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This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1962, George Jones reached #1 on the Billboard country chart with “She Thinks I Still Care.”
  • Today in 1965, Roger Miller received a gold single for “King of the Road.”
  • Today in 1977, “Smokey & The Bandit” premiered at Radio City Music Hall in New York starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason and Jerry Reed, singer of “East Bound And Down.” John Schneider appeared in a small walk-on role.
  • Today in 1979, Waylon Jennings and Jessi Cotler had a son, Waylon Albright “Shooter” Jennings. He grew up to become an artist earning a Top 10 country album with 2012’s “Family Man.” He played his father in the 2005 movie “Walk The Line.”
  • Today in 1989, Clint Black hit #1 with his very first single, “A Better Man.” He was the first country artist to reach the top spot with a debut single since Freddy Fender in 1975.
  • Today in 1990, Ronnie Dunn married his wife, Janine.
  • Today in 1992, Mercury released Billy Ray Cyrus’ debut album, “Some Gave All.”
  • Today in 1997, Trisha Yearwood’s version of “How Do I Live” was released.
  • Today in 1998, the “Hope Floats” soundtrack was released, featuring Garth Brooks, Deana Carter, Trisha Yearwood, Lila McCann and Martina McBride. Also released on this day: Terri Clark’s “How I Feel,” Gary Allan’s “It Would Be You” and Keith Harling’s “Write It In Stone.”
  • Today in 2000, Eric Heatherly made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2000, Toby Keith officially became a “good ole boy” when he appeared in the CBS-TV movie, “The Dukes of Hazzard – Hazzard in Hollywood.”
  • Today in 2005, Toby Keith’s “As Good As I Once Was” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2007, Sugarland copped the #1 position in Billboard with “Settlin'”
  • Today in 2013, Donald Trump declared Trace Adkins the winner of “The Celebrity Apprentice” over Penn Jillette on NBC. Adkins sang “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” during the episode, which saw him collect checks from Wynonna Judd, Thompson Square, Billy Ray Cyrus and The Oak Ridge Boys.
  • Today in 2015, Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album, “The First Time,” was released.
  • Today in 2018, Jimmy Wayne receives an honorary doctor of fine arts from Cal State San Marcos.
  • Today in 2020, Gabby Barrett’s single, “The Good Ones,” hit the airwaves.
  • Today in 2020, Vince Gill and former football player Eddie George were recognized as co-chairs of the Legends Society, a campaign to raise money for the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.
  • Today in 2021, Darius Rucker is a guest panelist on the FOX contest “The Masked Singer.” The black swan character covers Dan + Shay’s “Tequila.”
  • Today in 2021, Morgan Wallen made a surprise appearance at Kid Rock’s Big-Ass Honky Tonk & Rock N’ Roll Steakhouse in Nashville, hopping on stage with the band to play “Whiskey Glasses” and “Wasted On You.”

