- Today in 1962, Hall of Famers Flatt and Scruggs recorded “The Ballad of Jed Clampett.” It went on to become the theme song of the TV series, “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
- Today in 1977, just one month after his apparent death, 2,500 fans of the King gathered in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the first Elvis Presley Convention where original copies of some early Presley singles sold for $300.
- Today in 1973, Loretta Lynn’s classic single, “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” was released.
- Today in 1989, Clint Black’s debut album, “Killin’ Time,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1989, the Judds’ only Christmas album, “Christmas Time with the Judds,” went gold.
- Today in 1991, Mark Chesnutt’s first album, “Too Cold at Home,” went gold.
- Today in 1996, Clint Black released his “Greatest Hits” and John Michael Montgomery released “What I Do the Best.”
- Today in 1997, Garth Brooks was named Entertainer of the Year at the 31st annual CMA Awards. It was his first CMA win since 1993. Other winners that night included Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Deana Carter (Single of the Year) and LeAnn Rimes (Horizon Award).
- Today in 1998, Elvis Presley was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 1999, the “Complete Woman In Me” video by Shania Twain was certified platinum.
- Today in 1999, Lee Ann Womack’s self-titled debut album was certified platinum, while her second project, “Some Things I Know,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1999, the “Lonely Grill” album by Lonestar was certified platinum.
- Today in 2002, the album, “Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Songs of Johnny Cash,” arrived in stores. The star-studded list of artists featured on the CD includes Rosanne Cash, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Little Richard, Charlie Robison, Bruce Springsteen, Travis Tritt, Hank Williams, Jr. and Marty Stuart, who spearheaded the effort.
- Today in 2002, Travis Tritt’s “Strong Enough” album arrived in stores. Other CDs released include Joe Diffie’s “Super Hits,” Elvis Presley’s “Elvis: 30 #1 Hits,” Doug Stone’s “The Long Way” and Tanya Tucker’s “Tanya.”
- Today in 2002, Tennessee’s Governor Don Sundquist appointed Dolly Parton as the Official Ambassador for the Tennessee Film and Music Industries.
- Today in 2002, Clint Black and Dixie Chick Martie Maguire were among the famous folks on hand at a California State Senate hearing on artists’ rights and the accounting practices of record labels.
- Today in 2004, Loretta Lynn was a double-winner at the Americana Music Awards.
- Today in 2005, Sara Evans completed her run to #1 on the Billboard charts with “A Real Fine Place To Start”.
- Today in 2009, Miranda Lambert performed her entire “Revolution” album at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for an audience that included Taylor Swift.
- Today in 2014, Jason Aldean got engaged to Brittany Kerr at the San Diego Zoo.
- Today in 2016, Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan” began a two-week stay at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2016, Cam married Adam Weaver in Joshua Tree, California.
- Today in 2017, Meghan Linsey kneeled at the end of her national anthem performance at Nashville’s Nissan Stadium in a show of unity with protesters following president Donald Trump’s verbal attack on NFL players.
- Today in 2017, “Variety revealed that Luke Bryan had agreed to serve as a judge on ABC-TV’s revival of the music competition “American Idol.”
- Today in 2017, Chris Stapleton played at a Concert for Charlottesville, a Virginia response to a racial confrontation over Confederate statues that drew national attention the previous month. Also appearing at Scott Stadium were Justin Timberlake, The Dave Matthews Band, Pharrell Williams and Cage The Elephant.
- Today in 2018, Taylor Swift received three nominations as finalists are announced by E! for the People’s Choice Awards. Keith Urban was a double nominee, up for Male Artist for 2018 and a contender for Country Artist with Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood.
- Today in 2018, Charlie Robison announced his retirement from performing on social media, citing a surgical procedure that made him unable to sing.
- Today in 2018, Thomas Rhett’s single, “Marry Me,” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA.
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This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1972, the single, “Baby Don’t Get Hooked On Me,” by Mac Davis was at #1 on the pop singles chart.
- Today in 1974, the Mac Davis album, “Stop & Smell The Roses,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1988, the album, “All Time Greatest Hits Of Roy Orbison – Vol. II,” was released.
- Today in 1992, the “No Fences” album by Garth Brooks was certified for multi-platinum sales of 9-million.
- Today in 1993, Garth Brooks opened the first of his three sold-out concerts at Texas Stadium near Dallas.
- Today in 1994, Joe Diffie topped the charts with “Third Rock From The Sun.” Incidentally, the TV series, “3rd Rock From the Sun,” premiered on NBC two years later on the same date.
- Today in 1997, Shania Twain’s “Love Gets Me Every Time” single was released.
- Today in 1998, Garth Brooks’ album, “Ropin’ The Wind,” was certified for multi-platinum sales of 14-million.
- Today in 1998, nearly 36-million viewers tuned in for the 32nd annual CMA Awards live on CBS television. The Dixie Chicks and Steve Wariner were the only multiple award-winners at the 1998 CMA Awards in Nashville…taking home two awards each. Garth Brooks was named Entertainer of the Year for the second straight year, and fourth time overall.
- Today in 2000, Tim McGraw was on the cover of “TV Guide.”
- Today in 2002, the taped appearance of Reba McEntire and “American Idol” winner Kelly Clarkson, who has said Reba is her favorite country performer and overall idol, aired on FOX-TV. The duo performed Reba’s 1993 hit, “Does He Love You.”
- Today in 2002, Reba McEntire and Charlie Daniels were among the 25 inaugural inductees into the Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2003, Alan Jackson has reclaimed the #1 spot on both the “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart as well as “Billboard’s” Hot Country Singles chart with “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” his duet with Jimmy Buffett. He was also at #1 for a fifth week on “Billboard’s” Top Country Albums chart. And while all this sounds cool, consider that having a #1 song for eight collective weeks also made a little history for Alan and Jimmy. For starters, the song notched the most weeks at #1 for any country track that year. This was also the first time since 1962 that a country duet has logged eight weeks in the top slot – and only the second time since 1964 that any country single has achieved the feat.
- Today in 2006, Vince Gill and Allison Krauss taped an episode of “CMT Cross Country” at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.
- Today in 2012, Carrie Underwood was surprised during her show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena by Brad Paisley. The two performed “Remind Me” together.
- Today in 2016, Florida Georgia Line’s single, “H.O.L.Y.,” went gold, platinum and double-platinum, while the RIAA certified “Anything Goes” platinum.
- Today in 2017, “Are You Ready For The Country” author Neil Young is inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame at Massey Hall in Toronto.
- Today in 2019, Joe Nichols performed in the United Kingdom for the first time with a show in Bristol.
Luke Bryan Forced To Scrap Two Of Four Dates On 2026 Fall Farm Tour
Posted on by Bob Ballard
For the second time, Luke Bryan was forced to cancel a scheduled show for his Fall Farm Tour due to inclement weather. On Luke’s website over the weekend, a post warned fans not to come out. “Sunday’s Luke Bryan Farm Tour show at John Schaendorf Dairy in Allegan, MI (September 20) will not take place as scheduled due to conditions of the field from extensive rainfall. We’re so sorry. This call was made for everyone’s safety on the grounds.” Thursday’s kickoff in Pennsylvania was also affected, meaning just two of the four shows on the fall “Farm Tour” were played: Friday’s show in Millersport, Ohio and Satruday’s show in Brookston, Indiana.
Carrie Underwood Being Mentored By Axl Rose For Rock Project
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Carrie Underwood has long professed her love for rock music, occasionally performing or recording with rock royalty such as Aerosmith, Papa Roach, the Rolling Stones and others. But is she considering a more significant pivot in that direction? “TMZ” reports that Guns N’ Roses singer Axl Rose has taken the country singer under her wing and it “mentoring” her in the ways of rock n’ roll. She’s taken the stage with G’n’R in the past, so the two have a relationship. Could a Dolly Parton-like rock album be on the way?
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1939, Gene Autry’s “Back In The Saddle Again” was released.
- Today in 1976, Willie Nelson released “The Troublemaker” album.
- Today in 1979, “Just Good Ol’ Boys” (not the theme for “Dukes of Hazzard,” which belongs to Waylon Jennings) hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart for duet partners Moe Bandy & Joe Stampley.
- Today in 1983, the Everly Brothers performed together for the first time in 10 years at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
- Today in 1985, Willie Nelson, John Cougar and Neil Young hosted the first Farm Aid concert in Champaign, Illinois, raising $10-million for troubled family farmers.
- Today in 1986, Reba McEntire’s “What Am I Gonna Do About You” album was released.
- Today in 1992, Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Some Gave All” album was certified quadruple platinum.
- Today in 1992, Garth Brooks released his album, “The Chase.” It was the second country album ever to enter both the pop and country album charts at #1 – his “Ropin’ the Wind” was the first.
