Luke Combs is proving his appeal isn’t just with American country fans, its global. While he’s used to setting attendance records here at home, he’s shown that his concerts draw huge crowds in other parts of the world as well. Saturday night, 60,826 people were on site in Gothenburg, Sweden as Luke kicked off his European tour at the iconic Ullevi Stadium. That set a new attendance record as the largest country music concert ever held in the Nordic region. His next show is tonight at the Accor Arena in Paris…is another attendance record about to fall?
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1954, Memphis disc jockey Dewey Phillips played Elvis Presley’s debut single, “That’s All Right,” on his radio show. It was the first time an Elvis record had ever been played on the radio.
- Today in 1992, “Achy Breaky Heart” single by Billy Ray Cyrus was certified gold and platinum. “Weird Al” Yankovic later parodied it into “Achy Breaky Song.”
- Today in 1993, the Recording Industry Association of America announced that Garth Brooks was the leading recording artist of the decade, with sales of 24 million records.
- Today in 1995, Shania Twain topped the country charts with “Any Man of Mine.”
- Today in 1995, Collin Raye’s album, “In This Life,” went platinum.
- Today in 1998, LeAnn Rimes’ “Sittin’ On Top Of The World” album was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 1998, beloved singing cowboy Roy Rogers died of heart failure at the age of 86.
- Today in 2002, the Dixie Chicks album, “Fly,” was certified with the coveted Diamond Award from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which commemorates sales of 10-million units.
- Today in 2004, Jimmy Buffett’s “Hey, Good Lookin'” video – featuring appearances by George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Clint Black and Alan Jackson – debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2004, Big & Rich’s debut album, “Horse Of A Different Color,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2007, Montgomery Gentry rolled straight sevens by topping the Billboard chart with “Lucky Man” on 7-7-07.
- Today in 2007, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood performed “We Shall Be Free” from the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., for the Al Gore-sponsored Live Earth charity concerts.
- Today in 2008, Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman welcomed their daughter, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban, at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.
- Today in 2011, Blake Shelton’s “God Gave Me You” was released.
- Today in 2012, Eric Church wrote his 2014 single, “Talladega,” with Luke Laird at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.
- Today in 2014, Luke Bryan’s “Roller Coaster,” which was written by Cole Swindell, hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2017, Craig Morgan filed a $40-million suit against Kent Sporting Goods and a subsidiary that manufactured the live vest his son was wearing when he drowned in July 2016, indicating the vest was not certified for water sports, but had the appearance of vests that have been approved.
- Today in 2017, Florida Georgia Line played the first of three summer stadium shows at Boston’s Fenway Park, joined by The Backstreet Boys, Nelly and Chris Lane. FGL and BSB team on “God, Your Mama, And Me,” Nelly covers “Die A Happy Man,” and the whole crew closed the concert with a mass version of “Cruise.”
- Today in 2017, the film, “Hickok,” debuted with Trace Adkins and Kris Kristofferson having starring roles.
Kenny Chesney Receives Pandora Billionaire Plaque
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Kenny Chesney continues to be both a legend and a current country powerhouse. Prior to his show last Friday at the Sphere, the singer was surprised with a Pandora Billionaire plaque commemorating eight billion streams on the streaming platform. Kenny still has a way to go to be the biggest Pandora country artist ever; Jason Aldean currently holds that title with 11 billion streams.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1956, Elvis Presley recorded “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog” at the RCA Records’ New York studios. When the two songs were released as a double-sided single later that year, they hit #1 and stayed there for 11 weeks. That session also marked the first time that Elvis used the gospel trio the Jordanaires as his backup group.
- Today in 1964, Jim Reeves went into the studio for what turned out to be his last recording session. He was killed in a plane crash less than a month later (on July 31st, 1964).
- Today in 1979, the “Classics” album by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West was certified gold.
- Today in 1984, the “City Of New Orleans” album by Willie Nelson was released.
