This Day in Country History: February 24
Country music has a long and rich history with Feb. 24 marking some memorable moments. From the birth of influential artists to the release of major hits, here’s a look at what’s happened on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Some of country music’s most notable songs and achievements took place on Feb. 24:
- 1950: Larry Willoughby, singer-songwriter and vice president of A&R at Capitol Records, was born. He released his debut album Building Bridges in 1984, with the title track reaching the Top 60.
- 1958: Country music singer Sammy Kershaw was born. He had more than 25 U.S. country hits, including the No. 1 “She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful.”
- 1964: Country singer Chris Austin was born. He played guitar and fiddle for Reba McEntire and Ricky Skaggs’s road bands.
- 1977: Pat Boone, Patti Page, and Jerry Reed hosted the Academy of Country Music Awards. Winners included Crystal Gayle and Billy Jo Spears.
- 1992: Brooks & Dunn released “Neon Moon” from the album Brand New Man. It became their third consecutive No. 1 single.
- 2001: Keith Urban’s “But for the Grace of God” reached No. 1.
- 2023: Ashley McBryde released “Light On in the Kitchen.”
Cultural Milestones
Several GRAMMY-winning performances and industry losses occurred on this date:
- 1982: Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” won twice at the 24th annual GRAMMY Awards.
- 1987: Country winners at the 29th annual GRAMMY Awards included Reba McEntire’s “Whoever’s in New England” and The Judds’ “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days).”
- 1991: Webb Pierce passed away. He was a popular honky-tonk vocalist with more No. 1 hits than any other country artist in the ‘50s.
- 1993: Country winners at the 35th annual GRAMMY Awards included Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “I Feel Lucky” and Vince Gill’s “I Still Believe in You.”
- 1999: At the 41st annual GRAMMY Awards, Shania Twain’s “You’re Still the One” and Dixie Chicks’ “There’s Your Trouble” won awards.
- 2005: Goldie Hill passed away. She was one of the first women to reach No. 1 on the country music charts with “I Let the Stars Get In My Eyes.”
- 2017: Don Markham, the horn player in Merle Haggard’s band, passed away.
- 2019: Bluegrass and country singer Mac Wiseman passed away. He was a founding member of the Country Music Association and joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2014.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Here are some memorable performances from this date:
- 1969: Johnny Cash recorded his second live album at San Quentin State Prison. The album recording was televised and included his hit song “A Boy Named Sue.”
- 2020: Vince Gill, Michael Ray, Carly Pearce, Rascal Flatts, and Wade Hayes performed at the Nashville Honors Gala.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The following moments have had an impact on the country genre:
- 2021: Trisha Yearwood shared that she had contracted COVID-19. Despite the pandemic affecting gatherings in physical spaces, country music grew by over 15% on streaming devices during this time.
- 2024: Bruce Springsteen pleaded guilty to drinking in a park. The charges were later dropped.
Feb. 24 has been a key date for country music, bringing forth legendary artists, chart-topping hits, and industry shifts. From the honky-tonk era to modern country, these milestones remind us of the genre’s evolution and continued influence.
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