This Day in Country History: February 26
Feb. 26 is a day of memorable moments in country music history. We’re talking about the birth of influential artists, the release of number-one hits, and famous performances. From Johnny Cash’s birthday to Beyoncé’s unexpected rise on the country charts, this date has it all. Let’s take a look.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Here are some breakthrough hits and milestones from Feb. 26:
- 1932: Singer-songwriter Johnny Cash was born. Cash was one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, with songs spanning country, rock and roll, blues, folk, and gospel.
- 1938: Singer-songwriter Jan Crutchfield was born. He was best known for writing “Statue of a Fool,” which was recorded by Jack Greene in 1969 and reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs charts.
- 1959: Songwriter Kenny Beard was born. He wrote songs for Trace Adkins, Tracy Lawrence, and Aaron Tippin and made No. 1 with “Doghouse.”
- 1988: Mixing engineer, record producer, and songwriter Jordan Schmidt was born. He wrote the 2016 country-rock song “Lights Come On,” which was recorded by Jason Aldean and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.
- 1994: John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear” spent its fourth and final week at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
- 2020: Blake Shelton’s album Fully Loaded: God’s Country was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
- 2020: Kenny Chesney’s “Tip of My Tongue” was certified Gold. It would go on to earn Platinum certification in 2024.
- 2022: Cody Johnson’s “‘Til You Can’t” reached No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
- 2024: Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” was still at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, where it remained for 10 consecutive weeks.
Cultural Milestones
Here are some important cultural milestones from this day in history:
- 1955: Country music duo The Louvin Brothers were inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They helped popularize the close harmony technique in country and country rock.
- 1973: Loretta Lynn released her 22nd solo studio album, Entertainer of the Year, which reached No. 1 on the Hot Country LP’s chart. She named the album after she became the first woman to win the award from the Country Music Association.
- 1997: LeAnn Rimes won Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her debut single, “Blue.” At just 14 years old, she was the youngest person to win a GRAMMY.
- 2021: Legacy Recordings released Willie Nelson’s 71st solo studio album, That’s Life.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Here are several key performances from Feb. 26:
- 2022: Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley performed during the National Hockey League match between the Nashville Predators and Tampa Bay Lightning at Nissan Stadium.
- 2025: Kelsea Ballerini performed live on tour at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Whether it’s groundbreaking albums or legendary performances, Feb. 26 has seen some of country music’s most memorable moments. From classic artists, such as Loretta Lynn and Willie Nelson, to modern trailblazers, including Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert, the day reflects the genre’s rich history and growth.
