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Carrie Underwood Initially Turned Down the “Sunday Night Football” Gig

Posted on by Bob Ballard

“Sunday Night Football” began in 2006, and Pink was the performer of the theme song in their debut season.  But she only lasted one year before being replaced by Faith Hill for the next five years.

And after that, it was Carrie Underwood, who just kicked off her 12th straight season performing “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night”.  But did you know that producers wanted Carrie to be the star from the very get-go?

Fred Gaudelli, who is the executive producer of NBC’s NFL coverage, said that when “Sunday Night Football” initially started out, they wanted Carrie for the job.  But she was fresh off her win on “American Idol” and was overwhelmed with commitments.

In fact, he even said that when they first reached out, she, “wasn’t really interested.”  But when Faith stepped down, NBC approached Carrie again, and the rest is history.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1983, unknown singer/songwriter Kix Brooks debuted on the country charts with the song “Baby, When Your Heart Breaks Down.” The song was a failure – it only reached #73. Eight years later, Kix was #1 with his new partner Ronnie Dunn, and their first single, “Brand New Man.”
  • Today in 1982, the “Highways & Heartaches” album by Ricky Skaggs was released.
  • Today in 1988, the first Elvis Presley credit card was issued.
  • Today in 1991, the Judds’ “Greatest Hits Volume 2” album was released.
  • Today in 1998, Mac Davis received the 2117th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
  • Today in 1998, the albums “Crank It Up – The Music Album” by Jeff Foxworthy and “The Restless Kind” by Travis Tritt, were certified platinum. On the same day, Faith Hill’s album, “It Matters To Me,” was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 1999, the Dixie Chicks confirmed that they’d perform during Sheryl Crow’s concert in New York’s Central Park on September 14th.
  • Today in 1999, Kenny Chesney‘s single, “You Had Me From Hello,” was #1 in “Radio & Records.”
  • Today in 2000, SHeDAISY performed at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament at the USGA Tennis Center in New York City. The girls sang an acapella version of “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic” for the 22,000 capacity crowd between the men’s and women’s semi-finals.
  • Today in 2001, Kenny Chesney was dubbed “Country’s Hottest Bachelor” in “Country Weekly” magazine.
  • Today in 2001, Chris Cagle married Elizabeth Filer. The couple divorced a year later.
  • Today in 2001, Carolyn Dawn Johnson walked into the Canadian Country Music Awards with a record 10 nominations and emerged with five trophies.
  • Today in 2002, Radney Foster’s “Another Way To Go” album, Rebecca Lynn Howard’s “Forgive” CD and Aaron Tippin’s “Stars & Stripes” project arrived in stores.
  • Today in 2005, the MTV stations aired “ReACT Now: Music & Relief,” a Hurricane Katrina benefit with Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland and more.
  • Today in 2010, The Zac Brown Band’s video for “As She’s Walking Away” featuring Alan Jackson premiered on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Kacey Musgraves and Taylor Swift topped the list of finalists for the 47th annual Country Music Association awards list with six nominations apiece.
  • Today in 2016, Bacon artist Nancy Baker unveiled a bust of Chris Stapleton, made completely of bacon strips, at the annual LouFest in St. Louis. See it HERE.
  • Today in 2016, Blake Shelton brought out Gwen Stefani at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena for the second night in a row to duet on “Go Ahead And Break My Heart.” On top of that, Shelton donated $600,000 – the proceeds from both nights – to the Jimmy Everest Children’s Hospital.
  • Today in 2017, a dapper Thomas Rhett served as a judge during the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City. Miss Louisiana offered up a ventriloquist version of “I Wanna Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” and Miss Alabama sings “Over The Rainbow.” Sam Hunt’s “Body Like A Back Road” also played as background music during the broadcast.
  • Today in 2017, Jessie James Decker performed the national anthem and Hunter Hayes played the halftime show as the Tennessee Titans opened their NFL season with a 26-16 loss against the Oakland Raiders at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
  • Today in 2017, following a moment of silence for victims of Hurricane Harvey, Clay Walker sang the national anthem at Houston’s NRG Stadium. The Eli Young Band also performed at halftime as the Jacksonville Jaguars took the Texans, 29-7, during the opening weekend of the NFL season.

