THIS DAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

This day in Country Music History

  • Today in 1983, John Anderson’s mega-hit “Swingin”‘ entered the country charts.
  • Today in 1997, Brooks & Dunn’s single, “Why Would I say Goodbye,” hit #1.
  • Today in 1999, Chely Wright’s album, “Single, White Female,” arrived in stores.
  • Today in 1999, Reba McEntire’s book, “Comfort From A Country Quilt,” was #8 on the “New York Times” non-fiction hardcover bestseller list.
  • Today in 2003, a bevy of country stars and everyday fans showed up at the First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where June Carter Cash was remembered in a touching public funeral. Johnny Cash, naturally, occupied a seat in the front row, positioned in a wheelchair not far from June’s light blue casket. Others on hand included daughter Carlene Carter, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Rodney Crowell, Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Hank Williams Jr. and Trisha Yearwood. Larry Gatlin and the Oak Ridge Boys – two acts whose careers benefited from Johnny’s assistance – sang. And Emmylou Harris performed a couple of songs with the assistance of rocker Sheryl Crow. Rosanne Cash, who was 12 years old when June married Johnny, told the assembly that June banned the word “stepmother” from the household. According to the Associated Press, Rosanne said, “My daddy has lost his dearest companion … and his soul mate. If being a wife were a corporation, June would have been a CEO. It was her most treasured role.”
  • Today in 2005, Gretchen Wilson earned a gold single with “Here For The Party” and a platinum one with “Redneck Woman.”
  • Today in 2008, Sugarland’s “Stay” was a double-winner, claiming Single Record and Song of the Year during the 43rd annual Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
  • Today in 2014, Keith Urban sold 22-thousand guitar packages on HSN.
  • Today in 2015, Sam Hunt’s “House Party” was released.
  • Today in 2016, while Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA, Brantley Gilbert’s “Just As I Am” album went platinum.
  • Today in 2017, the Texas legislature named George Strait the state musician for 2017.
  • Today in 2018, Jake Owen launched a 21-date tour of baseball parks at AT&T Field in Chattanooga. His opening acts are Chris Janson and Jordan Davis.
  • Today in 2019, Travis Tritt’s bus was sideswiped on Highway 22 near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, as it dodged a crash. A jeep going the wrong way hit a pickup head-on, killing two people. Tritt is unharmed, though his bus sustains minor damage.
  • Today in 2019, Jimmie Allen tells Chicago radio station WEBG that he was diagnosed as a teenager with bipolar depression.
  • Today in 2019, Morgan Wallen’s “Whiskey Glasses” hit #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
  • Today in 2020, Dolly Parton and American Greetings announced a new “Birthday Time” ecard that personalized “9 To 5” as a birthday greeting for 1,200 different names.
  • Today in 2020, Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You” was awarded a platinum single status from the RIAA.
  • Today in 2020, Dolly Parton joined Jon Bon Jovi, Stephen Colbert and Meryl Streep in a benefit for the Covenant House, livestreamed via Broadway On Demand.
  • Today in 2020, Sage Warren, the 21-year-old son of singer and “Highway Don’t Care” songwriter Brad Warren, died in Tennessee after ingesting a drug laced with fentanyl.
  • Today in 2021, Andrew Jannakos officially adopted Brenson, the five-year-old son of his wife, Kat.

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