Gayle Thompson has been a daily contributor for The Boot since it began in 2008. In addition, she has written for Rolling Stone, Country Weekly, CBS Radio and several other outlets. Besides writing, she loves traveling, cooking, entertaining and anything else that involves her husband and little boy.
Gayle Thompson
25 Years Ago: Martina McBride Joins the Grand Ole Opry
On Nov. 30, 1995, McBride became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry.
95 Years Ago: The Grand Ole Opry Begins Broadcasting
Nov. 28, 1925, was an historic day for country music.
45 Years Ago: Dierks Bentley Is Born in Phoenix, Ariz.
Happy birthday, Dierks Bentley!
45 Years Ago: Reba McEntire Signs Her First Recording Contract
On Nov. 11, 1975, McEntire's career as a country music singer officially began.
25 Years Ago: David Lee Murphy’s ‘Dust on the Bottle’ Hits No. 1
On Oct. 28, 1995, Murphy might have dusted off a bottle of champagne to toast his success.
10 Years Ago: Blake Shelton Joins the Grand Ole Opry
On Oct. 23, 2010, Shelton was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.
15 Years Ago: Carrie Underwood’s ‘Jesus, Take the Wheel’ Is Released
On Oct. 18, 2005, Underwood's life was about to change.
30 Years Ago: Naomi Judd Announces Her Retirement
On Oct. 17, 1990, Judd announced that she was retiring from music because of her diagnosis of Hepatitis C.
40 Years Ago: Johnny Cash Is Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame
On Oct. 13, 1980, Cash was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
30 Years Ago: Garth Brooks Joins the Grand Ole Opry
On Oct. 6, 1990, Brooks was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry.