This Day in Country Music History, January 9
2017
Little Big Town performs the national anthem before the BCS National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, where the Clemson Tigers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 35-31
2015
Toby Keith performs “Beer For My Horses” to launch “CMT Ultimate Kickoff Party,” a 90-minute special celebrating the college football championship game. The lineup also features Thomas Rhett, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, Maddie & Tae, Brett Eldredge and Big & Rich
2012
Blake Shelton nets gold and platinum singles from the RIAA for “God Gave Me You”
2004
Emmylou Harris and Dave Matthews cover the Lefty Frizzell classic “The Long Black Veil” as the latest installment of the Radney Foster-hosted “CMT Crossroads” debuts
2000
Shania Twain takes the People’s Choice award for Favorite Female Musical Performer during a CBS telecast from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in California
1990
Willie Nelson’s album “Stardust” is certified quadruple-platinum by the RIAA
1982
A five-mile stretch of Gallatin Road in Hendersonville, Tennessee, is renamed the Johnny Cash Parkway on a Saturday in sub-zero temperatures
1961
Johnny Horton’s “North To Alaska” goes to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1960
Without fanfare, Patsy Cline becomes a member of the Grand Ole Opry
1951
Brenda Gayle Webb, Loretta Lynn’s youngest sister, is born in Paintsville, Kentucky. She adopts the stage name Crystal Gayle, and her pop-influenced country earns a string of hits, including the million-selling “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” She joins the Grand Ole Opry in 2017