- Today in 1991, Dolly Parton’s “Eagle When She Flies” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Trisha Yearwood’s self-titled debut album was released.
- Today in 1999, Andy Griggs made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2000, George Jones’ album, “Cold Hard Truth,” was certified for sales of 28,000 copies its first week out. Those numbers were good enough for the project to debut at #5 on “Billboard’s” country album chart and #53 on the pop albums chart. Both of those positions marked George’s highest debuts ever at the time.
- Today in 2002, Travis Tritt’s sold-out concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee was preserved for posterity and recorded for a concert DVD, which was released later that year.
- Today in 2005, “Fast Cars And Freedom” has Rascal Flatts speeding to the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2009, Kellie Pickler’s single, “Best Days of Your Life,” which was co-written by Taylor Swift, was certified gold.
- Today in 2012, James Taylor welcomed an unannounced guest, Taylor Swift, during his concert at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. He provides musical support as she performs “Ours” and “Love Story.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1956, Elvis Presley recorded “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog” at the RCA Records’ New York studios. When the two songs were released as a double-sided single later that year, they hit #1 and stayed there for 11 weeks. That session also marked the first time that Elvis used the gospel trio the Jordanaires as his backup group.
- Today in 1964, Jim Reeves went into the studio for what turned out to be his last recording session. He was killed in a plane crash less than a month later (on July 31st, 1964).
- Today in 1979, the “Classics” album by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West was certified gold.
- Today in 1984, the “City Of New Orleans” album by Willie Nelson was released.
- Today in 1991, Dolly Parton’s “Eagle When She Flies” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Trisha Yearwood’s self-titled debut album was released.
- Today in 1999, Andy Griggs made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2000, George Jones’ album, “Cold Hard Truth,” was certified for sales of 28,000 copies its first week out. Those numbers were good enough for the project to debut at #5 on “Billboard’s” country album chart and #53 on the pop albums chart. Both of those positions marked George’s highest debuts ever at the time.
- Today in 2002, Travis Tritt’s sold-out concert in Chattanooga, Tennessee was preserved for posterity and recorded for a concert DVD, which was released later that year.
- Today in 2005, “Fast Cars And Freedom” has Rascal Flatts speeding to the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2009, Kellie Pickler’s single, “Best Days of Your Life,” which was co-written by Taylor Swift, was certified gold.
- Today in 2012, James Taylor welcomed an unannounced guest, Taylor Swift, during his concert at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts. He provides musical support as she performs “Ours” and “Love Story.”
Clint Black Cancels Show After Sudden Health Issues
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Clint Black’s health caused him to cancel his scheduled appearance tomorrow night at Pearl River Resort Casino in Pearl River, Mississippi. According to a statement, the the singer was admitted to the hospital on Sunday after developing an infection in his tonsils. He is currently receiving treatment, including emergency intravenous antibiotics. “Clint is on the mend and will make a full recovery and is expected to be discharged from the hospital later this week,” the post on Instagram read. Clint’s next scheduled performance is July 9 in Minden, Nevada.
MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: FRY
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Fry”, a sweet 7 year old female kitty who comes to the Hawkeye state via California. Fry loves to cuddle and doesn’t mind being picked up or carried around. Fry is a mellow girl who gets along great with other cats and doesn’t mind dogs, if they’re calm.
Fry is fully vaccinated, vetted, spayed, microchipped and ready to go!
And since Fry 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 Fry 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 Fry with Izzy from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
Alan Jackson’s Final Concert To Be Released As A Live Album
Posted on by Bob Ballard
If you’re one of the millions who wish they were at Nissan Stadium this past weekend for Alan Jackson‘s final concert, or you were one of the lucky 55-thousand in attendance, we have good news. Alan’s performance will be released as a live album. “Last Call: One More for the Road – The Finale (Live from Nashville)” will be available everywhere this winter. Pre-orders are available now, and according to the official website, the album is expected to ship on December 31st, shortly after the NBC special that was filmed that night airs.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1972, Alabama gave their first paid performance at Canyonland Park, Alabama. At the time, they were known as Wild Country.
