Bill's Country Music Calandar

"April"

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1883 - Jules Verne Allen 1883-1945, singer, songwriter, guitarist and working cowboy born in Waxahachie, Texas. Jules was nicknamed "The Singing Cowboy." Allen worked the Texas cattle drives until World War I, when he joined the Army. After the war he began a career in music which took him to radio shows from Texas to the West coast, where he was signed to Victor Records. Allen recorded under his own name as well as a few pseudonyms, his favorite being Longhorn Luke. Some of his songs include "Oh Bury Me Not on the Lone Prarie," "The Cowboy's Dream," and "Home on the Range.

1908 - Bob Nolan, "Robert Clarence Nobles," member of the "Sons of the Pioneers" was born in New Brunswick, Canada. Inducted into the CMHF in 1980 as a member of the Original Sons of the Pioneers.

1909 - Hank Warren" of The Briarhoppers" born in Mount Airy, North Carolina.

1914 - Nelson King voted America' s top country music DJ eight consecutive years, was born in Portsmouth, Ohio.

1920 - Bobby Atcheson 1920~1978, singer, fiddler was born near Dallas, Georgia. Bobby was a cast member of the WSB Barn Dance in Atlanta 1944~1946. Atcheson and wife Jane were a featured vocal duo on WATL in Atlanta, and co-owners of Atlanta's Covered Wagon country music nightclub.

1921 - Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, was born in Clinton, South Carolina.

1922 - Jimmy Logsdon 1922~2001, a.k.a. Jimmie Lloyd, Rockabilly and Country artist, was born in Panther, Kentucky. His father was a Methodist minister.

1933 - The popular "WWVA Jamboree," moved to Wheeling' s thirty-six hundred seat Capitol Theater.

1934 - Jim Ed Brown, of The Browns, born in Sparkman, Arkansas. Jim began his solo career in 1965. Became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, and recorded for RCA. Jim and duet partner Helen Cornelius were honored by the CMA in 1977 as Vocal Duet of the Year.

1939 - Rachel Veach became the only female member of Roy Acuff' s Smokey Mountain Boys.

1942 - Liberty Records established in Hollywood, California. Two months later they changed their name to "Capitol Records."

1944 - Al Dexter's "So Long Pal" topped the charts.

1945 - Kenny Buttrey 1945~2004, A Team session drummer, and arranger, born in Nashville, Tennessee. Kenny began his professional music career at the age of 14. Kenny died from cancer at his Nashville home in 2004.

1950 - Carl Smith signed with Columbia Records.

1956 - Elvis Presley filmed his first Hollywood screen test 1956.

1959 - Terri Hendrix, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born at the Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.

1962 - Billy Dean singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Quincy, Florida. Billy's first chart hit was his 1990 Capitol single "Only Here For A Little While."

1963 - Bill Anderson' s single "Still" topped the charts.

1967 - The Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum opened to the public.

1968 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' "Sweet Rosie Jones" b/w "Happy Time Are Here Again."

1970 - The Johnny Cash Show on the ABC Television Network featured Shel Silverstein, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, the Statler Brothers, the Carter Family, and Carl Perkins.

1970 - Merle Haggard, and Linda Ronstadt were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1970 - Paul Cohen1908~1970, age 71, recording industry executive, president of the CMA, died in Bryan, Texas. Cowan was buried in College Station, Texas. Inducted into the CMHF 1976.

1972 - Connie Smith, and Tommy Ambrose were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1979 - Mark Herndon was hired as Alabama' s drummer. As a result, Mark is now in the CMHF.

1981 - Emmylou Harris' Warner Bros. album "Roses in the Snow" was certified Gold by the RIAA

1985 - Alabama's RCA Victor album "40 Hour Week" was certified Gold & Platinum today.

1986 - Alan Jackson debuted on Ralph Emery' s "Nashville Now." At the time, Alan was working in the mailroom at TNN.

1991 - Reba McEntire's MCA album "Rumor Has It" was certified Gold.

