This Day in Country History: August 21
The Grand Ole Opry held a fun and memorable two-day event to celebrate the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse that passed over the Nashville area. Other notable events on…
The Grand Ole Opry held a fun and memorable two-day event to celebrate the Aug. 21, 2017, total solar eclipse that passed over the Nashville area. Other notable events on this day in country music history include Luke Bryan becoming a brand ambassador for a popular apparel brand, artists receiving honors, and Dustin Lynch's invitation to the Grand Ole Opry.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Artists such as Luke Bryan and Brenda Lee had milestones on Aug. 21, including:
- 2018: The Music City Walk of Fame inducted Brenda Lee, Ben Folds, Ray Stevens, and Jennie Seeley on Aug. 21. They received stars for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and the country music industry.
- 2024: Superstar Luke Bryan and his wife, Caroline, became brand ambassadors for the Jockey apparel brand. The couple appeared in a video advertisement titled There's Only One Jockey, shot with the Bryans in Nashville.
Cultural Milestones
The Grand Ole Opry hosted significant milestones on Aug. 21, including:
- 2017: The Grand Ole Opry threw a party for the total solar eclipse that passed over the Nashville area. To celebrate the event, fans and stars headed to the Opry Plaza for the Opry's Total Eclipse Plaza Party with performances by Levon and Ashley McBryde, while Little Big Town and Darius Rucker played the night before the eclipse.
- 2018: Dustin Lynch was performing at the Grand Ole Opry when Trace Adkins surprised him with an invitation to become a member of this hallowed American institution. The Grand Ole Opry officially inducted Lynch on Sept. 18, 2018.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Hat's off to these notable song honors:
- 2017: Tim McGraw's “Humble and Kind” received a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America. This song was from McGraw's 14th studio album, Damn Country Music.
- 2021: Dan + Shay's “Glad You Exist” peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and Luke Combs's “Forever After All” hit No. 2, spending 42 weeks on the chart. In addition, Nelly & Florida Georgia Line's song “Lil Bit” reached No. 23.
Industry Changes and Challenges
An arrest and a show cancellation were industry challenges highlighted on Aug. 21:
- 2018: Authorities arrested the “Redneck Woman” singer, Gretchen Wilson, after she allegedly created a disturbance at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut. They charged her with breach of peace and a minor disturbance on the flight. Wilson secured release after posting a $1,000 bond, and the charges were later dropped.
- 2021: While country great Kane Brown and many other performers completed their sets at I Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert, other artists, including Patti Smith, Barry Manilow, and Bruce Springsteen, had to cancel when a severe thunderstorm rolled in.
Aug. 21 was a great day for the Grand Ole Opry when it hosted a star-studded eclipse party and offered an invitation to Dustin Lynch. Gretchen Wilson apologized to her fans for her alleged misconduct, while the Music City Walk of Fame inducted Brenda Lee, Ben Folds, Ray Stevens, and Jennie Seeley. I Love NYC: The Homecoming Concert was hit by a thunderstorm, forcing many artists to cancel.
