This day in Country Music History

Posted on January 14, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1976, Glen Campbell and “Rhinestone Cowboy” scored four GRAMMY nominations, including Record of the Year.
Today in 1986, Reba McEntire joined the Grand Ole Opry during a CBS special celebrating the Opry’s 60^th Hank Snow boycotted the special when producers limited him to one verse of “I’m Moving On.”
Today in 1988, the “Trio” album, by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris, received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Album.
Today in 1995, Tim McGraw’s single, “Not A Moment Too Soon,” claimed the #1 position on the Billboard country chart
Today in 2000, Deana Carter’s “Did I Shave My Legs For This?” hit the 5-million mark.
Today in 2006, “She Let Herself Go” went to #1 on the Billboard country chart for George Strait.
Today in 2009, Billy Currington earned a gold single for the Luke Bryan-penned “Good Directions.”
Today in 2010, Mindy McCready suffered a seizure on camera at the close of the season’s second episode of “Celebrity Rehab” on VH1.
Today in 2013, Parmalee’s “Carolina” was released.
Today in 2017, Tucker Beathard made his Grand Ole Opry debut at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Today in 2017, Sturgill Simpson was the musical guest on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”
Today in 2018, Dan + Shay performed during halftime of an NFL playoff game at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field. Among their songs, “Nothin’ Like You,” “From The Ground Up” and “How Not To.” In the end, the Jacksonville Jaguars defeated the Steelers, 45-42.
Today in 2018, Dierks Bentley threw a grand-opening party for his Whiskey Row venue in Nashville. Among his famous friends celebrating with him? Thomas Rhett, who performed “That Ain’t My Truck,” Maren Morris – who covered “Strawberry Wine” and Brothers Osborne, who rocked a rendition of “Chattahoochee.”
Today in 2020, officials in Hendersonville, Tennessee, voted to rename a portion of East Main Street as Conway Twitty Lane. The community was previously the home to his tourist attraction Twitty City.
Today in 2020, Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson’s single, “Pancho And Lefty,” was named a 2020 addition to the GRAMMY Hall of Fame, along with Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight,” The Stanley Brothers’ “I’m A Man Of Constant Sorrow,” The Chuck Wagon Gang’s “I’ll Fly Away” and Blind Alfred Reed’s “How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live.”

Chris Stapleton Becomes First Country Artist To Have A Song Go Double Diamond

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Chris Stapleton just reached a milestone that no other country artist has ever reached. His recording of “Tennessee Whiskey” was certified double Diamond yesterday by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), signifying more than 20-million units sold. It’s one of the rarest achievements in music; the first single ever to be so recognized was Post Malone and Swae Lee‘s “Sunflower, in February 2024. Drake has also scored a double Diamond single, with his 2017 single “HUMBLE” reaching that milestone last year.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1968, Johnny Cash recorded the live album, “Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison” in California – he remade “Folsom Prison Blues” in the process. Also on hand – June Carter, The Carter Family, Carl Perkins, and The Statler Brothers.
Today in 1978, the “Waylon Live” album by Waylon Jennings was certified gold.
Today in 1981, country movie music scores big at the GRAMMYs, as the “Urban Cowboy” soundtrack scored four nominations.” Roadie” songs get three, and “Honeysuckle Rose” picks up two. Sissy Spacek gets a nomination for her performance of “Coal Miner’s Daughter”
Today in 1990, Keith Whitley hits #1 on the Billboard country chart with “It Ain’t Nothin'”
Today in 1992, George Strait’s “Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind” album was certified platinum.
Today in 1994, Clint Black’s fourth album, “No Time To Kill,” went platinum.
Today in 1994, Alan Jackson hit #1 with the single, “Gone Country.”
Today in 1995, Joe Diffie’s album, “Third Rock from the Sun,” went platinum.
Today in 1995, the “Lead On” album by George Strait was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
Today in 1996, Faith Hill was at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “It Matters To Me”
Today in 1996, Martina McBride made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry since becoming a member the previous November. Terri Clark made her Opry debut the same evening.
Today in 1997, Brooks & Dunn’s album, “Borderline,” went double platinum.
Today in 1997, Toby Keith’s “Blue Moon” album went gold.
Today in 1999, the album, “Who I Am,” by Alan Jackson was certified quadruple platinum.
Today in 2002, the first episode of “CMT Crossroads” aired, pairing a country act with a non-country performer. In this inaugural show matched “Passionate Kisses” songwriter Lucinda Williams with Elvis Costello.
Today in 2006, Big & Rich’s “Comin’ To Your City” album was certified gold and platinum simultaneously.
Today in 2010, Trace Adkins signs a recording deal with Toby Keith’s Show Dog-Universal Music during a press conference at BMI in Nashville.
Today in 2012, Jake Owen broke his collarbone skiing in Crested Butte, Colorado, forcing the cancellation of several concerts.
Today in 2015, Brad Paisley’s “Crushin’ It” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2017, Dierks Bentley took his annual polar plunge for New Year’s nearly two weeks late. Penalizing himself for his tardiness, he stayed in the 38-degree water for 13 minutes.
Today in 2018, Billy Currington was thrown into panic when he received an official cell phone alert warning of an in-bound ballistic missile. The alarm, it was soon discovered, was the result of human error.
Today in 2020, Darius Rucker’s version of “Wagon Wheel” was certified eight-times platinum.
Today in 2020, Brooks & Dunn, Kane Brown and Brett Young topped the bill as Bobby Bones hosted his annual Million Dollar Show to raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Surprise acts included Sawyer Brown, Old Dominion, Lindsay Ell and Sam Hunt, who performed “Kinfolks” and “Body Like A Back Road.”
Today in 2020, Josh Gracin and his wife, Katie, welcomed their son, Luka Roman Gracin, in Nashville.
Today in 2020, Jordan Davis picked up a double-platinum certification from the RIAA for his song, “Singles You Up.” The same day, Luke Bryan’s single, “That’s My Kind Of Night,” was certified quintuple-platinum.
Today in 2021, moments after Donald Trump became the first president to be impeached twice, he presented Toby Keith and Ricky Skaggs the National Medal of Arts in the East Room of the White House.
Today in 2021, Tennessee State Rep. John Windle introduced a bill to create a statue of Dolly Parton to reside at the Capitol in Nashville. As “humbled” as she was about the suggestion, Dolly later asked that the legislation be dropped – noting, “With all that is going on in the world, I don’t think that putting me on a pedestal is appropriate at this time.”

Megan Moroney Reveals Track Listing For “Cloud 9”

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Bob Ballard

With Megan Moroney‘s highly anticipated third album, “Cloud 9,” due next month, the singer has released the track list, which reveals a few high profile collaborations. In a video clip posted to her socials, she’s seen stepping out of a small plane and looking into the sky, where the tracklist is spelled out by a skywriter. The album will consist of 15 tracks, including the already-released “6 Months Later” and “Beautiful Things,” and two collabs with Ed Sheeran and Kacey Musgraves. “Cloud 9” comes out February 20th.

“Cloud 9” tracklist:

“Cloud 9”
“Medicine”
“6 Months Later”
“Stupid”
“Beautiful Things”
“Convincing”
“Liars & Tigers & Bears”
“I Only Miss You” featuring Ed Sheeran
“Wedding Dress”
“Change of Heart”
“Bells & Whistles” featuring Kacey Musgraves
“Table for Two”
“Wish I Didn’t”
“Who Hurt You?”
“Waiting on the Rain”

This day in Country Music History

Posted on January 12, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1992, Garth Brooks rose to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Unanswered Prayers”
Today in 1993, Marty Stuart earned his first-ever gold album for “This One’s Gonna Hurt You.”
Today in 1993, the video, “Reba In Concert,” was certified platinum.
Today in 1996, Tim Rushlow of Little Texas became the proud father of daughter, Bailey Nicole.
Today in 1998, Shania Twain inducted the Mamas & the Papas into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York.
Today in 1999, “The Very Best Of John Denver” was certified gold and platinum.
Today in 2006, Sugarland’s appearance on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno” was marked by the absence of original member Kristen Hall. It was seen as a sign of her departure, which the group announced days later.
Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum’s “I Run To You” was released.
Today in 2014, a Yoplait ad featuring Eddie Rabbitt’s “I Love A Rainy Night” had its first airing on TV.
Today in 2017, Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman and husband Stephen announce they’d adopted daughter, Dolly Grace Schlapman. She joined their other daughter, Daisy Pearl, who was born in 2007.
Today in 2018, Carrie Underwood’s “The Champion” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2018, Florida Georgia Line earned a gold single from the RIAA for “Smooth” and Justin Moore’s single, “Somebody Else Will,” also went gold.
Today in 2019, Chris Stapleton sang “Whiskey River” to launch the A&E taping of “Willie: Life & Songs Of An American Outlaw” at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. The lineup includedEric Church, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Sturgill Simpson, Lyle Lovett, Alison Krauss and Jamey Johnson.
Today in 2019, Tom T. Hall and John Prine were announced as 2019 inductees in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, part of a class that included Cat Stevens, Missy Elliott and Jack Tempchin.
Today in 2020, Tanya Tucker welcomed surprise guest Billy Ray Cyrus to duet on “Old Town Road” in a concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Tucker’s guests also included Billy Joe Shaver, Lee Ann Womack, Johnny Rodriguez, Dennis Quaid, Jamey Johnson and Margo Price, who joins Tucker on “Love Me Like You Used To.”
Today in 2021, the Jimmie Allen/ Brad Paisley single, “Freedom Was A Highway,” hit the airwaves. The same day, Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard’s single, “Undivided,” was also released.

Chris Stapleton Announces More “All American Road Show” Dates

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Chris Stapleton‘s 2026 is starting to take shape. The singer added 24 more shows to his growing tour schedule yesterday, and threw in some surprises, including dates alongside Lainey Wilson, Zach Top and more. For complete tour date and ticket information, visit Stapleton’s website. Tickets for the new shows go on sale January 16 at 10AM local time. See the first ten of the new dates listed below.

