This Day in Country Music: A Look Back at the Best Moments
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On this day in country music, we take a look back at some of the best moments in the genre’s history. From the first country music recording to the rise of modern stars, we celebrate the great moments that have made country music what it is today.
The Early Years
Here we are, at the start of a new year. A time to reflect on the past twelve months and set our sights on the twelve to come. And what a year it’s been! We’ve seen some great moments in country music, and some not-so-great ones. In this article, we’re going to take a look back at the best moments of the year in country music.
The first country music radio station is born
On this day in 1923, the first country music radio station went on the air. KFVD in Los Angeles, California, was the brainchild of station manager Karl F. Wallich, who had the novel idea of broadcasting country music to the city’s large population of rural transplants.
Wallich assembled a team ofMusicians including fiddler Carson Robison and singer-guitarist Riley Puckett, and the station’s flagship show soon became known as the “Grand Ole Opry of the West.” Over the next few years, KFVD’s programming expanded to include live broadcasts from local dancehalls and nightclubs, making it one of the first radio stations to regularly feature live country music.
In addition to helping launch the careers of country legends like Patsy Cline and Buck Owens, KFVD also played a key role in popularizing Western swing, a hybrid style that combined elements of country, jazz and blues. The station continued to broadcast until 1961, when it switched to a Spanish-language format; today, there is no country music radio station in Los Angeles.
The first country music Grammy Awards are held
The 1st Annual Grammy Awards were held on May 4, 1959, in Nashville, Tennessee. At the time, the only country music award category was Best Country & Western Recording. The first winner was Tennessee Ernie Ford for his classic hit, “16 Tons.”
The Golden Age
Country music has a long and storied history, full of heartbreak and hope, triumph and tragedy. The genre has its roots in the American south, and has been shaped by the people who migrated to Nashville in search of a better life. Today, country music is one of the most popular genres in the world. Let’s take a look back at some of the best moments in country music history.
The first CMA Awards are held
The first CMA Awards are held in Nashville, Tennessee. Fifty radio stations from around the country participate in the event, which is hosted by country music duo Eddie Arnold and Homer Folk. Folk act as the emcee and present the first-ever CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year to Arnold and his partner, Gene Autry. Some of the other honorees include Red Foley, who is named Entertainer of the Year, and Hank Williams, who is posthumously given a Special Award.
The first ACM Awards are held
The first Academy of Country Music Awards are held in Nashville, Tennessee. The show is co-hosted by country stars Eddie Arnold and Jalacy Hawkins. Winners include Buck Owens, who takes home the top prize of Entertainer of the Year, as well as Best Male Vocalist. Owens also wins Best Album for his album, Carnegie Hall Concert.
The Modern Era
As country music has evolved over the years, there have been countless memorable moments. In this article, we’ll take a look back at some of the best moments of the modern era of country music. We’ll start with the year 2000 and work our way up to present day.
The first American Music Awards are held
The first American Music Awards are held in Los Angeles on January 28, 1973. The event is inspired by the success of the Grammy Awards, which recognize achievement in the recording industry, and is televised live on ABC. The show features performances by many of country music’s biggest stars, including Hank Williams Jr., Loretta Lynn, Charlie Rich and Jerry Reed. George Jones wins three awards, including for Favorite Male Vocalist.
The first Latin Grammy Awards are held
The first Latin Grammy Awards are held in September 2000. The inaugural ceremony is hosted by Rosie Perez and features performances by Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan, Mana, and Jennifer Lopez. Marc Anthony wins Album of the Year for his Spanish-language album Desde un Principio: From the Beginning.
