- Today in 1947, Carnegie Hall hosted its first country music show with Ernest Tubb and Roy Acuff as headliners.
- Today in 1981, George Jones’ “I Am What I Am” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1986, the “#7” album by George Strait was certified gold.
- Today in 1989, Willie Nelson’s “Take It To The Limit” album was certified gold and his “Pretty Paper” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1992, Clint Black’s album, “The Hard Way,” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1997, Patty Loveless’ “Long Stretch Of Lonesome” album was released.
- Today in 1997, the Farm Aid concert – canceled due to low ticket sales at the Texas Stadium – was rescheduled at the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park, Illinois, for the same day…October 4th. The benefit was a sell-out.
- Today in 1998, Reba McEntire joined the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame. Her star, the 2,120th planted in the famous foot thoroughfare, was unveiled in front of the Johnny Grant Building, 7018 Hollywood Boulevard.
- Today in 1998, Jett Williams paid tribute to her late father, Hank Williams, who would have been 75 the day before, on the Grand Ole Opry. She saluted her dad by performing “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” a song released after his death on New Year’s Eve, 1952. Jett told the crowd, quote, “He never sang the song on the Opry. He never sang it live.”
- Today in 1999, Faith Hill graced the cover of “TV Guide.”
- Today in 2000, Toby Keith was the guest of honor at a special event in Nashville. Toby was the benefactor of the first songwriter/artist endowment to support the work and mission of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
- Today in 2001, Martina McBride’s “Greatest Hits” collection and Aaron Tippin’s “A December To Remember” album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Joe Nichols scored a number of firsts: a debut artist, a debut single, a brand new label and a #1 record! Joe’s debut single, “The Impossible,” leapt four chart positions to claim the top spot on the “Radio & Records” Country Top 50 chart.
- Today in 2004, “Days Go By” took Keith Urban to the top of the Billboard country chart.
- Today in 2006, Willie and Bobbie Nelson received misdemeanor citations for drug possession when his bus stopped on Interstate 10 in Louisiana. A search of the vehicle yielded 1.5-pounds of pot and 2/10 of a pound of mushrooms.
- Today in 2008, Alison Krauss and Robert Plant won two trophies – Duo/Group of the Year and Album of the Year for “Raising Sand” – during the seventh annual Americana Honors & Awards.
- Today in 2010, Billy Currington rose to the top of the Billboard country singles chart with “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer.”
- Today in 2015, Miranda Lambert launched her eighth annual Paws For The Cause fundraiser for the MuttNation Foundation in Luckenbach, Texas. She’s joined by Radney Foster, Gwen Sebastian and songwriters Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander.
- Today in 2017, Three years after the previous signs were removed, new signs proclaiming Marshville, North Carolina, as the birthplace of Randy Travis were dedicated. Travis was also presented keys to the city.
- Today in 2017, Kellie Pickler and Ben Aaron launched their new talk show, “Pickler & Ben,” launches on television with surprise guest Dolly Parton. Faith Hill is one of several executive producers.
TAG SEARCH RESULTS FOR: ""
Luke Combs Finally Records Song His Fans Have Been Begging For
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Luke Combs teased a song on his socials back in the spring that had fans hitting him up for an official release. The tune, “My Kinda Saturday Night,” has been in the back of many of their minds, and apparently, in the back of Luke’s mind too. This week he posted a video to Instagram of him singing the song, and the post included the caption, “I saw all of the comments for My Kinda Saturday Night. Excited to let y’all know I finished recording it the other day.” With Luke steadily working on his next album, seems like a safe bet that the track will be part of that project.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1960, Loretta Lynn made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 1977, Reba McEntire made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry. She performed “Invitation to the Blues.”
- Today in 1996, Alabama released their second holiday album, “Alabama Christmas II,” and John Berry released his album, “Faces.”