May 23 — Nashville, Tenn. @ Nissan Stadium
June 11 — Jacksonville, Fla. @ Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena
June 13 — Tampa, Fla. @ Raymond James Stadium
June 17 — Burgettstown, Pa. @ The Pavilion at Star Lake
June 20 — Charlotte, N.C. @ Bank of America Stadium
June 24 — Hershey, Pa. @ Hersheypark Stadium
June 26 — North Charleston, S.C. @North Charleston Coliseum
July 8 — Mountain View, Calif. @ Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 10 — Chula Vista, Calif. @ North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 17 — Portland, Ore. @ Providence Park

This day in Country Music History

Posted on January 9, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1960, Patsy Cline became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Today in 1961, Johnny Horton’s “North to Alaska” reached #1 in Billboard.
Today in 1982, a five-mile stretch of Gallatin Road in Hendersonville, Tennessee was renamed the Johnny Cash Parkway.
Today in 1990, Willie Nelson’s “Stardust” album was certified quadruple-platinum.
Today in 2000, Shania Twain won People’s Choice award for Favorite Female Music Performer.
Today in 2004, Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews cover the Lefty Frizzell classic “The Long Black Veil” as the latest addition of the Radney Foster-hosted “CMT Crossroads” debuts.
Today in 2007, Rascal Flatts’ “Life Is A Highway” earned two People’s Choice awards, Carrie Underwood also won two awards. Kenny Chesney and Bon Jovi’s won an award for “Who Says You Can’t Go Home.”
Today in 2009, Justin Moore’s “Small Town USA” was released.
Today in 2012, Blake Shelton achieved gold and platinum singles for “God Gave Me You.”
Today in 2015, Toby Keith performed “Beer For My Horses” to launch “CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party,” a 90-minute special celebrating the college football championship game. The lineup also featured Thomas Rhett, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae, Brett Eldredge and Big & Rich.
Today in 2017, Little Big Town performed the national anthem before the BCS National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, where the Clemson Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 35-31.

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

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Bob Ballard

This week’s H & S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week is “Cat”, a male 6 and a half year old kitty who loves attention, loves to cuddle and enjoys looking out the window. Cat is a mellow fellow who doesn’t mind dogs and gets along great with other cats. Cat is fully vetted, vaccinated, neutered and microchipped. Cat’s ready for his ‘furr-ever’ home, and would ove to meet his new best friend!

And since Cat is the H&S Feed & Country Store Pet of the Week, his adoption fee is only $30 this week!

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

Grand Ole Opry Announces Fourth Annual “Opry Goes Dolly” Event

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Bob Ballard

For the fourth straight year, the Grand Ole Opry will honor Dolly Parton‘s birthday with the “Opry Goes Dolly” show. For Dolly’s upcoming 80th birthday, country stars Vince Gill, Lainey Wilson and Rhonda Vincent will show up to pay tribute to the legend, with more names to be added before the January 17th event (two days before her actual birthday). Five dollars from every ticket sold to the show will be donated to Parton’s Imagination Library. For tickets, visit the Opry’s website.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Bob Ballard

Today in 1980, Kenny Rogers has seven GRAMMY nominations, including “The Gambler” for Record of the Year. Roger’s producer, Larry Butler, was nominated for Producer of the Year.
Today in 1983, Reba McEntire’s “Can’t Even Get The Blues” achieved her first #1 single on the Billboard country chart.
Today in 1992, Vince Gill’s “Pocket Full Of Gold” went platinum.
Today in 1993, Elvis Presley received tribute with a 29-cent U.S. postage stamp.
Today in 2001, Faith Hill received three trophies in the American Music Awards. Tim McGraw earned Favorite Country Male, The Dixie Chicks were named Favorite Country Band, and Billy Gilman won Favorite Country Artist.
Today in 2014, Taylor Swift won Favorite Country Artist during the 40th Annual People’s Choice Awards, Tim McGraw was named Favorite Country Music Icon.
Today in 2015, Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood sang “Go Rest High On That Mountain” during Little Jimmy Dickens’ memorial at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Also taking part: Steve Wariner, Chris Young, Connie Smith, Old Crow Medicine Show, songwriter Bobby Tomberlin and Brad Paisley, who performed “When I Get Where I’m Going.”
Today in 2015, Garth Brooks became the first guest to appear on all four hours of NBC’s “Today” from New York. He’s joined by co-host Hoda Kotb on “Friends In Low Places.”
Today in 2016, Carrie Underwood’s “Greatest Hits: Decade #1” went platinum. On the same day, Montgomery Gentry’s single, “Where I Come From,” went gold…and Thomas Rhett’s single, “Die A Happy Man” went platinum.
Today in 2016, singer/songwriter Red Simpson dies in Bakersfield. He earned a Top 5 hit as an artist in 1972 with “I’m A Truck.” He also wrote a handful of Buck Owens hits, including “Gonna Have Love” and “Sam’s Place.”
Today in 2017, Carrie Underwood and Sting presented the musical Golden Globe Awards to “La La Land” as NBC broadcast the ceremony from the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. Also in the room were Keith Urban, Nicole Kidman, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, John Travolta and Reese Witherspoon.
Today in 2018, the LANCO single, “Born To Love You,” hit the airwaves.

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