KANE BROWN TO BE HONORED AT 2024 PEOPLE’S COUNTRY CHOICE AWARDS

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This year’s People’s Choice Country Awards are going to be big for Kane Brown. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter has been chosen to receive the 2024 Country Champion Award on Thursday, September 26th on NBC. Brown is nown for his community work and received the Boys & Girls Club’s Champion of Youth Award in 2022. He’s not the only one getting special recognition this year; Miranda Lambert will receive the Country Icon Award. Other performers and presenters have yet to be announced, other than host Shania Twain.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1956, Elvis Presley made his first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” He sang four songs, including “Love Me Tender” and “Don’t Be Cruel,” shot only from the waist up (because of his naughty hip movements). Charles Laughton was hosting in place of Sullivan, who was recuperating from an auto accident.
  • Today in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis took “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Going On” to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 1968, Buck Owens performed for president Lyndon Johnson at the White House. His set list includes “Act Naturally,” “Together Again,” “Gentle On My Mind,” “Orange Blossom Special” and “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail.”
  • Today in 1989, the single, “If Tomorrow Never Comes,” by Garth Brooks made its country chart debut on its way to #1.
  • Today in 1989, the late Keith Whitley was at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “I Wonder Do You Think Of Me.” Keith had passed the previous May.
  • Today in 1991, Tracy Byrd married his wife, Michelle.
  • Today in 1996, Bill Monroe died at the Northcrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tennessee, five months after suffering a stroke. Acknowledged as the “Father of Bluegrass,” he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 and entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.
  • Today in 2001, the second season of Billy Ray Cyrus’ PAX television series, “Doc.”
  • Today in 2002, Alan Jackson performed in Washington, D.C. as the nation’s capital began its remembrance of the September/2001 terrorist attacks. His performance at The Pentagon aired live on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Later that evening, he performed as part of the “Concert for America” at the Kennedy Center. That show, which also featured Reba McEntire, was taped for broadcast two days later (on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks).
  • Today in 2004, Willie Nelson performs a concert in Plains, Georgia, for an upcoming TV special, “CMT Homecoming: Jimmy Carter In Plains.”
  • Today in 2007, Joe Nichols married Heather Singleton at Whitfield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia.
  • Today in 2011, Lady A’s “We Owned The Night” video debuted on CMT.
  • Today in 2013, Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert’s duet, “We Were Us,” was released.
  • Today in 2016, Glen Campbell tributes bookend the CBS special, “The ACM Honors.” Hosts Lady A opened with “Galveston.” The close had Blake Shelton singing “Southern Nights,” Dierks Bentley’s “Gentle On My Mind,” Keith Urban’s “Wichita Lineman,” Toby Keith’s “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and all four on “Rhinestone Cowboy.”

BLAKE SHELTON ANNOUNCES ‘FRIENDS & HEROES’ TOUR

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Blake Shelton’s hitting the road again. The superstar has announced the Friends & Heroes Tour 2025,” which will kick off in Lexington, Kentucky on February 27th and finish at State College, Pennsylvania on March 22nd. As usual, the newest edition of the Friends & Heroes tour will feature an impressive list of country music legends taking the stage and performing some of their biggest hits. Tickets will be available through an exclusive fan presale on Tuesday, with general sales beginning Friday, September 13th at 10 am local time.

Here are some of the dates for Blake Shelton’s Friends & Heroes 2025 Tour…you can see the full list at Blake’s official website by clicking here.

Feb 27 – Lexington, KY @ Rupp Arena
Feb 28 – Knoxville, TN @ Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Mar 1 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum
Mar 20 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Mar 21 – Uncasville, CT @ Mohegan Sun Arena
Mar 22 – State College, PA @ Bryce Jordan Center

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1975, “Rhinestone Cowboy” by Glen Campbell peaked at #1 on the pop singles chart – two weeks after it topped the country charts.
  • Today in 1980, Johnny Lee’s “Looking For Love” which was featured in the movie, “Urban Cowboy,” reached #1 on the country charts.
  • Today in 1985, Willie Nelson’s “Half Nelson” album was released.
  • Today in 1991, Mark Chesnutt hit #1 with the single, “Your Love Is A Miracle.”
  • Today in 1994, Tim McGraw’s “Not A Moment Too Soon” album was certified triple platinum.
  • Today in 2001, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that they planned to present the Golden Note Award to Garth Brooks on September 11th at an invitation-only reception and dinner on Capitol Hill. The event, which was set to be attended by members of Congress, was postponed “indefinitely” following the terrorist attacks earlier that day. Garth finally received his award on March 12th this year.
  • Today in 2001, Tim McGraw was tapped for “People” magazine’s annual “Best Dressed” list.
  • Today in 2001, the Gospel Music Association has announced plans to induct Elvis Presley into its Hall of Fame on November 27th during ceremonies at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Elvis Presley may be best known as the “king of rock ‘n’ roll,” but gospel is the music he loved first and best. With the honor, Elvis, who died in 1977 at the age of 42, became the first Hall of Famer in three genres – country, rock and gospel.
  • Today in 2011, Jason Aldean, Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Blake Shelton notch five nominations apiece to lead the field as the finalists are announced for the 45th annual Country Music Association awards.
  • Today in 2012, Vince Gill received a star at 6901 Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wife Amy Grant and longtime pal Reba McEntire delivered induction speeches.

