This Day in Country Music History, February 20
2011
Brad Paisley sings “Water” and Dierks Bentley adds “Sideways” before the Daytona 500 at the Daytona Motor Speedway. National-anthem singer Martina McBride and Randy Montana are also on hand. Trevor Bayne wins the race
2009
Jason Aldean’s video for “She’s Country” debuts on CMT
2005
LeAnn Rimes sings “Nothin’ ‘Bout Love Makes Sense” and Big & Rich perform “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)” at halftime during the NBA all-star basketball game at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center. The East beats the West, 125-115
2003
The Dixie Chicks’ album “Wide Open Spaces” is certified by the RIAA for reaching 12 million in shipments
1999
Mark Chesnutt’s remake of “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” hits the top of Billboard’s country singles chart
1996
Alan Jackson makes a guest appearance on the ABC sitcom “Home Improvement,” singing “Mercury Blues” on the fictitious handyman show “Tool Time”
1991
“Where’ve You Been” earns two trophies during the 33rd annual Grammys in New York. Songwriters Don Henry and Jon Vezner win Best Country Song, while Kathy Mattea picks up Best Country Vocal Performance, Female
1981
Mandolin player Chris Thile is born in Oceanside, California. He comes to prominence with bluegrass trio Nickel Creek, then establishes a five-piece progressive bluegrass band, The Punch Brothers
1979
Guitarist and organ player Coy Bowles is born in Thomaston, Georgia. He becomes a member of The Zac Brown Band, noted for such hits as “Chicken Fried,” “Keep Me In Mind,” “Toes” and “Whatever It Is”
1951
Kathie Baillie, of Baillie & The Boys, is born in Morristown, New Jersey. She sings on seven Top 10 singles for the trio–which becomes a duo after its first album–from 1987-1990, including “Oh Heart,” “Long Shot” and “(I Wish I Had A) Heart Of Stone”
