This day in Country Music History

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1977,three people were arrested by police in Memphis, Tennessee charged with attempting to steal the body of Elvis Presley, who had been buried at the local Forest Hill cemetery a week and a half earlier. As a result of the incident, Elvis’ dad, Vernon, arranged to have the bodies of both his son and wife Gladys moved and re-buried side-by-side on the grounds of the Graceland mansion.
Today in 1979,“The Oak Ridge Boys Have Arrived” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1981,Ronnie Milsap topped the country singles chart with “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me.”
Today in 1989,Randy Travis’ album, “An Old Time Christmas,” was released.
Today in 1989,Kenny Rogers’ “Christmas In America” album was released.
Today in 1995,Faith Hill’s “It Matters To Me” album was released.
Today in 2000,“Pollstar” announced that Faith Hill and Tim McGraw’s “Soul 2 Soul” tour was the largest grossing country tour of the summer.
Today in 2000,the “Strong Heart” album by Patty Loveless arrived in stores.
Today in 2002,Alan Jackson was nominated for a record 10 CMA awards, including Entertainer of the Year. In fact, his 10 nominations beat the previous record of 9, which was set by Merle Haggard in 1970.
Today in 2005, Alabama, Glen Campbell and DeFord Bailey were revealed as the latest inductees in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Today in 2011, Luke Bryan’s single, “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2017, Following his performance of “Lonely Eyes,” Chris Young was invited by Vince Gill to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Young says yes and closes the Opry edition with a performance of “Sober Saturday Night.”
Today in 2017, Miranda Lambert arrives in Houston with her MuttNation charity to rescue animals in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. They save more than 100 in the ensuing days.

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

Posted on August 28, 2025 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Mystical”, a sweet two-year old kitty who’s a furry ball of affection! Mystical loves being the center of attention, and she gets along well with dogs and kids. Mystical would make an ideal kitty for any family!

Mystical is fully vetted, vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, and would love to meet you!

And since Mystical is the Pet of the Week, this week her adoption fee is only $30!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Mystical 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 Mystical with Shanna from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Morgan Wallen Faces Fine After Boston Performance

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Morgan Wallen got himself into a little bit of trouble up in Boston, but nothing a fistful of c-notes won’t take care of. His Friday night show at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts went a little long. The town of Foxborough had set a curfew for 11:30 p.m., while Wallen’s final song began at 11:44 pm…14 minutes past curfew. The fine was 25 cents per attendee, which totaled $15,705. It’s not the biggest curfew-related fine for the venue; Bruce Springsteen, who played until nearly midnight in 2016, was fined more than $22-thousand.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on August 27, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1977, Crystal Gayle’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” topped the country singles charts. The tune was from her album, “We Must Believe in Magic,” which was the first platinum album for a female country singer. The song also went on to be a Top 40 smash.
Today in 1987, Randy Travis was hospitalized for complications from food poisoning in Wytheville, Virginia.
Today in 1988, the Judds performed at a private luncheon for then-President Ronald Reagan and his wife.
Today in 1990, Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” album was released. It’s since gone on to sell more than 16-million copies, making it one of the best-selling country albums of all time. In fact, the project held the record until it was unseated by Shania Twain’s “Come On Over,” which has been certified for sales of 18-million. Garth maintains his record for selling the most albums ever. To date he has sold over 105-million.
Today in 1991, the “High Lonesome” album by Randy Travis was released.
Today in 1991, George Strait’s “If You Ain’t Lovin’ (You Ain’t Livin’)” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1993, John Michael Montgomery’s debut album, “Life’s A Dance,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1993, Mark Chesnutt’s song “Almost Goodbye” debuted on the country charts on its way to #1.
Today in 1996, the albums, “Everybody Knows,” by Trisha Yearwood and “The Restless Kind” by Travis Tritt arrived in stores.
Today in 1996, Jeff Foxworthy’s “Crank It Up – The Music Album” was released.
Today in 1996, Mindy McCready’s album, “Ten Thousand Angels,” was certified gold.
Today in 1996, just 12 hours after the debut of his single, “Ain’t Got Nothin’ On Us,” John Michael Montgomery and his wife, Crystal, welcomed their daughter Madison Caroline Montgomery into the world. Born in a Lexington, Kentucky hospital at 4:11 am, the baby weighed 8-pounds, 7-ounces. Here’s a fun fact — Madison’s middle name honors her grandmothers, who are both named Carol.
Today in 1998, the work of the late Hank Williams got a triple honor, as the album, “Hank Williams’ Greatest Hits,” was certified platinum. “The Very Best Of Hank Williams” album was also certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
Today in 1999, Shania Twain’s album, “Come On Over,” was certified for sales of 13-million. The album has since gone on to sell 18-million copies, becoming the best selling album by a country artist.
Today in 2001, Reba McEntire began production on the first episode of her W-B sitcom, “Reba.”
Today in 2002, the Dixie Chicks’ album, “Home,” arrived in stores. The project was the Chicks first major label release since coming to an agreement with their record label following a money dispute.
Today in 2002, Montgomery Gentry’s “My Town” album, BlackHawk’s “Spirit Dancer” project, Elizabeth Cook’s debut album, “Hey Ya’ll,” and Sixwire’s self-titled debut album arrived in stores.
Today in 2002, Marty Stuart was acquitted of a drunken driving charge. As punishment for the April 2^nd incident, Marty will still have to surrender his driver’s license for a year and attend alcohol and drug safety school as penalty for violating Tennessee’s implied-consent law.
Today in 2003, Keith Urban scored a platinum award for his “Golden Road” album.
Today in 2005, Merle Haggard’s “Okie From Muskogee” ranked #1 when CMT presented “20 Greatest City Songs.”
Today in 2010, Taylor Swift’s “Mine” video premiered on CMT, MTV and VH1.
Today in 2012, Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” video debuted on CMT.
Today in 2014, Kelsea Ballerini’s debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2016, after having their first dance to “Tennessee Whiskey,” a bride and groom were “kidnapped” by friends from their wedding reception and taken to Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati, where they met their favorite artist, Chris Stapleton
Today in 2016, Kenny Chesney performed at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, the last of 14 stadium dates on the Spread The Love Tour. His set included a collaboration with Old Dominion on “Save It For A Rainy Day” and a duet with Miranda Lambert on “You And Tequila.”
Today in 2016, Tim McGraw to sing “My Little Girl” for the father/daughter dance at a wedding reception. McGraw sticks around to perform a few more songs, including “Live Like You Were Dying.”
Today in 2017, Lee Brice earned $25,000 for Folds of Honor by winning ABC’s “Celebrity Family Feud” over a team headed by Jerrod Niemann, who won $5,000 for the USO.