1992 - Amy Grant's A & M album "Heart in Motion" was certified 3 x Platinum by the RIAA.

1992 - The Highwaymen toured Scandinavia and Europe from the 1^st through the 26^th.

1992 - "Nashville Now," Ralph Emery' s award winning show on TNN, was cut from 90 minutes to one hour. After realizing their mistake, TNN executives returned the program to its original length of 90 minutes, on June 30^th, 1992.

1996 - Alabama's RCA "Greatest Hits" album is certified 5 x Platinum by the RIAA. Alabama becomes the first country band to earn a quintuple-platinum album. The album was released in 1986.

1997 - Best April Fools joke of the year: After Trace Adkins told his booking agent that he was going to sing at his upcoming wedding, the agency sent the bride Rhonda Forlaw's family a bill for $7,000, and a contract to sign.

2001 - Ted McCarty, age 91, retired president of the Gibson Guitar Company, died in Idaho.

2002 - Arista Records released Diamond Rio's single "Beautiful Mess." The song charted twelve days later, and went to #1. This was the Grand Ole Opry stars 4^th #1 hit.

2003 - Johnny Cash, age 71, was released from Baptist Hospital in Nashville, after a three-week stay for treatment of pneumonia.

2006 - Eric Church made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

2007 - Jim Ed Brown celebrated his 73^rd birthday, and on August 12^th will celebrate his 44^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

2008 - The Grand Ole Opry's Hal Ketchum will be touring Ireland beginning today, through the 20^th.

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1908 - Buddy Ebsen was born Christian Rudolph Ebsen in Belleville, Illinois.

1911 - Mose "Moses" Rager 1911~1986, guitarist, born in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.

1931 - Kenneth Ray "Thumbs" Carllile, 1931~1987, songwriter, guitarist born St. Louis County, Missouri.

1935 - Warner Mack, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born "Warner MacPherson" in Nashville, Tennessee. Mack's early career included stays at the Louisiana Hayride and the Ozark Jubilee, and his self-penned Decca single "Is It Wrong (For Loving You) was a Top Ten single in 1957. Warner almost lost his life on November 29, 1964 after he was involved in a serious traffic accident, in a snowstorm in Indiana. It would be six months before Decca released another single for Warner, and it was a dandy. "The Bridge Washed Out" became his first #1 record, and 8 of Warner Mack's original 9 Decca releases were Top Ten records.

1941 - Sonny Throckmorton, singer, songwriter, born in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Other artists have recorded more than 1,000 songs written by Sonny. He was inducted into the NSHF in 1987.

1942 - Leon Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma.

1947 - Emmylou Harris was born Emmy Lou Harris in Birmingham, Alabama.

1949 - George Morgan's Candy Kisses sat atop the country charts.

1952 - Chris Frank member of the "Red Clay Ramblers" born in Omaha, Nebraska.

1955 - Cowboy Copas released "Pledging My Love."

1956 - Johnny Cash recorded "Get Rhythm" and "I Walk The Line" in Memphis, at Sun Studio. John wrote both songs, and Sam Phillips produced the session. I Walk The Line went to #1, and has been named a Grammy Hall of Fame recording. The session personnel included: John Cash~vocals & guitar; Luther Perkins~guitar; and Marshall Grant~bass. Otherwise known as Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two.

1959 - Dean Townson member of "Pirates of the Mississippi," born in Battle Creek, Michigan.

1961 - Buddy Jewell was born in Lepanto, Arkansas. The former Nashville demo singer won the first Nashville Star competition in 2003.

1962 -Billy Dean singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born in Quincy, Florida.

1964 - Lefty Frizzell topped the charts with "Saginaw Michigan."

1969 - Wendell Hall 1896~1969, 1920' s recording artist "It Ain' t Gonna Rain No Mo' ," died at the age of 72.

1969 - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Flip Wilson, and the Vogues were featured guests on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Joining the guests were regular cast members John Hartford, Pat Paulson, and of course The Rhinestone Cowboy.

