www.CatCountry.Biz - Cat Country Music News, Videos & Gossip

Praying For Randy Travis - the hero who saved the genre of country music in the 80's

2013-07-09T06:29:00.000-05:00

Recession Song That Really Pulls The Heartstrings

2013-06-28T05:07:00.001-05:00

There have been a lot of powerful country songs about the average Joe struggling with money worries but 'Cost of Living' by Ronnie Dunn, (his second single after Brooks and Dunn split) really pulls at the heartstrings.

"Cost of Livin'" is the title of a song co-written by American country music singer Ronnie Dunn. It was released in June 2011 as the second single from his self-titled album, and his second release following the split of the duo Brooks & Dunn.

Background and writing (source Wikipedia)

Dunn had first had the song on hold in 2008, during the economic recession, but decided against recording it because he thought that the economy would improve. Dunn was also told that by label executives that he was "too wealthy" for the song, a comment which Dunn said made him "furious." Phillip Coleman wrote most of the song, but Dunn changed the original chorus and hook
Content

"Cost of Livin'" is about an ex-military man who is seeking employment. He tells the interviewer positive qualities about himself.
Critical reception

Giving it four-and-a-half stars out of five, Billy Dukes of Taste of Country said that it "tells a chillingly familiar story that one can’t help but stop and notice." He praised the "bare-bones production" and Dunn's "big voice". Kevin John Coyne of Country Universe gave the song an A grade, calling it "a masterpiece that is as timely as it is well written and performed."
Music video

The music video was directed by Thien Phan.

KACEY MUSGRAVES OPRY DEBUT: "TRAILER SONG"

2013-04-05T12:57:00.003-05:00

Jennifer Nettles Has a Baby Boy

2012-12-07T15:52:00.002-06:00

[view article at Examiner.com]Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and husband Justin Miller welcomed their son Magnus Hamilton Miller on Thursday, Dec. 6. Magnus is the first child for the couple. They were married last Thanksgiving in the Great Smokey Mountains.

"We are so thankful for all the prayers and support and are excited to take some time together as a new family," Nettles said in a statement.

Here she is in fine voice:

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TAYLOR SWIFT 2012 CMA AWARDS

2012-11-02T08:24:00.001-05:00

CMA AWARDS 2012

2012-11-02T05:35:00.001-05:00

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COUNTRY MUSIC QUIZ

2012-10-29T07:39:00.000-05:00

How well do you know your country music?

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Kacey Musgraves: We Told You She Was Gonna Be Big

2012-10-11T11:59:00.000-05:00

Since day 1 of this blog (it was at a different address back then) we couldn't help but talk about the talented Nashville Star contestant Kacey Musgraves. We expected her to make it big sometime soon. Well, she has been writing and working hard at her career. Here is a fantastic live version of her new single that is storming the Billboard charts.

Randy Travis & The Avett Brothers to Perform on CMT CROSSROADS, 11/23 (tunes.broadwayworld.com)

2012-10-10T18:16:00.001-05:00

Randy Travis & The Avett Brothers to Perform on CMT CROSSROADS, 11/23 (tunes.broadwayworld.com)

Folk artists The Avett Brothers will share the stage with country music legend Randy Travis when CMT presents an all-new episode of CMT CROSSROADS. Meeting and collaborating for the first time on the CMT CROSSROADS stage in Nashville, The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis will perform some of Travis’ most famous hits, along with some of The Avett Brothers most memorable tunes including some from their current album, The Carpenter. CMT CROSSROADS: THE AVETT BROTHERS AND Randy Travis premieres Friday, November 23 at 11:00 p.m., ET/PT.

In 2001, banjoist Scott Avett and guitarist Seth Avett formed The Avett Brothers with standup bass player Bob Crawford. Growing up in Concord, NC, the boys immersed themselves in their musician dad's record collection, falling in love with Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Since then, they've become genre stalwarts over the course of six albums, including 2007's acclaimed Emotionalism and their 2009 major label debut on American Recordings, I and Love and You. Most recently, their seventh full-length album and first for the joint venture between American and Republic Records, The Carpenter, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard Top 200 with first-week sales of 98,000. It also hit No. 1 on both the Billboard Rock chart and iTunes Rock chart. Critical acclaim has poured in for the record from the likes of Rolling Stone, People, USA Today, and more. Produced by the legendary Rick Rubin and recorded in North Carolina and Malibu, The Carpenter is an artful distillation of classic homegrown folk, rock energy, bluegrass soul and pop charm.

