- Today in 1973, Willie Nelson inaugurated his annual “Fourth of July Picnic” in Dripping Springs, Texas.
- Today in 1980, the Charlie Daniels Band missed performing at Willie Nelson’s 4th of July concert and picnic when someone forgot to pick them up at the airport.
- Today in 1986, Willie Nelson held the 18-hour long “Farm Aid 2” concert at Manor Downs racetrack near Austin, Texas.
- Today in 1987, Willie Nelson’s 15th Fourth of July Picnic – dedicated to the nation’s truckers – was held in Carl’s Corner, Texas.
- Today in 1992, Diamond Rio’s “Norma Jean Riley” topped the country singles charts.
- Today in 2002, Toby Keith’s controversial single, “Courtesy of the Red, White And Blue (The Angry American),” topped the country singles charts.
- Today in 2002, Sara Evans celebrated Independence Day with a real old-fashioned homecoming in New Franklin, Missouri, where she was born and raised. The festivities included an ice cream social followed by the dedication of a new welcome sign in Sara’s hometown, which reads “Welcome to New Franklin, Hometown of Country Star Sara Evans.”
- Today in 2012, Brad Paisley performed a USO show for the military and President Barack Obama on the south lawn of the White House.
- Today in 2015, Dierks Bentley performed “Drunk On A Plane” and “Riser” during the “Macy’s Fourth Of July Fireworks Spectacular” on NBC. The annual holiday special also featured Kelly Clarkson, Meghan Trainor, James Taylor and Brad Paisley’s renditions of “River Bank” and “Crushin’ It.”
- Today in 2017, Chris Young and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band played for 240,000 people during the Let Freedom Sing! Fourth of July concert in downtown Nashville. Young’s set includes “Voices,” “Tomorrow” and “Gettin’ You Home (The Black Dress Song),” plus a surprise appearance by Cassadee Pope to duet on “Think Of You.”
- Today in 2017, Lady Antebellum performed “You Look Good” and “Downtown,” and Brad Paisley offered up “Today” and “Last Time For Everything” on the annual NBC special “Macy’s Fourth Of July Fireworks Spectacular.” Also featured were Jennifer Lopez and Sheryl Crow.
- Today in 2017, Trace Adkins performed “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee” as fireworks explode over the National Mall during the telecast of “A Capitol Fourth” from Washington, D.C. Also appearing were The Beach Boys, John Stamos and Mark McGrath. An ailing Kellie Pickler cancelled, so PBS airs her dress-rehearsal performance of “This Land Is Your Land.”
- Today in 2017, Willie Nelson and Lukas Nelson joined Sheryl Crow on a version of “Midnight Rider” during the Fourth of July Picnic at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Also appearing were Kacey Musgraves, The Turnpike Troubadours, Hayes Carll, Margo Price, Steve Earle and Jamey Johnson, who delivers “This Land Is Your Land.”
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