This Day in Country History: February 23
February 23 was a big day for country music GRAMMY winners and for inductions into various Hall of Fames. From record certifications to a benefit concert, there were many ways…
February 23 was a big day for country music GRAMMY winners and for inductions into various Hall of Fames. From record certifications to a benefit concert, there were many ways that artists and the music industry showed support and honor for each other on February 23.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
The GRAMMY winners were milestones for February 23.
- 1983: Willie Nelson won Song of the Year, Best Country Song, and Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, for "Always On My Mind" at the 25th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
- 2000: Shania Twain took home the Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" at the 42nd Annual GRAMMY Awards. George Jones won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Choices," and Best Country Song went to "Come On Over," performed by Shania Twain.
- 2003: At the 45th Annual GRAMMY Awards, Best Female Country Vocal Performance went to Faith Hill for "Cry." Johnny Cash won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for "Give My Love to Rose," and Best Country Song went to Alan Jackson for "Where Were You (When the World Stopped)."
Cultural Milestones
Inductions and awards were cultural milestones for February 23.
- 2010: The Country Music Hall of Fame announced its new nominations for membership. Jimmy Dean, Billy Sherrill, and Don Williams were the new inductees.
- 2017: The "Somewhere In My Broken Heart" singer, Billy Dean, along with three other artists, was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame. Dean is a native of Florida.
- 2019: The 2019 Texas Hall of Fame Awards Show, which aired on February 23, announced that the "Copperhead Road" singer Steve Earle, along with several other artists, was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association.
Notable Recordings and Performances
A couple of record certifications and a notable performance were highlights for February 23.
- 2012: Luke Bryan's "I Don't Want This Night to End" received a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition, the RIAA gave Toby Keith's "Clancey's Tavern" a Gold certification on this same date.
- 2020: A GoFundMe campaign, online auction, and tribute concert were held at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, to help raise medical funds for the "Small Town Saturday Night" singer Hal Ketchum. The Raised By Wolves, Bound for Glory show featured artists like Bruce Robison, Jesse Dayton, Lee Roy Parnell, and others.
Industry Changes and Challenges
A road accident and a death were industry changes and challenges for this day.
- 2012: Bob DiPiero, Clint Black, and Bill Anderson were in a tour bus when they were hit while traveling in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Ireland and UK Country Music Association Songwriter Series. No one was hurt.
- 2015: Keyboardist and songwriter Bobby Emmons died on this day. Emmons was known for songs like "Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)" performed by Waylon Jennings, and Tanya Tucker's “Love Me Like You Used To.”
Country music remains one of the most popular genres due to its talented artists who dominate the charts and record certifications, as we saw on February 23. From GRAMMY wins to benefit shows held on February 23, this was a significant day.