Carly Pearce Admits She’s Dealt With “Crippling OCD” All Her Life

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Carly Pearce was on the latest episode of the “Dumb Blonde” podcast with Bunnie XO and revealed that she’s been fighting a lifelong battle with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). When the topic of her anxiety came up, Bunnie asked her when she first experienced it. “I would have told you three years ago my anxiety started during my divorce in Covid,” Pearce said. “But I’ve had crippling OCD since I was a child. So like, checking my backpack over and over and over, checking my alarm over and over and over. … And my mom would just try to calm me down, or I would freak out over storms. I remember her taking me to the local library to meet a meteorologist to try to calm that. I’ve had anxiety my whole life.” Pearce admitted it’s still a struggle, but having more time to herself during the pandemic made her decide it was time to work seriously on her mental health, at which point she sought out therapy.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on August 26, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s album, “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” was certified double platinum.
Today in 1997, George Strait’s “Carryin’ Your Love With Me” album was certified double platinum.
Today in 1997, the album, “Evolution,” by Martina McBride was released.
Today in 1997, LeAnn Rimes’ “How Do I Live” single was certified gold.
Today in 1997, the single, “It’s Your Love,” by Tim McGraw was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
Today in 1997, Trisha Yearwood’s project, “Songbook – A Collection of Hits,” arrived in stores.
Today in 1998, Mark Wills and his wife, Kelly, welcomed their daughter, Mally. For those who don’t know, Mally’s name is a purposeful combination of her parents’ names.
Today in 2000, Pam Tillis was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
Today in 2000, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox and his wife, Tara, welcomed their daughter, Brittany Kay.
Today in 2000, Jamie O’Neal and her hubby, Rodney Good, were married.
Today in 2000, Darryl Worley made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Today in 2002, the album, “Part II,” by Brad Paisley was certified platinum.
Today in 2002, Toby Keith’s album, “Unleashed,” was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
Today in 2002, Alan Jackson’s “Drive” album was certified triple platinum.
Today in 2007, Billy Currington travelled to Hawaii to receive therapy related to anger issues he suffered from his stepfather during in childhood. The abuser was actually the subject of Currington’s first hit, “Walk A Little Straighter.”
Today in 2011, Luke Bryan’s single, “Country Girl (Shake It For Me),” was certified platinum.
Today in 2013, Joe Nichols’ “Sunny And 75” video debuted on CMT.
Today in 2014, Margo Smith suffered a broken wrist and ankle as well as numerous bruises in an auto accident in The Villages, Florida. Her Mercedes is totaled. The other driver is subsequently charged with refusing to yield.
Today in 2016, Sam Hunt was celebrating six singles awards from the RIAA: a triple-platinum single for “Take Your Time”; double-platinum for “Break Up In A Small Town,” “Leave The Night On” and “House Party”; platinum for “Make You Miss Me”; and gold for “Ex To See.”
Today in 2016, Florida Georgia Line’s “Dig Your Roots” album was released.
Today in 2017, Brett Eldredge’s self-titled album was perched atop spot on the Billboard country albums chart.
Today in 2019, the Eric Church single, “Monsters,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2019, Rodney Atkins and Rose Falcon welcomed their son, Scout Falcon Atkins, in Nashville.
Today in 2019, the Luke Combs single, “Even Though I’m Leaving,” was released.
Today in 2019, Jake Owen raised $500,000 for veterans group Folds of Honor with a concert at Wayzata Bay in Minnesota. An impressive feat considering the tickets were priced at $2,500 and $1,250
Today in 2021, while performing at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Ashley McBryde brought out a surprise guest: Eric Church. He joined her for a cover of “Midnight Rider.”

