This Day in Country History: April 7
The Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7, 2019, were a highlight in country music history. This day also saw Farm Aid IV, a Bellamy Brothers performance at the…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – APRIL 07: Group of the Year award winners Old Dominion pose in the press room during the 54th Academy Of Country Music Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 07, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Academy of Country Music Awards on April 7, 2019, were a highlight in country music history. This day also saw Farm Aid IV, a Bellamy Brothers performance at the Cattle Baron's Ball, and the death of John Prine.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The 54th ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, aired on CBS. Big winners included:
- 2019: Australian-born singer Keith Urban won Entertainer of the Year, and Dan + Shay won Duo of the Year.
- 2019: The esteemed awards show also saw songstress Kacey Musgraves win Female Artist of the Year and Album of the Year and Thomas Rhett win Male Artist of the Year for the second time.
- 2019: Jason Aldean was presented with the Dick Clark Artist of the Decade award, and Old Dominion won Group of the Year Award. Many country artists performed during the show, including Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, and Carrie Underwood.
Cultural Milestones
From benefits to country music Grand Ole Opry inductees, April 7 was a notable day:
- 1990: The Farm Aid IV benefit concert was held at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana, with tickets sold out in 90 minutes. Headliners for this concert included Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and rockers Guns N' Roses, showing how cross-genre performers can unite for a cause.
- 2018: It was announced that the annual Cattle Baron's Ball would be held in Wichita, Kansas, and that The Bellamy Brothers would perform at the American Cancer Society's cancer research fundraiser.
- 2018: Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare was reinstated as a member of the prestigious Grand Ole Opry after being originally inducted in the 1960s.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These incredible performances occurred on April 7:
- 2014: Singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley released his new single "Drunk on a Plane."
- 2017: Husband-and-wife country singers Tim McGraw and Faith Hill launched their massive 65-date 2017 Soul2Soul World Tour on April 7 at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Brothers Osborn performed at their opening show.
Industry Changes and Challenges
April 7 saw highs and lows in country music history:
- 2017: High Valley singer Curtis Rempel and his wife Myranda welcomed a baby girl named Millie June, a little sister for their son Ben.
- 2020: John Prine, one of the country's greatest singers and songwriters, died from complications related to COVID-19 aged 73. He's known for songs such as "Angel From Montgomery," "Hello in There," and "It's a Big Old Goofy World."
- 2020: Famed country singer and American Idol judge Luke Bryan announced the cancelation of his upcoming Proud to Be Here tour and the postponed release of his new album Born Here Live Here Die Here due to COVID-19.
COVID-19 hit all industries and communities hard, including country music. However, April 7 has also witnessed uplifting benefit concerts, big winners at the ACM Awards, and the release of memorable songs.
