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This Day in Country History: May 15

May 15 was a big day for country music. Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and George Strait won top awards, June Carter Cash died, and Ryan Hurd made his…

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 11: Rascal Flatts performs onstage at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 11, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

May 15 was a big day for country music. Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and George Strait won top awards, June Carter Cash died, and Ryan Hurd made his Grand Ole Opry debut. Let's learn more about some interesting country music events that took place on May 15.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

There was a lot to talk about on May 15 in the country music world, including:

  • 2007: The Academy of Country Music Awards winners included Kenny Chesney for Entertainer Of The Year, Carrie Underwood for Top Female Vocalist, and Brad Paisley for Top Male Vocalist. The Album of the Year went to Carrie Underwood for Some Hearts, and Single Record of the Year and Song of the Year went to George Strait for "Give It Away."
  • 2007: At the ACM awards, Rascal Flatts won Top Vocal Group, Rodney Atkins achieved Top New Male Vocalist, Miranda Lambert won Top New Female Vocalist, and Video of the Year went to Carrie Underwood for "Before He Cheats."
  • 2020: Country music singer Russell Dickerson received a Platinum certification for his single, "Every Little Thing" under the Triple Tigers Records label.

Cultural Milestones

These country music milestones showcase the influence country music stars have on culture and society:

  • 2011: Keith Urban and Bill Anderson were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame. Anderson is a prolific songwriter and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and Keith Urban is a rocking country star with hits such as "Somebody Like You" and "Blue Ain't Your Color."
  • 2014: The Queen of Rockabilly, Wanda Jackson, held a benefit concert for the Shine Foundation. This event was at the Greens Country Club in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Notable Recordings and Performances

Hats off to these notable performances from May 15:

  • 2007: Country music megastar Reba McEntire performed at the ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada. She sang a cover of Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway."
  • 2021: Ryan Hurd made his Grand Ole Opry debut to a full house. The Grand Ole Opry was just starting to open up to full attendance after the strict COVID-19 regulations.

Industry Changes and Challenges

Country music artists experienced these industry changes and challenges on May 15:

  • 2018: Soul singer Smokey Robinson and GRAMMY-winning country songwriter Josh Kear testified on Capitol Hill in support of music copyright reform. They urged the Senate to pass the Music Modernization Act, which would help restructure the pay levels of musicians.
  • 2023: Country music singer and the wife of the late Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, died on May 15 at her home in Nashville, Tennessee. The couple was married for over 30 years, and Johnny Cash died four months after June's death.

May 15 has seen its share of awards, performances, charitable events, industry disputes, and losses. All those historic events have played a role in shaping today's country.