- Today in 1981, “Elvira” by Oak Ridge Boys peaked at #5 on the pop singles chart.
- Today in 1989, the album, “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” by Keith Whitley was certified gold.
- Today in 1989, Earl Thomas Conley’s “Greatest Hits” was certified gold.
- Today in 1993, Willie Nelson announced he’d donate money from his next three concerts to Midwest flood relief.
- Today in 1995, Charlie Rich died in his sleep in a Hammond, Louisiana motel. The cause of death was listed as a blood clot in a lung. He was 62.
- Today in 1997, Martina McBride debuted her new single “Broken Wing” on the Grand Ole Opry with a special guest. Her father, Daryl Schiff, joined her on the stage.
- Today in 1997, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” – the first restaurant to bear The King’s name – opened for business at 126 Beale Street in Memphis.
- Today in 2000, Aaron Tippin’s album, “People Like Us,” arrived in stores.
- Today in 2000, Lee Ann Womack topped the charts with her single, “I Hope You Dance,” for the fifth consecutive week.
- Today in 2001, the acts on Brooks & Dunn’s inaugural “Neon Circus & Wild West Show” ruled the country singles charts. While there’s never a shortage of hits when any of these acts rolls into town, it is highly unusual for all four acts on a tour to simultaneously have singles in the Top 10 of “Radio & Records’” country chart. Brooks & Dunn’s single, “Only in America,” was at #10, keith urban’s “Where the Blacktop Ends” held on to the #6 spot and Toby Keith’s “I’m Just Talkin’ About Tonight” was perched at #5. Montgomery Gentry’s “She Couldn’t Change Me” was enjoying its third consecutive week at #2.
- Today in 2006, Jake Owen released his debut album, “Startin’ With Me.”
- Today in 2008, Dixie Chick Martie Maguire and her husband Gareth welcomed daughter, Harper Rosie Maguire, in Austin, Texas.
- Today in 2011, Eric Church’s single, “Homeboy,” was certified gold.
- Today in 2013, Pistol Annies’ single, “Hell on Heels,” was certified platinum.
- Today in 2015, Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean co-headlined the first country concert in the history of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The package also includes Brantley Gilbert, Cole Swindell and Old Dominion.
- Today in 2015, Cassadee Pope performed during the opening ceremony of the Special Olympics in Los Angeles, where the bill includeed Stevie Wonder, Avril Lavigne and Siedah Garrett.
- Today in 2017, Blake Shelton earns a gold single from the RIAA for “Gonna.”
- Today in 2017, songwriter/producer/guitarist Billy Joe Walker Jr. died in Kerrville, Texas. He wrote Eddie Rabbitt’s “I Wanna Dance With You,” produced country hits for Travis Tritt and Bryan White, and played on singles by George Strait, Waylon Jennings, Randy Travis and Martina McBride.
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