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MEET THE H & S FEED & COUNTRY STORE PET OF THE WEEK: LEILANI

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is Leilani, an adorable 3 year old American Eskimo mix who loves everyone and gets along great with other pets. Leilani is a real cuddlebug who loves to play, loves attention and shows signs of being housetrained.

Leilani is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped, spayed and ready to go to a loving home.

And because Leilani is the Pet of the Week, her adoption free is only $100!

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

ZACH BRYAN DOESN’T WANT TO BE CONSIDERED “A COUNTRY MUSICIAN”

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Zach Bryan may be one of the biggest draws in country music, but he doesn’t want to be known as such. In a conversation with Bruce Springsteen for “Rolling Stone” magazine, Bryan insisted he doesn’t want to be pigeonholed. “I don’t want to be a country musician. Everyone calls me it. I want to be a songwriter, and you’re quintessentially a songwriter.” He adds, “No one calls Bruce Springsteen – hate to use your name in front of you – but no one calls Bruce Springsteen a freaking rock musician, which you are one, but you’re also an indie musician, you’re also a country musician,” he added. “You’re all these things encapsulated in one man. And that’s what songwriting is.” Bruce seems to think that Bryan covers multiple genres well, saying, “You bust all those different genre boundaries down.”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1968, Glen Campbell’s albums, “By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” and “Gentle On My Mind” were certified gold.
  • Today in 1979, the album, “Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson,” was released.
  • Today in 1989, the Kentucky Headhunters’ album, “Pickin’ On Nashville,” was released. It was certified platinum on the same date a year later.
  • Today in 1991, Country Music Hall of Fame member, Tennessee Ernie Ford, died in Reston, Virginia at the age of 72. Ernie made his mark as a country singer from the late 1940s until the late 1970s and hosted a TV series in the ’50s and ’60s.
  • Today in 1991, the Judds announced Naomi’s retirement from country music due to chronic hepatitis.
  • Today in 1997, Reba McEntire’s “Merry Christmas To You” album was certified double platinum.
  • Today in 1997, more than 2,000 people jammed an Aurora, Colorado church for John Denver’s funeral service. The singer died October 12th in a plane crash at the age of 53.
  • Today in 1997, rapper Warren G (Warren Griffin III) filed suit against Garth Brooks accusing him of trademark infringement over the use of the lower case letter “g” that Garth had been including in his logo for a few years. Garth’s attorneys had filed a similar lawsuit in a Nashville federal court two weeks earlier. Both claims were settled amicably in March 1998. Under the terms of the settlement, Garth continued to use the encircled letter “g,” while Warren G went on to use his trademark lowercase “g” with the words “funk music” next to them.
  • Today in 1998, the Wilkinsons make their first official appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. They had made an informal appearance on the Opry once before, when they joined Vince Gill onstage before they had a record deal.
  • Today in 2000, the albums “Southern Rain” by Billy Ray Cyrus, “American III — Solitary Man” from Johnny Cash, “Lost In The Feeling” by Mark Chesnutt and “Classic Christmas” from Billy Gilman arrived in stores. The compilation project, “Believe — A Christmas Collection,” which featured Clay Walker, Neal McCoy and others was also released.
  • Today in 2002, Lee Ann Womack’s single, “I Hope You Dance,” was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2002, after a mere seven weeks on the charts, the Dixie Chicks’ “Home” album was certified triple platinum. That brought the total record sales for the band to over 24-million.
  • Today in 2006, Tim McGraw received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His honor is located right in front of the Virgin Records store.
  • Today in 2006, Vince Gill’s boxed set, “These Days,” was released. It was considered unprecedented, as it featured four discs of entirely new material.
  • Today in 2011, Keith Urban’s single, “You Gonna Fly,” was released.
  • Today in 2014, Little Big Town was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. The band performed “Bring It On Home” and “Boondocks” and roped Vince Gill into joining them on “Why Me.”
  • Today in 2015, Don Henley’s solo project, “Cass County,” debuted in the top spot on the Billboard country albums chart.
  • Today in 2015, Charlie Rich and Elvis Presley guitarist Scotty Moore joined the Memphis Music Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Cannon Center. Other inductees included Sam & Dave, Justin Timberlake and drummer Al Jackson Jr.
  • Today in 2016, Jana Kramer tallied a perfect score when she performs a tango to a Selena Gomez song on ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.” Pitbull was a guest judge, seated on the right of regular Julianne Hough.
  • Today in 2017, Chris Young became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

WATCH THE “HAPPY’S PLACE” CAST HEAR REBA’S THEME SONG FOR THE FIRST TIME

Posted on by Bob Ballard

NBC has released a video of how Reba surprised her co-stars with the theme song they didn’t know was coming. At a table read for Reba’s new sitcom “Happy’s Place”, Reba stood up and explained to the cast the genesis of the theme song, and then played it for them for the first time. The reaction was applause…and tears. Co-star Belissa Escobedo said afterward, “We just heard the song of ‘Happy’s Place,’ the theme song, and everyone was crying. Or maybe it was just me? No, everyone was crying. Absolutely amazing.””Happy’s Place” premieres on NBC this Friday night. See a clip of the “Happy’s Place” cast hearing Reba’s theme song for the first time below.


 

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1954, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on “The Louisiana Hayride,” singing “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” two times each. Drummer D.J. Fontana plays with Presley for the first time, though he’s forced to play behind a curtain
  • Today in 1972, Loretta Lynn became the first woman to win the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in the sixth annual awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. She also takes Female Vocalist and shares Vocal Duo with Conway Twitty.
  • Today in 1982, Dolly Parton took “I Will Always Love You” to #1 for the second time. The new version was recorded for the movie “The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas”
  • Today in 1987, “Anne Murray’s Greatest Hits” was certified triple-platinum, the first album by a female country artist to reach 3 million in shipments
  • Today in 1993, Clay Walker earned his first #1 single in Billboard with “What’s It To You”
  • Today in 2003, Pat Benatar joined Martina McBride to tape an installment of the Radney Foster-hosted “CMT Crossroads” in Nashville. Among the songs they perform together: “Independence Day,” “We Belong” and “When God-Fearin’ Women Get The Blues”
  • Today in 2004, Sara Evans cleaned up, gaining a #1 single in Billboard with “Suds In The Bucket”
  • Today in 2005, Vince Gill, Jerry Reed, “Prisoner Of The Highway” songwriter Mike Reid, “What Mattered Most” composer Gary Burr and “Don’t Rock The Jukebox” creator Roger Murrah are added to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame during an event at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel
  • Today in 2011, Alan Jackson and Garth Brooks joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame along with Thom Schuyler, Allen Shamblin and John Bettis during a ceremony at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
  • Today in 2012, Darius Rucker was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Today in 2014, Rosanne Cash was recognized during the Smithsonian Magazine American Ingenuity Awards in Washington, D.C.
  • Today in 2016, Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels and Monument Records founder Fred Foster were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 2017, Sam Hunt earned a quadruple-platinum single from the Recording Industry Association of America for “Body Like A Back Road.”
  • Today in 2017, Garth Brooks turned up for a surprise appearance at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe to perform with some of the writers behind his biggest hits: Pat Alger, Victoria Shaw, Kent Blazy and Tony Arata. The night’s music includes “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” “The River,” “The Thunder Rolls” and “The Dance.”
  • Today in 2018, Sara Evans scored a gold album from the RIAA for “Stronger.”
  • Today in 2018, Craig Morgan marked his 10th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, performing “Redneck Yacht Club” and “That’s What I Love About Sunday” during the show.
  • Today in 2018, Guest mentor Keith Urban joined Blake Shelton to coach two contestants in a cover of Steve Winwood’s “Back In The High Life Again” during NBC’s “The Voice.” Thomas Rhett was a guest mentor for Kelly Clarkson’s team, while CeeLo Green sat in with Adam Levine’s squad.

MADDIE & TAE ANNOUNCE 2025 TOUR

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Maddie & Tae aren’t finished playing live. On the heels of wrapping their headlining “Here’s To Friends” tour, the duo has announced their first five shows for 2025. Dubbed “The Love & Light Tour,” the shows kick off April 10 in New York City, followed by shows in Chicago (April 25), Nashville (May 1), Denver (May 9) and Los Angeles (May 15). Tickets are on sale Friday , with pre-sales kicking off today. “We are so stoked to announce our Love & Light Tour for Spring 2025,” the duo said. “Five cities, five magical nights singing songs that are fan favorites and ones that are hot off the press! Can’t wait to see y’all!”

 

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1960, Loretta Lynn makes her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, singing “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. She receives an invitation to tour with Johnny Horton, but he dies just three weeks later.
  • Today in 1969, Johnny Cash wins a record-setting five times during the third annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. He takes home Entertainer and Male Vocalist; Album, for “San Quentin”; Single, for “A Boy Named Sue”; and Vocal Group, with June Carter
  • Today in 1970, Bill Monroe and the original Carter Family were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 1973, at the 7th annual CMA Awards, Chet Atkins and Patsy Cline were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Roy Clark was named Entertainer of the Year and Loretta Lynn and Charlie Rich were named Female and Male Vocalists of the Year.
  • Today in 1978, The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame inducts Joe Allison (“He’ll Have To Go”), Tom T. Hall (“Harper Valley P.T.A.”), Hank Snow (“I’m Moving On”) and Don Wayne (“Country Bumpkin”).
  • Today in 1988, Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens’ duet, “Streets of Bakersfield,” hit #1.
  • Today in 1991, Tracy Lawrence’s debut single, “Sticks and Stones,” was released. It eventually hit #1.
  • Today in 1997, Bryan White’s album, “The Right Place,” went gold. Trisha Yearwood’s Christmas album, “The Sweetest Gift,” was also certified gold.
  • Today in 1997, Patty Loveless’ “On Down the Line” was certified gold, while her “Honky Tonk Angel” project was certified platinum.
  • Today in 1997, John Denver’s remains were cremated in California and his ashes then flown to Aurora, Colorado where a memorial service was planned by the late singer’s mother and brother.
  • Today in 2002, Faith Hill’s “Cry” album arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2010, Miranda Lambert’s “Revolution” album went platinum.
  • Today in 2012, Taylor Swift shot an installment of “VH1 Storytellers” in California.

JELLY ROLL OPENING HIS OWN NASHVILLE BAR

Posted on by Bob Ballard

It’s almost a rite of passage when you move from “country wannabe” status to “bonafide superstar.” Having your name on a bar on Broadway in Nashville has cemented the top-of-the-heap status for country stars like Luke Combs, Garth Brooks, Lainey Wilson, Morgan Wallen, Eric Church and a number of others. So it seems like it was only a matter of time before Jelly Roll would get his name in lights over his own watering hole. During a visit to the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, Jelly revealed that the bar will be called “Jelly Roll’s Goodnight Nashville,” and that it will feature a back bar called Buddy’s named after his late father. Other than that news, nothing else was revealed about the new venue, including exactly where it will be.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1946, Grandpa Jones wed Ramona Riggins.
  • Today in 1957, Elvis Presley’s single, “Jailhouse Rock,” was released.
  • Today in 1967, Tammy Wynette had her first solo #1 country hit with “I Don’t Wanna Play House.”
  • Today in 1969, the “Galveston” single by Glen Campbell was certified gold.
  • Today in 1977, Elvis Presley’s “In Concert” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
  • Today in 1985, the “Greatest Hits – Volume 2” collection by Hank Williams Jr. was released.
  • Today in 1985, bluegrass legends Flatt and Scruggs were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
  • Today in 1985, Ricky Skaggs was named the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 1985. The Judds won first of three straight CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Awards.
  • Today in 1985, Lee Greenwood’s single, “God Bless the USA” was the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year.
  • Today in 1989, Roy Orbison’s name was added to the West Texas Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 1992, John Denver launched a concert tour of China. It was the most extensive tour by a Western artist ever approved by the Beijing government.
  • Today in 1997, federal aviation officials said John Denver didn’t have a valid pilot’s license when his plane crashed off the California coast two days earlier. The National Transportation Safety Board said Denver’s license had been revoked in 1996 and he was told he couldn’t get it back until he provided medical certification that he didn’t have a drinking problem. (Denver had been arrested twice on drunk driving charges in Colorado.)
  • Today in 1998, Mark Wills’ album, “Wish You Were Here,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1999, Vince Gill was inducted into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. That weekend he also admitted publicly, for the first time, that he and Amy Grant were a couple. The lovebirds have since married and had a child together, Corrina.
  • Today in 1999, Reba McEntire and Trisha Yearwood were among the famous folks on hand at New York City’s famed Madison Square Garden for a tribute concert honoring Carole King.
  • Today in 2000, the Grand Ole Opry’s 75th birthday celebration included a red carpet walk of stars, special weekend performances and the cutting of a large birthday cake.
  • Today in 2000, Bryan White and wife, Erika Page, were married.
  • Today in 2002, Cyndi Thomson publicly pulled the plug on her recording career by writing an open letter to her fans via Nashville’s “Tennessean” newspaper. The move was a stunner considering the chart-topping success of her debut single, “What I Really Meant To Say,” and the gold certification of her debut album, “My World.” She added that she’d rather continue songwriting than worry about the difficulties of maintaining a performance schedule. In October 2009, Thomson released “This Time,” her first new music album in eight years.
  • Today in 2003, Josh Turner’s debut album, “Long Black Train,” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2006, Josh Turner stormed to the top of the Billboard country chart with “Would You Go With Me.”
  • Today in 2011, the Zac Brown Band’s “Keep Me In Mind” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2014, Florida Georgia Line’s album, “Anything Goes,” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2016, Kris Kristofferson and Shelby Lynne performed “Me And Bobby McGee” in honor of Monument founder Fred Foster as PBS telecasts a “Great Performances” salute to GRAMMY legends. Martina McBride and J.D. Souther delivered “Blue Bayou” to recognize Linda Ronstadt.
  • Today in 2017, Chris Stapleton’s concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena includesd a surprise guest: actor Chris Pratt, who joined Stapleton on “Tennessee Whiskey.”
  • Today in 2017, the Zac Brown Band generates $1.7-million for Camp Southern Ground with a benefit concert at the Southern Ground Amphitheater in Fayetteville, Georgia.
  • Today in 2017, Kacey Musgraves married singer/songwriter Ruston Kelly in Tennessee. Fast forward to July 2020 and the couple released a joint statement confirming (after months of rumors) that they were going their separate ways.
  • Today in 2019, the Osmonds give their final public performance on CBS’ “The Talk” to celebrate the 60th birthday of their sister, then-co-host Marie Osmond.
  • Today in 2019, Dwight Yoakam and Larry Gatlin joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame during an event at the Music City Center. The 2019 class also includedcomposers Rivers Rutherford, Marcus Hummon, Sharon Vaughn and Kostas.
  • Today in 2019, Lauren Alaina did a samba to “Under The Sea,” from the movie “The Little Mermaid,” during a Disney-themed edition of ABC’s “Dancing With The Stars.”
  • Today in 2019, Kane Brown postponed his October 18th concert at Los Angeles’ Staples Center following the death of his drummer in an auto accident.
  • Today in 2021, Miranda Lambert’s single, “If I Was A Cowboy” was released.

Lainey Wilson Talks Work/Life Balance

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Lainey Wilson is the most in-demand artist in all of Country music.  Her life is all go, go, go.  So, it was really nice to hear Lainey talk about work/life balance.

She appeared on the “Broken Record” podcast and had a really illuminating conversation about how difficult it is to stay normal in this crazy business.

Lainey said, “I love being around people . . . But when I really need to refill my cup, I need to be by myself.  I just need to be sitting in my front yard with my feet in the grass, feeling the sun and wind on my face, then I feel like I can go back out and do it again.”

She went on to say, “I’m realizing, the deeper I get into this job how important it truly is to make sure you fill your cup to the brim, so you can go out and keep pouring out, and pouring out.

“I love my job, but I always want to make sure that I’m the very best version of myself.”

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