Warner Bros. Records has been home to Randy Travis for the majority of his recording career; and together they have accumulated lifetime sales of his music in excess of 20 million units to date. Travis is one of the biggest record sellers in music industry history, with 18 No. 1 singles, 29 Top 10 chartings, certification of the rare quintuple platinum album (Always and Forever, released in 1987), one triple platinum album (Storms of Life, released in 1986), two double platinum’s (Old 8x10, released in 1988, and No Holding Back, released in 1989), eight platinum albums, and 10 gold albums. Randy Travis' Anniversary Celebration CD is his latest release. It marks his phenomenal silver milestone in the music industry, and includes a star-studded cast of collaborators. Major industry career awards include seven GRAMMY Awards, five Country Music Association Awards (CMA), 10 Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM), 10 American Music Awards (AMA), two People’s Choice Awards, and eight Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association. He is a three-time recipient of CMA Award’s “Song of the Year’’ honors (“On The Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever Amen,” and “Three Wooden Crosses”). Randy Travis has appearances in more than 40 feature film productions and major television projects to his credit. In 2004, he was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In the midst of every major career award and accolade, he considers his honored induction as a member of the famed Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, in 1986, as a shining highlight of his first 25 years of legendary accomplishments.

CMT CROSSROADS is produced by Tom Forrest and Kathryn Russ. John Hamlin, Margaret Comeaux and Bill Flanagan serve as executive producers.

Iconic Photo - Willie Nelson's Guitar

2012-10-03T13:02:00.004-05:00

[source http://500px.com/photo/3353071]

Willie Nelson's guitar "Trigger" by Dave Hensley
In 1969, the Baldwin company gave Nelson an amplifier and a three-cord pickup electric guitar, that Nelson played with such intensity he broke it. He sent it to be repaired in Nashville by Shot Jackson, who told Nelson that the damage was too great. Jackson offered him a Martin N-20 nylon-string acoustic and, at Nelson's request, moved the pickup to the Martin. Nelson purchased the guitar unseen for $750 and named it after Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger". The next year Nelson rescued the guitar from his burning ranch.

Constant strumming with a guitar pick over the decades has worn a large sweeping hole into the guitar's body near the sound hole—the N-20 has no pick-guard since classical guitars are meant to be played fingerstyle instead of with picks. Its soundboard has been signed by over a hundred of Nelson's friends and associates, ranging from fellow musicians to lawyers and football coaches. In 1991, during his process with the IRS, Nelson was worried that Trigger could be auctioned off, stating: "When Trigger goes, I'll quit". He asked his daughter, Lana, to take the guitar from the studio before any IRS agent got there, and bring it to him on Maui. Nelson then hid the guitar in his manager's house until his debt was paid in 1993. (Wikipedia)

Camera Nikon D300S
Focal Length 125mm
Shutter Speed 1/500 sec
Aperture f/4
ISO/Film 2500
Category Performing Arts
Uploaded 11 months ago
Taken November 12th 2011
Copyright Dave Hensley

STAR PROFILE: Justin Moore

2012-10-02T15:09:00.001-05:00

Justin Cole Moore (born March 30, 1984) is an American country music singer and songwriter signed to Big Machine Records imprint Valory Music Group. He has released two albums for Big Machine Records: Justin Moore in 2009 and Outlaws Like Me in 2011. He has charted six times on the Hot Country Songs charts, including the number one hits "Small Town USA" and "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" and the top 10 hit "Backwoods".

Music career

Moore began performing during his junior year of high school. After graduating, he joined his uncle's Southern rock band and moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2002.

Through his music attorney Bernie Cahill, he met a young producer in Nashville, Jeremy Stover, who introduced him to Scott Borchetta, a industry executive who was planning to launch The Valory Music Co. Borchetta promised to give him a record deal if he would be patient.

