Oct 31, 1912 – Dale Evans born in Uvalde, Texas. In December 1947, she marries Roy Rogers, with whom she stars on radio and TV. She also writes their classic closing theme “Happy Trails”

Oct 31, 1921—Malissa Monroe dies at the family home near Rosine, Kentucky. No one bothers to tell her son, 10-year-old Bill Monroe, that she’s dead until after she’s already been buried

Oct 31, 1931 – Lester Flatt marries Gladys Stacy at the courthouse in Cookeville, Tennessee

Oct 31, 1934 – At a Halloween party in Halifax, Hank Snow meets his future wife, Minnie Aalders

Oct 31, 1947 — Promoter Connie B. Gay books Eddy Arnold for the first-ever country show at Washington, D.C.’s Constitution Hall. Also on the bill are comedians Minnie Pearl and Rod Brasfield

Oct 31, 1952 – Hank Williams checks into a Shreveport hospital with acute intoxication

Oct 31, 1954 – When Eddy Arnold plays Memphis’ Ellis Auditorium, a young Elvis Presley finds his way backstage. Presley meets Arnold and The Jordanaires, and spots–though he does not talk to–Colonel Tom Parker

Oct 31, 1960 – Elvis Presley records “Crying In The Chapel” at Nashville’s RCA Studio B. The single goes unreleased, however, for more than four years

Oct 31, 1964 – Darryl Worley born in Savannah, Tennessee. Noted for the strong traditional influence on his music, the lanky singer builds a solid career after his 2000 debut, striking a major chord for patriotism with his 2003 release “Have You Forgotten?”

Oct 31, 1966 – Decca releases Loretta Lynn‘s “Don’t Come Home A’Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)”

Oct 31, 1974 – Emmylou Harris records “If I Could Only Win Your Love” and her first single, “Too Far Gone”

Oct 31, 1983 – Lee Greenwood tapes the syndicated “Solid Gold” in Los Angeles, then visits the home of MCA chairman Irving Azoff to present him a tape of “God Bless The U.S.A.”

Oct 31, 1987 – Dolly Parton opens a restaurant in Honolulu, the Dockside Plantation

Oct 31, 1991 – Randy Travis accepts a unique Halloween treat: a gold album for “High Lonesome”

Oct 31, 1993 – Actor River Phoenix dies of a drug overdose outside the Viper Room in Los Angeles. His final picture was “The Thing Called Love,” based on Nashville’s famed listening room, The Bluebird Café

Oct 31, 1995 – Bryan White, Derek George and John Tirro write “So Much For Pretending” on Halloween, distracted periodically by trick-or-treaters

Oct 31, 1998 – Lari White blows out the speakers when she sings the national anthem before the Miami Hurricanes’ football game against Boston College

Oct 31, 2000 – “I Hope You Dance” becomes Lee Ann Womack‘s second platinum album

Oct 31, 2005 – “Inside TV” lists the Top 10 TV witches of all-time, ranking Lisa Hartman Black at #9 for her portrayal of Samantha Stevens’ grown-up daughter in the late-’70s series “Tabitha”

Oct 31, 2006 – During a Tuesday edition of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeff Bates gets down on one knee at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium to propose to Kelly Vaughn. She nods yes

Oct 31, 2007 – Taylor Swift goes trick-or-treating in Hendersonville, Tennessee, disguised as the hairy “Star Wars” character Chewbacca

Oct 31, 2010 – Trace Adkins performs for U.S. soldiers in Basra, Iraq, near the outset of a USO tour

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Darryl Worley photo courtesy of Stroudavarious Records.

Darryl Worley wants YOU to be in his next music video! Darryl will film the video for his new song, “You Never Know,” during his concert at Fall Festival at BamaJam Farms on October 29. The video will features Darryl’s performance as well as interaction with his fans.

“I am excited to be back in Enterprise, Alabama,” Darryl said. “It’s time for the community to have an event like this, where God and Country coincide.”

The video shoot will begin at 5 p.m. Those attending should dress appropriately for an outdoor concert. John Rich, The Roys, MercyMe and The Springs are also scheduled to perform during the festival. For tickets to the event and more info, please visit www.bamajamfarms.com.

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Aaron Tippin on the set of his episode of the GAC series, Day Jobs.

Aaron Tippin is returning to the skies as part of GAC’s new TV series Day Jobs. While the highlight of his resume might be ‘country singer’ these days, Aaron was a pilot specializing in business transport. “Although I love singing for a living, if the energy crunch had not hit in the ’80s, I’d still be a pilot,” he said. The episode airs October 30 at 8/7 Central.

