This Day in Country History: September 12
The big news on Sep. 12, 2003, was the death of the iconic and influential Johnny Cash. In more recent years, Hurricane Florence caused the cancellation of country music shows…
The big news on Sep. 12, 2003, was the death of the iconic and influential Johnny Cash. In more recent years, Hurricane Florence caused the cancellation of country music shows along the Atlantic seaboard, and the late Toby Keith made a TV appearance and an unexpected friend on Sep. 12.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Over the years, Sep. 12 has seen milestones of different kinds, from the legacy of the legendary Ralph Peer to awards embracing collaborations between musical genres:
- 2014: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened a new exhibit, Ralph Peer: Record Man, as part of its permanent display. Peer was an influential figure in the music business and helped bring bluegrass, western swing, and country music to the mainstream.
- 2018: Florida Georgia Line (FGL) and Maren Morris each received nominations for October's American Music Awards. FGL was nominated for "Meant to Be," a collaboration with Bebe Rexha, while Morris landed a nomination for "The Middle," performed with Zedd and Grey.
Cultural Milestones
Glen Campbell and Toby Keith both featured on late-night shows on this day:
- 2006: Despite their political differences, the late Toby Keith appeared on The Colbert Report with Stephen Colbert. The two men eventually became friends, and in 2015, Colbert inducted Keith into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Keith passed away in 2024.
- 2011: Glen Campbell performed on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno, even though he was struggling with the effects of Alzheimer's Disease. Campbell, who helped define a glitzy cowboy persona with "Rhinestone Cowboy" and ballads such as "Wichita Lineman," was in the middle of his final tour, the Goodbye Tour.
Notable Recordings and Performances
On this day, we take our hats off to these performances:
- 2015: Zac Brown Band made a stop at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, as part of their Jekyll + Hyde Tour. They treated the audience to hits such as "Homegrown," "Toes," and "Chicken Fried."
- 2017: During a multi-artist telethon, Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief, staged from venues including the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Blake Shelton and Usher performed a duet of "Stand by Me." The telethon raised over $44 million to help those affected by Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma.
Industry Changes and Challenges
Sep. 12 has seen its share of sad news for country fans:
- 2003: The legendary Man in Black, Johnny Cash, died from respiratory failure due to diabetes. Over Cash's five-decade career, he made an unforgettable mark on country music with hit songs such as "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," and "Folsom Prison Blues."
- 2018: In the face of the approaching Hurricane Florence, Zac Brown Band and Alan Jackson had to cancel scheduled concerts along the Atlantic coast, including in North Carolina and Virginia.
The Hand in Hand hurricane relief telethon on this day showed how artists and celebrities could work together to raise money and stand by the less fortunate. It's this kind of teamwork and respect that helps us handle even the most shocking blows, such as the passing of Johnny Cash, whose legend and influence will always live on for country music artists and fans alike.
