- Today in 1976, “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” album by Conway Twitty was certified gold.
- Today in 1982, Alabama’s “Mountain Music” album was certified gold and platinum.
- Today in 1991, Alan Jackson and Michael Irwin shared song of the year honors at the “Music City News Country Songwriters Awards” in Nashville for “Here In The Real World” — the title track from Jackson’s first album
- Today in 1992, the Judd’s “Final Concert” video was released.
- Today in 1992, Doug Stone underwent quadruple-bypass surgery in Nashville after experiencing chest pains three days earlier at a concert in Oregon.
- Today in 1992, Garth Brooks was named Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist at the 27th annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Plus: Billy Dean was one of seven double-winners. He took Top New Male Vocalist and Song of the Year, for “Somewhere In My Broken Heart”
- Today in 1996, Kenny Rogers underwent laser gall bladder surgery in Athens, Georgia.
- Today in 1999, “I’m Alright” album by Jo Dee Messina was certified platinum.
- Today in 2002, Alison Krauss + Union Station began a two-night stand at the Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. The shows were recorded for a concert album, “Alison Krauss + Union Station – Live.”
- Today in 2004, Wynonna and the rock band Heart tape an episode of “CMT Crossroads,” hosted by Radney Foster, at Belmont University in Nashville. The set list included “Only Love” and “Girls With Guitars.”
- Today in 2011, Toby Keith is forced to take cover in a bunker when four mortars explode nearby just before he is to go on stage to perform for American soldiers in the Middle East.
- Today in 2013, Hunter Hayes’ “I Want Crazy” video debuts on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Josh Turner’s first book, “Man Stuff: Thoughts On Faith, Family, And Fatherhood,” was released.
- Today in 2015, Taylor Swift placed a 10-minute call to a 12-year-old in Chicago battling lymphoma.
- Today in 2016, Carrie Underwood collected gold singles from the RIAA for a pair of titles: “Heartbeat” and “Smoke Break.”
- Today in 2016, Martina McBride’s “Reckless” album was released.
- Today in 2016, Maren Morris earned her first gold single from the RIAA for “My Church.”
- Today in 2016, Sam Hunt welcomed surprise guests Snoop Dogg, G-Easy and Bebe Rexha for his performance of “House Party” during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.
- Today in 2016, Chris Young celebrated a gold single from the RIAA for “Neon,” plus platinum certification for four tracks: “You,” “Aw Naw,” “Who I Am With You” and “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song).”
- Today in 2017, Blake Shelton, Florida State University alum Jake Owen and Big & Rich delivered the first-ever full-stadium concert at FSU’s Doak Stadium in Tallahassee.
- Today in 2017, Little Big Town sang “I Is For Instruments” in a guest appearance on “Sesame Street.”
- Today in 2017, Shania Twain brought out surprise guest, pop singer Nick Jonas, to help out on “Party For Two” during her show at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival. Another pop star, One Direction’s Niall Horan, was also in the crowd as Kelsea Ballerini joined Twain on “Any Man Of Mine.”
- Today in 2018, Jason Aldean raised $30-thousand for a cancer charity with a concert at Joe’s Bar in Chicago. He opened with “Take A Little Ride,” closed with “She’s Country” and threw in a cover of “Pink Houses.”
- Today in 2018, Runaway June performed “Buy My Own Drinks” live for the first time during the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.
- Today in 2019, Old Dominion paid a visit to pediatric patients at the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in California.
- Today in 2019, Eric Church earned double-platinum singles from the RIAA for “Record Year,” “Like A Wrecking Ball” and “Smoke A Little Smoke,” plus a platinum single for “Guys Like Me” and gold awards for “Over When It’s Over” and “Sinners Like Me.” He also scores a double-platinum album for “The Outsiders” and a gold album for “Sinners Like Me.”
- Today in 2020, Hunter Hayes was revealed as the astronaut on the FOX series, “The Masked Singer.”
- Today in 2021, Reba McEntire returned in her recurring role on the CBS sitcom, “Young Sheldon.” The episode introduced viewers to her character’s occupation as a hair stylist.