1977 - Grand Ole Opry stage manager Vito Pellettieri worked his last Opry show. Vito suffered a stroke and died on April 14^th. He was the only stage manager the Grand Ole Opry ever had. Vito was 87 years old.

1979 - Doyle Lawson formed the bluegrass group "Quicksilver." The group played their first performance today.

1983 - Cliff Carlisle 1904~1983, age 79, singer, guitarist died in Lexington, Kentucky.

1983 - Andy Griffith and wife Cindi were married today.

1984 - Dan Fogelberg's Epic album "Windows and Walls" was certified Gold.

1984 - Alabama's RCA Victor album "Roll On" was certified Gold & Platinum by the RIAA.

1987 - Patsy Cline's MCA "Sweet Dreams" Soundtrack album was certified Gold.

1988 - Reba McEntire topped the charts with "Love Will Find Its Way To You."

1991 - Garth Brooks' Capitol album "No Fences" was certified 3 x Platinum.

1996 - Capitol Records released Rosanne Cash' s album "10 Song Demo."

2003 - PBS' s All-Star Bluegrass Celebration II was taped at the Opry House.

2005 - Jammin' to Beat the Blues with Vince Gill and Amy Grant was featured at the Ryman Auditorium this evening.

2006 - Buck Owens funeral was held at 2:00 p.m. Bakersfield, California, time at Buck's church The Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield. Buck's good friend Mayf Nutter, who was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame along with Buck at the Crystal Palace a year or so ago, is also a member of Valley Baptist and was present at his friend's funeral. " Brad Paisley had flown to Bakersfield from Memphis where he performed last night, arriving just in time for the service at the church. He was the first entertainer to sing during the funeral service, after giving a wonderful heart-felt testimony to Bucks influence and friendship to him. Buck Owens was laid to rest in the Owens family mausoleum in Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary and Cemetery, in Bakersfield, California. One month later Buck and Bonnie Owens were "Together Again" as Bonnie's ashes were placed next to Buck in the mausoleum. Bonnie died on April 25, 2006.

2006 - The Grascals were featured at the Kennedy Center's Celebration of America's Music. A 2006 Grammy nominee, this acclaimed Nashville bluegrass sextet is a continual crowd-pleaser, whether offering original songs, reworking the classic "Teardrops In My Eyes," breathing new life into the Osborne Brothers' "Leavin's Heavy on My Mind" or interpreting Harley Allen's "Me And John And Paul." The show was presented from the Millennium Stage.

2007 - Emmylou Harris celebrated her 60^th birthday today.

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1905 - Hank Newman 1905~1978, singer, guitar, and bass, member of "The Georgia Crackers," and the "Newman Brothers.," born in Cochran, Georgia.

1920 - Al Gannaway producer of music films was born today.

1926 - Marshall Claiborne a one armed fiddle player made his first appearance on the WSM Barn Dance. He was invited to come back for two more broadcasts that same month.

1928 - Don Gibson 1928~2003, singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Shelby, North Carolina. Don was inducted into the NSHF in 1973, and the CMHF in 2001.

1942 - Billy Joe Royal was born in Valdosta, Georgia.

1948 - The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Bailes Brothers headlined this debut performance, and Shot Jackson was their steel guitar player. Also appearing on the show was Curly Kinsey and the Four Deacons, Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Boys featuring Miss Kitty Wells, the Tennessee Ridge Runners, Harmie Smith and his Ozark Mountaineers, the Mercer Brothers and Tex Grimsley and the Texas Playboys. The master of ceremonies was Horace Logan. Admission to the show was 60 cents for adults, and 30 cents for children. The price remained the same for eleven years, when on March 28, 1959, the price of admission rose to $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. Shot Jackson met Johnnie & Jack at the Hayride, and the following year went with them to Atlanta to record. Shot Jackson played on Kitty Wells first #1 hit "It Wasn' t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," and Johnny & Jacks first #1 "Oh Baby Mine," in the early 1950' s.

1948 - Eddy Arnold's single "Anytime" topped the charts for 9 weeks.

