This Date in Country Music History

• 2023 – Ashley McBryde released her single “Light On in the Kitchen”
• 2021 – Thomas Rhett scored a #1 single with “What’s Your Country Song”
• 2020 – Joe Diffie announced that he had contracted COVID-19, which would take his life in the coming days
• 2020 – Ingrid Andress released her album Lady Like
• 2020 – Wade Bowen & Randy Rogers released their Texas Country hit “Hold My Beer”
• 2018 – The 2018 Country Music Hall of Fame inductees were announced:  Ricky Skaggs, Dottie West, and Johnny Gimble
• 2018 – Lee Brice’s single “A Woman Like You” was certified Double Platinum
• 2018 – Brantley Gilbert’s single “The Weekend” was certified Platinum
• 2007 – Tim McGraw released his album Let It Go
• 1999 – Kenny Chesney topped the charts for the first of 6 weeks with “How Forever Feels”
• 1971 – Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn topped the charts with “After The Fire Is Gone”
• 1965 – Roger Miller topped the charts with “King of the Road”

HCM Content

• 2024 – HCM Daily Country Music News – March 27th, 2024
• 2023 – HCM Daily Country Music News – March 27th, 2023
• 2020 – HCM Daily News – March 27th, 2020

Artist Name:  Gatlin Johnson
Hometown:  Lubbock, TX

What project(s) are you currently working on?

We’re going to cut our next single, “Wish I Could Hate You,” in a couple of weeks. This is the song everyone has been asking about after our shows all year and I can’t wait to share it in 2026.

What inspired you to pursue a career in music and when did you know?

I was inspired to pursue a career in music when I was at a sold out Billy Bob’s show. I saw how many people cared about and connected to real, honest songwriting. Immediately, I wanted to share some of what I had written.

If you weren’t pursuing a career in music, what would you be doing for a living?

If I wasn’t pursuing music, I would most definitely be a football coach right now. I’ve always been and still am passionate about football.

What is your favorite downtime activity?

My favorite downtime activity is fishing. I grew up bass fishing with my dad and it’s become something the band and I sneak in between sound check and show time almost everywhere we go.

Who is your biggest celebrity crush?

My biggest celebrity crush is Megan Moroney. I’ve never really had a celebrity crush my whole life but if I had to choose I would choose her.

Who is your favorite sports team(s)?

My favorite sports teams are Texas Tech and the Texas Rangers. I grew up a huge fan of Texas Rangers baseball, we went to games all the time when I was a kid. I’m currently a student at Texas Tech so I follow all the sports in Lubbock.

What is the last movie that you watched?

The last movie I watched was Love Actually.

What is the last album you listened to?

The last album I listened to was “In Vino Veritas” by The Wyatt Weaver Band. I met those guys up in Iowa of all places and they’ve got a great sound. Really enjoy the old school southern rock meets Texas thing they’ve got going.

If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?

If I could only listen to one albums for the rest of my life it would “Live Country Music Councert” by Willie Nelson. One of the best bands paired with some of the best songwriting you’ll ever hear.

What is the greatest country song of all time?

I don’t know what the greatest country song of all time is but my favorite country song of all time is “Me and Bobby McGee” by Kris Kristofferson.

What has been your favorite city/town that you’ve visited out on the road?

This is a tough choice because I haven’t disliked any town we’ve played so far. So far, my favorite city is between Chicago, Illinois and Turkey, Texas. These places could not be more different but I loved them for those differences. Turkey, TX is full of people who care about Texas songwriters and take care of us in a way that’s hard to understand from the outside looking in. Chicago has really great food and it’s amazing to me that people up there enjoy Texas music.

What is your favorite meal?

Fried Venison back-strap and homestyle mashed potatoes is my favorite meal because it puts me back at home everytime.

Who is your dream duet partner?

My dream duet partner is Wade Bowen. I’ve always looked up to him and his songwriting. He’s also got one of the best voices in the country music scene.

Who would you like to go on tour with?

I’d like to go on tour with Flatland Cavalry. From the brief interactions I’ve had with them, they are some of the kindest people on Earth and I think it would be really cool to tour the country with another band from Lubbock, Texas.