2008-2010

In mid-2008, Moore signed to the Valory Music Group, an imprint of the independent record label Big Machine Records. The label then released the digital single "I Could Kick Your Ass". His first radio single, "Back That Thing Up", was co-written by his producer Jeremy Stover and Universal South Records artist Randy Houser. It reached number 38 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. He continued working on his debut album, which was part of a special promotion called "So You Want to Be a Record Label Executive". This promotion placed his music on social networking sites such as MySpace and iLike, where fans were allowed to create playlists comprising ten of his songs; the top ten songs picked were then included on the final album. His next single, "Small Town USA", entered the charts in February 2009, followed by a digital EP entitled The "You Asked for It" EP.

On August 11, the label released his self-titled debut album, on which he co-wrote nine of ten tracks.Justin Moore debuted at No. 3 on the Top Country Albums chart. He promoted the single and album on a "Small Town USA" tour which began in his hometown of Poyen and included several stops in small towns, as well as acoustic shows at Walmart stores.[7] On the Billboard charts dated for October 3, 2009, "Small Town USA" became his first Number One hit. "Backwoods" was released as the album's third single in October 2009; the song was his second Top 10 hit with a peak of No. 6 in April 2010. The album's fourth single, "How I Got to Be This Way", debuted at No. 54 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for the week of June 12, 2010; it became his third Top 20 country hit.

2011-Present

In February 2011, he released the song "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away", which was originally recorded by Rhett Akins on his 2007 album People Like Me but did not chart. Justin Moore's rendition debuted at 46 on the Hot Country songs chart. In June 2011, the song became his third top ten hit on that chart, and a three weeks later, reached Number One. "If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" serves as the lead-off single to his 2011 album Outlaws Like Me, released June 21, 2011. The follow-up singles, "Bait a Hook" and "Til My Last Day", both made top 20.

Musical styles

Steve Leggett of Allmusic describes him as having "a ready-made image. He was that good kid from a small town with a rowdy heart of gold who just happened to be able to sing about it." He has said that he learned to write songs because, when he had first moved to Nashville, no songwriters wanted to offer him material. His album has received mixed reviews from music critics: Jeffrey B. Remz of Country Standard Time referred to him as a "poseur" for name-dropping, and Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic referred to it as "anonymous country rock." The 9513's Karlie Justus said that his influences were comparatively more authentic than most other acts on country radio, and Matt Bjorke of Roughstock said that his music has "a heavy dose of southern, country charm and twang."
Personal life

Justin Moore married his wife, Kate, of Houma, Louisiana, in 2007. They have two daughters, Ella Kole, born February 11, 2010, and Kennedy Faye born November 21, 2011.

[source http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Justin_Moore&printable=yes]

George Strait Announces Last Tour

2012-09-30T12:06:00.000-05:00

George Strait announces his last tour....
[source]

"I just don't want to go to the point where I show up and nobody else does, you know?" Strait said in an interview before making the announcement. "It's been great. I've been doing it for 30-some odd years and I've loved it. Sometimes I've not liked it as much. And here lately it's just the walking out onstage part, that's all great. I'm still loving that. It's just the hectic part about touring and travelling and bam bam bam bam. I just feel like it's time for me to try something else."The enduring country music superstar announced Wednesday during a news conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum that he will embark on his final tour early next year. Strait will play 21 dates in 2013, then 20 more in 2014 on The Cowboy Rides Away tour. He plans to continue recording music and making occasional live appearances after that, but his road warrior days will soon be over.

News of Strait's retirement will come as something of a shock in country quarters. He's so entrenched in the genre he's become part of the bedrock, a landmark to be marveled at repeatedly over the decades.

The 60-year-old Country Music Hall of Fame member from Texas released his first single "Unwound" in 1981, before some of today's top stars were born. Since then he's had 59 No. 1 country singles and is the only artist to score a Top 10 hit in every year of his career. All his albums have gone platinum or gold, selling more than 68 million copies.

Traditional country singer Joe Nichols acknowledged Strait's impact when he called the singer "the Rolling Stones of country music" in a 2010 interview.

And in a lot of ways, that's been true. Until now. The Stones refuse to retire from the road, while Strait has decided to do it on his own terms.

"I'm sure I'll miss it. I'm sure I will," Strait said. "How can you not after doing it for so long. It was a hard decision to make. It was tough. I've lost sleep. But I think about midway through this tour I'll realize that, yeah, I did make the right decision. It's just a part of it."