On Day Jobs, country stars go back to the jobs they worked before they got their big music break and put in a full day of labor. Each one-hour episode follows three country stars as they return to their former roles and discover if they still have what it takes. They also realize just how much those early jobs shaped their lives today.

On Aaron’s episode of Day Jobs, he will fly a few businessmen’s wives on a day trip to shop. Aaron will do every job from engine maintenance to making coffee – and be reminded he can’t control the weather. In the same episode, Darryl Worley will return to the water as a commercial fisherman and David Nail heads back to his Missouri hometown to work as a Dairy Queen employee for the day.

Day Jobs airs every  Sunday at 8/7 Central. Don’t miss this weekend’s new episode, featuring Gary Allan, Eddie Montgomery and Josh Kelley, premiering Sunday, Oct. 23. Be sure to check out the Day Jobs show section for streaming highlights, photos and the full schedule. Go to Day Jobs  >>

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Trace Adkins on the set of Day Jobs.

Before the hit songs, awards and thousands of screaming fans, country stars held day jobs just like those who love their music. In Day Jobs, an original series premiering on Sunday, October 2 at 8 PM/ET, several of today’s top stars step away from the stage lights and put in a full day’s work the way they did before they made it big.

Each one-hour episode of Day Jobs follows three stars as they work a shift in a variety of jobs ranging from offshore oil rig roughneck to cattle rancher, women’s shoe salesman, pilot and waitress. As they work, they realize just how far they’ve come and how those early jobs helped shaped their life today.

Every participant agreed to put in a full eight-hour day and some had to undergo additional training. Before Trace Adkins returned to his former job as a roughneck on an offshore oil rig, he had to spend a day in safety training. Joe Nichols had to become certified to drive a forklift before spending a day loading pallets and filling orders in a warehouse.

“I’ve told lots of people I’m not defined by what I do now,” Trace said during taping. “’Roughneck’ defines me better than anything else does. I’ve been called lots of things in my life but one of the things I’m proudest of is just that I was called a good hand.”

Craig Morgan spent the day training with Army soldiers of the 101st Airborne at Ft. Campbell. “I do miss the energy and excitement, knowing that at any opportunity you might be doing something that others only read about,” he said. “I grew up wanting to be a hero and the Army gives you that opportunity.”

“Country music has long epitomized the working man and it was great to see so many stars wanting to tell their stories and revisit their early jobs alongside the hard working people doing those jobs today,” said GAC President Ed Hardy.  “Viewers will get rare insight – straight from the stars themselves – about an important part of these artists’ lives.”

While Day Jobs doesn’t premiere until October 2, you can catch a sneak peek TOMORROW, September 14 at 8/7CT.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Artists featured in Day Jobs include:

Trace Adkins/roughneck/off shore oil rig
Chris Young/AC unit installation
Craig Morgan/Army soldier
Kimberly Schlapman/waitress
Neal McCoy/women’s shoe salesman
Rodney Atkins/landscaper
Chuck Wicks/potato farmer
Josh Kelley/golf instructor
Eddie Montgomery/butcher
Joe Nichols/warehouse dock worker
Aaron Tippin/corporate jet pilot
David Nail/Dairy Queen employee
Darryl Worley/commercial fisherman
Easton Corbin/Ace Hardware employee
Gary Allan/construction worker
Phil Vassar/restaurant owner
Troy Gentry/bartender
Danny Gokey/truck driver
Clay Walker/cattle rancher

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Darryl Worley photo courtesy of Stroudavarious Records.

Darryl Worley has scheduled his 10th Annual Tennessee River Run for September 15-17 in Savannah, Tennessee. Classic rock band Kansas and Mike Slaughter will headline a concert in downtown Savannah while Darryl and Montgomery Gentry are set to play a country concert at Pickwick Landing State Park. There is also a golf tournament, bass tournament, motorcycle ride, boat poker run, craft fair and 5K race scheduled. Proceeds will go to the Darryl Worley Foundation, which serves charities such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center.

Leading up to the Tennessee River Run is the Battle of the Bands as well as several writers-in-the-round events, most of which will take place at Bumpus Harley-Davidson dealerships throughout the southeast. The Battle of the Bands Preliminary Competition kicks off July 21 in Jackson, Tennessee with other  preliminary rounds in Memphis on August 4 and Florence, Alabama on August 18. The finals will take place on Aug. 27 at Bumpus Harley-Davidson of Jackson. The winner will receive studio time and open for Darryl and Montgomery Gentry.