- Today in 1996, the mayor of Rhinelander, Wisconsin proclaimed today’s date as “Trace Adkins Day,” and presented Trace with the key to the city. The previous month, the mayor of Trace’s hometown of Sarepta, Louisiana had made such a declaration.
- Today in 1996, Ty England’s “Two Ways to Fall” album arrived in stores.
- Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Fly,” began its second straight week at #1 on both the pop and country albums charts. In just two weeks, the album sold 545,000 units, which means it had already gone gold (you need 500,000 copies sold for a gold album). In fact, first day sales were 75,000. SoundScan figures show that the album had the highest first week sales of any act in country music history except for Garth Brooks. In addition, “Fly,” became the first country album to spend more than one week at #1 on the pop albums chart since Garth’s album, “Double Live,” in 1998.
- Today in 1999, Lisa Hartman Black joined her hubby Clint Black on stage for their first public performance of their mega-hit, “When I Said I Do.”
- Today in 2000, Alan Jackson, Sawyer Brown and Travis Tritt joined Farm Aid founders Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young and a host of other performers in Bristow, Virginia for the 15th anniversary of Farm Aid.
- Today in 2002, Clay Walker’s album, “Christmas,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Tracy Byrd and his wife, Michelle, finally had a name for their third child, who had arrived two weeks earlier – Jared James. When he left St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Beaumont, Texas, Jared – aka J.J. – joined his sister, Evee Elisabeth, and brother, Logan Lynn. By the way, in case you’re wondering, the Byrd family did not break the record for delayed baby-naming – not even close. The State of Texas told them it once took a family three months to decide on what to call their child.
- Today in 2002, Faith Hill was in Los Angeles to tape an NBC concert special, which aired on Thanksgiving.
- Today in 2005, The Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton single “Islands in The Stream” topped the list with the debut of “CMT 100 Greatest Duets”
- Today in 2009, Buddy Miller won four times during the Americana Music Association Awards & Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
- Today in 2012, Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2017, LANCO lead singer Brandon Lancaster and Tiffany Trotter were married near Nashville. The ceremony was attended by all his bandmates: Tripp Howell, Eric Steedly, Jared Hampton and Chandler Baldwin.
- Today in 2018, Faith Hill headlines a voting rally at Marathon Music Works in Nashville for a non-profit agency, When We All Vote.
- Today in 2019, Luke Combs joined Vince Gill, Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris at All For The Hall, a fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame at The Novo in Los Angeles.
- Today in 2019, Old Dominion scored a gold single from the RIAA for “One Man Band.”
- Today in 2021, the Carly Pearce album, “29: Written In Stone,” and Scotty McCreery’s “Same Truck” album were released.
Kenny Chesney Suprises Megan Moroney At Her First Headlining Stadium Show
Posted on by Bob Ballard
It was a big night for Megan Moroney in Charleston, South Carolina over the weekend. While she’d played stadiums before, she’d never headlined one. Backstage at the Credit One Stadium and just minutes before she was set to take the stage, Kenny Chesney paid a surprise visit which the singer was clearly not expecting, as she squealed, “Kenny! What are you doing here?” and gave him a big hug. The surprise ended up being for the entire crowd, as later in the evening he also joined Moroney on stage for a performance of their duet, “You Had To Be There.”
@megmoroney very nonchalant! i am annoying & you’re the best @Kenny Chesney ♬ You Had To Be There – Megan Moroney & Kenny Chesney
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1967, Tammy Wynette scored her #1 hit when she topped the “Billboard” country singles chart with “My Elusive Dreams,” her duet with David Houston.
- Today in 1985, the “Alabama Christmas” album by Alabama was released.
- Today in 1986, Johnny Cash signed with Polygram Records after two decades with Columbia.
- Today in 1988, Ricky Van Shelton’s album, “Loving Proof,” was released.
- Today in 1991, Willie Nelson married makeup artist Ann-Marie D’Angelo. The couple, who met on the set of Nelson’s 1986 movie, “Red Headed Stranger,” has two sons.