The first leg of the tour will kick off Jan. 18 in Lubbock, Texas, and end June 1 in San Antonio. Dates for 2014 will be announced later. Martina McBride will join Strait on tour in 2013.

Strait said he was nervous about whether fans will come out and see him, but that's rarely been a cause for concern over the years. His live show is one of country's top draws. He's sold more than 4.3 million headlining concert tickets since 1999, according to Pollstar, an average of more than 18,000 per performance.

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Country Songs With Drug References

2012-09-29T10:36:00.000-05:00

As America reports a Methamphetamine epedemic that is becoming 'out of control' in some states, it's interesting to note that use of Methamphetamine as a stimulant has been used for decades. From truck drivers who took 'little white pills' in the popular road-song 'six days on the road' to the day Johnny Cash smashed the Grand Ole Opry stage lights, it's been known about a long time.

Toby Keith "I'll Never Smoke Weed With Willie Again

Willie Nelson - Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die

Townes van Zandt - Cocaine Blues

Johnny Cash - Cocaine Blues

Dave Dudley - Six Days On The Road

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Julie Roberts Gets Naked...and unplugged

2012-09-27T10:22:00.002-05:00

Julie Roberts new series of live, just voice and guitar/piano songs.

I've Been Looking For Somebody by Julie Roberts

This is Julie's description of her new recording series 'Naked'...

For a long time now, I’ve been contemplating the concept of having a series of musical releases called “Naked.” I’m so excited to tell you that I am beginning this series today!

So what is the “Naked” series?

If you’ve been to any of my live shows, you know that I enjoy sitting on a stool and singing with one instrument whether that be an acoustic guitar, a piano, or any instrument for that matter.

I decided to take that intimate arrangement into the studio and record stripped down or “naked” versions of some of my favorite songs for you. I feel like this simple production approach allows you to hear every emotion I’m feeling when I’m singing. Each song is just my voice paired with minimal instrumentation. In other words, I am naked.

I plan to release songs on the “Naked” series as often as I possibly can for you. I hope you enjoy this series and come back for more!

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Willie Nelson's Memoirs "Roll Me Up And Smoke Me"

2012-09-27T02:00:00.000-05:00

On 13 November 2012 Willie Nelson will release his memoir "Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die"

His publisher has stated that "Nelson will tell never-before-heard stories about his life, family, music, politics, Texas, religion and favorite recreational activity".

Book description

In Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die, Willie Nelson muses about his greatest influences and the things that are most important to him, and celebrates the family, friends, and colleagues who have blessed his remarkable journey. Willie riffs on everything, from music to poker, Texas to Nashville, and more. He shares the outlaw wisdom he has acquired over the course of eight decades, along with favorite jokes and insights from family, bandmates, and close friends. Rare family pictures, beautiful artwork created by his son, Micah Nelson, and lyrics to classic songs punctuate these charming and poignant memories.

A road journal written in Willie Nelson's inimitable, homespun voice and a fitting tribute to America’s greatest traveling bard, Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die—introduced by another favorite son of Texas, Kinky Friedman—is a deeply personal look into the heart and soul of a unique man and one of the greatest artists of our time, a songwriter and performer whose legacy will endure for generations to come.
Nelson's first autobiography was published in 1988.

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ONE TO WATCH: Kacey Musgraves

2012-09-25T14:50:00.000-05:00

Nashville singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves, 23, recently completed recording her debut album in Nashville, TN and will release her first single "Merry Go Round" to radio September 10. The album was co-produced by Kacey, Shane McAnally and Luke Laird and is set for release in late 2012.

Kacey, a Texas native, began singing publicly at 8-years-old and wrote her first song at 9-years-old. To date, that talent has produced cuts for multi-platinum artists such as Martina McBride and Miranda Lambert. Miranda’s current album includes Kacey’s co-written track "Mama’s Broken Heart" which Rolling Stone Magazine ranked #26 in their "50 Best Singles of 2011" list.

Musical influences range from Loretta Lynn and John Prine to bands like Cake and The Beach Boys. Kacey was honored to open for Willie Nelson last year and recently wrapped opening for Lady Antebellum in Europe and Alison Krauss in the US.

