This day in Country Music History

Today in 1939, “Billboard” magazine introduced the hillbilly chart, which has since become the country music chart.
Today in 1950, Hank Williams charted what would be come the number one single “Long Gone Lonesome Blues.”
Today in 1960, Roy Orbison recorded “Only the Lonely.”
Today in 1961, Elvis Presley made his last concert appearance for eight years with a show on the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The show was a benefit concert, which raised 62-thousand-dollars for the USS Arizona memorial fund.
Today in 1966, Buck Owens played a sold-out concert at New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
Today in 1963, Johnny Cash recorded “Ring Of Fire.”
Today in 1966, Buck Owens recorded a live album at Carnegie Hall, starting with “Act Naturally.”
Today in 1969, Roy Orbison married his second wife, Barbara, in Nashville.
Today in 1971, Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden” won her the one and only gold album of her career.
Today in 1972, Donna Fargo’s “The Happiest Girl in the Whole USA” charted.
Today in 1974 at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Charlie Rich won Top Male Vocalist, Single Record, and Album of the Year for “Behind Closed Doors,” which was also named the Song of the Year.
Today in 1981, Eddie Rabbitt got his second gold single for “Drivin’ My Life Away,” just fifteen days after the first.
Today in 1985, Kenny Rogers performed for the first time in months following surgery to remove nodules from his vocal cords.
Today in 1987, Randy Travis released “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
Today in 1989, “New Fool At An Old Game” earned Reba McEntire the top spot on the Billboard country chart.
Today in 1989, Garth Brooks made his chart debut with “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old).”
Today in 1991, Alan Jackson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Today in 1994, Alan Jackson scored another number one hit with “(Who Says) You Can’t Have It All.”
Today in 1997, new album releases included Tanya Tucker’s “Complicated” and Alison Krauss’ “So Long, So Wrong.”
Today in 2002, the re-release version of LeAnn Rimes’ “I Need You” album arrived in stores. While the original version of the project had ten tracks, the new edition had bonus cuts including “Light The Fire Within,” the theme song of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. There were also brand new radio mixes of four songs.
Today in 2003, Reba McEntire’s WB sitcom, “Reba,” was renewed for a third season on the network.
Today in 2004, the Georgia State House of Representatives voted unanimously to name a stretch of Interstate 85 in honor of Alan Jackson. The measure had already passed in the State Senate.
Today in 2005, Blaine Larsen made his first career appearance on ABC’s “Good Morning America” during his first-ever trip to New York City.
Today in 2006, Chely Wright performed at a USO show during the “Welcome Home” celebration at Fort Stewart, Georgia for members of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division.
Today in 2006, Mark Wills performed a benefit concert for the TASER Foundation for Fallen Officers & Untouchables Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club. Money raised benefits families of fallen officers.
Today in 2006, Kenny Chesney’s “Living in Fast Forward” was spending its third week at number-one on Billboard’s country chart.
Today in 2007, Billy Currington sang the National Anthem prior to the Food City 500 NASCAR race in Bristol, Tennessee.
Today in 2007, Willie Nelson, Ray Price and Merle Haggard embarked on their “Last of the Breed” tour. They were backed by Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel.
Today in 2008, new releases included “Clover Country,” a compilation CD supporting the 4-H featuring Vince Gill, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, and Faith Hill, as well as Sugarland, Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell, Luke Bryan, and Alabama.
Today in 2009, Lee Ann Womack performed at the T.J. Martell Foundation’s first ever Honors Gala, which took place in Nashville. Country Music Hall of Famer Frances Preston and former Vice President Al Gore were among those recognized at the event.
Today in 2009, Phil Vassar, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Lee Greenwood were among the celebrities who appeared on “Americans Feeding Americans,” a Hallmark Channel special supporting the charity Feed The Children.
Today in 2010, Jamey Johnson, Mac McAnally, and Mac Davis were inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
Today in 2011, the Texas prosecutor handling Willie Nelson’s marijuana possession case proposed a deal in which the country legend could resolve the matter by paying a 100-dollar fine and performing approximately two-and-a-half-minutes of community service — in the form of singing his 1975 chart-topper “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” in court.
Today in 2011, it was George Strait and Reba McEntire Day in New Mexico. The singers’ performance at the Pan Am Center in Las Cruces set a new attendance record of 13-thousand-44. The previous record had been set by Elton John, who in 2005 entertained a crowd of 12-thousand-560.
Today in 2012, the Eli Young Band and the Randy Rogers Band were the big winners at the second annual Texas Regional Music Awards, which took place in Arlington, Texas.
Today in 2006, Buck Owens died in his sleep. He was known for his red, white, and blue guitar, for hosting the TV Show “Hee Haw,” and for classics including “Together Again,” and “I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail.”
Today in 2013, “The Voice” began its fourth season on NBC. The winner-to-be, Danielle Bradbery joined Blake Shelton’s team after performing “Mean,” and other contestants sang “Blown Away,” and “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” Judges Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Usher, and Shakira sang “Come Together.”
Today in 2013, Charlie Daniels was admitted to a Nashville area hospital to have a pacemaker implanted in his chest. Doctors discovered he had an irregular heartbeat while treating him for a mild case of pneumonia.
Today in 2014, new country releases included Jerrod Niemann’s “High Noon” and the “lost” Johnny Cash album, “Out Among The Stars. ”
Today in 2014, at Charlie Daniels annual fundraiser for veterans scholarships at Nashville’s David Lipscomb University, Luke Bryan joined him for a surprise rendition of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” Clint Black, Kellie Pickler, and The Grascals also appeared, and Lee Greenwood came unannounced to perform “God Bless the U.S.A.”
Today in 2015, the Oak Ridge Boys, The Browns and guitarist Grady Martin were announced as 2015 inductees in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.
Today in 2015, Reba McEntire and Deana Carter were featured on ABC’s telecast of “Nashville: On The Record.” Also performing were cast members Chris Carmack, Jonathan Jackson, Will Chase, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Charles Esten and Lennon & Maisy Stella.
Today in 2016, Hank Williams biopic, “I Saw The Light,” debuted in theaters.
Today in 2016, the Margo Price album, “Midwest Farmer’s Daughter,” was released.
Today in 2017, LeAnn Rimes was recognized with the Ally for Equality Award when the Human Rights Campaign held its Nashville Equality Dinner at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
Today in 2017, Craig Morgan kicked off a USO tour at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.
Today in 2019, Brett Young’s single, “Mercy,” was certified double-platinum by the RIAA.
Today in 2019, Caylee Hammack’s debut single, “Family Tree,” hit the airwaves.
Today in 2019, Luke Combs was named New Male Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, while Ashley McBryde wins New Female Artist and LANCO takes New Group.
Today in 2020, Glen Campbell’s “Wichita Lineman” and Eddy Arnold’s “Make The World Go Away” were announced by the Library of Congress as new additions to the National Recording Registry. Also in the class are the Dusty Springfield album “Dusty In Memphis” and Whitney Houston’s version of the Dolly Parton-penned “I Will Always Love You.”
Today in 2020, Kelsea Ballerini was paired with pop singer Halsey as a new episode of “CMT Crossroads” debuted. Music during the one-hour telecast includes Ballerini’s hits “Peter Pan,” “homecoming queen?” and “Miss Me More.”
Today in 2021, the North Carolina Department of Transportation launched two anti-litter PSAs featuring native son Luke Combs.

NEWSLETTER

CATEGORIES