- Today in 1995, Collin Raye was #1 with the single, “One Boy, One Girl.”
- Today in 1998, Vince Gill’s album, “The Key,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1998, Lee Ann Womack released the album, “Some Things I Know.”
- Today in 1998, Garth Brooks performed for the first time in Latin America at the world’s largest rodeo in Barretos, Brazil.
- Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified for multi-platinum sales of 7-million. On the same day, the Chicks won three awards at the CMAs during the 33rd ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. They were named Vocal Group of the Year, while “Wide Open Spaces” took Single and Music Video of the Year
- Today in 2001, Cyndi Thomson’s debut single, “What I Really Meant To Say,” began a three-week run at #1 in Billboard.
- Today in 2005, Keith Urban’s “Golden Road” album went triple-platinum.
- Today in 2007, Rascal Flatts’ “Take Me There,” which was written by Kenny Chesney, hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
- Today in 2008, Toby Keith ranked #3 on the “Forbes” List of the World’s Best-Paid Music Stars, earning $48-million that year. Rascal Flatts’ $40-million puts them at #7. In the pop arena, Justin Timberlake was #4; Madonna came in at #5; and The Police were at the top of the heap at #1 with earnings of $115-million.
- Today in 2009, Eli Young Band frontman Mike Eli got engaged to Kacey Herndon. The happy couple exchanged “I do’s” the following March – and have since welcomed a daughter Kline Olivia (in 2012) and their son, Kash (in 2018).
- Today in 2009, Diamond Rio’s album, “The Reason,” was released.
- Today in 2010, Del McCoury was honored with the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC.
- Today in 2010, Toby Keith’s single, “Bullets In The Gun,” was released.
- Today in 2011, Jason Aldean’s “Tattoos On This Town” video dropped on YouTube.
- Today in 2012, Brad Paisley performed “Southern Comfort Zone” publicly for the first time during the iHeart Radio Music Festival at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Taylor Swift sings five songs during her portion of the show, including “Sparks Fly,” “Mean” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.”
- Today in 2012, Miranda Lambert served as a surprise bridesmaid – the matron of honor, even – for her friend, Laci, at the Chapel of the Flowers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Turns out, Miranda was in Sin City for her performance the night before at the iHeart Radio Music Festival.
- Today in 2014, Kenny Chesney’s “Til It’s Gone” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard got engaged to Hayley Stommel. The lovebirds got hitched the following. Since then, the couple has welcomed two sons and a daughter.
- Today in 2014, Dierks Bentley’s single, “Say You Do,” was released.
- Today in 2015, Lady A’s Hillary Scott announced she was establishing a scholarship at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro specifically for women pursuing a career in the music business
- Today in 2017, Luke Bryan turned his concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, Texas, into a benefit for Hurricane Harvey victims.
- Today in 2017, Willie Nelson performed “Funny How Time Slips Away” with soul singer Leon Bridges at a Hurricane Harvey relief concert at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Also on the bill are James Taylor, Lyle Lovett, Ryan Bingham, Asleep At The Wheel and Paul Simon, who covered “Waltz Across Texas” with Edie Brickell.
- Today in 2017, Reba McEntire celebrated 40 years since her Grand Ole Opry debut. Her Opry anniversary includes surprise appearances by Dolly Parton, Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood, who performed with McEntire on “Does He Love You.” Underwood’s set also includes “Wasted” and “I Told You So.”
- Today in 2018, Charlie Worsham and Kristen Korzenowski married at Christ The King Catholic Church in Nashville. The famous faces in attendance included Jeannie Seely, Jenny Gill, songwriters Don Schlitz and Luke Dick, as well as producers Frank Liddell and Eric Masse.
- Today in 2018, Chris Stapleton, Kacey Musgraves and Sturgill Simpson played the annual Farm Aid concert at the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford, Connecticut. Willie Nelson and fellow board members John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Neil Young also welcomed Margo Price, Lukas Nelson and Nathaniel Rateliff, among others.
- Today in 2020, Mercury signed Priscilla Block to a recording deal…and promptly released her debut single, “Just About Over You.”
- Today in 2020, “One Too Many,” Keith Urban’s duet With P!nk, was released.
- Today in 2021, Ashley McBryde fell while horseback riding in Montana and landed on her head, suffering a concussion and requiring stitches. In the days following the accident, she was unable to walk without assistance and cancels a series of concerts. She’s since made a full recovery.
