This Day in Country Music History, February 15
2017
Reba McEntire headlines at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium for the first time. Her set in the evening includes surprise guests Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson on “Softly And Tenderly”; Linda Davis for “Does He Love You”; The Isaacs in a gospel number; and three family members on “I’ll Fly Away”
2015
Eric and Katherine Church welcome a son, Tennessee Hawkins Church
2008
Arista releases Brad Paisley’s “I’m Still A Guy” to radio
2007
Bucky Covington’s first video, for “A Different World,” has its world premiere on CMT
2006
Billy Currington nets a gold single from the RIAA for “Must Be Doin’ Somethin’ Right”
1987
Columbia releases Ricky Van Shelton’s debut album, “Wild-Eyed Dream”
1979
Willie Nelson wins two trophies during the 21st annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles: Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, for “Georgia On My Mind”; and Best Country Vocal Duo or Group–shared with Waylon Jennings–for “Mammas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”
1978
Crystal Gayle becomes the first country-based female artist to receive a platinum album from the RIAA, for “We Must Believe In Magic”
1975
T.G. Sheppard collects the first #1 country single of his career in Billboard magazine with “Devil In The Bottle”
1918
Hank Locklin is born in McLellan, Florida. A 1960 addition to the Grand Ole Opry, he earns 10 Top 10 hits from 1949-1967, led by “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”
