2010 Country Stampede - Day 3
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Today we focus on an artist who failed his first audition for the Grand Ole Opry while he was still a junior in high school, but who never let that early set back phase him, moving to Nashville after graduation to pursue his dream.

It was a tough path, but Billy Currington worked as singing in a bar, with a concrete company and as a personal trainer in Nashville before getting his big break. That break came when one of his clients as a personal trainer suggested Currington try recording demo tapes and writing songs. After having songs recorded by George Strait, Tracy Byrd and Marty Rayborn, Currington signed to Mercury Records in 2003. His self-titled debut album released later that year featured the single "Walk A Little Straighter" a song Currington wrote about his relationship with his father, which featured a chorus he wrote when he was just 12-years old. The song peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Country chart, establishing him as force to be reckoned as both a performer and a songwriter. The album featured two more top-10 hits, "I Got A Feelin'" and a duet with Country superstar Shania Twain, "Party For Two".

The 38th Annual CMA Awards - Arrivals
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Currington's path in Nashville hasn't always been strait and narrow. In July of 2007, Currington had to cancel his remaining tour dates for the year due to laryngitis, his single at the time "Tangled Up" floundered, peaking at #30. In August of 2009, the singer suffered a concussion while performing at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, Alberta, Canada, after the stage on which he was performing collapsed during a massive wind storm that also injured his bass guitarist and killed a spectator.

In April of 2013, the Chatham County, Georgia Grand Jury indicted Currington on felony criminal charges of "abuse of an elder person by inflicting mental anguish" and "making terroristic threats". The indictment alleged Currington had made terrorist threats to tour boat captain Charles Harvey Ferrelle. If convicted, Currington could have faced a prison term of 1 to 5 years. He entered a "not guilty" plea in August 2013. Currington eventually pled no contest to the abuse charge; the terroristic threats charge was dropped. Currington was sentenced to 5 years' probation, a $1000 fine, and anger management counseling; he is also required to have no contact with the boat captain.

Trace Adkins In Concert At Nokia Theater
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Currington has released 6 studio albums and one compilation for Mercury Nashville Records, which have produced 13 top-10 singles and 9 number 1 hits. His most recent album, 2015's Summer Forever has produced the #1 hit "Don't It" and the top-30 "Football Town With A  Drinkin' Problem".  The third single from the album is in our spotlight today. Billy Currington and "It Don't Hurt Like It Used To" is today's Catch of the Day, new music you haven't heard, but you'll want to hear it again.

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