Aug. 6 witnessed the induction of the Oak Ridge Boys into the Grand Ole Opry, a couple of music festivals, and several major country music artists placing high on the Billboard Hot 100.

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

There were several milestones on Aug. 6, including:

2011: The Grand Ole Opry inducted the Oak Ridge Boys. The induction came nearly 70 years after the original Oak Ridge Quartet first performed there.2021: As a shift from traditional country music, Carrie Underwood’s previously recorded performance at the Ryman Auditorium aired on television. This televised event featured songs such as “Amazing Grace” and “How Great Thou Art,” from her album “My Savior.” 2023: Blake Shelton performed at the four-day Sunfest Country Music Festival at Laketown Ranch in Cowichan Lake, British Columbia, Canada.2023: Willie Nelson still went on tour at the age of 90 with his annual Outlaw Music Festival tour. Joining Willie Nelson & Family at the PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, New Jersey, were The Avett Brothers, Particle Kid, Marcus King, Kathleen Edwards, and Flatland Cavalry.Cultural Milestones

From chart-topping songs to a benefit concert, these were among this date’s cultural milestones:

2010: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened an exhibit for rockabilly artist Elvis Presley. The exhibit, titled Loving You: Collecting Elvis Presley, featured a wristwatch and bathrobe worn by “The King,” along with other artifacts that represented Presley’s influence on 20th-century culture.2010: Former quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels turned country music star Jim Weatherly had the honor of this day being named Jim Weatherly Day by the city of Pontotoc, Mississippi, his hometown. This honorable day coincided with the 2010 Bodock Festival.2022: Country music fans enjoyed performances by Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Colt Ford at the Rock the South music festival in Cullman, Alabama. Proceeds from this benefit concert went to local community members affected by natural disasters.2022: Country music doesn’t often dominate the Billboard Hot 100, but on Aug. 6, Morgan Wallen’s “Wasted On You” hit No. 9, Cole Swindell’s “She Had Me At Heads Carolina” was No. 25, Kane Brown’s “Like I Love Country Music” made No. 26, and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Rock and a Hard Place” was No. 24 on this chart.2024: Darius Rucker held a special performance for the staff and contracted employees for the Charleston County School District’s first-ever Back to School Bash held at Credit One Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina. Students of the Charleston County School District also performed.Notable Recordings and Performances

Concerts, music festivals, and a tribute dominated Aug. 6, including:

2005: Rascal Flatts teamed up with Big & Rich and the Warren Brothers for the Deuces Wild tour. This tour kicked off on this date at the Smirnoff Music Center in Dallas, Texas.2011: At the Smokin’ Country Concert in Bloomville, Ohio, Tracy Lawrence, Randy Houser, and Blackberry Smoke performed.2016: Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and a young Sam Hunt played Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This was a stop for Chesney’s Spread the Love tour. 2017: Vince Gill sang “Threaten Me With Heaven” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain” at a memorial celebration for Ara Parseghian, the Hall of Fame football coach for Notre Dame, who took the team to two national championships. 2018: Chris Young’s album The Man I Want to Be, the single “The Man I Want to Be,” and “Losing Sleep” received Platinum certifications from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition, “One Number Away” by Luke Combs received a Gold certification from the RIAA.2021: RCA Nashville released Chris Young and Mitchell Tenpenny’s new collaborative music video, “At the End of a Bar.” This song received a Gold certification from the RIAA on Nov. 29, 2023.2021: Chris Young and RCA Nashville released his new album, Famous Friends. In 2022, the RIAA gave this album a Gold certification.2023: Megastar Lainey Wilson headlined after Luke Bryan canceled because of illness.Industry Changes and Challenges

From show cancellations and assault charges to a lawsuit, Aug. 6 had significant industry changes and challenges, including:

2011: Tracy Lawrence was charged with assault at the Smokin’ Country Concert. A fight broke out backstage between Lawrence and festival promoter Elmer Cole Jr., over a misunderstanding about vehicles being pulled out of the mud. Both Lawrence and Cole Jr. were charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct.2014: Country Explosion LLC filed a lawsuit against Florida Georgia Line and their tour manager for breach of contract and defamation of the promotion company. Florida Georgia Line countersued for breach of contract.2014: Rascal Flatts announced they had to cancel several U.S. and Canadian tours. Lead singer of the trio, Gary LeVox, had vocal issues.2020: Reba McEntire rescheduled an earlier show from her 2020 Arena Tour to Aug. 6 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. All her early 2020 tours were canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The tour was subsequently rescheduled for 2021.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored the late Elvis Presley with an exhibit that opened on Aug. 6, declaring that his music, style, and performances had a major impact on American culture. Fans also enjoyed summer music festivals, while Carrie Underwood showed the country music world her gospel side, singing at the Ryman Auditorium.