This Day in Country History: August 11
Dolly Parton’s name popped up a couple of times on Aug. 11 over the years, including a significant award win. This date has also seen the loss of industry legends…
Dolly Parton's name popped up a couple of times on Aug. 11 over the years, including a significant award win. This date has also seen the loss of industry legends and fans singing and dancing at various country music festivals.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Dolly Parton and Kenny Chesney enjoyed significant achievements on Aug. 11, including:
- 2017: Ke$ha, best known as a rapper, released an album called Rainbow featuring Dolly Parton. The duo collaborated on Parton's "Old Flames (Can't Hold a Candle to You)" from her 1980 album, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly.
- 2017: Kenny Chesney played the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, where he was inducted into the Arena Walk of Fame. Chesney has played numerous concerts at this venue, including five back-to-back sold-out shows in 2009, bringing in extra revenue for the casino and thrilling country music fans.
Cultural Milestones
Jason Aldean held a benefit concert, and Dolly Parton was honored on Aug. 11:
- 2017: Jason Aldean hosted the Concert for the Kids benefit to raise money for the Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital in Macon, Georgia, Aldean's hometown. This event raised over $700,000.
- 2018: The Queen of Country, Dolly Parton, received the first Excellence in Leadership Award from Leadership Tennessee. Parton was given this award for her tireless work improving lives across Tennessee.
Notable Recordings and Performances
On Aug. 11 in years gone by, Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town thrilled fans in Dallas, while others enjoyed music festivals:
- 2018: Miranda Lambert and Little Big Town performed at the Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas, Texas, as part of their Bandwagon Tour. Lambert surprised the crowd by bringing out her Pistol Annies bandmates.
- 2024: Headliners on the final day of the Voices of America Country Music Fest in West Chester, Ohio, included Russell Dickerson, Sam Hunt, and Priscilla Block. Drew Green and Redferrin also performed.
- 2024: Fans in Ontario, Canada, had the privilege of seeing Jason Aldean, Carly Pearce, and Nate Smith perform on the final day of the Boots & Hearts music festival. Alana Springsteen, Emerson Drive, and Madeline Merlo also took the stage on this day.
Industry Changes and Challenges
A couple of deaths on Aug. 11 impacted the country music industry:
- 2008: Don Helms, one of the founding members of the Hank Williams band, Drifting Cowboys, died. Helms captured the lonesome sound of country music with his steel guitar playing skills that paired perfectly with Hank Williams' soulful voice.
- 2018: Influential country music musician and record producer, Blue Miller, died at the age of 66. After moving to Nashville in 1990, he formed the Gibson/Miller band. Their 1993 song "High Rollin'" hit the charts, and the duo won Top New Vocal Duet or Group at the ACM Awards.
Don Helms and Blue Miller were major influences on the country music industry, and their deaths on Aug. 11 saddened many. Kenny Chesney received a star on the Arena Walk of Fame, and Miranda Lambert thrilled fans with her solo performance and a set with the Pistol Annies.
