Jerry Reed’s $500 Bird That Sang Like Willie Nelson and George Jones — Until the Joke Was on the Buyer
In 1982, Jerry Reed recorded one of the funniest stories in country music: a man spent $500 on a bird…
Waylon Jennings Planned to Quit for Just 30 Days in 1984. His Son Gave Him a Reason to Never Go Back.
In the spring of 1984, Waylon Jennings made a decision that would change the rest of his life. But at…
Johnny Cash Left a Verse Behind in 1957—Nearly 30 Years Later, Waylon Jennings Gave It a Voice
On November 12, 1957, Johnny Cash walked into Sun Studio in Memphis to record a song about a man who…
Three Days Before He Died, Keith Whitley Handed Lorrie Morgan a Card at the Airport
In early May 1989, Keith Whitley drove his wife, Lorrie Morgan, to the Nashville airport and handed her a card…
Fifty-Five Years After His First Ryman Performance, Nashville Returned to Say Goodbye to Chet Atkins
On Tuesday, July 3, 2001, something unusual stood beneath a spotlight at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. An orange Gretsch guitar…
Alan Jackson’s Mother Spent 70 Years in a House Built Around a Toolshed, and She Never Wanted to Leave
Long before the sold-out stadiums, Alan Jackson wrote a song called “Home” about the little house in Newnan, Georgia, where…
Nashville Gave Alabama Their Big Shot in 1980, Then Told Them to Leave Their Guitars Backstage
In early 1980, Alabama finally got the invitation every unknown act in country music dreamed about: a spot on the…
Jerry Reed Forgot a Line on Glen Campbell’s Show — And Turned the Moment Into a No. 1 Hit
Jerry Reed was one of those rare entertainers who could turn almost anything into a good story. A gifted guitarist,…
Blake Shelton Turned His Wedding Vows to Gwen Stefani Into “We Can Reach the Stars”
Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani had agreed to write their own wedding vows. Blake Shelton decided to prepare a surprise:…
Travis Tritt Sang Beside Waylon Jennings at the Ryman. Two Years Later, He Returned to Say Goodbye.
In January 2000, Travis Tritt stood beside Waylon Jennings on the historic stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Together, they performed…