BLAKE SHELTON NAMES HIS “MT. RUSHMORE” OF COUNTRY

Posted on by Bob Ballard

In country music circles, it’s one of the things fans love to debate: who is your “Mt. Rushmore” (meaning Top 4 of all time) in country music? Blake Shelton was asked this when guesting on the “Today” show this week, and his Big Four were not some of the usual suspects. “Earl Thomas Conley, Mark Collie, Paul Overstreet and Travis Tritt was definitely on there….that’s what I grew up listening to.” When asked about who he liked out of today’s musicians, Blake joked “Nobody,” but when he seriously answered the question, he had a few names. Zach Top and Ella Langley got name-checked, “There’s so many of these new ones that…sound more like the music that we were making in the 90s and early 2000s…I love to go to an awards show and actually be excited about the new artists that are coming out and the music that they’re making.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1981, George Strait made his debut on the country chart with his first single, “Unwound.” Garth Brooks has said many times, “When I heard ‘Unwound,’ that was when I decided what I wanted to do with my life.”
  • Today in 1986, Johnny Paycheck was found guilty of shooting and wounding a man after an argument in an Ohio bar. He was sentenced to 9 1/2 years in prison but was released in 1991.
  • Today in 1987, “To Know Him Is To Love Him” by the “Trio” of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris hit #1 on the country charts.
  • Today in 1989, Reba McEntire’s first collection of “Greatest Hits” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1994, the “Soon” album by Tanya Tucker was certified gold.
  • Today in 1994, Diamond Rio released the single, “Love A Little Stronger.”
  • Today in 1998, Faith Hill began a three-week run at #1 on the Billboard Country chart with “This Kiss.”
  • Today in 2000, Trisha Yearwood told “The Tennessean” that the duet album that she and Garth Brooks had reportedly been planning for three years would not happen. She said quote, “I feel like the golden opportunity was then (referring to their 1998 tour), but that time has passed.” She went on to say that she and Garth are sometimes on completely different wavelengths. Maybe so, but at least they’re still happily married!
  • Today in 2000, Kathy Mattea released her album, “The Innocent Years.” BlackHawk also released their “Greatest Hits” album and Tracy Byrd’s “Wonders of Wildlife” project also hit stores.
  • Today in 2006, Kenny Chesney performed “There Goes My Life” and “Back Where I Come From” for President George W. Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard at the White House in Washington, D.C.
  • Today in 2009, David Nail made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
  • Today in 2013, Keith Urban performed “Little Bit Of Everything” during the season finale of FOX-TV’s “American Idol.” The Band Perry played “DONE.” Urban and contestant Kree Harrison also did “Where The Blacktop Ends” with Blink-182’s Travis Barker on drums and Randy Jackson on bass.
  • Today in 2015, Elvis Presley’s former tour bus sold for $263,000 during an auction of The King’s memorabilia by Julien’s at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Also among the more than 100 items were Presley’s Martin D-28 guitar, $76,800; his marriage certificate, $41,600; and his 1968 drivers license, $5,120.
  • Today in 2014, Jerrod Niemann performed during the 33rd annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in advance of a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.
  • Today in 2017, Loretta Lynn’s team revealed she’d been moved from the hospital into a rehab facility as she recuperated from the stroke she’d had May 4th.
  • Today in 2017, Randy Rogers and his wife, Chelsea, welcomed daughter, Rainey Ryan Rogers.
  • Today in 2020, Russell Dickerson snapped up a platinum single from the RIAA for “Every Little Thing.”
  • Today in 2020, a day after Hannah Mulholland announced her departure, Runaway June revealed Natalie Stovall was joining the trio.
  • Today in 2021, the state of Tennessee recognized Eddy Arnold with the installation of a Music Pathways marker at Sue Shelton White Park in Henderson.
  • Today in 2021, Ryan Hurd made his Grand Ole Opry debut. His wife, Maren Morris, made a surprise appearance to duet on “Chasing After You,” while Hurd joined Lady A on “What If I Never Get Over You.”

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: KEVIN

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Kevin”, an adorable and super-friendly dog who gets along great with kids and other dogs (not so sure about cats) and loves to play. Kevin is very food-motivated and would be very easy to train. Kevin is fully vetted, neutered, vaccinated, and ready to go!

And because Kevin 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 Kevin 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 Kevin with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

