Today In Country Music History

October 26, 2000 Garth Brooks announces his plans to retire from touring during a party to celebrate his certification for sales of 100 million albums at Nashville's Gaylord Entertainment Center.

October 25, 1984 Alabama becomes the first country group to go triple-platinum, with the Feels So Right and Mountain Music albums each certified for shipment of three million copies.

October 24, 2006 Taylor Swift’s self-titled debut CD was released.

October 23, 1997 Barbara Mandrell gave her final performance at the Grand Ole Opry house before retiring from country music.

October 22, 1990 Tim McGraw signs his first contract with Curb Records.

October 21, 1967 The Music City News presents its first annual awards at Ernest Tubb's Record Shop. Merle Haggard wins Favorite Male Artist, and Loretta Lynn wins Favorite Female Artist.

October 20, 1967 The first Country Music Association Awards were held. The show was hosted by Sonny James and Bobbie Gentry.

October 19, 2006 Keith Urban checks into the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California, to cope with a recurrence of substance abuse. In a statement, he says, "One can never let one's guard down on recovery, and I'm afraid I have."

October 18, 1968 Glen Campbell wins two honors, Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year, during the second annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium. Other winners on the night included Buck Owens' band The Buckaroos as Instrumental Group of the Year, Ben Colder for Comedian of the Year, Chet Atkins for Instrumentalist of the Year and Tammy Wynette for F

October 17, 1990 Naomi Judd tells reporters she has hepatitis and will have to give up performing. She and Wynonna hold the press conference in the same room in which they auditioned for RCA in 1983.

October 16, 1972 Loretta Lynn becomes the first woman to win the Country Music Association's Entertainer of the Year in the sixth annual awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.

October 15, 1969 Johnny Cash wins a record-setting five times during the third annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium.