This Day in Country History: April 28
As April winds down, country music festivals, concerts, and benefits heat up. The most notable is Stagecoach. This country music festival is the cousin of the popular Coachella Valley Music…
As April winds down, country music festivals, concerts, and benefits heat up. The most notable is Stagecoach. This country music festival is the cousin of the popular Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, held annually the two weekends before Stagecoach. April 28 saw many other great performances, heartfelt benefits, and albums and singles hitting the charts.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Stagecoach is held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. It has the same organizers as the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, and its prime focus is country music:
- 2013: Stagecoach headliners for April 28 included the Zac Brown Band and Darius Rucker. Other country music favorites appearing were The Charlie Daniels Band, Charley Pride, Blue Sky Riders, and Florida Georgia Line.
- 2019: This Stagecoach festival saw Jason Aldean, Old Dominion, and Lauren Alaina perform. Other country music artists at this Southern California desert event included Ruby Boots and Jordan Davis.
- 2023: April 28 was the opening day of Stagecoach with headliners Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, and Riley Green. Fans were also delighted to see Elle King, Sammy Kershaw, and Drake Milligan.
- 2024: Morgan Wallen, Bailey Zimmerman, and Clint Black headlined the Stagecoach festival on April 28. Other notable country music performers on this day were Pam Tillis, Hardy, and Megan Moroney.
Cultural Milestones
Country music artists are known for their generous hearts and commitment to the community, with April 28 benefit concerts including:
- 2013: Country music legend Willie Nelson performed a benefit concert in Austin, Texas, for victims of a fertilizer plant explosion, with proceeds going to the West Volunteer Fire Department. Nelson grew up near the plant in West, Texas, and wanted to give back to his community.
- 2018: Country star Ty Henderson was honored to sing "America the Beautiful" at the 102nd annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. This important event raises money to support journalists who cover political and presidential events and to educate the public about the importance of the First Amendment and free press.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Chart toppers and interesting performances on April 28 include:
- 2012: Pop star Lionel Richie's country music-inspired album Tuskegee hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. On Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart for April 28, 2012, Blake Shelton's “Drink on It” was No. 1.
- 2018: Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha's single “Meant To Be” rose to the No.1 slot on the Billboard Country Airplay chart.
- 2018: Jason Aldean's album Rearview Town hit No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Songs from this studio album include “Dirt to Dust” and “Drowns the Whiskey.”
- 2023: Country music crooner Brett Young performed at the Avondale Brewing Company in Birmingham, Alabama, as a stop for his 5, TOUR, 3, 2, 1 tour. Brett Young's best-known songs include “In Case You Didn't Know” and “Like I Loved You.”
Spring is the ideal time for outdoor music festivals like the popular Stagecoach. Fans see several of their favorite artists in one location, uniting them for the fun and camaraderie that music festivals provide.