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This Day in Country Music History, September 21

2012-09-21T01:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 21

2007
Trisha Yearwood and Babyface lock voices as a new episode of "CMT Crossroads" debuts

2004
Capitol releases Keith Urban's "Be Here" album

2002
Darryl Worley picks up his first #1 single in Billboard: "I Miss My Friend"

2002
Willie Nelson holds the 15th Farm Aid at the Post-Gazette Pavilion in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania, with Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Keith Urban, Anthony Smith, Lee Ann Womack, Gillian Welch, Allison Moorer, Toby Keith, Kid Rock and Dave Matthews

1995
Bill Monroe visits Rosine, Kentucky, for the unveiling of a bronze plaque bearing his likeness. He plays "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" and "Uncle Pen" with a Navy bluegrass band in what amounts to his final performance in his hometown

1990
The Internal Revenue Service places liens totalling $16.7 million on Willie Nelson's property to guarantee that he pays $6.5 million in back taxes

1977
Paying homage to its best-known industry, Nashville elects to call its minor league baseball team the Nashville Sounds. Among the team's owners: Conway Twitty, Jerry Reed and The Oak Ridge Boys' Richard Sterban

1967
Faith Hill born in Jackson, Mississippi. Following her 1993 debut "Wild One," she becomes one of country's most successful female singers, gaining major crossover hits with "This Kiss" and "Breathe"

1957
Songwriter-producer Mark Wright born in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He writes "Today My World Slipped Away" and "Take A Little Trip," while producing hits for Lee Ann Womack, Clint Black, Mark Chesnutt, Brooks & Dunn and Trisha Yearwood

1941
Dickey Lee born in Memphis. After a 1962 pop hit with "Patches," he notches such '70s country hits as "Rocky" and "9,999,999 Tears," and writes "She Thinks I Still Care," "Let's Fall To Pieces Together" and "I've Been Around Enough To Know"

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This Day in Country Music History, September 20

2012-09-20T01:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 20

2011
Vince Gill and Sting shoot an edition of "CMT Crossroads" at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Included in the set list: "Liza Jane," "Whenever You Come Around" and "Let It Be Me"

2010
Capitol releases Lady Antebellum's single "Hello World" to radio

2007
Carrie Underwood's "So Small" video debuts on CMT

2002
Lynchburg, Virginia, names a street after hometown boy Phil Vassar when he performs in the city. Lynchburg also proclaims Phil Vassar Day, and presents him with a key to the city

2002
Toby Keith's "Who's Your Daddy?" video premieres on CMT

1997
During an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, Johnny Paycheck receives an invitation from Opry general manager Bob Whittaker to join the cast

1992
Charlie Daniels hosts Volunteer Jam XV, with Eddie Rabbitt, Paulette Carlson, Suzy Bogguss, Jo-El Sonnier, Pirates Of The Mississippi, Confederate Railroad, The Oak Ridge Boys, Little Feat, Hal Ketchum, Poco and The Desert Rose Band, among others

1988
Crystal Gayle and Loretta Lynn play a concert together for the first time

1973
A day after Gram Parsons died, his body is stolen during transfer at the Los Angeles International Airport, then taken to Joshua Tree, where it is burned, in accordance with his request. Road manager Phil Kaufman is among two charged with the crime

1955
Tennessee Ernie Ford records the Merle Travis-written "Sixteen Tons" at the Capitol Recording Studio on Melrose Avenue in Hollywood

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This Day in Country Music History, September 19

2012-09-19T01:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 19

2009
Financial company TIAA-CREF begins airing a television commercial that features Lady Antebellum's "I Run To You" behind on-screen images of meerkats

2007
Brooks & Dunn nabs a platinum album for "The Greatest Hits Collection II"

2006
The Wreckers' "Stand Still, Look Pretty" album is certified gold

2003
One week after his death, Johnny Cash wins three trophies at the Americana Music Awards in Nashville

2002
Brad Paisley kicks off his first headlining tour, performing at the Celebrity Theater in Phoenix. Pinmonkey opens the show, sponsored by CMT

1998
Eddie Rabbitt, Kent Robbins ("Straight Tequila Night") and Merle Kilgore ("Ring Of Fire") are inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, during ceremonies at the Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel in Nashville

1981
Mickey Gilley's remake of "You Don't Know Me" hits #1 on the Billboard country chart

1973
Gram Parsons dies at Joshua Tree, California, of an accidental chemical overdose. A former member of The Byrds, one of country-rock's seminal acts, Parsons influenced Emmylou Harris to take up country music

