Today In Country Music History
Today in 1955, ABC premiered a new hour-long series, "Grand Ole Opry," which aired every fourth Saturday night.
Today in 1960, Loretta Lynn made her Grand Ole Opry debut.
Today in 1970, Bill Monroe and the Original Carter Family were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Today in 1973, at the 7th annual CMA Awards, Chet Atkins and Patsy Cline were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Roy Clark was named Entertainer of the Year, and Loretta Lynn and Charlie Rich were named Female and Male Vocalists of the Year.
Today in 1988, Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens' duet "Streets of Bakersfield" hit number one.
Today in 1991, Tracy Lawrence's debut single, "Sticks and Stones," was released.
Today in 1997, John Denver's remains were cremated in California and his ashes then flown to Aurora, Colorado where a memorial service was planned by the late singer's mother and brother.
Today in 2002, Faith Hill's "Cry" album arrived in stores.
Today in 2004, Diamond Rio, Andy Griggs, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and Joe Nichols were among the performers who took part in the Grand Ole Opry's 79th birthday show.
Today in 2006, Jimmy Wayne was at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh to sing the national anthem at the the start of the Pittsburgh Steelers-Kansas City Chiefs football game. He also perform his single "That's All I'll Ever Need."
Today in 2006, Diamond Rio hosted their annual Arby's Charity Concert at the Wildhorse Saloon. The concert supported the Arby's Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and other youth mentoring organizations.
Today in 2006, Trace Adkins was featured on ESPN's "The New American Sportsman" and the Food Network's "Emeril Live." With the celebrity chef Trace discussed great baseball foods.
Today in 2007, Garth Brooks announced that he was releasing "Ultimate Hits: The Pink Version," a special edition of his best-of collection that included a DVD that gives listeners information about breast cancer. The album was priced at 15-dollars, with ten-dollars from each sale going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.
Today in 2007, Big & Rich's John Rich was named the ASCAP Songwriter/Artist of the Year for a third consecutive year at the 45th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards ceremony in Nashville. Kenny Rogers was also honored, receiving the Golden Note Award in recognition of his extraordinary career milestones.
Today in 2007, Reba McEntire joined Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell for a special benefit at New York's Carnegie Hall concert in support of The Actors Fund.
Today in 2007, Tracy Byrd performed at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta in a special show in honor of the local Wal-Mart stores, which sold the most Children's Miracle Network "miracle balloons" during the chain's campaign five months earlier.< |