This Day in Country History: September 17
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum holds an annual benefit, All for the Hall, to raise funds for the organization’s education program, and big names supported the event…
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum holds an annual benefit, All for the Hall, to raise funds for the organization's education program, and big names supported the event on Sept. 17, 2019. Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill created this benefit in 2005. Fans attended Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival in New York state, while LANCO frontman Brandon Lancaster celebrated his marriage.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Country music stars marked several milestones on Sept. 17:
- 2013: The Grand Ole Opry inducted the Old Crow Medicine Show band, who had hits such as "Sweet Amarillo" and "Gloryland." They debuted at the Grand Ole Opry in 2001 and have performed there several times.
- 2019: Country stars gathered for a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's education program. The All for the Hall event in Los Angeles, California, featured Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Luke Combs, and Sheryl Crow.
Cultural Milestones
Hank Williams was the voice of country music in the 1940s, and his music helped define the genre:
- 1923: Hank Williams was born on Sept. 17 in Mount Olive, Alabama. During his short life before passing at the age of 29, he had well-known hits such as "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "Cold, Cold Heart."
- 2000: The Georgia Music Hall of Fame inducted Georgia native Trisha Yearwood.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Pop star Taylor Swift is also a major country artist, who invited several big country names to perform with her on tours.
- 2011: During her country music phase, Taylor Swift performed at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. To the delight of the audience, Swift introduced two surprise guests, Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney, to duet with her.
- 2024: Fans attended the Outlaw Music Festival at Darien Lake Amphitheater in Buffalo, New York. Headliners included Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, and Southern Avenue.
Industry Changes and Challenges
From the death of a country music legend to a wedding, these were industry changes for Sept. 17:
- 2014: Country music legend George Hamilton died in Nashville at the age of 77. Hamilton blended country with folk and gospel, with hit songs such as "A Rose and a Baby Ruth" and "Before This Day Ends."
- 2017: LANCO's Brandon Lancaster married his sweetheart, Tiffany Trotter, in an intimate ceremony near Nashville. The couple danced to Ray LaMontagne's "Let It Be Me."
Hank Williams changed the face of country music, and his legacy lives on with his son Hank Williams Jr. and grandson Sam Williams. The Georgia Hall of Fame inducted Trisha Yearwood, while the Grand Ole Opry inducted the Old Crow Medicine Show.