1950 - Curtis Stone bassist for "Highway 101," was born in North Hollywood, California. Curtis is the son of Cliffie Stone.

1956 - Elvis Presley appeared on "The Milton Berle Show."

1959 - Earl Taylor and his Stoney Mountain Boys became the first Bluegrass group to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall.

1960 - The Everly Brothers played the first concert of their debut British tour.

1961 - Spade Cooley murdered his wife Ella Mae. He was sentenced to life in California' s Vacaville Prison, and died from a heart attach on November 23, 1969, two months prior to being released on parole.

1961 - Patsy Cline' s "I Fall To Pieces," hit the charts today.

1962 - Steve Grossman, of "The Gibson/Miller Band," was born in West Ipswich, New York.

1964 - The Statler Brothers debuted their first single "The Wreck of the Old �97."

1969 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Margie' s At The Lincoln Park Inn" b/w "Flat-Footin' It.

1972 - Jack Drake, session bass player died in Nashville today.

1972 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' # 1 single "Made In Japan."

1975 - Emmylou Harris' s "Hot Band," debuted in San Francisco, California.

1976 - Crystal Gayle' s first #1, "I' ll Get Over You," charted.

1983 - The Oak Ridge Boys MCA album "American Made" was certified Gold.

1992 - Billy Ray Cyrus made his first appearance on Ralph Emery' s Nashville Now.

1993 - Harley "Red" Allen 1930~1993, a highly regarded bluegrass singer, songwriter, and guitarist, died from cancer at age 63. Red began his recording career with Kentucky Records in 1954. He partnered with the Osborne Brothers two years later, and they joined the cast of the Wheeling Jamboree. The group signed with MGM Records and toured and recorded at a steady pace. In 1959 in partnership with Frank Wakefield, Allen formed the Kentuckians in Washington D.C. In the mid-sixties they released their classic album "Bluegrass" on the Smithsonian Folkways label. Allen replaced Lester Flatt in Flatt & Scruggs in 1967, while Lester recovered from health problems. Harley "Red" Allen was on of the finest singers to ever sing a bluegrass song. Eight years after his death, Smithsonian Folkways released "The Folkways Years: 1964~1983." By today's standards this is a compilation album, containing 28 of Red's finest recordings from half a dozen albums, and 6 songs that had never been released before.

2003 - Johnny Cash, recovering from a three week bout with pneumonia, learned that his older sister, Louise, age 79, had died earlier in the day at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

2004 - Dolly Parton presided at the 19^th season opening ceremony at "Dollywood."

2005 - The Canadian Juno Awards were presented in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2006 - Country Songwriters in the Round was held at the Kennedy Center. From writing lyrics to performing them, country music songwriters Guy Clark, Matraca Berg, Shawn Camp, and Jeff Hanna lead a master class of local songwriters.

2008 - The Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest will hold their Jam & Dance at the Clarion Hotel DFW Airport South. April 3^rd~April 5^th.

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1915 - Dorothy Southworth Ritter, wife of Tex Ritter, was born in Prescott, Arizona.

1919 - Cy Coben, songwriter, born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

1938 - Norro Wilson songwriter, producer was born in Scottsville, Kentucky. Norro was inducted into the NSHF in 1996.

1940 - Ernest Tubb' s first recording session for Decca was held today.

1941 - Cliff Waldron Bluegrass legend, was born in Jolo, West Virginia. He was inducted into the SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats in 2004.

1950 - Hank Williams topped the charts with "Long Gone Lonesome Blues."

1951 - Steve Gatlin, of the "Gatlin Brothers" born in Olney, Texas.

1955 - Faron Young released "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young."

1959 - Bill Anderson made his first guest appearance on The Grand Ole Opry.

1960 - Mel Tillis released "Loco Weed."

1960 - The Everly Brothers released "Cathy' s Clown."

1964 - The Man In Black's single "Understand Your Man" went to #1, and held the spot for 6 weeks.

