TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY
Today In Country Music History:
August 15, 1977
Reba’s Beginnings: On this delightful August day, Reba McEntire released her very first self-titled studio album. Although it didn’t chart, it marked the spicy beginning of what would be a hot-sauce-flavored career that brought us countless hits. Consider it the musical equivalent of planting a magic bean that would eventually grow into a sequin-encrusted beanstalk.
August 15, 2003
Fiddlin’ Into The Sunset: American bluegrass aficionado Mack Magaha, known for his time with Porter Wagoner’s band, danced his last jig. Author of the foot-tapping hit “I know You’re Married But I Love You Still,” he left us with the moral quandary of rooting for a man who knew his way around both a fiddle and your heart.
August 15, 2009
Kenny’s Party Foul: On this rather infamous August day, Kenny Chesney’s concert turned into a mini-crime spree with 114 arrests at Gillette Stadium. That’s a lot of “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems,” except for the problem of maybe having too good a time? Let’s call it country music’s version of a block party gone wild.
August 15, 2015
Golden Oldies’ New Glory: Sonny James, complete with The Southern Gentlemen accompaniment, scooted into The Birmingham Record Collectors Hall of Fame, marking the day with a tip of the hat to real-deal country music greatness. It was like the Grand Ole Opry decided to host a family reunion and everyone’s invited.
August 15, 2018
Chart-Topping Record Breakers: Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line managed to turn the Hot Country Songs chart into their personal rec room, breaking records and probably champagne bottles. Their hit was #1 for so long, even the evergreen “Body Like a Back Road” had to pull over and ask for directions.
August 15, 2020
Wallen’s Whiskey Glasses See Success: Morgan Wallen’s album “If I Know Me” hit #1 after playing hard to get for 114 weeks – talk about playing the long game. It’s like the chart was a honky-tonk and Wallen just kept buying it drinks until it finally agreed to dance. Cheers to persistence and twangy tunes!