What is your ultimate career goal(s)?

My ultimate career goal is to make a living playing to crowds who really care about my songs. I think it’s the coolest thing in the world to connect with people I’ve never met through words that I wrote.

This Date in Country Music History

• 2021 – Lady A released their album What a Song Can Do
• 2021 – Wade Bowen released his single “When Love Comes Around” – a big hit in the Texas Country scene
• 2019 – Maren Morris and husband Ryan Hurd announce that they are expecting a baby boy
• 2019 – Dylan Scott’s single “Hooked” was certified Platinum
• 2019 – Thomas Rhett’s single “It Goes Like This” was certified Triple Platinum, and his single “Unforgettable” was certified Double Platinum
• 2018 – Maren Morris had 3 singles earn sales certifications.  “80’s Mercedes” and “I Could Use a Love Song” were certified Platinum and “My Church” was certified Double Platinum
• 2017 – Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed, and Don Schlitz were officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
• 2016 – The Turnpike Troubadours made their Grand Ole Opry debut
• 2013 – Eric Church released his single “The Outsiders”
• 2013 – Brandy Clark released her album 12 Stories
• 2012 – Taylor Swift released her album Red
• 2012 – Lady Antebellum released their album On This Winter’s Night
• 2005 – Keith Urban topped the charts for the first of 5 weeks with “Better Life”
• 1996 – Tracy Byrd released his album Big Love
• 1991 – Sammy Kershaw‘s debut single “Cadillac Style” was released for retail sale
• 1990 – Tim McGraw signed his record deal with Curb Records
• 1990 – George Strait released his single “I’ve Come To Expect It From You”
• 1984 – Alabama released their single “(There’s a Fire) In The Night”
• 1966 – Eddy Arnold is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame
• 1965 – Ernest Tubb is inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

HCM Content

• 2024 – HCM Daily Country Music News – October 22nd, 2024
• 2021 – HCM Daily News – October 22nd, 2021
• 2021 – Today’s New Music – October 22nd, 2021
• Today’s Birthdays – October 22nd

Today’s Photo Flashback

• Amber Leigh – 10/22/11 – Jupiter Country Hoedown in Jupiter, FL
• Little Big Town – 10/22/13 – Kiss Country Undercover Concert in Hallandale, FL
• Tom Jackson – 10/22/11 – Jupiter Country Hoedown in Jupiter, FL

In the wake of the catastrophic flooding that has impacted so many lives across Texas’ Hill Country, it is impossible to watch the news without feeling the heartbreak of this disaster. Entire communities have been devastated, and families are mourning the loss of their children and loved ones.

In response, Texan George Strait alongside businessman and Vaqueros del Mar partner of 15-years, Tom Cusick, are organizing a special benefit dinner and concert in Boerne, Texas, “Strait To The Heart,” at Estancia at Thunder Valley indoor arena.

“The destruction and loss in our community from the recent flood is hard to wrap your head around,” shares Strait. “Our hearts and prayers are with you all. The goal with this event is to raise meaningful, immediate support that can be put directly into the hands of flood victims without delay, while also honoring the first responders that work tirelessly to save lives.

Special thanks to our friends and fellow troubadours—William Beckman, Ray Benson, Wade Bowen, Dean Dillon, Riley Green, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Kyle Park, Hudson Westbrook and members of my Ace in the Hole Band—for joining me on stage to lend their talent and their hearts to this mission.”

Cusick adds, “The road ahead will be a long one, however the immediate need is so great that we didn’t want to wait. Together, we can show our neighbors that when hardship strikes, Texas and our Country stand strong, and we stand together.”

Due to the intimate setting, the event is limited to 1,000 guests. Tickets and tables are available for purchase (price points vary and begin at $1,000). Complimentary tickets will be provided to local area first-responders. Donations will be made to 501c3 Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund and distributed directly to affected families as well as established Hill Country funds.

If you’re interested in purchasing a table or tickets to Vaqueros del Mar’s “Strait To The Heart” Intimate Donor Dinner & Concert on Sunday, July 27, or simply would like to make a contribution to Vaqueros del Mar Texas Flood Relief Fund, please email Vaquerosdm@gmail.com.