- Today in 2021, Luke Combs’ video for “Forever After All” debuted.
- Today in 2021, when the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick in the NFL draft, he was joined at his draft party is Darius Rucker.
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ELLA LANGLEY WINS ACM NEW FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Ella Langley‘s star continues to rise, and a country superstar helped her make the latest rung on her career ladder a memorable one. Over the weekend, she was on stage when she was taken by surprise by a big video screen showing Miranda Lambert. Langley stopped what she was doing to hear what Miranda had to say. “Hey, Ella, it’s me. I’m here to tell you how proud I am of you to be the top-nominated artist for the Academy of Country Music Awards this year. But I’m also here to tell you some news. You, my friend, have won New Female Artist of the Year for the ACM Awards this year…y’all give it up for my friend and New Female Artist of the Year, Ella Langley.” After the show, when it had sunk in a little, Langley spoke to the camera: “I’m just really grateful to have fans that are listening to the music and can see that it is truth that I’m just a real-life human being going through life like the rest of everyone else, and to see the things that I go through is something everyone else goes through.”
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1973, Charlie Rich rose to number one on the Billboard country chart with “Behind Closed Doors.”
- Today in 1978, the “Here You Come Again” album by Dolly Parton was certified platinum.
- Today in 1984, the Judds’ first #1 hit, “Mama He’s Crazy,” debuted on the charts.
- Today in 1989, George Strait’s “Beyond The Blue Neon” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1993, John Michael Montgomery earned his first gold album with his debut, “Life’s a Dance.”
- Today in 1994, John Berry’s son, Sean Thomas Berry, was born. Hours later the nurses found John sitting on a hallway floor with a massive headache, only to find a cyst on his brain through a CAT scan.
- Today in 1995, Lorrie Morgan’s “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength” hit the charts.
- Today in 1998, Clint Black made his dramatic TV acting debut when he co-starred in the CBS TV movie “Still Holding On: The Legend of Cadillac Jack,” with his wife Lisa Hartman Black.
- Today in 1998, Trisha Yearwood made her dramatic TV acting debut on CBS TV’s “Jag”, playing Lt. Cmdr. Theresa Coulter – a forensic pathologist.
- Today in 2000, Rascal Flatts made their Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill and Shania Twain were tapped as two of “People” magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful.”
- Today in 2001, Brooks & Dunn began a six-week stay at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Ain’t Nothing ‘Bout You.”
- Today in 2003, Reba McEntire began a one-week stint as the center square on “Hollywood Squares.” Also occupying squares on the syndicated gameshow: Henry Winkler, John Ritter and Kermit The Frog.
- Today in 2005, Eddie Montgomery lost his footing when he stepped on a speaker cabinet during the third song in a Montgomery Gentry show in Asheville, North Carolina. After the band’s 90-minute set, he had X-rays and discovered he’d broken his left wrist.
- Today in 2005, CMT premiered videos for Sugarland’s “”Something More,” Jamie O’Neal’s “Somebody’s Hero” and Jason Aldean’s “Hicktown.”
- Today in 2006, Carrie Underwood debuted album “Some Hearts” went triple-platinum.
- Today in 2009, Jason Aldean earned a gold single for “She’s Country.”
- Today in 2012, Sheryl Crow ran her first half-marathon, finishing the 13.1-mile course in less than two hours during the Country Music Marathon in Nashville. Joanna Smith sang the national anthem and ran the half. Diamond Rio’s Gene Johnson runs his first half, Jimmy Olander his first full marathon.
- Today in 2013, proceeds from Willie Nelson’s show at the Backyard in Austin were donated to the fire department in West, Texas, following an April 17th explosion at a fertilizer plant. The total came to $125-thousand.
- Today in 2014, Dan + Shay single, “Show You Off,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2014, Eric Paslay earned his first RIAA-certified gold single, for “Friday Night.” The same day, Dierks Bentley’s “I Hold On” was certified gold – and so was Thomas Rhett’s “Get Me Some Of That.”
- Today in 2014, Willie Nelson was awarded a fifth-degree black belt in gong kwan yu sul, a Korean martial arts practice, at the Master Martial Arts studio in Austin.
