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!”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on November 3, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1961, Jimmie Rodgers and Hank Williams become the first artists to be inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame. That year’s other inductee is music publisher Fred Rose.
Today in 1973, Dolly Parton’s second #1 song “Jolene” hit the charts.
Today in 1981, “Willie Nelson’s Greatest Hits (& Some That Will Be)” was certified gold.
Today in 1993, the “Alabama Live” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1995, George Strait topped the charts with “Check Yes Or No” for the second week. The song was later named the 1996 CMA Single of the Year.
Today in 1998, Mark Chesnutt and his wife, Tracie, welcomed their third child, Cameron Zane, in Beaumont, Texas. Cameron’s middle name, Zane, was inspired by the great Western novelist Zane Gray, one of Tracie’s favorite authors. He joined big brothers Casey and Waylon in the Chesnutt family.
Today in 2001, Garth Brooks made his debut pitching Dr. Pepper in TV commercials.
Today in 2002, Bob Dylan, Shel Silverstein, and Dean Dillon entered the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Today in 2005, Gretchen Wilson’s “All Jacked Up” was heard in the WB drama, “Smallville.”
Today in 2009, Carrie Underwood’s album, “Play On,” arrived in stores.
Today in 2010, the Darryl Worley Cancer Center opens in Savannah, Tennessee.
Today in 2012, ABC recorded “CMA Country Christmas.” Hosted by Jennifer Nettles, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, performers included Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town.
Today in 2014, Blake Shelton performed a free concert for military personnel aboard the Lexington Museum on the Bay in Corpus Christi, Texas. “Lonely Tonight,” his duet with Ashley Monroe, was shot for a Pepsi commercial.
Today in 2017, Lee Brice’s self-titled album was released. The same day, Kelsea Ballerini’s “Unapologetically” album also went on sale.
Today in 2017, Kip Moore’s single, “Last Shot,” was released.
Today in 2018, Brett Young married Taylor Mills before friends and family in Palm Springs, three months after they exchanged vows in a private ceremony. The reception includes appearances by Gavin DeGraw and Lee Brice, who sings “I Don’t Dance.”
Today in 2018, a teepee outside Florida Georgia Line’s new Nashville compound, Tribe Kelley Trading Post, is stripped of its cover by a vandal at 1:30am. The perpetrator was filmed by a security camera; the duo offered $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.
Today in 2019, Braison Cyrus married Stella McBride at the Cyrus home in Tennessee. Attending are father Billy Ray Cyrus and sister Miley Cyrus.

Morgan Wallen Announces 2026 “Still The Problem Tour”

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Morgan Wallen’s big tease was pretty much what most fans thought it might be. When the countdown clock on his “Still The Problem” website reached 00:00:00 yesterday, the news broke: Morgan was mounting a big 2026 stadium tour. The “Still The Problem Tour” will include two-night-stands at stadiums in all but one of the 11 cities on the schedule, for a total 21 shows. There will be two-night stands in Minneapolis, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, Gainesville, Denver, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Baltimore, Ann Arbor and Philadelphia, and a one-off show in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Openers (depending on city and date) include Thomas Rhett, Hardy, Ella Langley, Vincent Mason, Zach John King, Brooks & Dunn, Gavin Adcock, Flatland Cavalry, Hudson Westbrook, Blake Whiten and Jason Scott & The High Heat.

The public on-sale begins on November 7 at 10am local time. Pre-sale registration for the tour will take place now through November 6 at StillTheProblem.com. See the dates and cities below:

April 10-11 Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 18 Tuscaloosa, Alabama
May 1-2 Las Vegas, Nevada
May 8-9 Indianapolis, Indiana
May 15-16 Gainesville, Florida
May 29-30 Denver, Colorado
June 5-6 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 19-20 Chicago, Illinois
July 17-18 Baltimore, Maryland
July 24-25 Ann Arbor, Michigan
July 3-August 1 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

This day in Country Music History

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1970, “The Johnny Cash Show” album was released.
Today in 1970, Loretta Lynn’s signature song, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” first hit the charts.
Today in 1971, the Johnny Cash album, “Portrait/His Greatest Hits Vol. 2,” was released.
Today in 1979, Willie Nelson’s album, “Pretty Paper,” and Larry Gatlin’s “Straight Ahead” album were released.
Today in 1982, Mickey Gilley’s “Biggest Hits” was released.
Today in 1982, Alabama made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
Today in 1983, Kenny Rogers’ album, “Eyes That See In The Dark,” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
Today in 1983, Dolly Parton’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
Today in 1991, Randy Travis’ album, “High Lonesome,” was certified gold.
Today in 1995, Dwight Yoakam’s “Gone” album was released.
Today in 1997, Collin Raye’s album, “The Best of Collin Raye – Direct Hits,” was certified gold.
Today in 2000, the album, “Tomorrow’s Sounds Today,” by Dwight Yoakam was released.
Today in 2000, the “I Hope You Dance” album by Lee Ann Womack was certified platinum.
Today in 2001, Kenny Chesney’s “Greatest Hits” collection was certified double platinum
Today in 2002, Alabama’s “Just Us” album was certified platinum.
Today in 2002, Brooks and Dunn’s “Brand New Man” CD was certified for multi-platinum sales of 6-million.
Today in 2006, Kellie Pickler’s debut album, “Small Town Girl,” arrived in stores.
Today in 2008, Trace Adkins scored a gold single for “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
Today in 2011, George Strait’s single, “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright” was released.
Today in 2012, Little Big Town’s “Tornado” video debuted on CMT.
Today in 2015, Tim McGraw threw out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Series game at Citi Field in New York, where the Kansas City Royals defeat the hometown Mets, 5-3
Today in 2015, Jason Aldean was seen wearing sunglasses, dreadlocks and black face as he dressed up as Lil Wayne for Halloween. The move generates controversy weeks later when it became public knowledge.
Today in 2016, Dierks Bentley’s single, “Black,” was released.
Today in 2017, the Oak Ridge Boys introduced a new line of suits – the American Made Collection – which was created in conjunction with Hart Shaffner & Marx.
Today in 2017, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright,” by David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney, was released.
Today in 2018, Dan + Shay scored a gold single from the RIAA for “Speechless.”
Today in 2018, Gabby Barrett wrote her first hit, “I Hope,” with Zachary Kale and Jon Nite at the Firehall in Nashville.
Today in 2020, Clint Black played the Grand Ole Opry – and brought along his 19-year-old daughter Lily Pearl Black, who made her Opry debut with “Temporary Home.”
Today in 2020, Carly Pearce lost her two front teeth in a fall.

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