Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Friday, July 19)

Sun Records released Elvis Presley's first single "That's All Right" in 1954.

Ray Charles' single "I Can't Stop Loving You" certified gold in 1962.

Lefty Frizzell, age 47, died in Nashville in 1975.

(Saturday, July 20)

T.G. Sheppard born in Alamo, Tenn., in 1942.

Radney Foster born in Del Rio, Texas, in 1959.

Willie Nelson's "Stardust" album certified gold in 1978.

(Sunday, July 21)

Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" goes to No. 1 in 1956. It was his first record to top the charts.

Sidney Cox of the Cox Family born in Homer, La.,in 1965.

Michael Martin Murphey's single "Wildfire" certified gold in 1975.

MUSIC AND MORE

PARTON, GRIGGS ALBUMS DEBUT IN TOP 10

Dolly Parton's new album, "Halo & Horns," debuted in the No. 4 position on Billboard's Country album chart, and "Freedom" by Andy Griggs made its debut at No. 7.

"No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" by Kenny Chesney, the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack and Alan Jackson's "Drive" remained 1-2-3 in the latest ranking.

SHeDAISY'S "Knock On The Sky" slipped to No. 5 from fourth, followed by Martina McBride's "Greatest Hits." "Part II" by Brad Paisley fell from sixth to No. 8, Tim McGraw's "Greatest Hits" is ninth and "Alright Guy" by Gary Allan is No. 10.

CHESNEY SINGLE GRABS NO. 1 SPOT

"The Good Stuff" by Kenny Chesney is now No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country singles chart, leaving Toby Keith's "Courtesy Of The Red White and Blue" (the Angry American) at No. 2.

"Not A Day Goes By" by Lonestar rose to the third position, Gary Allan's "The One" edged up to No. 4 and "My Heart Is Lost To You" By Brooks & Dunn took fifth, while "I'm Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin' Song)," by Brad Paisley fell from third to No. 6.

The Dixie Chicks' "Long Time Gone" moved up two notches from ninth to No. 7, "Living and Living Well" by George Strait is eighth, Kellie Coffey's "When You Lie Next To Me" took No. 9 and Darryl Worley's "I Miss My Friend" held steady at No. 10.

CHESNEY'S HOME HIT BY LIGHTNING

Kenny Chesney, who sits atop both the country album and singles charts, came home from his tour to find his house had been hit by lightning.

Chesney said the lightning strike "fried" all the electrical stuff in the house, including his "great" sound system, big-screen TV, computer and exterior lights.

But he's glad nobody was hurt, that the house and its contents -- particularly pictures and mementos -- are intact and that everything that was damaged is replaceable.

Chesney's "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems" album is currently No. 1 on the Billboard album chart and "The Good Stuff" just moved into the top spot on the singles list.

TRACTORS' RIPLEY INKS DEAL WITH AUDIUM

Tractors' founding member Steve Ripley has reached agreement with Nashville-based Audium Records for his new Boy Rocking Records.

The Tulsa-based label's first release will be a solo album by Ripley -- simply titled "Ripley" -- due for release Oct. 8.

Two songs on the album are featured in the upcoming movie "The Round and Round." The Tractors' debut album reached No. 2 on the Billboard chart in 1994.

KENNY ROGERS NEW SPOKESMAN FOR STORAGE COMPANY

Kenny Rogers has become official spokesman for RadVault -- radvault.com -- a medical records storage and delivery company.

Rogers -- who turns 64 next month -- says he is a RadVault customer, having realized his medical records become larger and more complicated as he gets older.

Rogers, currently on tour and working on his 61st album, says RadVault's technology enables him to store the data digitally and carry it on his key chain.