On July 27, Darryl and songwriters Bernie Nelson, Jim “Moose” Brown and Lee Roy Parnell will play a show at the Murfreesboro Harley Davidson store. For information on all of these events, visit www.tnriverrun.org.

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Billy Ray Cyrus's 2011 CD, I'm American. Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Records.

The idea started on a USO tour to Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009. It started when Billy Ray Cyrus was performing to troops on a mission to give back to those who serve our country. It started as performances of songs like the patriotic title track from his debut album, “Some Gave All,” were being interrupted by the sound of bombs in the distance.

Since that time spent overseas, what started as a short tour bringing a semblance of home to the battlefield evolved into an 8-song concept album honoring our men in uniform. Billy Ray Cyrus’ latest project, I’m American, is an impressive collection of patriotic country/roots-rock songs dealing with the truths, hopes and issues soldiers and their families face both overseas and at home. To Billy Ray, this collection is his “way of giving back and saying thank you to them for the gift of freedom.” Tonight on GAC at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, you can see our special with BRC called Billy Ray Cyrus: I’m American. Check out photos from the special HERE.

“Runway Lights,” the album’s opening track and first single, erupts to life with bombastic acoustic and electric guitars supported with strong percussion. As Cyrus’ raspy vocal starts into the first chorus singing, “I wonder how the Yankees did tonight/ I sure hope Grandma’s doin’ alright/ I wish I knew what Mama’s cookin’ for supper/ I pray Jane has got my letter, knows how much I love her,” the timbre of his voice poignantly takes on the weighty subject of a pilot missing the simple richness of home. Cyrus’ voice sounds excellent and at ease throughout the album as he brings these stories to life. On the rowdy “Keep The Light On,” about a soldier’s jubilation to be returning home after a tour of duty, the joy is infectious as Billy Ray sings “We’ll shake the stands and wake the nation/ I’m roundin’ third and I’m comin’ home!”

Cyrus is joined by a well-picked selection of guests to accompany him on two of the album’s songs. Amy Grant’s voice offers delicate reflection on “Stripes and Stars,” a very contemporary sounding piece featuring crisply produced piano and a rolling guitar line. Here, a husband and wife find answers in the symbolism of the American flag when dealing with the struggle of his long tours of duty. “It ain’t easy to believe I’m being all that I can be,” Cyrus sings before his character finds meaning for his hard work in Old Glory. And on a new version of “Some Gave All,” the last song of the collection, Cyrus is joined by Jamey Johnson, Craig Morgan and Darryl Worley – all of whom are veterans. The feeling is genuine and pure when the four sing in harmony, “All gave some, some gave all/ Some stood through for the red, white and blue/ And some had to fall.”

The themes here are heavy. “We Fought Hard” tells the story of two brothers who serve, one of which has to tell their mother about his brave sibling who fell in battle. “Nineteen” pays tribute to a soldier killed at that very age and wonders what he could have done in life had he not enlisted. However, these stories speak the truth that is sometimes all too familiar to many of us and Cyrus does an admirable job paying tribute to them.

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Check out Darryl’s live performance here:

Click here to view the embedded video.

“Unsung Heroes” is now available as a FREE download at www.darrylworley.com.

With every download $1.00 will be donated to the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC), a charity formed to benefit the families of the men and women serving overseas, as well as 9/11 Families for a Secure America Foundation (www.911safoundation.org). The song, which honors the often overlooked family members of U.S. troops, is also available for a free download for those serving in the military, past to present.

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We at GAC extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to all soldiers and their families!

“‘Til the Last Shot’s Fired” – Trace Adkins

Click here to view the embedded video.

This heartfelt song is about the life of soldiers through various wars, starting with America’s Civil War and continuing through our current conflicts in the Middle East. Trace Adkins conveys the soldiers’ fervent wish that their job would at some point be eliminated for good. Trace delivers as only Trace can.

“American Soldier” – Toby Keith

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This song depicts the everyday life of a soldier, from not being able to call in sick to working through the holidays while standing up for liberty. Toby never fails to bring the soldiers to their feet when he performs this one on his many USO tours.

“Angel Flight” – Radney Foster/Darius Rucker

Click here to view the embedded video.

The title of this song refers to the flight on which a soldier killed in war comes home. Radney wrote the song with Darden Smith, then asked Darius Rucker to sing on it with him. The song was inspired by a series of Angel Flights that brought home a group of men known as the Red River Four. Proceeds from sales of the song benefit the groups who help families in crisis.