- Today in 1992, Tanya Tucker’s “What Do I Do With Me” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, the “War Paint” album by Lorrie Morgan was certified gold.
- Today in 2000, Trisha Yearwood was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2002, Trace Adkins was in Washington, D.C. to perform at a political fundraiser for Louisiana Congressman Billy Tauzin – aka “the Cajun Congressman.” The event served as a kick-off for Trace’s two-day swing through the Washington DC, which also included headlining a USO event honoring former President George Herbert Walker Bush.
- Today in 2005, the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton single, “Islands in the Stream,” topped the list with the debut of “CMT 100 Greatest Debuts.”
- Today in 2009, Buddy Miller won four times during the Americana Music Association Awards & Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
- Today in 2012, Tim McGraw’s “Truck Yeah” video debuts on CMT. The video featured a guest appearance by actor Garrett Hedlund.
- Today in 2013, Justin Moore’s “Off The Beaten Path” album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2014, Tim McGraw’s album, “Sundown Heaven Town,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Jon Pardi scored a platinum single from the RIAA for “Head Over Boots.”
- Today in 2016, Trisha Yearwood introduced a signature perfume and body mist, available exclusively at Walmart stores.
- Today in 2017, Willie Nelson brought Farm Aid to Burgettstown, Pennsylvania and was joined by Jamey Johnson, Blackberry Smoke, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Neil Young and The Avett Brothers. Nelson’s set includes “Whiskey River,” “Good Hearted Woman” and “On The Road Again.”
- Today in 2017, Old Dominion’s “Happy Endings” was at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
- Today in 2017, Rhett Akins married Sonya Mansfield in Tennessee. In the wedding party? His son, Thomas Rhett, as well as songwriters Ben Hayslip and Dallas Davidson.
- Today in 2018, Carrie Underwood revealed on “CBS Sunday Morning” that she endured three miscarriages during 2017 and 2018.
- Today in 2019, the Florida Georgia Line single, “Talk You Out Of It,” was certified gold and platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2019, Colt Ford scored a gold certification from the RIAA for his 2008 debut album, “Ride Through The Country.” The project features guest appearances by Jamey Johnson, Brantley Gilbert and John Michael Montgomery.
- Today in 2021, Parmalee’s “Take My Name” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2021, during a performance of “Famous Friends” at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri – Kane Brown brought out Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Joining Brown on the song as well? Opening acts Chris Lane and Restless Road.
Jelly Roll Meets The Pope
Posted on by Bob Ballard
A new picture posted on social media by Jelly Roll probably had more than one person double-checking to see if it was AI-generated. The photo had a smiling Jelly Roll, looking much thinner and rocking an all-black suit, shaking hands with none other than Pope Leo XIV. Alongside, Jelly wrote “From rock bottom to holy ground. ‘For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.'” While the meet-up seems unlikely on the surface, it happened as Jelly Roll joined fellow artists Pharrell Williams, Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Karol G and more for the “Grace for the World” concert at Vatican City’s St. Peter’s Square on Saturday. We already knew he’d come a long way from his days behind bars, but this is next-level stuff.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1957, Patsy Cline married Charlie Dick.
- Today in 1972, Merle Haggard’s The Best Of The Best Of Merle Haggard album was released.
- Today in 1978, Kenny Rogers’ “Love Of Something Like It” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1978, Crystal Gayle’s “When I Dream” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1979, the single, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” by the Charlie Daniels Band peaked at #3 on the pop singles chart.
- Today in 1981, Alabama’s “Feels So Right” album was certified Platinum.
- Today in 1987, Hank Williams Jr.’s album, “Born To Boogie,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1992, George Strait’s “Pure Country” album was released.
- Today in 2001, Wynonna made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2003, former “Nashville Star” contestant Miranda Lambert signed with Epic Records.
- Today in 2005, Dierks Bentley released his second gold album “Modern Day Drifter.”
- Today in 2007, Garth Brooks’ “More Than a Memory” became the first song to debut at #1 on Billboard’s country singles list.