1970
Ray Price nets a #1 Billboard country single with "For The Good Times," written by Kris Kristofferson

1964
Trisha Yearwood born in Monticello, Georgia. A powerful vocalist in the vein of her idol Linda Ronstadt, she wins a Grammy for her 1997 recording of "How Do I Live" and becomes one of the most revered country acts of the 1990s

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This Day in Country Music History, September 18

2012-09-18T01:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 18

2008
Alison Krauss & Robert Plant win two trophies--Duo/Group of the Year and Album of the Year, for "Raising Sand"--during the seventh annual Americana Honors & Awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium

2006
Willie and Bobbie Nelson receive misdemeanor citations for drug possession when his bus is stopped on Interstate 10 near Beaux Bridge, Louisiana. A search of the vehicle yielded 1.5 pounds of marijuana and 2/10 of a pound of mushrooms

2004
"Days Go By" takes Keith Urban to the top of the Billboard country chart

2004
Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" takes top honors in the CMT special "40 Greatest Done Me Wrong Songs"

1999
Kenny Chesney croons his way to #1 on the Billboard country chart with "You Had Me From Hello"

1998
Reba McEntire receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, next to Meryl Streep's star, at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard

1993
Garth Brooks rises to #1 on the Billboard country chart with "Ain't Going Down (Til The Sun Comes Up)"

1981
More than 25 years after earning his first hit, George Jones finally scores his first gold album, with "I Am What I Am"

1971
Tom T. Hall checks in at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died"

1965
Connie Smith and Bob Luman join the Grand Ole Opry

1947
Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb and Rosalie Allen headline the first country music show at New York's Carnegie Hall. Tickets range from $1.20-$3.60

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This Day in Country Music History, September 17

2012-09-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 17

2009
Buddy Miller wins four times during the Americana Music Association Awards & Honors at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville

2005
Brooks & Dunn's "Play Something Country" appears at the top of the Billboard chart

2005
The Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton single "Islands In The Stream" tops the list with the debut of "CMT 100 Greatest Duets"

2000
Willie Nelson presents Farm Aid XV in Bristow, Virginia, with a lineup that includes Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Alan Jackson and Sawyer Brown. Tipper Gore, wife of vice president Al Gore, plays drums with Nelson

1998
The Country Music Hall of Fame unveils a bronze statue of the late Hank Williams on the 75th anniversary of the singer's birth. At the ceremony are his children, Hank Williams Jr. and Jett Williams, who meet for the first time

1982
Elektra releases Hank Williams Jr.'s "Greatest Hits"

1977
Reba McEntire makes her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, singing the Patsy Cline classic "Sweet Dreams" and Roger Miller's "Invitation To The Blues," 30 years to the day after her father won his first rodeo honor

1975
Rick Nelson receives a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame

1952
Steve Sanders born in Richland, Georgia. In 1987, he replaces William Lee Golden in The Oak Ridge Boys, taking the soulful lead on such singles as "Gonna Take A Lot Of River" and "Beyond Those Years" prior to Golden's return in 1995

1923
Hank Williams born in Mount Olive, Alabama. He becomes country music's most influential singer-songwriter, while establishing a tragic legacy of alcoholism and death at age 29. He joins the Country Music Hall of Fame in its first induction in 1961

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This Day in Country Music History, September 16

2012-09-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 16

2008
Capitol releases Darius Rucker's first country album, "Learn To Live"

2005
A "CMT Crossroads" episode matching Sugarland with Bon Jovi airs for the first time. The program includes the first live performance of "Who Says You Can't Go Home"

2004
Keith Urban's "Days Go By" video premieres on CMT

2000
Jo Dee Messina hits #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "That's The Way"

1995
Tim McGraw begins a five-week stay at the top of the Billboard country chart with "I Like It, I Love It"

1991
Willie Nelson marries Annie D'Angelo in Dallas. It's his fourth marriage

1967
David Houston & Tammy Wynette share the #1 slot on the Billboard country chart with "My Elusive Dreams"

1958
Terry McBride born in Taylor, Texas. He becomes the lead singer of McBride & The Ride, which has a series of hits from 1991-1993. As a songwriter, he pens the Brooks & Dunn singles "I Am That Man" and "He's Got You"