1964 - Buck Owens' self-penned Capitol single "Together Again" charted today and eventually went to #1.

1968 - Bobby Goldsboro's United Artists single "Honey" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1971 - Jason Sellers singer, songwriter was born in Gilmer, Texas. Jason recorded for BNA from 1997~2000. He was married to Lee Ann Womack 1991~1997.

1973 - Conway Twitty 1933~1993, recorded "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" and "You've Never Been This Far Before" for MCA. You've never been this far was released first, and went to #1. I'm not through, charted the following year and topped out at #3. Conway Twitty charted 39 #1 hits on the country charts from 1968~1986. The only awards Nashville's CMA saw fit to present to Conway during this time, were for his duet releases with Loretta Lynn. He did not receive one award from the CMA during his entire career for any of his solo recordings, including his Gold and Platinum albums. Conway let his music speak for its self. He refused to engage in any of the political goings on that has always dictated who gets the politically motivated recognition, from the $$$ motivated Country Music Association and the Country Music Foundation. The organization has never been about anything other than business, and in Music City that means someone needs to keep an eye on them. In the past, some of the local reporters who have assumed the role of watchdog over the organization, have reported that they were threatened by the attorneys representing the organization with lawsuits for harassment. Many fans have believed over the years that the CMA was an organization that existed for the benefit of the fans, and that's just not the case. Everything they do is aimed at promoting the music produced in Nashville, even if it's no long possible for an honest person to describe that music as being Country. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with that�unless you attempt to represent yourself as something else from time to time. But don't you dare ask them to account for the money that comes into, or goes out of their bank account. It is true that Conway was inducted into the CMHF six years after he died. But he never received one award for any single, or album he released unless Loretta Lynn was singing with him. Welcome to Music City�what's your dream?

1974 - Tanya Tucker' s single "Would You Lay With Me" was #1.

1980 - Red Sovine 1918 ~1980, age 61, died of a heart attack while driving in Nashville. Red was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee. Red's wife Norma is buried next to her husband. Norma died in 1976.

1981 - Sylvia' s first #1 RCA single "Drifter" charted today.

1981 - The Oak Ridge Boys MCA single "Elvira" charted today.

1985 - The Judds' RCA/Curb album "Why Not Me" was certified Gold. This was their first Gold, but certainly would not be their last.

1987 - Diane Adams 1962~1987, died today as the result of a car wreck at age 24. She recorded "I'm Little (But I'm Loud)' in 1978 when she was 16 years old. Diane was a cast member of the Bootheel Jamboree. As her recording stated "I'm countrified and I don't care who knows it." Diane Adams was laid to rest in Morgan Memorial Park Cemetery, in Advance, Missouri.

1988 - Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakam recorded "Streets Of Bakersfield" at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Homer Joy wrote the song, and Pete Anderson produced the session. Studio personnel included: Buck Owens~vocal; Dwight Yoakam~vocal & guitar; Pete Anderson~lead guitar; Don Reed~fiddle; Flaco Jimenez~accordian; Skip Edwards~piano; Taras Prodaniuk~bass; and Jeff Donovan~drums. The Reprise single was released in June and went to #1. The song also appeared on Dwight's Reprise LP/CD "Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room." The album was released in August and went to #1, with four of the cuts making the country charts as singles. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

1989 - Alabama's RCA album "Southern Star" was certified Gold.

1994 - Tracy Lawrence was arrested in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, after he followed a car transporting three teenagers, off I-40 to a residence. Tracy fired two shots from a .357 magnum revolver, and was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, and carrying a weapon without a permit. Lawrence was placed on probation for one year, and the felony chargers were later dropped.

2000 - Renaissance released Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius' "Anthology."

2000 - Buddha Records released Chet Atkins' album "Guitar Legend: The RCA Years".

2003 - June Carter Cash was hospitalized for six days at Nashville' s Baptist Hospital.

2004 - Shania Twain won her 12^th Juno award for her album "UP." The CD was named Country Recording of the year in Canada.

2005 - The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival was held at various locations in Nashville, the 4^th~9^th.