“Letters From Home” – John Michael Montgomery

John Michael found a good one when he recorded this! “Letters From Home” is a touching story of a soldier who loves to get those letters from his loved ones, even if his buddies do tease him about them and his southern accent. The song contains some of the most chilling words ever written. I fold it up and put it in my shirt/pick up my gun and get back to work. Think about that for a minute.

“Galveston” – Glen Campbell

Click here to view the embedded video.

One of the quintessential songs from the Vietnam War era, written by Jimmy Webb and delivered so eloquently by Glen Campbell. Here’s a man far away from home, thinking of the girl left behind. It never says war or Vietnam, but when he references cannons and being afraid to die, the listener at the time the tune came out had to know it was about a soldier in Vietnam.

“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” – Toby Keith

Click here to view the embedded video.

This song brought a lot of controversy for Toby Keith but as usual, he paid it no mind. It was written for his father after 9/11 happened, and the singer wasn’t really planning to record it for the public to hear. He was finally persuaded that it would be a song that would resonate with his fans, so he recorded it. It’s another one that brings soldiers and civilians to their feet when he performs it.

“Sink the Bismark” – Johnny Horton

This is a history lesson in song, as Johnny recounts the story of how the great German battleship Bismark was sunk, but not before she brought down many Allied ships, including the American ship the Hood. This singer was known for his story songs and he delivers on this one – the listener can feel the fervor of taking down the Bismark before she has the chance to attack again.

“The Ballad of Ira Hayes” – Johnny Cash

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One of the most moving songs about a soldier and what can happen when they return from war. Ira Hayes was a Pima Indian who helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima during World War II. He never came to grips with his fame after a photo taken by Jim Rosenthal went around the world. Hayes sunk into alcoholism and died of that disease and exposure in January, 1955, just 10 years after Iwo Jima. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.

“Bumper of My SUV” – Chely Wright

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A true story, Chely wrote this song after her brother sent her a Marine Corp. bumper sticker, which she affixed to her SUV. Driving down West End Avenue in Nashville, she was unceremoniously given the finger by some women who obviously didn’t have a clue. Chely went right home and wrote the song, then forgot about it until a few years later, when she pulled it out and recorded it. Semper Fi!

“If I Don’t Make it Back” – Tracy Lawrence

This song, written from the perspective of a young man who has not yet left for war, is one that is bittersweet as the lyrics progress to the inevitable end. It’s a heartbreaker for the friends who were left behind and the woman who can’t move on just yet. Unfortunately it’s a story that happens all too often these days.

“Traveling Soldier” – Dixie Chicks

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The Dixie Chicks’ harmonies on this song add to the beautiful but sad story of a young girl who meets a soldier just as he’s heading for war. Despite well-meant warnings from her friends, she is enveloped in her first love, with a man she barely knows, and vows to wait for him. She holds true to her promise, until one evening at a high school football game, when his name is called among those hometown boys who died in war. Ironically, this is the song the trio had out when lead singer Natalie Maines made her comments about then-President George Bush, and the tune was pulled from many radio stations across the country despite its relevance at the time.

“Arlington” – Trace Adkins

Click here to view the embedded video.

A beautiful song about a soldier coming home to his small plot of land at Arlington National Cemetery. It is so well written that it takes the listener a while to realize the soldier has been killed in battle and is not coming home to the white house upon the hill. It was the second single from Trace’s album Songs About Me.

“I Just Came Back From A War” – Darryl Worley

Click here to view the embedded video.

Darryl Worley has never been afraid to express his feelings, and in this tune he describes how a soldier feels when he or she comes back from experiencing war. While the soldiers are thrilled to be home and happy to see their friends, they know they are forever changed because of what they have seen and done. Sometimes that’s a hard thing for those around them to grasp. This soldier realizes that and tries to explain it as best he can with the words that are the title to the song.

“Heroes” – Ray Stephenson

Click here to view the embedded video.

Ray Stephenson may not be a household name, but he has already penned songs for Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Steve Holy and John Anderson. He co-wrote this tune, from his upcoming album, with Jeremy Campbell and Guy Clark. It is the story of a soldier coming home after war who’s treated like a hero. What the people around him have to understand is, sometimes even heroes need help to fight the demons that came home with them.

“Battle of New Orleans” – Johnny Horton

Another great story song and history lesson by Johnny Horton about the battle fought on January 8, 1815 when General Andrew Jackson defeated a British Army that wanted to seize the city and claim the territory of the Louisiana Purchase. The battle is considered to be one of the greatest land victories by the U.S. of the war, and the intensity of the battle is depicted in the lyrics of the tune. It was actually written by a high school teacher, Jimmy Driftwood, to teach his class a history lesson.