GARTH BROOKS, KID ROCK ARE BEING IMPERSONATED BY SCAMMERS

Posted on by Bob Ballard

We’ve told you that scammers have used the identities of celebrities in an attempt to separate gullible fans from their life savings, and unfortunately, it occasionally works. Recent big names attached to these scams include Brad Pitt, Alan Jackson, Joe Elliott of Def Leppard and more. Two more big names being used in such a way are Kid Rock and Garth Brooks, and the Michigan AG issued a warning to the people of her state that they may hear from one of these “celerities” looking for money. “While it may be disappointing to hear, you are probably not in a secret, long-distance relationship with Garth Brooks. Scammers are constantly coming up with elaborate schemes to steal your money and may be posing as celebrities or public officials. If someone claiming to be Garth or any other famous figure is asking you personally for money, don’t send it. It’s almost certainly a scam,” Michigan attorney general Dana Nessel warns. Kid Rock followed up with a post of his own, saying simply, “Be careful. If it ain’t @kidrock, it ain’t me.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1918, Eddy Arnold was born in Henderson, Tennessee. He was called the Tennessee Plowboy in his solid recordings and shifted into string-laden recordings in the 1960s. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966.
  • Today in 1978, Willie Nelson released his landmark album “Stardust.” It went on to spend 10 years on the country charts, selling over five million copies.
  • Today in 1982, Ricky Skaggs became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 1988, Martina Schiff became Martina McBride when she married John McBride in Wichita, Kansas.
  • Today in 1990, the “Livin’ It Up” album by George Strait was released.
  • Today in 1990, Patty Loveless’ “On Down The Line” album was released.
  • Today in 1993, John Michael Montgomery earned the first #1 single of his career with “I Love The Way You Love Me.”
  • Today in 1995, Aaron Tippin’s album, “Lookin’ Back at Myself,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1995, Martina McBride’s “The Way That I Am” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1995, Pam Tillis released the single, “In Between Dances.”
  • Today in 1997, Lee Ann Womack’s self-titled album was released.
  • Today in 1997, Bill Monroe was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony in Cleveland, alongside The Bee Gees, Joni Mitchell, The Young Rascals, The Jackson 5, King Records founder Syd Nathan, Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
  • Today in 1998, the “Evolution” album by Martina McBride was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1999, Keifer Thompson marries Shawna McIlwain in Nashville. Of course, the couple ultimately meshed their lives as performers as well – becoming Thompson Square.
  • Today in 1999, Tim McGraw’s “Please Remember Me,” which was written by Rodney Crowell, began a five-week stay at #1 on Billboard.
  • Today in 2000, NBC-TV aired Arista Records’ celebration of 25 years of music with archival footage and live performances with artists like Brooks & Dunn and Alan Jackson.
  • Today in 2003, June Carter Cash died in Nashville at the age of 73. She had been in the hospital for eight days following heart surgery. She had developed complications following the operation and remained in critical condition until her death. An old saying holds that behind every successful man is a woman, and June Carter spent roughly 40 years as the woman behind Johnny Cash.
  • Today in 2004, Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus married Allison Alderson in Nashville. His groomsmen included fellow band members Gary LeVox and Joe Don Rooney, plus comedian Cledus T. Judd. Vince Gill sang “When Love Finds You” during the ceremony.
  • Today in 2007, Carrie Underwood won three times at the 42nd annual Academy of Country Music awards. She took Top Female Vocalist; Album of the Year, for “Some Hearts”; and Video, for “Before He Cheats.”
  • Today in 2012, Glen Campbell joined Massachusetts congressman Edward Markey in Washington, D.C., in a call for legislative action to address research on Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Today in 2013, Lee Brice performed “I Drive Your Truck” during a Washington, D.C., event honoring fallen officers. President Barack Obama delivers the keynote address.
  • Today in 2014, it was revealed that Randy Houser was planning to divorce songwriter Jessa Lee Yantz after just two years of marriage – he also filed for a restraining order. Houser went on to marry Aussie Tatiana Starzynski in May 2016 after a yearlong engagement.
  • Today in 2014, Jerrod Niemann performed during the 33rd annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., in advance of a speech by Vice President Joe Biden.
  • Today in 2017, Loretta Lynn’s team revealed she’d been moved from the hospital into a rehab facility as she recuperated from the stroke she’d had on May 4th.
  • Today in 2017, Randy Rogers and his wife, Chelsea, welcomed their daughter, Rainey Ryan Rogers.
  • Today in 2020, Russell Dickerson snapped up a platinum single from the RIAA for “Every Little Thing.”
  • Today in 2020, a day after Hannah Mulholland announced her departure, Runaway June revealed Natalie Stovall was joining the trio.
  • Today in 2021, the state of Tennessee recognized Eddy Arnold with the installation of a Music Pathways marker at Sue Shelton White Park in Henderson.
  • Today in 2021, Ryan Hurd made his Grand Ole Opry debut. His wife, Maren Morris, made a surprise appearance to duet on “Chasing After You,” while Hurd joined Lady A on “What If I Never Get Over You.”

