This Day in Country History: September 26
Country music artists are generous toward the community and help those in need. On Sept. 26, Luke Bryan helped raise money for research toward Alzheimer’s disease, and Garth Brooks received…
Country music artists are generous toward the community and help those in need. On Sept. 26, Luke Bryan helped raise money for research toward Alzheimer's disease, and Garth Brooks received an award for his commitment to encouraging positive change in communities. This date also witnessed the 60th anniversary of a major country music association and the engagement of Scotty McCreery.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
From an invitation-only party to a fundraiser, these were milestones for Sept. 26:
- 2018: The Country Music Association celebrated 60 years of country hits at a star-studded party held at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Performers at this invitation-only party included Michael Ray, Craig Wayne Boyd, and Joe Denim and an All-Star Band.
- 2018: Luke Bryan, football star Peyton Manning, and the governor of Tennessee and his wife helped raise funds and awareness for the Pat Summitt Foundation. This charitable organization funds research, education, and support for Alzheimer's disease.
Cultural Milestones
Cultural milestones on Sept. 26 included Marty Robbins' birthday and Garth Brooks receiving a major honor:
- 1925: Marty Robbins was born on Sept. 26 in Arizona. Robbins, known for hit songs such as "Cool Water," "El Paso," and "The Strawberry Roan," was one of the first crossover artists to achieve success in country, pop, gospel, and rockabilly. He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry and an inductee of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
- 2019: Garth Brooks received the George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award for Caring and Compassion in recognition of his commitment to and passion for creating viable change in communities across America. Brooks created his Teammates for Kids Foundation and, with his wife, Trisha Yearwood, regularly volunteers with Habitat for Humanity.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Performances that made headlines on Sept. 26 included:
- 2016: During his performance at Red Rock Amphitheater near Denver, Colorado, Dierks Bentley invited Maren Morris and Randy Houser to join him for a song. Morris and Bentley sang "I'll Be the Moon" and "My Church," and Bentley and Houser performed "Bad Angel."
- 2018: The "Till There's Nothing Left" singer Cam headlined a show at the legendary Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Guests included Eric Church, Colbie Caillat, and Emily Saliers.
Industry Changes and Challenges
From an engagement to show cancellations, these were changes and challenges on Sept. 26:
- 2017: American Idol winner Scotty McCreery announced his engagement to his long-term girlfriend, Gabi Dugal. McCreery proposed to Gabi during a hike to the top of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.
- 2022: Megastar Luke Bryan had to reschedule three of his Florida concerts as Hurricane Ian approached land. Bryan decided that the safety of fans and crew was more important than trying to put on a show.
Dierks Bentley and Cam headlined major concerts on Sept. 26, Luke Bryan canceled shows due to a hurricane, and Marty Robbins was born on this day. Robbins was a major influence on country music, and Bryan rescheduled his shows for safety reasons.