Kenny Chesney Announces Nashville Album Release Party
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Kenny Chesney is holding a party for the release of his first new music in more than two years. The singer has announced a “Silver Sands Marina Album Release Party” this Friday at the Pinnacle in Nashville, the same day that “Silver Sands Marina” drops. About the party, Kenny says, “…we’re taking over the Pinnacle in Nashville. One night only, probably not more than a couple thousand tickets, and we’re trying to make it fun and fair to get in. If the band and I can get it together, we’re gonna play five, six, maybe even seven of these eleven songs, and I can’t wait.” Registration for tickets was limited to Friday and Saturday, with tickets prices at just $10. It remains to be seen if additional tickets will be freed up this week.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- Today in 1990, The Internal Revenue Service placed liens totaling $16.7-million on Willie Nelson’s property to guarantee that he paid $6.5-million in back taxes.
- Today in 1993, Garth Brooks’ self-titled debut album was certified for sales of 5-million copies.
- Today in 1993, the Country Music Association announced it would induct Willie Nelson into its Hall of Fame. The actual induction took place on September 29th.
- Today in 1994, Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” album was certified for sales of 11-million copies.
- Today in 1994, Pam Tillis’ “Sweetheart’s Dance” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1995, John Berry’s debut album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1995, the album, “Games Rednecks Play,” by Jeff Foxworthy was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
- Today in 1996, the audience at the Grand Ole Opry witnessed a historic moment when 23-year-old Hank Williams III, son of Hank Williams Jr. and grandson of country music legend Hank Williams made his Opry debut. Hank III wore a black western shirt trimmed with green fringe that belonged to his grandfather.
- Today in 1999, Brooks & Dunn’s album, “Tight Rope,” was released.
- Today in 2001, newlyweds Vince Gill and wife Amy Grant announced that they were expecting their first child together. The couple welcomed their daughter Corrina Grant Gill, into the world at 12:36 am CT on March 11th. Here are two fun facts for you: First, Vince and Amy didn’t find out if they were having a boy or a girl until she made her debut. Second, the baby’s name isn’t a combination of the couple’s last names – “Grant” is actually Vince’s middle name.
- Today in 2004, Keith Urban’s “Be Here” album was released.
- Today in 2011, Carrie Underwood, Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano wrote their future hit, “Good Girl,” in Los Angeles.
- Today in 2013, Willie Nelson’s Farm Aid featured Kacey Musgraves, Carlene Carter, Pete Seeger, Jack Johnson, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and Neil Young, among others, at the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center in New York.
- Today in 2015, Dierks Bentley was a surprise guest during Taylor Swift’s concert at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. They teamed up on “Every Mile A Memory.”
- Today in 2016, the Garth Brooks album, “The Ultimate Hits,” was certified 10-times platinum by the RIAA.
- Today in 2019, “The Highwomen” debuted at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart.
- Today in 2019, Tenille Arts made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2021, Cody Johnson’s single, “‘Til You Can’t,” was released.
Chris Stapleton Fronts Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers At Americana Awards
Posted on by Bob Ballard
Chris Stapleton appeared with Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers at the Americana Awards. The band performed three songs: “American Girl,” which featured guitarist Mike Campbell on lead vocals; “Breakdown,” which saw Stapleton take the mic; and “You Wreck Me,” which featured the band’s original lineup along with two more recent additions, Steve Ferrone and Scott Thurston.
After the performance, Stapleton presented the band the Americana Lifetime Achievement Award, saying, “This year marks the 50th anniversary of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Words cannot express how much that catalog of music means to me, but also to the world. It transcends genre, it transcends Americana, it transcends lots of things. It heals and it makes you feel good and it makes you want to drive too fast. And it makes you want to play music; that’s what it did for me.” See the entire evening (The Heartbreakers w/Chris Stapleton starts at around the 9:00 mark) here.
This day in Country Music History
Posted on by Bob Ballard
- 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.
Reba’s Tribute To Dolly At The Emmys Included More Than Just Her Song
Posted on by Bob Ballard
When Reba McEntire paid loving tribute to Dolly Parton at the Emmys this week, she brought more to the performance than just her voice. The “Dolly Archive” IG account revealed that Reba took the stage wearing some key pieces of jewelry it had loaned her. “The Dolly Archive was honored to loan Reba a few pieces of Dolly’s jewelry to wear during her performance, including Dolly’s earrings from the ‘Does He Love You’ music video and a butterfly ring from Dolly’s personal collection.”
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