This Day in Country History: December 4
Christmas shows, specials, and tree-lighting ceremonies were the highlights of the country music industry on Dec. 4. This day also welcomed two baby boys: one to Lee Brice in 2013…
Christmas shows, specials, and tree-lighting ceremonies were the highlights of the country music industry on Dec. 4. This day also welcomed two baby boys: one to Lee Brice in 2013 and another to Chuck Wicks in 2020. Big news for Dec. 4 was Darius Rucker receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Fun shows celebrating the Christmas spirit on Dec. 4 included the following:
- 2019: Brett Eldredge opened his Christmas tour, Glow, at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. His two-night show at the Ryman was the start of his 10-night run in seven cities, ending on Dec. 21 in Chicago. In 2016, Eldredge recorded a Christmas album featuring his versions of "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song," and "Winter Wonderland."
- 2024: Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Kelly Clarkson, and The Backstreet Boys performed at the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting. The tree was lit every day after Dec. 4 from 5 a.m. to midnight, and was illuminated for 24 hours on Christmas Eve.
Cultural Milestones
Dec. 4 saw the hosting of an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis benefit and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame:
- 2015: Carrie Underwood's album Storyteller received a Gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on Dec. 4. This album achieved Platinum status on Oct. 24, 2016.
- 2017: Florida Georgia Line, Love and Theft, and Tyler Farr were among the headliners at the inaugural Shine for Susie ALS Benefit Concert held at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Proceeds from this concert went to the ALS Association of Tennessee to help research and fight this disease.
- 2023: Former rocker turned country superstar Darius Rucker received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Dec. 4. Rucker was introduced at the ceremony by the former Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan.
- 2024: Cody Johnson's "With You, I Am" reaches platinum certification from the RIAA with 1 million certified units.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Babies were born on Dec. 4, including the following:
- 2013: Lee Brice, known for songs such as "Drinkin' Buddies" and "She Ain't Right," and his wife, Sara, welcomed a baby boy into the country music world, little Ryker Mobley. The couple has another son, Takoda.
- 2020: The "All I Ever Wanted" singer Chuck Wicks and his wife, Kasi, welcomed a baby boy, Tucker Elliot Wick, on Dec. 4. While Kasi has children from a previous marriage, Tucker is the first child the couple shares together.
Country music stars enjoy sharing the Christmas spirit with specials that showcase their talent for singing traditional Christmas songs, country style, as we saw on a couple of specials aired on Dec. 4. Hats off to performers who raised money for charity on this day, especially as we neared the Christmas holiday.