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

Posted on by Bob Ballard

This week’s H&S Feed and Country Store Pet of the Week is “Delphinium”, a 2 year old Domestic Shorthair/Mix kitty. Delphinium is a sweet gal who gets along great with other cats and doesn’t seem to mind dogs. Delphinium loves affection and would make a great lap-cat. Delphinium is fully vetted, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go to a loving home. And this month, Delphinium and all adoptable adult cats are only $10!

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

MARTY STUART MAKES MASSIVE DONATION TO COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME

Posted on by Bob Ballard

You may not know that Marty Stuart is as huge a fan of country music history as he is a part of it, and now that’s going to be on display at the Country Music Hall Of Fame in Nashville. Stuart’s collection of roughly 22,000 pieces of country music memorabilia is being donated to the Hall, and it includes some incredible items he’s collected for years, including lyric sheets, outfits, guitars, and boots from some of the legends of country. The Country Music Hall Of Fame says it’ll take over a year to catalog the items.

This day in Country Music History

Posted on by Bob Ballard
  • Today in 1956, Johnny Cash debuted on the charts with “I Walk The Line.”
  • Today in 1958, The Country Music Association was founded in Nashville.
  • Today in 1975, “Rhinestone Cowboy” single by Glen Campbell was certified gold.
  • Today in 1981, “(There’s) No Getting Over Me” by Ronnie Milsap peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart.
  • Today in 1981, “Fancy Free” by the Oak Ridge Boys topped the country charts.
  • Today in 1989, the “Reba McEntire Live” album was released.
  • Today in 1995, Wade Hayes’ “Old Enough To Know Better” album was certified gold.
  • Today in 1996, Bryan White’s album, “Between Now And Forever,” was certified gold.
  • Today in 1998, Brooks & Dunn topped the Billboard chart with their single, “How Long Gone.”
  • Today in 2000, Alan Jackson’s “It Must Be Love” pushed Lonestar’s “What About Now” out of the #1 spot on the country charts.
  • Today in 2001, it was announced that was the highest grossing country tour of 2001 belonged to Tim McGraw. His 43-city jaunt, “Tim McGraw On Tour,” also included Kenny Chesney and Mark Collie.
  • Today in 2001, Alan Jackson’s album, “When Somebody Loves You,” was certified platinum. His 1996 CD, “Everything I Love”, was tapped for triple platinum status.
  • Today in 2001, Brooks & Dunn’s “Greatest Hits” album was certified triple platinum, while their “If You See Her” project was certified for sales of two-million copies.
  • Today in 2001, the Dixie Chicks were “flying high.” Their “Fly” album was certified for sales of 9-million. It has since gone on to sell over 10-million copies.
  • Today in 2001, Pam Tillis’ “Greatest Hits” collection was certified platinum.
  • Today in 2001, Tim McGraw was in Nashville celebrating the success of his #1 single, “Grown Men Don’t Cry.”
  • Today in 2001, Toby Keith’s album, “Pull My Chain,” debuted at #1 on the country album charts.
  • Today in 2001, LeAnn Rimes joined Don Henley, Courtney Love and others at a hearing before members of the California State Senate in Sacramento, as lawmakers examine California statutes governing record deals.
  • Today in 2007, Taylor Swift received a gold single for “Teardrops On My Guitar.”
  • Today in 2009, Jason Aldean’s “Big Green Tractor” started its four-week run at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2012, Eric Church topped the nomination list for the Country Music Association awards.
  • Today in 2014, Kelly Clarkson made a surprise appearance to perform “PrizeFighter” with Trisha Yearwood during a Garth Brooks concert at Chicago’s Allstate Arena. The audience included Carrie Underwood.

SHANIA TWAIN ANNOUNCES FINAL VEGAS RESIDENCY DATES

Posted on by Bob Ballard

Fans now know the dates for the final shows in Shania Twain’s Las Vegas residency. “Come On Over – The Las Vegas Residency – All The Hits!” at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino will come to an end with nine shows in January and February, ending over Super Bowl weekend. Presales for tickets start today, with general sales opening this Saturday at 10 am Pacific time. The dates? January 22, 24, 25, 29, 31, and February 1, 5, 7, and 8. There are also a limited number of tickets available for shows for the rest of this year.

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