1950
David Bellamy born in Darby, Florida. With sibling Howard, he forms The Bellamy Brothers, developing a mix of hits built on wordplay or social commentary. They net 17 Country Music Association nominations for duo or group but never win

1947
Bass player Sonny Lemaire born in Fort Lee, Virginia. He joins Exile, which shifts in the 1980s from a rock band to country, where it reels off a seven-year string of hits, including "Woke Up In Love," "Crazy For Your Love" and "I Can't Get Close Enough"

1946
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs first record with Bill Monroe in Columbia Records' Chicago studio. The day yields the original version of "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" and "Toy Heart"

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Jana Kramer Performs 'Why Ya Wanna' Live For Cat Country

2012-09-13T16:52:00.002-05:00

Jana Kramer - performed at the Cardi's Lounge in Attleboro Massachusetts for Cat County 98.1. In this video, Jana performs her debut single "Why Ya Wanna"

This Day in Country Music History, September 10

2012-09-10T01:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 10

2010
The Zac Brown Band's video for "As She's Walking Away," featuring Alan Jackson, premieres on CMT

2009
Taylor Swift's "Fearless" album is certified gold, platinum, double-, triple- and quadruple-platinum

2005
The MTV stations air "ReAct Now: Music & Relief," a Hurricane Katrina benefit featuring Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Paul McCartney, Big & Rich, Hank Williams Jr., The Rolling Stones, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Neil Young, Sheryl Crow, Sugarland and Emmylou Harris

2002
Travis Tritt and Ray Charles tape an installment of "CMT Crossroads" in Nashville

1994
Trisha Yearwood tops the Billboard country singles chart with "XXX's And OOO's (An American Girl)"

1992
MCA releases George Jones' "I Don't Need Your Rockin' Chair," with vocal guests Garth Brooks, Travis Tritt, Mark Chesnutt, Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Alan Jackson, T. Graham Brown, Joe Diffie, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless and Pam Tillis

1988
Highway 101 posts a #1 country single in Billboard with "(Do You Love Me) Just Say Yes"

1986
Singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe born in Knoxville. She writes Jason Aldean's 2009 single "The Truth" and joins Miranda Lambert and Angaleena Presley in the band Pistol Annies

1982
Epic releases Ricky Skaggs' "Highways & Heartaches" album

1970
Lynn Anderson records "Rose Garden" in the evening hours at the Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville

This Day in Country Music History, September 9

2012-09-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

[Source: CMT News http://www.cmt.com/news]

This Day in Country Music History, September 9

2007
Joe Nichols marries Heather Singleton at Whitfield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia

2006
The Wreckers' debut single, "Leave The Pieces," hits the top of the Billboard country chart

2004
Willie Nelson performs a concert in Plains, Georgia, for an upcoming TV special, "CMT Homecoming: Jimmy Carter In Plains"

1996
Bill Monroe dies at the Northcrest Medical Center in Springfield, Tennessee, five months after suffering a stroke. Acknowledged as the "Father of Bluegrass," he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 and entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970

1991
Hunter Hayes born in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He plays every instrument, sings every part and co-writes every song on his first major-label album, which debuts in country's Top 10 just weeks after he turns 20

1991
Tracy Byrd marries Michelle Hilton in Lake Tahoe, Nevada

1989
The late Keith Whitley is featured at #1 on the Billboard country chart with "I Wonder Do You Think Of Me"

1978
Waylon Jennings' "I've Always Been Crazy" starts a three-week run at #1 in Billboard

1975
Joey Martin born in Alexandria, Indiana. She joins husband Rory Lee Feek in the duo Joey+Rory, named Top New Vocal Duo by the Academhy of Country Music in 2010

1968
Buck Owens performs for president Lyndon Johnson at the White House. His set list includes "Act Naturally," "Together Again," "Gentle On My Mind," "Orange Blossom Special" and "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail"

1957
Jerry Lee Lewis takes "Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On" to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart

1956
Elvis Presley makes his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." He's shot only from the waist up, singing four songs, including "Love Me Tender" and "Don't Be Cruel." Charles Laughton hosts the show for Sullivan, recuperating from an auto accident