This Day in Country History: January 20
On Jan. 20, the Bellamy Brothers played in Dubai in 2017 and Dolly Parton received two prestigious awards on this day. The Grand Ole Opry inducted the wild Jerry Lee…
On Jan. 20, the Bellamy Brothers played in Dubai in 2017 and Dolly Parton received two prestigious awards on this day. The Grand Ole Opry inducted the wild Jerry Lee Lewis and Garth Brooks sang at the inauguration of former President Joe Biden as a tribute to the country's unity.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The Bellamy Brothers and Dolly Parton had big milestones on January 20, including:
- 2017: The Bellamy Brothers were the first country music artists to play in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. They played at the Emirates Golf Club as part of their 40th Anniversary World Tour LIVE with hits like "Redneck Girl."
- 2018: Dolly Parton received two Emmy Awards from the Midsouth Regional Emmy ceremony at the Music City Center in Nashville. Parton was given the Best Community Service award for her philanthropic work and the Governor's Award for her lifetime of giving to her community.
Cultural Milestones
From Jerry Lee Lewis to Brantley Gilbert, these were cultural milestones for Jan. 20:
- 1973: Jerry Lee Lewis made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Lewis, known for his exuberant playing style and his hit song "Great Balls of Fire," was signed with Sun Records, which helped launch Johnny Cash's career.
- 1985: Brantley Gilbert was born in Jefferson, Georgia. Gilbert began writing music and dedicating his life to music after a near-fatal car accident that left him with the loss of many memories. Today, Gilbert is known for his hits "Bottoms Up" and "You Don't Know Her Like I Do."
Notable Recordings and Performances
Notable performances on Jan. 20 included those from Kris Kristofferson and Garth Brooks.
- 2019: The late Kris Kristofferson and Merle Haggard's band, The Strangers, performed at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Kristofferson sang hit favorites like "Me and Bobbi McGee" and "Help Me Make It Through the Night."
- 2020: Garth Brooks sang "Amazing Grace" at the inauguration of former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Brooks noted that his presence was not political, but he sang the song as an expression of unity.
Industry Changes and Challenges
A new baby and a death were industry changes on Jan. 20.
- 2013: Danny Gokey, who was a finalist on Season 8 of American Idol, and his wife, Leyicet, welcomed a baby boy, Daniel Emanuel Gokey. This was the couple's first child together. By 2019, Danny and Leyicet had four children, three boys and one girl.
- 2023: One of the founding members of the Marshall Tucker Band, Marshall Tucker, died at the age of 99. Tucker, who was blind from birth, was the piano player for this Southern country/rock band whose biggest hit was "Can't You See."
The Marshall Tucker Band ruled the airwaves for decades, and the death of the band's founder, Marshall Tucker, on January 20, 2023, was a blow to the country music industry. Welcoming a new baby into the world is always a joyous time, and the industry said hello to a new member, Daniel Emanuel Gokey.
