This Day in Country History: April 13
There were many significant events in country music on April 13. The album Cowboy Carter hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Morgan Wallen said he was not performing on…
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There were many significant events in country music on April 13. The album Cowboy Carter hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, Morgan Wallen said he was not performing on the 2021 Luke Bryan tours, and Tim McGraw had a performance at University of Notre Dame's Idea Week.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Significant milestones for April 13 included:
- 2011: Darius Rucker was among five artists chosen for the American Red Cross National Celebrity Cabinet. These cabinet members help share awareness of the vital work the American Red Cross does.
- 2012: The "Goodbye California" singer Jana Kramer made her Grand Ole Opry debut. During her debut, she sang "Why Ya Wanna" and "I Hope It Rains."
- 2024: Pop star Beyoncé's country music album Cowboy Carter reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 charts. This groundbreaking album received Album of the Year and Best Country Album at the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.
Cultural Milestones
Culturally significant milestones for April 13 included:
- 2020: The TV network A&E aired Biography: Kenny Rogers. This documentary, a series of biographies of country music icons, told the story of how Rogers rose to fame and became one of the best-known performers of all time.
- 2022: New inductions into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry included Ernest Tubb's 1941 "Walking the Floor Over You" and Bonnie Raitt's 1989 album In the Nick of Time.
- 2023: Organizers of the Icon Walk at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville unveiled a bronze statue of the late Charley Pride. He was a legend in the country music world as one of the first Black performers who won three GRAMMY Awards and 13 nominations and was best known for his song "Kiss an Angel Good Mornin'."
Notable Recordings and Performances
Exciting performances and a record certification for April 13 included:
- 2012: The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gave Brantley Gilbert's "Halfway to Heaven" a Gold certification. This song received a Platinum certification on May 16, 2014.
- 2017: Eric Church played at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois, on a stop for his Holdin' My Own Tour. He sang hits like "Springsteen," "Those I've Loved," and "Bible and a .44" with Ashley McBryde.
- 2019: Tim McGraw performed at the University of Notre Dame Catholic school in Indiana. This was part of the university's Idea Week honoring innovative thinkers, entertainers, and entrepreneurs.
Industry Changes and Challenges
These were challenges for the music industry on April 13.
- 2021: The "I'm the Problem" singer, Morgan Wallen, wrote a letter to his fans stating he was removing himself from summer tours with Luke Bryan. Wallen said he wanted time to work on personal issues.
- 2025: During a performance by Forrest Frank at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Thomas Rhett was a surprise guest. However, on his way to the stage, he fell and sprained his ankle. Despite the pain and injury, Rhett got on stage with Frank to sing "Nothing Else."
April 13 was memorable for fans of country music for this day's performances, honors, and Charley Pride's statues at the iconic Ryman Auditorium. The songs that were hits on this day will long live on the radio and in people's hearts.
Kristina HallWriter
