- Today in 1956, Carl Perkins got into a car accident, breaking his collarbone.
- Today in 1958, 8-year-old Hank Williams Jr. made his stage debut in Swainsboro, Georgia. His father, the late country singer Hank Williams, passed away New Year’s Day 1953.
- Today in 1971, at the Academy of Country & Western Music Awards, Merle Haggard won Entertainer and Male Vocalist of the Year, and his band Strangers won Top Touring Band.
- Today in 1977, John Denver’s TV special, “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy,” aired on ABC-TV.
- Today in 1979, Kenny Rogers performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City with Oak Ridge Boys and Dottie West as his opening acts.
- Today in 1984, Kathy Mattea released her self-titled debut album.
- Today in 1988, the album, “80’s Ladies,” by K.T. Oslin was certified gold.
- Today in 1988, Restless Heart’s album, “Wheels,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1991, Garth Brooks topped the “Radio & Records” chart for the second straight week with “Two Of A Kind, Workin On A Full House.”
- Today in 1995, the “Buenos Noches From A Lonely Room” album by Dwight Yoakam was certified platinum.
- Today in 1996, Clay Walker’s “Hypnotize The Moon” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1999, the album, “Come On Over,” by Shania Twain was certified for sales of 9-million.
- Today in 1999, Diamond Rio’s album, “Unbelievable,” was certified gold.
- Today in 1999, Sheryl Crow played the Grand Ole Opry to an audience that included Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Deana Carter, and the Dixie Chicks.
- Today in 2000, Reba McEntire’s “Video Bio” premiered on CMT.
- Today in 2001, after months of speculation, Shania Twain and her music producer/husband Robert John “Mutt” Lange confirmed that they were expecting their first child. The happy couple welcomed their son, Eja (pronounced “Asia”) Lange, on August 12th. Here’s the best part – Shania and Mutt were able to keep the news private until August 20th.
- Today in 2003, The Dixie Chicks hit the top of the Billboard country chart with “Travelin’ Soldier.”
- Today in 2007, Jason Aldean’s “Johnny Cash” video debuted on CMT.
- Today in 2013, the album, “Here’s To the Good Times,” by Florida Georgia Line went gold.
- Today in 2015, Dwight Yoakam served as the honorary starter for NASCAR’s Auto Club 400 at the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California.
- Today in 2015, Dierks Bentley, Amy Grant and several stars from “Nashville”—Connie Britton, Charles Esten and Lennon and Maisy Stella – played a benefit for the African Children’s Choir at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville.
- Today in 2017, Willie Nelson’s publicist told the Associated Press that a story claiming that he was “deathly ill” was without merit, pointing out that he was well enough just days after the initial report to perform at RodeoHouston.
Share 