- Today in 2014, Eric Church’s “Talladega” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2015, Florida Georgia Line collects a platinum single from the RIAA for “Sun Daze” and a gold one for “Anything Goes.”
- Today in 2016, Trace Adkins received the Outstanding Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Army at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
- Today in 2017, the Big & Rich album, “Did It For The Party,” was released.
- Today in 2018, Jo Dee Messina headlined the 15th annual Burgundy Ball, a fundraiser for local cancer patients in Springfield, Missouri.
- Today in 2019, “Country Music: A Film By Ken Burns” premiered on PBS. Key contributors in the mini-series include Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, Marty Stuart, Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, Rosanne Cash, Ketch Secor and Rhiannon Giddens.
- Today in 2020, the book, “Me And Sister Bobbie: True Tales Of The Family Band,” a book by Willie Nelson and Bobbie Nelson, was released.
- Today inn 2021, Kane Brown and Dolly Parton were on the annual “Time 100” list of the most influential people. Also highlighted: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Donald Trump, Britney Spears, Simone Biles and Lil Nas X.
How Much Does Carrie Underwood Make For “Waiting All Day For Sunday Night?”
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Recently a rumor was going around that Carrie Underwood was taking home a hefty $1-million paycheck per week for being the singing voice for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”A post from the popular X account “MLFootball” read: “BREAKING: Carrie Underwood is paid ONE MILLION DOLLARS EACH WEEK to do the Sunday Night Football theme song. She films all of it in one day & got paid 18-million dollars for that, per reports.” The post is actually a year old, but began circulating again at the start of the new NFL season. So…true or false? The actual amount Underwood makes from the high-profile gig remains unknown, though some digging shows she’s shot down that total in the past. Back in 2023, Howard Stern asked about it on his show. “The money ain’t bad. Is it true it’s 18-million dollars a year?” Underwood nipped that in the bud (or so she thought at the time). “For me?! No!” Underwood responded. “It’s pretty pro-bono,” adding, “I wish! That’d be great.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1980, as a result of a television report on ABC-TV’s “20/20,” the official case surrounding the 1977 death of Elvis Presley was reopened.
- Today in 1986, Eddie Rabbitt and Juice Newton’s single, “Both To Each Other (Friends & Lovers),” went to #1 in “Radio & Records.”
- Today in 1990, Alan Jackson’s “Here In The Real World” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, the album, ‘If There Was A Way,” by Dwight Yoakam was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, George Strait’s “Greatest Hits” album certified double platinum.
- Today in 1994, on his birthday, George Jones underwent triple bypass surgery at Nashville’s Baptist Hospital.
- Today in 1995, George Jones and Tammy Wynette’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1995, the “Greatest Hits – From The Beginning” album by Travis Tritt was released
- Today in 1995, George Jones’ “Greatest Hits” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1995, the “Strait Out Of The Box” album by George Strait was released.
- Today in 1998, a concert by Shania Twain was televised live on DirecTV, in what the direct broadcast satellite service claimed is the first such TV event for the country star.
- Today in 1998, Vince Gill made his 100th appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1999, a sold-out crowd of 23,000 people listened to Willie Nelson, Deana Carter, Sawyer Brown, Trisha Yearwood, John Mellencamp and other performers at Farm Aid ’99. The all-day event, the latest in a series of fund-raisers for farmers that started in 1985, came at a time when many East Coast growers were facing a severe drought. Since it began, Farm Aid has given $14.5 million to more than 100 farm organizations, churches and service groups in 44 states.
- Today in 2002, the rumors were official – the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Home,” was certified platinum. Now, official Soundscan figures have confirmed it. In its second week of release, the project sold 367,000 copies (following record setting first-week sales of 779,828). It was enough to keep them on top of the Billboard 200 charts and the “Billboard” Top Country Albums chart for another week.