- Today in 2015, The Zac Brown Band album, “Jekyll + Hyde,” was released.
- Today in 2016, Craig Wayne Boyd married Taylor Borland…soon after they and just a few days ago – on April 25th – the couple added daughter Blakely Kay Boyd to their brood!
- Today in 2016, Brad Paisley headlined a benefit in Nashville for Sean Penn’s Haitian relief fund. The guest list includes Sheryl Crow, Big Kenny, Jewel, Scott Hamilton, Tracie Hamilton and Ty Herndon.
- Today in 2017, Luke Combs nabs a gold single from the RIAA for “Hurricane.”
- Today in 2018, Jason Aldean’s single, “Rearview Town,” cruised to #1 on the “Billboard” Country Singles chart.
- Today in 2018, Ty Herndon performed “America, The Beautiful” for the White House Correspondents Dinner in Washington, D.C. The high-profile audience included politicians Nancy Pelosi and Chris Christie, comedian Kathy Griffin and actor Rob Reiner.
- Today in 2019, Chris Stapleton made a cameo appearance as a warrior in the final season of the HBO drama, “Game Of Thrones.”
KELSEA BALLERINI, ALAN JACKSON & MORE ADDED AS ACM AWARDS PERFORMERS
Posted on by Bob Ballard
The second round of performers for the upcoming ACM Awards has been revealed. Joining the previously announced Lainey Wilson, Blake Shelton and Eric Church, are Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Stapleton, Clint Black, Cody Johnson, Kelsea Ballerini, LeAnn Rimes, Miranda Lambert, Rascal Flatts and Wynonna Judd. Hosted by 16-time ACM Award-winning legend Reba McEntire, the 60th ACM Awards will stream live exclusively on Prime Video and the Amazon Music channel on Twitch on Thursday, May 8th at 8PM Eastern/5PM Pacific from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1986, the “Greatest Hits” album by Ronnie Milsap was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1986, The Judds’ “Why Not Me” album was certified platinum. It was their first.
- Today in 1994, the single, “Don’t Take The Girl,” by Tim McGraw was released.
- Today in 1995, Pam Tillis’ album, “Sweethearts Dance,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1996, Marty Stuart’s breakthrough album, “Tempted,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1997, the “Me And You” album by Kenny Chesney was certified gold.
- Today in 2000, Trisha Yearwood kicked off her “Real Live Woman Tour” in St. Louis, Missouri. She was joined by Kim Richey and Jessica Andrews.
- Today in 2000, Faith Hill’s “Breathe” took over the #1 spot on “Billboard’s” Adult Contemporary chart. The achievement made her the first American female to top “Billboard’s” AC chart since LeAnn Rimes did it back in November of 1997. Her previous pop smash, “This Kiss,” had gone to #3.
- Today in 2000, the Academy of Country Music has announced that Tammy Wynette had been named as the first posthumous recipient of the Pioneer Award.
- Today in 2003, Brooks & Dunn kicked off their third annual Neon Circus & Wild West Show concert tour in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Their supporting acts included Rascal Flatts, Brad Paisley, Aaron Lines and Jeff Bates.
- Today in 2005, Lonestar guitarist Michael Britt and then-wife, Rene, welcomed daughter Hillary Quinn Britt.
- Today in 2009, Diamond Rio’s Jimmy Olander ran 13.1-miles in the Country Music Marathon and Half-Marathon in two-hours, 10-minutes. Marty Roe completed it in 2:20 and The Dancehall Doctors’ Jeff McMahon did it in 3:36
- Today in 2012, Brad Paisley appeared on an episode of the animated Comedy Central series “South Park,” singing the national anthem at a fictitious Denver Nuggets basketball game and performing “I Swear” with Cartman.
- Today in 2015, Terri Clark completed her first half-marathon, running the 13.1-mile course at the Country Music Marathon in two hours, 48 minutes. Bryan White also ran the half, while “Nashville” actors Sam Palladio and Chaley Rose take part in the 5k.
