- Today in 1971, a summit meeting of past and present stars of country music took place at Woodland Studios in Nashville as recording began on “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” a triple album released in 1972 by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Legends on the album included “Mother” Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Roy Acuff and Merle Travis.
- Today in 1977, Kenny Rogers’ self-titled album was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, Mark Chesnutt began his first concert tour in Highland, Texas.
- Today in 1991, Vince Gill became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1994, Alan Jackson’s “Here In The Real World” album was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1998, George Strait’s album, “Carryin’ Your Love With Me,” was certified triple platinum while his “Lead On” album was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1998, Reba McEntire’s “Greatest Hits Volume II” was certified for sales of 5-million.
- Today in 1998, the “Souvenirs” album by Vince Gill was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1998, “The Patsy Cline Collection” was certified platinum.
- Today in 1999, Kenny Chesney’s “I Will Stand” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 2000, there were two only country acts to appear on the 2nd annual Family Television Awards. Reba McEntire hosted the festivities, and Billy Gilman performed.
- Today in 2000, then-Vice President Al Gore personally asked Mary Chapin Carpenter to perform at the Democratic National Convention. Mary Chapin was asked to perform a song from her “Stones In The Road” album called “Why Walk, When You Can Fly.”
- Today in 2000, Jo Dee Messina hit another milestone in her career as it was announced that her album, “Burn,” had debuted on Billboard’s Country Album chart at #1.
- Today in 2001, Cyndi Thomson made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2001, Martie Seidel became Martie Maguire when she married hubby Gareth in a supersecret ceremony in Hawaii. The happy couple was able to keep their news quiet until late-September, when the Dixie Chicks performed on the “Tribute to Heroes” special – Martie was seen wearing what looked to be a wedding ring, and she soon admitted through reps that she and Gareth had indeed exchanged vows. The couple split in 2013 and share three daughters.
- Today in 2001, Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden and his wife, Brenda, welcomed their new son, William Solomon Golden, into the world at 11:04am local time at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. And even though little William arrived 12 days early, he weighed in at a healthy 6-pounds, 13 ¾-ounces.
- Today in 2001, Clint Black hosted the Family Television Awards. He and wife Lisa Hartman Black performed their chart-topping hit, “When I Said I Do,” on the show. Interestingly, the program, which honors the best in family-oriented viewing, was the couple’s first televised appearance since the birth of their daughter, Lily Pearl, that May.
- Today in 2001, one of the biggest stars on the planet became of the brightest in the sky as members of Shania Twain’s announced they had paid to have a star registered in Shania’s name – it’s in the constellation Virgo.
- Today in 2002, for the first time since their 1998 Grand Ole Opry debut, Natalie Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison – aka the Dixie Chicks – made their follow-up performance on the legendary stage of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 2006, Kenny Chesney’s nine-minute “You Save Me” video aired on CMT for the first time.
- Today in 2009, Lady Antebellum’s single, “Need You Now,” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2009, Brooks & Dunn announced in a short note that they would be ending their partnership after one last tour. The message? “It’s time to call it a day.” And while the pair – aka Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks – have continued recording solo music, they have since offered a reunion of sorts through a series of shows in Las Vegas with Reba McEntire.
- Today in 2012, Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride” video premiered on CMT.
- Today in 2014, Cole Swindell wrote his future hit, “You Should Be Here,” with songwriter Ashley Gorley at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. All this while he was prepping to open for Luke Bryan.
- Today in 2016, Eric Church earned a gold single from the RIAA for “Record Year.”
Share 
