- Today in 1976, Elvis Presley recorded his last hit record, “Way Down,” at his studio in the Graceland Mansion. The raw, unedited version can be found on the album, “Our Memories of Elvis, Vol. II.”
- Today in 1981, was a big day for Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty. Conway’s “Greatest Hits Volume I” album was certified gold, while Loretta Lynn’s album, “Greatest Hits Volume II,” was certified gold. Plus, the duo’s “Lead Me On” album was also certified gold.
- Today in 1983, the single, “Islands in the Stream,” by Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers, became the first country song ever to simultaneously top the country, pop and adult contemporary charts.
- Today in 1985, the “Five-O” album by Hank Williams Jr. was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, Vince Gill’s “When I Call Your Name” album was certified gold.
- Today in 1990, the album, “Killin’ Time,” by Clint Black was certified double platinum.
- Today in 1993, the “Honky Tonk Angels” album by Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn was released.
- Today in 1993, Brooks & Dunn hit #1 with “She Used to Be Mine.”
- Today in 1996, Alan Jackson released the “Everything I Love” album.
- Today in 2000, Keith Urban performed at the closing ceremonies for the Paralympic Games in Sydney, Australia.
- Today in 2002, Patty Loveless’ “Bluegrass & White Snow: A Mountain Christmas” album, Jo Dee Messina’s Christmas CD, “A Joyful Noise,” and Lee Ann Womack’s holiday project, “A Season for Romance,” arrived in stores. Kenny Rogers’ CD, “The Gift,” was also re-released.
- Today in 2003, Randy Travis’ album, “Rise and Shine,” was been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
- Today in 2009, Taylor Swift’s single, “You Belong With Me,” went gold, platinum and double-platinum.
- Today in 2011, Blake Shelton began a three-week ride at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “God Gave Me You.”
- Today in 2012, The Band Perry’s single, “Better Dig Two,” was released.
- Today in 2012, Little Big Town sang “Pontoon,” Big & Rich performed “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” and Cowboy Troy does “I Play Chicken With The Train” on ABC’s telecast of “Dancing With The Stars.”
- Today in 2014, Sara Evans and actor Will Chase sang “Put My Heart Down” during an episode of ABC’s country-music drama, “Nashville.”
- Today in 2016, Luke Combs performed “Hurricane” and “Tennessee Whiskey” as he made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
- Today in 2016, Gregg Allman played what proves to be his final concert during the Laid Back Festival at the Lakewood Amphitheatre in Atlanta. It marked his last public performance of “Midnight Rider,” an Allman Brothers Band song that became a country hit when it was remade by Willie Nelson.
- Today in 2016, Rodney Crowell visited the emergency room for a cardiac issue after sound check for the Celebrity Barn Dance at the Jaeckle Center in Thompson’s Station, Tennessee. Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Ashley Monroe performed, raising $50,000 for the Music Health Alliance…and Crowell reappeared for the final two songs.
- Today in 2018, Bobby Bones offered up an Argentine tango to “Mister Sandman” during ABC’s Halloween edition of “Dancing With The Stars.” John Schneider performed a paso doble to music from the movie, “Beetlejuice.”
- Today in 2018, Kix Brooks joined Rascal Flatts for an impromptu version of “Folsom Prison Blues” during a MusiCares fundraiser at the Nashville home of jewelry designer Johnathon Arndt. Flatts played nine songs during the private show, including “Yours If You Want It,” “I Like The Sound Of That” and “Fast Cars And Freedom.”
- Today in 2019, Keith Urban performed and Carly Pearce spoke during a celebration of life for late producer busbee at City Winery in Nashville. Also in the house were Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd, Thomas Rhett, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Little Big Town members Jimi Westbrook and Karen Fairchild.
- Today in 2020, Willie Nelson’s “Rainbow Connection” provided the soundtrack as Kohl’s launched a coronavirus-themed Christmas commercial featuring senior citizens and kids greeting each other with hand-written signs through windows.
THIS DAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
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