This Day in Country History: July 20
July 20 has seen Toby Keith come out of retirement, numerous country music festivals, and several benefit concerts. Tyler Hubbard’s departure from social media, Charles Eston’s milestone, and a country…
July 20 has seen Toby Keith come out of retirement, numerous country music festivals, and several benefit concerts. Tyler Hubbard's departure from social media, Charles Eston's milestone, and a country music star's engagement are just a few of the other notable events that occurred on this day.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Significant milestones achieved on July 20 include:
- 2017: The late Toby Keith returned to Nashville for a headlining concert after a 13-year hiatus. He played at the Ascend Amphitheater as part of his Interstates & Tailgates Tour and debuted a new song called "Whacky Tobaccy."
- 2018: Actor/singer Charles Esten, widely recognized for playing Deacon Claybourne in the hit TV show Nashville, made his 100th appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. This is a monumental milestone for any country music artist.
Cultural Milestones
Country music artists came together on July 20 to raise money for various charities:
- 2014: Tracy Lawrence and Chuck Wicks performed at Craig Morgan's eighth annual charity event. All proceeds benefited the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation, supporting foster children in Dickson County and Middle Tennessee.
- 2019: Outlaw country artist Gary Allen, known for his hit song "A Feelin' Like That," headlined the 9th Annual Kickin For A Kure concert. This event raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which has a mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for all patients and their families.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Various summer music festivals were held on July 20, including:
- 2024: Lainey Wilson headlined the Faster Horses music festival in Brooklyn, Michigan. Other notable performers on this day included Aidan Canfield, Annie Bosko, Sadie Bass, and Old Dominion.
- 2024: Fans of Thomas Rhett, Ian Munsick, and Jackson Dean were delighted to see them perform live at the Country Jam USA music festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Ella Langley and BlackHawk also played.
- 2024: The audience at the Rock the South country music festival in Cullman, Alabama, enjoyed performances by Eric Church, Parker McCollum, and Flatland Cavalry. Treaty Oak Revival and Alana Springsteen also took the stage on this day.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Impactful events on July 20 that helped shape the country music industry include:
- 2016: Tyler Hubbard from the duo Florida Georgia Line announced he was taking a break from social media to refocus on his career, family, and spirituality while living life to the fullest.
- 2017: "She's Like Texas" singer Josh Abbott announced his engagement to his long-term girlfriend, Taylor Parnell. The couple, who had welcomed their daughter, Emery, earlier in the year, married on July 8, 2018.
- 2024: Country-pop singer Sandy Posey died at the age of 80. Not only did Posey work with Elvis Presley, but she also collaborated with country legend Tammy Wynette's producer, Billy Sherrill, before retiring from performing and transitioning into a career as a session singer.
Tyler Hubbard stepping back from social media may have disappointed fans, but he felt it was essential to refocus his life. Stars who gave their time to support various charities on July 20 inspired new artists to join the community and utilize their fame to help others.