- Today in 1981, the “Angel Of The Morning” single by Juice Newton was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, Hank Williams Jr. married Mary Jane Thomas, a former Hawaiian Tropic model, in Montana. They’re still together.
- Today in 1994, Mary Chapin Carpenter hit #1 with the single, “I Take My Chances.”
- Today in 1996, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that John Denver must stand trial for a 1994 drunk driving accident near Aspen. He had allegedly run his car into a tree.
- Today in 1997, the album, “Carryin’ Your Love With Me,” by George Strait was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1998, Martina McBride joined the Lilith Fair lineup in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She was the first contemporary country artist to guest on the popular festival’s female-dominated bill.
- Today in 1999, Shania Twain played the final date of her highly successful world tour in her hometown of Timmins, Ontario. It had also served as the starting point for the tour more than a year earlier.
- Today in 1999, Tim McGraw kicked off his “A Place in the Sun” tour in Reno, Nevada. His opening acts were the Dixie Chicks and the Warren Brothers.
- Today in 2009, the Zac Brown Band’s “Toes” single was released.
- Today in 2010, A 17-mile stretch of Mississippi Highway 23 was designated by governor Haley Barbour as the ‘Tammy Wynette Memorial Highway.’
- Today in 2011, Rascal Flatt’s “Easy” video featuring Natasha Bedingfield aired on CMT for the first time.
- Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s album “Here’s To The Good Times” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2015, John Schneider and Tom Wopat disappeared from the TV Land schedule as the network pulled “The Dukes Of Hazzard” in the midst of controversy over the Confederate flag. A June bombing of a black church fired up a national debate over the racist meanings in the flag. Its logo appeared on the “Dukes” car, the General Lee.
- Today in 2015, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard married Hayley Stommel at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley, Idaho. Bandmate Brian Kelley served as the best man, and songwriter Sarah Buxton performed the John Legend song “All Of Me.” Also in attendance were Thomas Rhett, Brett Eldredge, Charles Kelley and Canaan Smith.
- Today in 2017, Lady Antebellum’s “Heart Break” debuted at #1 on the “Billboard” country albums chart.
- Today in 2017, Montgomery Gentry performed “Where I Come From” on the Grand Ole Opry. It served as the last Opry appearance by Troy Gentry, who died in a helicopter accident the following September.
- Today in 2017, Carl Perkins and “Summertime Blues” songwriter Eddie Cochran were inducted in the Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame in Jackson, Tennessee.
- Today in 2017, Luke Bryan used social media to introduce the family’s new dog, Choc.
- Today in 2018, Brothers Osborne revealed they had purchased a Nashville home for their mother.
- Today in 2019, the Du Quoin State Fair in Illinois revealed it had cancelled a planned August appearance by Confederate Railroad. The band’s name, in conjunction with its use of the Confederate flag in branding, was deemed “inappropriate.”
- Today in 2019, Carrie Underwood occupied the cover as People magazine features “100 Reasons To Love America.” The list also hailed Beyonce, “Sesame Street,” Michelle Obama, the Macy Thanksgiving Day Parade and Kacey Musgraves and the women of modern country, including Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris.
Garth Brooks Sets Hyde Park Attendance Record
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The UK welcomed Garth Brooks back in a big way over the weekend. In his first performance in Britain in 30 years, Garth took over BST Hyde Park in London, and in doing so, set a new venue record. Along with the Zac Brown Band, Ashley McBryde and others, Garth brought in a record 69,999 paying fans, which, to be fair, was made possible because the Westminster City Council approved a 14.5-percent capacity increase, taking a sell-out of the venue from 64,999 to the near 70-thousand Garth brought in.
In other G-man news, a countdown clock has appeared at garthbrooks.com with the message, “The future is about to become history.” What he plans to announce will remain a mystery until July 7 at 7 am CT.
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