- Today in 1959, “The Battle Of New Orleans” won Song of the Year for composer Jimmy Driftwood and Best Country & Western Performance for Johnny Horton during the second annual GRAMMY Awards.
- Today in 1960, “Are You Lonesome Tonight” by Elvis Presley peaked at #1 on the pop singles chart and stayed there for six weeks. (Fun fact: Elvis also released a version of that song where he breaks up into laughter.)
- Today in 1961, the Grand Ole Opry came to Carnegie Hall, with Patsy Cline, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Marty Robbins, Jim Reeves, Faron Young and The Jordanaires. The performance benefitted the Musicians’ Aid Society. In the crowd: Jimmy Dean and comic Jack Benny.
- Today in 1964, Willie Nelson made his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry, following his induction.
- Today in 1979, Mac Davis’ “Greatest Hits” album was released.
- Today in 1987, Steve Wariner held the #1 country chart position with “Lynda.”
- Today in 1992, Marty Stuart joined the Grand Ole Opry.
- Today in 1994, Toby Keith’s “Boomtown” album was certified platinum.
- Today in 1994, Alan Jackson earned triple platinum certification for his album, “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.”
- Today in 1994, Brooks & Dunn’s “Hard Workin’ Man” album was certified triple platinum, while their “Brand New Man” project scored quadruple platinum honors.
- Today in 1996, Deana Carter made her debut on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
- Today in 1996, Alan Jackson had more than a “little” to be happy about. He hit #1 with the single, “Little Bitty,” and released his album, “Everything I Love.”
- Today in 1998, Faith Hill topped the charts with “Let Me Let Go.
- Today in 1999, Jo Dee Messina appeared on CBS TV’s “Touched by an Angel” for the first time.
- Today in 2000, with two albums (his debut project, “One Voice,” and his Christmas album, “Classic Christmas”) in the top 10, Billy Gilman was the country’s top selling artist.
- Today in 2000, the finalists for the 2000 Billboard Music Awards were announced, and Faith Hill was the leading nominee.
- Today in 2000, the “Lonely Grill” album by Lonestar was certified triple platinum.
- Today in 2001, NBC-TV aired Faith Hill’s TV special, “Faith Hill: When The Lights Go Down.” The show performed very well among the holiday offerings. Barely edging out her husband, Tim McGraw’s, first-ever special, which aired the night before, the show was watched in 6.9-million U.S. households.
- Today in 2001, Lee Ann Womack kicked off a unique Christmas tour in Sewell, New Jersey – performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
- Today in 2006, when Trick Pony performed at the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, it marked Heidi Newfield’s final tour stop as a member of the trio.
- Today in 2008, Taylor Swift’s “Fearless” rose to #1 on the Billboard country albums chart. It ultimately spent a total of 35 weeks in that position over the next 15 months.
- Today in 2010, Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles hosted the ABC special, “CMA Country Christmas,” with Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, Martina McBride, LeAnn Rimes, Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker and Little Big Town. Most of the cast also joined forces for the finale, “Jingle Bell Rock.”
- Today in 2013, a new installment of “CMT Crossroads” debuted with The Band Perry and Fall Out Boy. They combined forces on “Better Dig Two,” “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)” and “DONE.”
- Today in 2014, Luke Bryan’s brother-in-law died. As a result, Luke postponed recording of his album, “Kill The Lights,” which had been set to begin in days. He also moved his orphaned nephew, Tilden Cheshire, into his family home…and is now raising him.
- Today in 2017, Old Dominion scored a platinum single from the RIAA for the song, “Snapback.”
- Today in 2018, Jana Kramer and her then-husband, Michael Caussin, welcomed son Jace Joseph Caussin. The couple finalized their divorce July 2021.
- Today in 2018, Luke Combs announced his engagement to Nicole Hocking. The happy couple became “Mr. and Mrs.” in August 2020.
- Today in 2019, Midland’s Mark Wystrach and his wife, Ty Haney, welcomed their daughter, Sundance “Sunny” Leon Wystrach. While the couple hasn’t ever explained it, it turns out that little Sunny developed a medical emergency, and Midland was forced to postpone a series of concerts in Europe and the U.S. The best news? She’s all good now!
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