This Day in Country History: March 20

Breakthrough Hits and Milestones

• 2017: Jason Aldean had his music video for "1994" premiere on Entertainment Tonight. This video had cameo appearances by Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Luke Bryan, and Hayden Panettiere, an actress and singer who was on the TV show Nashville.
• 2017: Country music supergroup Midland made a surprise appearance at the popular South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, thrilling fans with multiple performances. 
• 2018: Chris Janson was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by country superstar Garth Brooks. The multi-platinum songwriter and artist's hits include "Buy Me a Boat" and "Fix a Drink."
• 2018: Luke Bryan performed at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, during his What Makes You Country Tour. The tour earned more than $65 million.

Cultural Milestones

• 2013: Alan Jackson and Craig Campbell performed at the 5th Annual Stars Go Blue benefit for the Colon Cancer Alliance at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Jackson's father died of colon cancer when Alan was 11 years old, so he has a personal connection to this cause.
• 2019: Randy Owen from the band Alabama received the Heart of an Eagle Award from the Boy Scouts of America's Choccolocco, Alabama, district chapter. This award is given to an individual who has shown unwavering support for their local community.
• 2019: The "Never Wanted to Be That Girl" singer, Ashley McBryde, earned a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Musical Performance. Viewers could see her award on CBS Saturday Morning. McBryde was nominated for New Female Artist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2019.

Notable Recordings and Performances

• 2016: Country singer Trisha Yearwood shared a video of herself preparing for the role of Mary Magdalene in The Passion on Fox. This two-hour musical event, hosted and narrated by mega-producer Tyler Perry, told the story of Jesus Christ in his final hours.
• 2019: Matt Stell's performance at The Bluestone in Columbus, Ohio, was postponed. He was due to perform at the gorgeous 19th-century former Baptist church as part of his Everywhere But On tour.
• 2022: Luke Combs rescheduled his concert at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He moved the March 20 and 21 dates to Nov. 14 and 15, 2022, and did not give a specific reason for the change.
• 2024: Country singer Morgan Wallen and rapper Margs performed at the Kentucky Bourbon and BBQ in Waterloo, Ontario — an interesting combination of singers and genres. 
• 2024: Mega country music star Miranda Lambert performed at the Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lambert is known for hits such as "Gunpowder & Lead" and "Heart Like Mine".

Industry Changes and Challenges

• 2017: The winner of Season 7 of The Voice, Craig Wayne Boyd, announced he was signing a record deal with Copperline Music Group. Before, the "One Line Away" singer was previously signed with BMLG's Dot Records.
• 2020: Country music legend Kenny Rogers died on this day at his home in Sandy Springs, Georgia, at the age of 81. Rogers was a major influence in country music with iconic hits such as "The Gambler" and "Islands in the Stream." 
• 2020: The Zac Brown Band canceled its 2020 The Owl Tour concerts due to COVID.