This Day in Country History: January 5
Jan. 5 has given country music fans plenty of excitement over the years. Blake Shelton announced the opening of his honky-tonk-themed bar and restaurant, Ole Red, on this date. Taylor…
Jan. 5 has given country music fans plenty of excitement over the years. Blake Shelton announced the opening of his honky-tonk-themed bar and restaurant, Ole Red, on this date. Taylor Swift was recognized at the People's Choice Awards, and Vince Gill had fun playing with The Time Jumpers at the legendary Station Inn in Nashville.
Cultural Milestones
Jan 5. has hosted some important cultural milestones in the country music industry:
- 2011: Taylor Swift won Favorite Country Artist at the People's Choice Awards. Today, Swift has moved away from her country roots and is one of the biggest and best-selling pop stars in the music industry.
- 2017: Superstar Blake Shelton announced that he was opening a restaurant and honky-tonk-themed bar called Ole Red at 300 Broadway in Nashville. Ryman Hospitality partnered with Shelton on this project.
- 2018: A funeral was held for Rick Hall. Hall was a producer, songwriter, and founder of the legendary FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He was known for creating a Southern soul sound with songs such as "Mustang Sally" and "Slip Away."
Notable Recordings and Performances
Jan 5. has witnessed several recording certifications and an exciting performance:
- 2007: Carrie Underwood's album, Some Hearts, received a 5x Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. By October 25, 2021, this album had gone 9x Platinum. Also on this day, The Chicks, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, received a 2x Platinum certification from the RIAA for their album Taking the Long Way.
- 2009: Vince Gill played with the legendary Western swing band The Time Jumpers at the iconic Station Inn in Nashville. Monday nights at the Station Inn feature top-name country music/Americana/bluegrass artists, ranging from Ricky Skaggs to Alison Krauss.
- 2010: Jason Aldean's "Big Green Tractor" received a Platinum certification from the RIAA. By 2016, this single had gone 3x Platinum. In addition, Carrie Underwood's "Cowboy Casanova" received a Gold certification, eventually going 4x Platinum on Oct. 30, 2025.
Industry Changes and Challenges
A death and a new baby marked industry changes for Jan. 5:
- 2019: Songwriter Phil Thomas died on this day. Thomas wrote songs for country stars such as Randy Travis, George Strait, and Barbara Mandrell. Songs you may recognize that were written by Thomas include "Colorado Kool-Aid," "Drinkin' My Way Back Home," and "Me and the I.R.S."
- 2021: The "Cowboys in Heaven" singer Clay Walker and his wife, Jessica, welcomed a baby boy, Christiaan Michael. This was the couple's fourth child together.
It's always exciting to see what singles and albums receive certifications from the RIAA, and Jan. 5 has not disappointed. Also on this day, the Walker family welcomed a new baby, and Taylor Swift won Favorite Country Artist before she became the mega pop star she is today.
