Today In Country Music History
Today in Country Music History is one of the most popular features on the programme and we’ve been delivering back into the history books and give you not only a day but a week of country music trivia. On this page, you can discover important events from country music history for each day of the year. Be sure to check back regularly to update your country trivia!
Each week on the show we feature the biggest events of that week in years gone by, so tune in live or catch up right here on our website to find out more about the history of country music and the biggest events that shaped the music you love!
Wednesday 29th March 2023
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Contestant Drake McCain sings the Luke Bryan hit "Country Girl (Shake It For Me)" in front of Bryan on ABC's "American Idol," but does not move on to the next round. Former country hits "Piece Of My Heart" and "Over The Rainbow" are also heard on the show, featuring Bryan, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie as judges
Former country singer Jessica Simpson reveals on social media that she previously tested positive for COVID-19
"Old Town Road" singer Lil Nas X puts 666 "Satan shoes" on sale at more than $1,000 apiece. The black-and-red Air Jordan sneakers have a drop of human blood in the soles. The entire stock sells out in one minute; Nike sues the company that created them
Brothers Osborne begin a four-week stint as midday hosts for Los Angeles country radio station KKGO
Reba McEntire makes a surprise appearance during Kelly Clarkson's concert at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. They team on "Because Of You," "Can't Even Get The Blues," "Fancy" and "Is There Life Out There"
"Landslide" songwriter Stevie Nicks is inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, along with Def Leppard, Janet Jackson, Radiohead and The Cure
Brad Paisley is in the park as the San Francisco Giants beat Los Angeles, 1-0, on baseball's opening day at Dodger Stadium
Marty Robbins' album "Gunfighter Ballads And Trail Songs" and The Eagles' "Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975" are added to the National Recording Registry, along with The Chuck Wagon Gang's "I'll Fly Away," Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog," Wilson Pickett's "In The Midnight Hour" and Judy Garland's "Over The Rainbow"
Stars of the ABC series "Nashville" perform at the Ryman Auditorium for an upcoming concert special, "Nashville: On The Record." The live lineup includes Charles Esten, Hayden Panettiere, Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson and Clare Bowen, among others
Governor Pat Quinn declares Blake Shelton Day in the state of Illinois
Charlie Daniels is released from a Nashville-area hospital a day after having a pacemaker installed
Carrie Underwood picks up a double-platinum single from the Recording Industry Association of America for "Cowboy Casanova"
It's not unusual... well, actually it is: Former country hitmaker Tom Jones is knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in a ceremony at London's Buckingham Palace
Curb releases Billy Dean's album "Let Them Be Little"
Phil Vassar sings "I'll Take That As A Yes (The Hot Tub Song)" to open "Nashville Star," hosted by LeAnn Rimes, on the USA Network
Contestant Carrie Underwood performs the Martina McBride hit "Independence Day" during the "American Idol" competition on FOX-TV
The late Roy Orbison picks up gold and platinum honors from the Recording Industry Association of America for the album "Mystery Girl"
Lee Greenwood's "Don't Underestimate My Love For You" reaches the top of the Billboard country singles chart
Minnie Pearl joins Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg and Robin Williams in the inaugural Comic Relief, with funds benefiting the homeless
Neil Simon's "The Slugger's Wife" debuts in movie theaters. Music is provided by Freddy Fender, Jimmy Buffett, Bruce Springsteen, Don Felder, Stephen Stills, Neil Young, The Lovin' Spoonful and future BlackHawk vocalist Van Stephenson
Columbia releases Lefty Frizzell's "She's Gone Gone Gone"
Columbia releases Stonewall Jackson's "Old Showboat"
Texas Ruby dies in a trailer fire in Nashville while her husband, Curly Fox, is playing the Grand Ole Opry. The two began working together in the 1930s, becoming a significant touring act the following decade
Emmett Miller dies of cancer in Georgia's Macon Hospital. The former Vaudevillian, who influenced the vocal style of Jimmie Rodgers, did the original version of "Lovesick Blues." He also influenced Merle Haggard and Bob Wills
This ‘Today in Country Music History’ feature is presented with thanks to Roland Note.