This Day in Country History: July 13
The American Eagle Award went to Crystal Gayle on July 13, 2017, which is a significant honor. Ralph Stanley had the opening of an exhibit of his life at the…
The American Eagle Award went to Crystal Gayle on July 13, 2017, which is a significant honor. Ralph Stanley had the opening of an exhibit of his life at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on July 13, and country music fans enjoyed festivals in 2019 and 2024 on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Significant milestones for the country music industry on July 13 included:
- 2017: Crystal Gayle, Harry Shearer, and Patti Smith were presented with the prestigious American Eagle Award by the National Music Council on July 13. This award is presented to musical artists who have contributed to American music and culture.
- 2020: Luke Bryan was the host of the CMA Best of Fest retrospective on the ABC Television Network. This three-hour live event featured past televised country music concerts.
Cultural Milestones
Country music performing artists and songwriters are honored on July 13, including:
- 2018: The legendary bluegrass banjo player and performer, Ralph Stanley, had an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum that started on July 13. This exhibit, called Ralph Stanley: Voice from on High, told the story of Stanley's influence on modern country music stars like Emmylou Harris and Ricky Scaggs.
- 2021: The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame announced its new inductees on July 13. Toby Keith, Rhett Akins, and Amy Grant are part of the 2021 honorees. Akins has written songs for Blake Shelton's "Honey Bee" and Thomas Rhett's "It Goes Like This." Amy Grant wrote most of her own work, including "Tennessee Christmas," and the late Toby Keith wrote his song "How Do You Like Me Now?" and many more.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Country music festivals from Canada to Chicago on July 13, included:
- 2019: Superstars Tim McGraw and Travis Tritt performed at Country Thunder Craven in Saskatchewan, Canada. Madeline Merlo and Shawn Austin also entertained fans at this exciting country music festival.
- 2024: On the third day of the legendary Windy City Smokeout music festival held in Chicago, Illinois, fans had the thrill of seeing Cody Johnson and Billy Currington as headliners. Other performers like Wyatt Flores and 49 Winchester also entertained the audience.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Touring on the road has its challenges with mechanical issues, and a new baby can change a person's trajectory. Changes and challenges on July 13 included:
- 2007: Gene Watson, known for songs like "Build My Mansion" and "Forever Ain't Long Enough," had his tour bus catch on fire near Nashville. His Farewell Party bandmates and he managed to put the fire out, rented another bus, and made it to the Grand Ole Opry for their July 13 performance.
- 2018: The "I Ain't Without You" singer Tucker Beathard announced he had a baby girl, named Sage, on July 13. He talked about how having a daughter changed him and helped settle him down from his previous wild ways.
Being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame is an impressive honor in the country music industry, and Toby Keith, Amy Grant, and Rhett Atkins deserved this recognition on July 13. Fans had fun at the summer music festivals held on this day, and Luke Bryan was a wonderful host for the CMA Best of Fest show.
