This Day in Country History: February 6
February 6th holds special significance in country music history. In 2010, Wynonna Judd announced a reunion with her mother, Naomi Judd, to tour and record one final album as “The Judds.” Another unforgettable moment happened on February 6th, 2021, when Grammy-winning singer and multi-instrumentalist Rhonda Vincent was officially inducted into The Grand Ole Opry. Her induction marks the first time siblings have held separate Opry membership. Rhonda’s brother, Darrin Vincent, was inducted in 2017.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
February 6th has been home to major chart-topping releases and career-defining moments.
- 2001: Acclaimed country music group Diamond Rio release their sixth studio album, One More Day. Its title track went to number 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart and number 29 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- 2007: Jason Michael Carroll releases his debut studio album, “Waitin’ in the Country”, through Arista Nashville. The record reached number 1 on the Top Country Albums chart and peaked at 8 on the Billboard 200 chart.
- 2007: Carrie Underwood releases “Wasted”, the sixth single from her multi-platinum-selling debut album, Some Hearts. The song would become the singer’s fourth consecutive number-one country single, topping the Hot Country Songs chart for three weeks.
- 2017: Keith Urban releases “The Fighter” as the fifth single from his ninth studio album, Ripcord. This duet with fellow country star Carrie Underwood would become Urban’s 26th consecutive top-ten hit.
Cultural Milestones
February 6th has marked key milestones in country music’s evolution, with significant achievements by top artists:
- 2010: Kaplan-born country icon Sammy Kershaw is inducted into The Louisiana Songwriters Association Hall of Fame during a performance at Lafayette’s Hub City Ford. This second induction cemented his status as one of Louisiana’s most impactful country musicians.
- 2020: Cody Johnson’s “On My Way to You” earns a platinum certification. The single, which is the first from his seventh studio album, Ain’t Nothing to It, has since gone double platinum.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Some of the most memorable country music recordings and performances are also associated with this day.
- 1971: The soundtrack album Little Fauss and Big Halsey, for the film of the same name, is released. It predominantly featured songs by the country legend Johnny Cash, a few by Carl Perkins, and one by Bob Dylan.
- 2014: Garth Brooks performs on the final episode of The Tonight Show. The country star gave a riveting performance of his smash hit, “The Dance”, at the request of the show’s host, Jay Leno.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The country scene has witnessed significant events in the lives and careers of some of its biggest actors.
- 2018: Former teen country star Jessica Andrews, best known for her breakthrough hit “Who I Am”, births her first child, Rockwell.
- 2022: Country music duo Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line announce they will take a hiatus from touring and recording music together after several tour dates in 2022 while pursuing solo careers.
February 6th has been one of the most remarkable dates in country music history. It marks the anniversary of some of the most impactful releases in the genre and has hosted memorable events in the industry that have shaped its evolution.
