This Day in Country History: February 10
Feb. 10 marks the release of successful albums, chart-topping hits, and important industry milestones. From Glen Campbell reaching No. 1 to Reba McEntire receiving her first platinum record, this day has shaped country music.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Here are some of the chart-topping songs and albums from Feb. 10 in country music history:
- 1967: Glen Campbell hit No. 1 on the U.S. country music chart with his seventh album, “By the Time I Get to Phoenix.” The title track received two Grammy Awards, including Best Vocal Performance.
- 1986: Reba McEntire released her 10th studio album, “Whoever’s in New England,” her first No. 1 album on the Billboard Country Albums chart. As her first platinum record, the album included two singles that became No. 1 country hits, “Whoever’s in New England” and “Little Rock.”
- 1971: Carole King released her second studio album, “Tapestry,” which received four Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year. She was the first solo female artist to win Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
- 1986: Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson received a gold album for “Highwayman.”
- 1987: “Storms of Life” by Randy Travis was certified platinum. The album features the No. 1 hits “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “On the Other Hand.”
- 1995: Johnny Paycheck’s “Take This Job and Shove It” was certified platinum.
- 1997: “How Do I Live,” written by Diane Warren and performed by Trisha Yearwood for the movie “Con Air,” received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
- 2008: Eagles won a Grammy Award (their fifth) for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.
- 2013: Winners at the Grammy Awards included Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song, Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, Zac Brown Band’s “Uncaged” for Best Country Album, and Steep Canyon Ranger’s “Nobody Knows You” for Best Bluegrass Album.
Cultural Milestones
Notable cultural milestones from Feb. 10 include:
- 1953: Fred Mollin, record producer, musician, composer, music director, and songwriter, was born. Mollin has worked with the likes of Willie Nelson and Glen Campbell.
- 1960: Lionel Cartwright was born. He had 12 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles charts from 1988 to 1992, including “Leap of Faith.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
Here are some changes and challenges for country music over the decades:
- 1950-60s: Country music skyrocketed after WWII, with artists such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton hitting the scene in 1957 and 1967, respectively.
- 1990s: As online music streaming became widely available, music consumption changed. New technology threatened to change some of the signature sounds of the genre, but country music’s emotional storytelling and thought-provoking nature has remained.
Feb. 10 has played host to some of country music’s most defining moments, from award-winning albums to unforgettable songs. Whether you’re a faithful country music fan or a new listener, explore the success of the genre by listening to these songs and staying tuned for new releases.