George Strait, Miranda Lambert To Be Inducted Into Texas Songwriters Hall Of Fame

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Congratulations to George Strait and Miranda Lambert, two of the four songwriters named last week to the Texas Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. The other two are songwriter/producers Don Cook and the late Keith Gattis. The inclusion of George Strait raised some eyebrows, as he has written a few songs over the course of his 50 year career, but was most well known for spinning other songwriter’s songs into country gold. All four will be inducted on February 21, 2026, at ACL Live in Austin during the 20th annual Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards Show.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on August 25, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1979, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by the Charlie Daniels Band reached number one on the country chart.
Today in 1984, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Long, Hard Road” hit the top of the country music charts.
Today in 1990, Joe Diffie made his chart debut with “Home,” which went all the way to #1.
Today in 1991, Garth Brooks released his holiday album, “Beyond the Season.” Proceeds from the CD went to the Feed the Children charity, and raised well over $2-million for the organization.
Today in 1992, Sammy Kershaw’s ‘Don’t Go Near The Water” album was certified gold.
Today in 1994, the “Love Me Like You Used To” album by Tanya Tucker was certified gold.
Today in 1995, Reba McEntire’s “Reba Live” album went platinum.
Today in 1998, Alabama’s “For The Record – 41 Number One Hits” collection was released.
Today in 1998, Vince Gill’s album, “I Never Knew Lonely,” was certified gold.
Today in 1998, the “If You See Him” album by Reba McEntire was certified gold.
Today in 1998, Trisha Yearwood’s album, “Where Your Road Leads,” was certified gold.
Today in 1998, Garth Brooks’ “Sevens” album was certified for multi-platinum sales of 6-million.
Today in 2000, after recently selling her farm in Leipers Fork, Tennessee, Wynonna did what most folks do when they move, she had a huge moving sale. Items sold included her Harley-Davidson motorcycle, antiques, furniture, clothes and 1948 vintage Ford pickup.
Today in 2000, Linda Davis and her husband, Lang Scott, welcomed their second child, Rylee Jean Scott. She joined big sister Hillary (of Lady Antebellum fame).
Today in 2002, Deana Carter appeared as a homeless patient on the Lifetime Television drama, “Strong Medicine.”
Today in 2007, Chuck Wicks performed “Stealing Cinderella” in his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Today in 2010, Brad Paisley and Little Jimmy Dickens sang “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” after a restored circle of historic wood was returned to the Grand Ole Opry House stage in the aftermath of the May flood.
Today in 2014, Easton Corbin’s “Baby Be My Love Song” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2016, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell and John Prine helped celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the National Parks Service with a show at the Roosevelt Arch at the north end of Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana. The night includes “God Bless America” and “This Land Is Your Land.”
Today in 2016, Justin Moore stops a show at Joe’s Bar in Chicago during “You Look Like I Need A Drink” to order a male fan removed for throwing something at a woman.
Today in 2017, the Old Dominion album, “Happy Endings,” was released.
Today in 2017, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened a new exhibit, “Loretta Lynn: Blue Kentucky Girl,” in Nashville. The display includes the dress she wore on the “Fist City” album cover, her Presidential Medal of Freedom and the original manuscript for “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”
Today in 2018, Taylor Swift headlined at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, performing “Tim McGraw”…with surprise guests Tim McGraw & Faith Hill!

H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: YOO-HOO

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Yoo-Hoo”, a sweet and lovable 5 month old Pointer mix, who’s great with kids and adults, gets along well with other pets, and is super-smart! Yoo-Hoo is a little reluctant to go through doorways, but once you coax her out, loves the outdoors and enjoys walks.

Yoo-Hoo is fully vetted, vaccinated, spayed, microchipped, and would love to meet you!

And since Yoo-Hoo is the Pet of the Week, this week her adoption fee is only $100!

If you’d like to set up an appointment to meet Yoo-Hoo 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 Yoo-Hoo with Nicole from Stephen Memorial Animal Shelter here:

Blake Shelton Returning To Vegas For New Residency

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Bob Ballard

Blake Shelton has announced he’s returning to Las Vegas for another run of shows. The residency, titled “Live in Las Vegas Residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace,” will consist of eight nights in January 2026. In a statement, Blake said, “We had so much fun earlier this year, I figured, why not do it again. This time we’re gonna do it more country, with more cocktails, and probably make a few more questionable decisions. Let’s go, Vegas.” Blake’s last Vegas shows were a run of six concerts back in February. The residency dates are January 15, 18, 21, 23, 24, 28, 30 and 31st, 2026. Tickets will go on sale to the public next Thursday at 10 am PT. Visit Blake’s website for more information.

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