Happy Monday, y’all. Pull up a chair, because this week’s calendar is a good one.
Alan Jackson turns another year older on Oct. 17
Alan Jackson was born on October 17, 1958, in Newnan, Georgia. That’s the kind of small-town start that shows up in everything he wrote. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1991 and went into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2017. Songs like “Chattahoochee,” “Remember When,” and “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” are still in heavy rotation at backyard cookouts.
Here’s why it matters now. This past June 27, Alan played his farewell concert at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, with a lineup of artists who grew up on his records, including Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. He said he wanted to end it where it all started for him. So this birthday is the first one since the road shows ended, and a great excuse to put on “Chattahoochee” and let it ride.
Oct. 12, 2013: Taylor Swift opens an education center
The Taylor Swift Education Center, a $4 million space at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, opened with a ribbon cutting on October 12, 2013. It’s a place built to teach people about the music, which is a pretty great way to pay it forward.
Oct. 13, 1980: A big night at the CMA Awards
On October 13, 1980, the CMA Awards crowned Barbara Mandrell Entertainer of the Year and George Jones Male Vocalist of the Year. Johnny Cash went into the Country Music Hall of Fame that same night, alongside Connie B. Gay and the Sons of the Pioneers. Not a bad evening to have been in the room.
Oct. 16, 2012: Darius Rucker joins the Opry
Two weeks after Brad Paisley surprised him with the invitation, Darius Rucker was welcomed into the Grand Ole Opry on October 16, 2012. If you’ve ever sung along to “Wagon Wheel,” you’ve heard how well he fits.
Oct. 16, 2020: We lose Johnny Bush
Singer-songwriter Johnny Bush passed away on October 16, 2020, at age 85. He wrote “Whiskey River” in 1972, and Willie Nelson made it a signature opener for decades. Next time you hear Willie kick off a show, tip your hat to the man who wrote it.
Oct. 17: Two Opry moments
On October 17, 2015, Merle Haggard made a surprise appearance at the Opry’s 90th anniversary celebration at the Ryman, performing “Silver Wings” and “The Fightin’ Side of Me.” It turned out to be one of his last Opry appearances. Two years later to the day, on October 17, 2017, Chris Young became an Opry member, with his friend Brad Paisley presenting the invitation.
Over to you
Alan Jackson wrote the soundtrack to a lot of our lives. What’s the one Alan Jackson song that takes you right back to a specific moment? Tell us in the comments, we read every one.
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