- Today in 2016, Kid Rock discovered the body of his assistant, 30-year-old Michael Sacha, on his Whites Creek, Tennessee, property after an apparent ATV accident.
- Today in 2017, Little Big Town unveiled a collection of clothing and accessories, released in conjunction with the Grand Ole Opry, during a launch party in Nashville.
- Today in 2017,Shania Twain revealed in the Los Angeles Times that she’s discovered her vocal problems were caused by Lyme disease
- Today in 2017, a fire broke out in the pasture at Justin Moore’s farm in Poyen, Arkansas. No one was hurt in the blaze, extinguished by the local fire department.
H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: GULLIVER
Posted on by Bob Ballard
This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Gulliver”, a 2 and a half year old male orange kitty who loves everyone. Gulliver’s a goofy guy who loves to follow you around, and he loves his cuddles! Gulliver also gets along great with other cats and even dogs!
And because Gulliver is the Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $30 this week!
If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Gulliver 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 Gulliver with Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:
TIM MCGRAW SETS HIS RETURN TO THE STAGE AFTER SERIES OF MEDICAL ISSUES
Posted on by Bob Ballard
After a lengthy series of medical issues and surgeries that have sidelined Tim McGraw for months, the singer is ready to mount a comeback. Tim will be performing at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 2 for the “Speedway Classic.” This is on the heels of McGraw’s very first show of 2025, in Fort Collins, Colorado on July 21. The August 2 performance will come before a scheduled major-league baseball game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cincinnati Reds, which will take place on the converted Bristol Motor Speedway infield. Tim’s medical issues extend back to last August when he underwent orthopedic surgery on both of his knees after sustaining an injury, causing him to cancel the rest of his “Standing Room Only” tour. Then, in January, back surgery caused Tim to have to pull out of a Netflix series about rodeo that he was to both star in and executive produce. Safe to say that both the fans and Tim himself are happy he’s well enough to perform again.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1976, Emmylou Harris’ remake of Buck Owens’ “Together Again” became her first number one country single in Billboard.
- Today in 1982, Kelly Clarkson was born in Fort Worth, Texas. She became the winner of the first season of “American Idol” and earned country hits when she joined Reba McEntire on “Because Of You” and Jason Aldean on “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”
- Today in 1991, Garth Brooks won a record six times during the 26th annual Academy Of Country Music awards on NBC including Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist; Album (“No Fences”); Single Record (“Friends In Low Places”); and Song and Video (“The Dance”).
- Today in 1993, Willie Nelson held Farm Aid VI in Ames, Iowa with Sawyer Brown, Martina McBride, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, Ringo Starr, Bryan Adams, Paul Simon, Travis Tritt, Ricky Van Shelton, Waylon Jennings and more.
- Today in 1993, Sammy Kershaw was sittin’ pretty with his number one country single, “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful.”
- Today in 2001, Tim McGraw’s album, “Set This Circus Down,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2008, Toby Keith performed at a base in Kandahar, Afghanistan for 2,500 troops in his sixth USO tour. It was interrupted by mortar fire.
- Today in 2011, on NBC’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” John Rich earned $20,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital as the winning project manager for a four-page Trump Collection advertising presentation.
- Today in 2012, Lee Brice’s “Hard To Love” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2014, Carrie Underwood was unveiled among Time magazine’s “Time 100” list of the world’s most influential people. Also named were Robert Redford, Hillary Clinton, Vladimir Putin, Barack Obama and Miley Cyrus.
- Today in 2015, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Danny Masterson were among the 60,000 at the first night of the Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, California, for music by Tim McGraw, Kacy Musgraves, Parmalee and Merle Haggard.
- Today in 2017, Eric Church, Chris Young and Reba McEntire attended the annual Best Cellars dinner, a benefit that raised $225,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Others on hand included Dustin Lynch, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Big Kenny, Cole Swindell and three members of Little Big Town.
- Today in 2017, as the Backstreet Boys enjoyed their first country hit, Nick Carter sat in as a guest judge on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” The band is teamed at the time with Florida Georgia Line on “God, Your Mama, And Me.”
