, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me).”
- Today in 2018, Ronnie Dunn and K.T. Oslin were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame at the Music City Center, along with “Boondocks” writer Wayne Kirkpatrick, “Fool Hearted Memory” composer Byron Hill and “Blue Bayou” author Joe Melson. Reba McEntire received the inaugural Career Maker Award.
- Today in 2019, the Carrie Underwood single, “Drinking Alone,” was released.
- Today in 2020, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani announced their engagement.
Zach Top Releases “Blue Christmas”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Zach Top is feeling Christmasy, and you will too, with his new holiday tune. He let fans know on his social media, saying “Gosh dang it ain’t even Halloween yet and I’m already putting Christmas songs out. ‘Blue Christmas’ is out everywhere now.” Most famously sung by Elvis Presley, Top’s version is bound to be a staple on country radio’s Christmas music lists. Zach’s version of the song had been an Apple Music exclusive, but as of now it’s available to everyone.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1994, Mark Chesnutt earned a platinum album for “Almost Goodbye.”
- Today in 1997, Clint Black’s “Nothing But the Taillights” was certified gold.
- Today in 1997, Johnny Cash announced he had a form of Parkinson’s disease. As a result, he canceled plans to promote his memoirs “Cash: The Autobiography” and a CD. It was eventually discovered that he had been misdiagnosed and actually had autonomic neuropathy, a condition that related to diabetes.
- Today in 1998, Sara Evans released her breakthrough album, “No Place That Far.”
- Today in 1998, the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified double platinum.
- Today in 2001, Garth Brooks announced plans to release one more album before going into retirement at the end of 2001. Garth acknowledged that many of his friends and business associates had begged him to avoid using the word “retirement.” Garth explained, “I can only be as honest as I can be. I don’t know how else to say it: I’m here to announcement my retirement. It’s a thing I feel good about.”
- Today in 2004, Florence County, South Carolina celebrated Josh Turner Day when he performed at the Florence Civic Center.
- Today in 2007, Kenny Chesney locked in a #1 single on the Billboard country chart with “Don’t Blink.”
- Today in 2012, Jason Aldean raised $509,000 for charity with his annual Concert for the Cure at the Gexa Energy Pavilion in Dallas.
- Today in 2013, Kenny Rogers, Bobby Bare and songwriter/producer Jack Clement were officially inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
- Today in 2014, Sam Hunt’s debut album, “Montevallo,” was released.
- Today in 2015, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild debuted the fashion line, Fair Child.
- Today in 2018, Rory Feek walked his daughter, Hopie, down the aisle as she marries her fiancée, Wendy, at Feek’s farm in Pottsville, Tennessee.
- Today in 2020, Jerry Lee Lewis was honored with “Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years Of The Killer,” an online benefit for World Vision with Willie Nelson, Chris Janson, Mickey Gilley, Marty Stuart, Elton John, Tom Jones and Lee Ann Womack.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: PUMPKIN
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Pumpkin”, a sweet and calm 1-year old German Shepherd mix who gets along great with adults, kids and other pets. She especially loves kids and is likely housetrained. She loves car rides and would make a perfect family dog. Pumpkin is fully vetted, vaccinated, spayed, chipped, and ready for her ‘furr-ever’ home!
And since Pumpkin 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 Pumpkin 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 Pumpkin with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Luke Combs To Open Second Catergory 10 Bar In Vegas
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Luke Combs is expanding his business portfolio. Yesterday it was announced that his Category Ten bar will get be getting a second location in Las Vegas. Category 10 Las Vegas is reportedly already under construction at the Flamingo on the Strip, and the 34-thousand square foot establishment will include a dining area with three bars and a dance floor, the “Beautiful Crazy Women’s Lounge,” a bourbon bar and outdoor patio space called the Still. There will also be a third-level Eye Rooftop with another dance floor, a DJ booth and views of the Strip. In a statement, Luke said, “I am stoked about having a second Category 10 location in Las Vegas. 2026 was already going to be an awesome year, but this takes it to the next level. I can’t wait for Bootleggers to have their own place to party on the Strip.” Tentative date for the bar’s opening: Fall 2026.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1975, John Denver’s “Rocky Mountain Christmas” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1980, the albums, “The Best Of Eddie Rabbitt” and “Horizon,” by Eddie Rabbitt were both certified gold.
- Today in 1981, Juice Newton’s “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)” debuted on the country singles charts.
- Today in 1991, Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” album was certified for sales of 5-million copies.
- Today in 1991, Alan Jackson’s album, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1993, Garth Brooks gave a fan a signed guitar at a North Dakota concert after she gave him a picture she had commissioned just for him.
- Today in 1993, Clay Walker and his wife, Lori, were married.
- Today in 1993, George Strait topped the charts with the single, “Easy Come, Easy Go.”
- Today in 1995, Alan Jackson’s “Greatest Hits Collection” album was released.
- Today in 1997, the Garth Brooks/ Trisha Yearwood duet, “In Another’s Eyes,” was at #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart.
- Today in 1998, Sawyer Brown played their 3000th show in front of 15,000 fans in Salt Lake City, Utah. The concert offered the band a bit of déjà vu – the venue was where they performed their first gig as a headline act in the mid-’80s
- Today in 2000, it was revealed that Clint Black and his lovely wife, Lisa Hartman Black, were expecting their first child. On May 8th of 2002, the couple welcomed Lily Pearl as the newest member of the Black family. Their happy news wasn’t revealed until the following day, when “Early Show” co-host Jane Clayson announced the joyous arrival to the world during the 36th annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill topped the list of nominees for the first annual “My VH1 Music Awards” with 5 nods. At the ceremonies that followed on November 30th, Faith scored trophies in the “Woman of the Year,” “Do You Want Fries With That Album?” and “Sexiest Video” categories.
- Today in 2000, the “Another Rosie Christmas” album, which featured the Dixie Chicks singing with Rosie O’Donnell was released. Chris Cagle’s debut album, “Play It Loud,” also arrived in stores for the first time – it was re-released the following June with bonus tracks.
- Today in 2002, LeAnn Rimes sang the national anthem prior to Game 5 of the World Series where the Giants beat the Anaheim Angels, 16-4.
- Today 2005, Montgomery Gentry, Sheryl Crow and Brad Paisley taped a performance for CBS’ “I Walk The Line: A Night For Johnny Cash.”
- Today in 2006, Trace Adkins performed the national anthem before Game 3 of the World Series. The Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers, 5-0.
- Today in 2006, Big Machine released Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut album.
- Today in 2010, Don Williams and Jimmy Dean are inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2012, Randy Travis and The Avett Brothers shot an installment of “CMT Crossroads” at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
- Today in 2014, Little Big Town performed the national anthem before Game 3 of the World Series at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Kansas City Royals edged out the Giants, 3-2.
Lost Toby Keith Demo Sees The Light Of Day
Posted on by Bob Ballard
It’s been almost two years since we lost Toby Keith, but there’s new music from the Big Dog Daddy seeing the light of day. Almost a decade ago, Toby co-wrote and recorded a demo for a song called “End of the Night,” which his team just released. Prior to this, the song was first heard when Ernest released his version as an “Apple Music exclusive.” A clip of Toby’s demo was posted to social media, with the caption “This lost demo has been found…you can hear Toby’s original demo of ‘End of the Night’ and @ernest’s new version of the song now only on @applemusic.”
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