“8th of November” – Big and Rich

Click here to view the embedded video.

Introduced by Kris Kristofferson, this video tells the story of Niles Harris and the 173rd Airborne Brigade that was ambushed on November 8, 1965 by 1200 Viet Cong, with 48 American soldiers losing their lives. Big Kenny and John Rich met Harris and were so intrigued by his story that they wrote this song about him.

“When They Come Back” – Derek Sholl

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Derek Sholl wrote this tune with Tim Johnson after getting back from an Armed Forces Entertainment tour. The song has been adopted by The Boot Campaign as its anthem, as it delves into what happens with soldiers when they come back from the battlefront and begin to assimilate back into their normal life. “We hope that by listening to the song people become aware of the sacrifices military men and women have made, and know that they can help them.”

“Just a Dream” – Carrie Underwood

Click here to view the embedded video.

This song is the story of a young man and woman who marry just before he goes off to war. The video is very well done, taking Carrie from being the blushing bride in the beginning to the grieving widow at the end. Carrie puts a lot of feeling into delivering the story of the young bride and groom. Try to watch this video without crying!

“Riding with Private Malone” – David Ball

Click here to view the embedded video.

Every list has to have one ghost story, and this one has a special twist at the end. The story of the young soldier who doesn’t return from war but leaves a note in his beloved car is a classic, and David Ball delivers it with all the seriousness the writers intended. It’s cool enough that the ‘old chevrolet’ is a Corvette, but then the story takes a few turns as it leads up to the ending. It’s a wonder this hasn’t been made into a movie.

“Soldier’s Last Letter” – Merle Haggard/Ernest Tubb

This song was recorded by several people after its initial release by Ernest Tubb, who co-wrote the song with Redd Stewart in 1941. It went to No. 1 on the country charts in 1944 toward the end of World War II, and was also a Top 20 pop hit. Merle had a hit single with the tune in 1970 during the Vietnam war, when it went to No. 3 on the country charts. Unfortunately for civilization, a song that has a universal message such as this one can be repeated as long as war continues to be the way countries settle arguments.

Based on fan response to this post, there is one more video we should add so here you go…

Billy Ray Cyrus “Some Gave All”

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Darryl Worley photo courtesy of Stroudavarious Records.

Darryl Worley’s support of our nation’s military is well-known and the singer is once again doing his part by offering a new song, “Unsung Heroes,” for download. For every download, $1.00 will go to the U.S. Army Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command (FMWRC), an organization that aids families of those serving overseas, as well as 9/11 Families for a Secure America Foundation. The song is available as a free download for those who are serving or have served our country.

“Let’s not forget that many of our brave soldiers and their families are still sacrificing every day to bring freedom to people in various places in the Middle East,” Darryl said. “Now more than ever, they need our support and encouragement. The military folks make a difference every day, for which they have our respect and admiration. Now it’s our turn – the civilians – to help make a difference in their lives.”

“Unsung Heroes” isn’t the first time Darryl has honored our troops with a song. In 2003 he released “Have You Forgotten” in honor of the fallen American citizens and soldiers after 9/11. The song spent an seven weeks at No. 1. You can download “Unsung Heroes” HERE.

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Cookin’ Out Country

May 4 – Richie McDonald
May 11 – Darryl Worley
May 25 – Bryan White

Serving lunch from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Performances – 11:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Autograph Signings – 12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hot Nights at the Hall -Three Nights of Amazing Music

Friday, June 17 – The Night Train to Nashville Reunion Concert, with house band led by Jimmy Church

Friday, July 8 – Stealing Angels

Friday, August 5 – Carter’s Chord

Medallion Ceremony Red Carpet Fan Experience

Catch a glimpse of the 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees Bobby Braddock, Jean Shepard, and Reba McEntire at the Medallion Ceremony Red Carpet Fan Experience on Sunday, May 22 from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m

“Coffee, Country, & Cody” Live from the Ford Theater

Friday, May 6, 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Start your morning at the Ford Theater as Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer and GAC host Bill Cody hosts 650 AM WSM’s “Coffee, Country, & Cody.” Bill’s nationally and internationally known voice has been heard over the air waves for 40 years.

Concert and Interview: Georgette Jones
Saturday, May 28 @ 2:00 p.m.

The museum welcomes Georgette Jones and her band for a special afternoon of music in honor of her mother, Tammy Wynette. Practically born on stage, Jones made her first musical appearance alongside her parents at age three and her first recording at age ten with her father, George Jones. Presented in support of the exhibit Tammy Wynette: First Lady of Country Music, Presented by Great American Country Television Network. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.

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