TRISHA YEARWOOD & FRIENDS TO HOST TRIBUTE CONCERT TO LINDA RONSTADT

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Mark your calendars for July 22nd. Trisha Yearwood will lead a tribute concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater that day to celebrate the music of Linda Ronstadt and the Los Angeles country-rock scene of the 1960s through ‘80s. The event will feature live performances by Yearwood along with Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Patti Scialfa and James Taylor. “Linda Ronstadt is a big reason I wanted to be a singer,” Yearwood says. Tickets will go on sale this Friday at 10AM Central.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1984, the Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson single, “To All The Girls I’ve Loved Before” went gold.
  • Today in 1990, “The Very Best of Conway Twitty” album was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1991, Alan Jackson’s album, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” was released.
  • Today in 1996, Garth Brooks’ “Fresh Horses” album was certified quadruple platinum.
  • Today in 1998, Clay Walker and his wife, Lori, became parents to their daughter, Skylor Clayanne.
  • Today in 2000, Wynonna appeared on CBS-TV’s “Touched By An Angel.”
  • Today in 2002, Rascal Flatts celebrated the platinum success of their self-titled, debut album.
  • Today in 2004, Brad Paisley and John Mayer were paired as a new edition of “CMT Crossroads” made its cable debut. Radney Foster hosted the show, which includes Paisley’s songs “Me Neither,” “Little Moments” and “Celebrity.”
  • Today in 2005, Jo Dee Messina’s single, “My Give A Damn’s Busted,” hit #1 in Billboard.
  • Today in 2006, six weeks after breaking his wrist in a cross-country motorbike race, Craig Morgan broke his right leg in another competition in Vanleer, Tennessee. He finished the race, but had to perform from a wheelchair or crutches for at least six weeks.
  • Today in 2011, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton got hitched at the Don Strange Ranch near Boerne, Texas, in front of Reba McEntire, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride and The Bellamy Brothers. Fast forward to July 20th, 2015 – and the couple announced that they were divorcing after four years of marriage. Hours later, it was confirmed that the divorce was final. As it turns out, Blake had filed three weeks earlier…the world only found out once the deal was done.
  • Today in 2013, Lady Antebellum performed “Goodbye Town” on NBC’s “The Voice” with three female contestants. Celebrity coach Blake Shelton sings “Play Something Country” with the members of his team.
  • Today in 2016, Steve Wariner celebrated his 20th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member.
  • Today in 2017, Brett Eldredge serenaded the Top 10 Miss USA beauty pageant contestants during the evening gown round of competition. Julianne Hough and Terrence J co-host, Pitbull performed and Miss District of Columbia won.
  • Today in 2017, Midland guitar player Jess Carson and his wife, Camille Carson, welcomed their son, Parker Emmanuel Carson. But the arrival wasn’t without an additional memory – Parker was delivered in the couple’s Chevy Suburban in the parking lot at an Austin hospital.
  • Today in 2019, Keith Urban’s “We Were,” written by Eric Church, hit the airwaves. The song includes a brief reference to Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”
  • Today in 2020, Hannah Mulholland announced her departure from Runaway June.
  • Today in 2020, facilitating safe social distancing for a special audience, Keith Urban performed for more than 200 healthcare workers from Vanderbilt Medical Center at the Stardust Drive-In Movie Theatre in Watertown, Tennessee.
  • Today in 2021, the Alan Jackson album “Where Have You Gone” was released.
  • Today in 2021, for the first time since the COVID-19 shutdown in March 2020, the Grand Ole Opry was held without a capacity restriction. Lorrie Morgan opened with “Five Minutes” and the Oak Ridge Boys close with “Elvira.” Also booked were Michael Ray, Charles Esten, Riders In The Sky and making her Opry debut, Brittney Spencer.
  • Today in 2021, LANCO drummer Tripp Howell and his wife, Alli, welcomed their son, James Howell.

ACM AWARDS TO REMAIN WITH PRIME VIDEO UNTIL AT LEAST 2028

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Though there are a number of country music fans unhappy that the ACM awards have moved from broadcast television to streaming, the partnership between the Academy of Country Music and Prime Video just got stronger, and fans are going to have to get used to it. Yesterday, Amazon and Dick Clark Productions announced a three-year agreement for the awards show to stream on Prime video through the 63rd annual ceremony in 2028. The ACMs are the longest-running country music awards show, and in 2022, it became the first major awards ceremony exclusively live-streamed when it first aired on Prime.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1955, Elvis Presley’s performance at Jacksonville, Florida, whipped the audience into such a frenzy that it resulted in a riot. In fact, things were so out of control, most of his clothing was torn off by fans.
  • Today in 1957, Elvis Presley’s “All Shook Up” hit #1 on the Billboard Country chart.
  • Today in 1972, 13-year-old Tanya Tucker made her debut on the country charts with the single, “Delta Dawn.”
  • Today in 1986, the “Greatest Hits Volume 2” album by Hank Williams Jr. was certified gold.
  • Today in 1990, Pam Tillis guest starred on the TV series, “L.A. Law.”
  • Today in 1997, Lee Ann Womack’s self-titled debut album was released.
  • Today in 2000, Kenny Rogers’ “Buy Me A Rose” sprouted at #1 on the Billboard country chart with vocal assistance from Alison Krauss and Billy Dean.
  • Today in 2003, Joe Nichols scored his first gold album, for his debut, “Man With A Memory.”
  • Today in 2005, Jason Aldean performed “Hicktown” and “Why” as he made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2011, Tim McGraw was sued for breach of contract by Curb Records, which claimed that he recorded his “Emotional Traffic” album too soon after the previous release. Tim had also filed a countersuit, saying Curb had kept him in an ongoing state of “involuntary servitude” by forcing him to wait so long to record new albums. His filing claimed that was a way to stretch out his contract indefinitely. McGraw’s suit also alleged that Curb’s decision to release a total of seven greatest hits albums was a ploy to extend his contract against his will.
  • Today in 2015, Pake McEntire undergoes back surgery and subsequently suffered a stroke. We’re happy to report that he has since recovered.
  • Today in 2015, the Aaron Lewis single, “Country Boy,” featuring George Jones and Charlie Daniels, was certified platinum by the RIAA.
  • Today in 2016, Jennifer Nettles’ album “Playing With Fire” was released.
  • Today in 2017, Brad Paisley’s “Love And War” debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2017, Lucinda Williams and Lionel Richie received honorary degrees from the Berklee College of Music in Boston. On the same day, Chely Wright received an honorary doctorate from the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri in Kansas City.
  • Today in 2017, Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers married Abby Law in Nashville.

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