- Today in 2002, George Strait launched his “Road Less Traveled” tour in Detroit Jo Dee Messina as his opening act. It was George’s first arena tour in five years. He been headlining his George Strait Country Music Festival at stadiums from 1999 to 2001.
- Today in 2003, the famed “The Man in Black” Johnny Cash, who became a towering figure in American music with such hits as “Folsom Prison Blues,” “I Walk the Line” and “A Boy Named Sue,” died at the age of 71. In a statement issued by Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Cash’s longtime manager and friend, Lou Robin, said, “Johnny died due to complications from diabetes, which resulted in respiratory failure.” He noted that Cash died at the hospital at 1 am ET and added, “I hope that friends and fans of Johnny will pray for the Cash family to find comfort during this very difficult time.” The stunning news came as Cash had been released from the hospital the previous Wednesday after a two-week stay for treatment of an unspecified stomach ailment. Some reports circulated that he had been suffering from pancreatitis. The illness caused him to miss the MTV Music awards, where he had been nominated in seven categories and won the trophy for Best Cinematography. In his later years, Cash had battled a disease of the nervous system, autonomic neuropathy, and pneumonia. His beloved wife, June, had passed four months earlier.
- Today in 2003, the “Man In Black” – aka Johnny Cash – passed away. He joined his beloved wife, June Carter Cash, who had died the previous May. Among his accolades, Cash was a member of both the Country Music and Rock & Roll Halls of Fame.
- Today in 2007, Brad Paisley scored a gold album for “5th“
- Today in 2008, Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Garth Brooks took batting practice with the Chicago White Sox at US Cellular Field. The night’s baseball game is rained out.
- Today in 2014, The Band Perry’s single, “Postcard From Paris,” went gold.
- Today in 2016, Jana Kramer took the stage as a contestant for “Dancing With The Stars.” Julianne Hough returns as a judge. Other competitors include Vanilla Ice, Maureen McCormick, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte and former Texas governor Rick Perry, who danced a cha cha to “God Blessed Texas.”
- Today in 2017, Kane Brown, who was formerly homeless, participated in a congressional briefing on the rental housing crisis in Washington, DC.
- Today in 2017, George Strait headlined a Hurricane Harvey benefit concert at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio – he was joined on the bill by Miranda Lambert, Chris Stapleton, Lyle Lovett and Robert Earl Keen. It became part of the multi-network special, “Hand In Hand: A Benefit For Hurricane Relief.” Blake Shelton and Usher performed “Stand By Me” were from the Grand Ole Opry …as were Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Demi Lovato and CeCe Winans, who offered up, “A Little Help From My Friends.”
Trisha Yearwood Announces New Holiday Album, Tour
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Trisha Yearwood has announced her holiday plans, and they could involve you. She’s releasing a holiday album, “Christmastime,” on November 7…and along with that news, she’s also announced a holiday tour. The “Trisha Yearwood: 12 Days of Christmas Tour” kicks off with two shows in Nashville Tennessee December 2 and 3, followed by stops in Newark, Atlanta, Pittburgh and more (twelve dates in all, thus the tour name) before wrapping up December 20 in Louisville, Kentucky. Tickets go on sale tomorrow. See the tour dates below. For ticket information, visit Trisha’s website.
- December 2 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
- December 3 – Nashville, TN – Schermerhorn Symphony Center
- December 5 – Newark, NJ – New Jersey Performing Arts Center
- December 6 – Springfield, MA – MGM Symphony Hall
- December 10 – Atlanta, GA – Atlanta Symphony Hall
- December 11 – Clearwater, FL – Ruth Eckard Hall
- December 12 – Naples, FL – Hayes Hall
- December 13 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Broward Center for the Performing Arts
- December 17 – Grand Rapids, MI – DeVos Performance Hall
- December 18 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Hall
- December 19 – Detroit, MI – Orchestra Hall
- December 20 – Louisville, KY – Palace Theater
NEWSLETTER
Stay updated, sign up for our newsletter.
Thanks for signing up!