This Day in Country History: February 20
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 25: Beyoncé performs during the halftime show for the game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Feb. 20 has been a big day in country music. It’s seen many chart-topping hits, memorable performances, and key industry moments. This date has seen everything from Mervin Shiner’s early success in 1921 to Beyoncé making history in 2024. Various artists have made Grand Ole Opry debuts, dominated the charts, and left a lasting impression on country music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Here are some important breakthrough hits and milestones from Feb. 20:
- 1991: Country music GRAMMY Award winners included Kathy Mattea’s “Best Country Song,” “Where’ve You Been” and Vince Gill, who won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “When I Call Your Name.”
- 2016: Chris Lane made his Grand Ole Opry debut singing “Fix.”
- 2022: Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave” was No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
- 2024: Beyoncé became the first Black woman to reach No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em.” It remained on top for 10 consecutive weeks.
Cultural Milestones
Significant cultural milestones from Feb. 20 include:
- 1951: Kathie Baillie, lead singer and guitarist for Baillie & the Boys, was born.
- 1956: Singer-songwriter James Salestrom was born. He was the lead singer of Timberline and performed in Dolly Parton’s band.
- 1974: Cher files for divorce from her husband, Sonny. The divorce would not be finalized until June of 1975.
- 1981: Musician Chris Thile, from Punch Brothers, was born. He was nominated for a GRAMMY for Best Country Instrumental Performance for “The Eleventh Reel” in 2006.
- 1984: Singer-songwriter Audra Mae was born. She co-wrote “Little Red Wagon,” which was sung by Miranda Lambert.
- 1996: Alan Jackson appeared on Home Improvement. He sang “Mercury Blues” on the fictional handyman show, Tool Time.
- 2019: Fred Foster, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, passed away. He produced Roy Orbison’s biggest hits, including “Only the Lonely” and “Oh, Pretty Woman”.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Here are some key performances in country music history from Feb. 20:
- 2005: LeAnn Rimes and Big & Rich performed at halftime during the NBA all-star basketball game at Denver’s Colorado Convention Center.
- 2011: Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, and Dierks Bentley performed before the Daytona 500.
Country music constantly evolves, blending tradition with fresh sounds and new milestones. The events of Feb. 20 highlight how far the genre has come and where it’s headed.
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