- Today in 1983, Kathy Mattea first appeared on the country charts with a song called “Street Talk.” It made the top forty, but it took her another five years to score her first #1, “Goin’ Gone.”
- Today in 1984, Anne Murray became the first female country artist to win the CMA’s Album of the Year trophy, for “A Little Good News.”
- Today in 1984, Alabama was named the CMA’s Entertainer of the Year for the third year in a row. They were the first act ever to win the prestigious award that many times. Garth Brooks tied that record with his win in 1997, and then beat it by winning “Entertainer of the Year” again in 1998. Reba McEntire also won for Female Vocalist of the Year (the first of four consecutive wins).
- Today in 1985, the “Live in London” album by Ricky Skaggs was released.
- Today in 1990, the 24th annual CMA Awards were held. George Strait was named Entertainer of the Year, Kathy Mattea and Clint Black were the Male and Female Vocalists of the Year, and the Horizon Award went to…Garth Brooks!
- Today in 1990, Tennessee Ernie Ford was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 1991, the albums, “Don’t Go Near the Water” by Sammy Kershaw and “Greatest Hits Volume II” by Alabama were released.
- Today in 1996, Daryle Singletary’s album, “All Because Of You,” and the album, “One Ride in Vegas” by Deryl Dodd were released.
- Today in 2002, Keith Urban’s album, “Golden Road,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2002, Martina McBride was at the Safe Haven homeless shelter in Nashville to draw attention to ways people can help others on Make a Difference Day.
- Today in 2002, Shania Twain celebrated a stunning triumph. “I’m Gonna Getcha Good,” the first single from her album, “UP!,” debuted on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart at #21.
- Today in 2002, Joe Diffie was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame.
- Today in 2002, Johnny Cash was honored with the Founders Award at the 32nd annual Conference of the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).
- Today in 2003, Dolly Parton and Melissa Etheridge taped an episode of “CMT Crossroads,” hosted by Radney Foster, at the Sony Television Studios in Los Angeles.
- Today in 2004, Keith Urban launched his first headlining tour, sponsored by CMT, at Emens Auditorium in Muncie, Indiana.
- Today in 2008, Jason Aldean kicked off his first headlining tour at the Ramsey Center in Cullhowee, North Carolina. Lady Antebellum and Eric Durrance were also on the CMT-sponsored tour.
- Today in 2011, Rascal Flatts joined the Grand Ole Opry and performed three songs. Ronnie Dunn, of Brooks & Dunn, also made his solo Opry debut as a solo artist.
- Today in 2012, Eric Church launched a two-night stand at the Tivoli Theatre in Chattanooga. The shows were recorded for the 2013 concert album, “Caught in the Act: Live.”
- Today in 2013, the Kenny Rogers album, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” was released.
- Today in 2014, Don Henley filed suit against the Duluth Trading Company, asserting a clothing ad unfairly uses his trademarked name without permission. The source of the dispute is a pun: “Don a Henley and Take It Easy.”
- Today in 2016, Darryl Worley held his annual Tennessee River Run benefit in Savannah, Tennessee. He was joined by Kellie Pickler, Randy Houser and Chuck Wicks.
- Today in 2016, Lonestar headlined a benefit at the Murphy Theatre in Wilmington, Ohio, raising $60-thousand for veterans groups.
- Today in 2016, Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three and Kane Brown play the final country concert at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, California, before the venue is torn down in favor of apartments. FGL’s set includes “This Is How We Roll,” “May We All,” “H.O.L.Y.” and “Cruise.”
- Today in 2016, Aaron Lewis was at #1 on the Billboard country albums chart with “Sinner.”
- Today in 2017, one week after a Las Vegas massacre that occurred while he was on stage, Jason Aldean returned to the city to meet with victims.
- Today in 2018, Old Dominion’s “Make It Sweet” hit the airwaves.
- Today in 2018, Chris Young performed “I Can’t Stop Loving You” and Trisha Yearwood sang “You Don’t Know Me” as “An Opry Salute To Ray Charles” was taped at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The PBS special also featured Darius Rucker, Brett Eldredge, LeAnn Rimes, Travis Tritt and Cam.
- Today in 2018, Vince Gill, Michael McDonald and Butch Walker played “Take It To The Limit” and “Life’s Been Good” as Joe Walsh received a humanitarian award at the Rainbow Room in New York from Facing Addiction and the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence. Guests included Stephen Van Zandt, Olivia Harrison and Ringo Starr.
- Today in 2019, Phil Vassar has a role in the movie “I Only Miss You When I’m Breathing,” – and it premiere at the Regal Hollywood 27 during the Nashville Film Festival.
- Today in 2019, Midland vocalist Mark Wystrach married Ty Haney in Austin, Texas.
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