JELLY ROLL A STEP CLOSER TO FULL TENNESSEE PARDON
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Jelly Roll‘s checkered past may be getting a little smaller in his rearview mirror. Davidson County, Tennessee Sheriff Daron Hall has announced on social media that the singer is a step closer to receiving a full pardon in the state of Tennessee. Jelly, whose efforts on behalf of troubled and imprisoned youth is well-documented, gained the respect of the sheriff to such a degree that he wrote Tennessee governor Bill Lee, petitioning for a full pardon for the singer. As Hall posted, “A year ago, I wrote [Governor Bill Lee] asking for a full Pardon for Jason “Jelly Roll” Deford…..today the Board unanimously recommended his Pardon. It’s now in the hands of our Governor.” If Jelly Roll were to officially receive approval for a full pardon, that would mean he would receive a form of legal forgiveness, wiping away the legal consequences of his past convictions, including the penalties, and fully restoring his rights.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1956, Elvis Presley played Las Vegas for the first time – and bombed! He opened for comedian Shecky Greene, and the middle-aged crowd hated him. He didn’t return to Vegas until 1969.
- Today in 1992, a 13-mile stretch of Mississippi Highway 23 is renamed for Tammy Wynette.
- Today in 1993, Tracy Lawrence hit #1 with “Alibis.”
- Today in 1993, Reba McEntire’s album, “Rumor Has It,” was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1994, Lari White married her husband, Chuck Cannon.
- Today in 1996, George Strait released his album, “Blue Clear Sky.”
- Today in 1996, Bryan White met “Second Noah” actress Erika Page for the first time during the “Sizzlin’ Country” concert for cystic fibrosis in Los Angeles. They began dating a year later and married in 2000.
- Today in 1997, at the 32nd annual Academy of Country Music Awards, Brooks & Dunn were named Entertainers of the Year, Patty Loveless was named Female Vocalist of the Year, and George Strait was Male Vocalist. Trace Adkins and LeAnn Rimes were named Top New Male & Female Vocalists, and the Single of the Year was “Blue.”
- Today in 1998, Pam Tillis appeared on both “Promised Land” and “Diagnosis Murder,” playing the same character – a con artist named Kate Matthews.
- Today in 1999, Garth Brooks, Billy Ray Cyrus, Rhett Akins, Lee Roy Parnell and blues artist Johnny Neel surprised an audience of 13,000 in Nashville when they joined Charlie Daniels for his Volunteer Jam ’99 concert at the First American Music Center.
- Today in 2002, Kenny Chesney’s album, “No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems,” and Kevin Denney’s self-titled debut album arrived in stores.
- Today in 2006, Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney married Tiffany Fallon at the One & Only Palmilla in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.
- Today in 2009, Evansville declared Taylor Swift Day as the singer kicks off her first headlining tour at Roberts Stadium with Kellie Pickler opening. Swift also receives a key to the city.
- Today in 2012, Carrie Underwood is the leading contender in the CMT Music Awards as she picks up five nominations, including two for “Good Girl” and two for the Brad Paisley collaboration “Remind Me.”
- Today in 2015, a VIP grand opening party was held for the George Jones Museum in downtown Nashville. Guests include Dierks Bentley, Lee Greenwood, T.G. Sheppard, Jeannie Seely, Lorrie Morgan, John Rich and Rex Allen Jr.
- Today in 2016, Tim McGraw’s “Humble And Kind” hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2016, Blake Shelton surprised concertgoers at the “Off The Rails Country Music Festival” in Frisco, Texas, by bringing Randy Travis on stage. Shelton dedicated his last song of the night, “God Gave Me You,” to Travis, who was still recovering from a 2013 stroke.
- Today in 2017, Brad Paisley delivered a surprise concert at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville with Bill Anderson and John Fogerty.
- Today in 2018, RaeLynn snagged a gold single from the RIAA for “Love Triangle.”
- Today in 2018, Josh Turner earned five awards from the RIAA: a double-platinum single for “Your Man”; platinum singles for “Hometown Girl,” “Time Is Love” and “Long Black Train”; and a gold single for “Firecracker.”
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