This Day in Country History: April 9

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 2017: Rock The Ocean's Tortuga Music Festival, an ocean conservation fundraiser, was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and headlined by Kenny Chesney.
• 2019: Citi cardmembers were able to pre-purchase tickets to see Florida Georgia Line for their Florida Georgia Line Las Vegas Residency at the Zappos Theater at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
• 2020: Dan + Shay had their first headlining arena tour with a stop at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Their 2020 Arena Tour began on March 6 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and ended on October 31 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, Washington.
• 2021: Justin Moore and Tracy Lawrence paired with special guest Lainey Wilson for their Late Nights and Longnecks Tour at Barnett Fieldhouse in Rapid City, South Dakota. These country stars performed traditional-style country music, and Lainey Wilson, who became a GRAMMY Award-winning artist in 2024, delighted fans with her distinct Louisiana drawl.
• 2025: The Library of Congress added several recordings to the National Recording Registry on this date. Feddie Fender's "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," and Charley Pride's "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'" were among the 25 songs added to this registry.

Cultural Milestones

• 1998: Country music stars came together at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville for a memorial service for singer and songwriter Tammy Wynette, who died on April 6. Those who attended included Randy Travis, Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, and the Oak Ridge Boys.
• 2016: Country music musician Merle Haggard was laid to rest at his ranch in Palo Cedro, California. Stars that performed at Haggard's funeral service included Kris Kristofferson and Connie Smith, and Haggard's children sang "Today I Started Loving You Again."
• 2016: Eric Church paid tribute to the late Merle Haggard when he returned to the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. He sang his own songs like "Holdin' My Own" and "Mr. Misunderstood." In addition, he performed a cover of Haggard's "Footlights."
• 2016: Country singer Hillary Scott from Lady Antebellum, now known as Lady A, helped raise money for the nonprofit Stand Up to Cancer. The benefit raised nearly $42 million for cancer research.
• 2016: Brooks & Dunn, Carrie Underwood, and David Foster performed at the Celebrity Fight Night held at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort and Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Reba McEntire hosted this annual event that raises money for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center and other select charities.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 2008: Brad Paisley's album 5th Gear snagged a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In 2007, this album had a Gold certification.
• 2013: Popular country singer Brad Paisley released his 10th studio album, Wheelhouse. Songs from this album include "Southern Comfort Zone" and "Beat This Summer."
• 2018: Walker Hayes' "You Broke Up With Me" received a Platinum certification from the RIAA.
• 2021: Luke Bryan released Born Here Live Here Die Here on Capitol Records Nashville, with hit songs such as "Drink a Little Whiskey Down" and "Little Less Broken."
• 2023: Miranda Lambert performed at the Bakkt Theater in Las Vegas. Fans were thrilled to see and hear her perform songs like "Famous in a Small Town," 'If I Was a Cowboy," and "Bluebird."
• 2024: Jelly Roll was on Austin City Limits with his seven-piece band. They performed songs like "Son of a Sinner," "Winning Streak," and "Smoking Section."
• 2025: Carrie Underwood at the Resorts World Theatre in Las Vegas, Nevada, as part of her REFLECTION: The Las Vegas Residency. Popular songs she sang included "Drinking Alone," "Church Bells," and "Cry Pretty."

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 1997: Prolific country songwriter Mae Boren Axton died at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee. She cowrote Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" and worked with country music stars such as Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, and Eddy Arnold.
• 2012: The "Guys Do It All the Time" singer Mindy McCready and her boyfriend, David Wilson, welcomed a baby boy, Zane. McCready has another son, Zander, from a previous relationship.
• 2020: The vocal group Little Big Town postponed their shows for The Nightfall Tour scheduled for April 9 and 10 at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle due to COVID-19 restrictions. 
• 2023: Country superstar Blake Shelton dressed up in a pink bunny suit as the Easter Bunny for friends and family. Shelton's wife, pop star Gwen Stefani, posted a fun video on her Instagram account.