2006 - String Masters All-star stringed instrument players�including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bela Fleck, Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton�performed in an evening that explored country music's roots and progressive trends at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.

2006 - Delene Duesler 1957~2006, age 49, star of the Delene Show in Branson, Missouri, died today at the Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City, Arizona, as the result of a brain tumor. Delene's stage name was Delene Andre, and she was in Sun City for a performance. Delene was cremated.

2006 - Sandy Brooks, ex-wife of Garth Brooks was kidnapped at gunpoint from her home today near Tulsa, Oklahoma by a man she employed to work on her farm. Sandy permitted a bail bondsman to come on her property for the purpose of arresting her employee on an outstanding warrant. When he approached the man the employee drew a gun and forced Sandy into a car, and instructed her to drive away. Sandy drove several miles and then stopped the car and ran inside a convenience store. Quintine Cornelius Harper, age 24, was later arrested and charged with kidnapping and weapons charges.

2008 - Martina McBride will appear in concert at the Tulsa Convention Center Arena, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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1909 - A. V. Bamford, concert promoter was born in Havana, Cuba. Bamford was the promoter who booked the show in Canton, Ohio, where Hank Williams was headed when he died.

1931 - Jack Clement, record producer, label owner, songwriter, and studio engineer was born in Whitehaven, Tennessee. Cowboy Jack Clement is one of the most talented men in the history of American music. Jack was inducted into the NSHF in 1973, and will inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame someday. Jack left Sun Records in 1959, moved to Nashville and went to work at RCA Victor as Chet Atkins assistant. Jack was one of the first independent producers to work for a major label in Music City. During his career Cowboy Jack Clement has worn just about every hat there is in the country music industry, I will just mention a few of the work products created by Jack when he was wearing his songwriters cap: Ballad of a Teenage Queen; Guess Things Happen That Way; Miller's Cave; Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger; I Know One; Just Between You and Me; Everybody Loves a Nut' Lets All Help the Cowboys (Sing the Blues); Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog: Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart; and many more. Jack discovered and recorded Jerry Lee Lewis when Sam Phillips of Sun Records was on vacation in Florida, and he produced the sessions of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Charley Pride. Jack Clement is a giant of a man in terms of his contributions to country, and rockabilly music.

1931 - Bill Clifton, Bluegrass vocals, and guitarist was born "William August Marburg," Riverwood, Maryland. Bill organized the first ever Bluegrass festival on July 4, 1961, at Oak Leaf Park, in Luray, Virginia.

1939 - Agnes "June" Stearns Columbia and Decca recording artist, born in Albany New York.

1940 - Tommy Cash, singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Dyess, Arkansas.

1941 - Jackie Lee Cochran, Rockabilly singer, born in Dalton, Georgia.

1944 - Bob McDill Hall of Fame songwriter, was born Robert Lee McDill in Beaumont, Texas. Bob's first hit song, "Happy Man" was recorded in 1967 by Perry Como. Three years later he moved to Nashville. Bobby Bare recorded an entire album of McDill's songs, "Me and McDill" in 1977. A few examples of the songs that brought Bob McDill to the dance would have to include: Amanda; Baby's Got Her Blue Jeans On; Song of the South; Louisiana Saturday Night; She Don't Know She's Beautiful; Gone Country; Don't Close Your Eyes; Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer; The Door Is Always Open; Catfish John; We Believe In Happy endings; and many more. Bob McDill was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985. Bob is quoted as having said, "You Can't write Country music by looking down your nose at it."

1955 - The Stanley Brothers recorded "Orange Blossom Special."

1959 - Johnny Horton' s single "Springtime In Alaska" topped the charts.

1959 - Flatt & Scruggs recorded "Cabin On The Hill."

1967 - Troy Gentry of "Montgomery Gentry" born in Lexington, Kentucky.

1967 - George Jones' Musicor single "Walk Through This World With Me" was at the top of the country charts. This was George's 4^th #1 hit.

1972 - Lewis Phillips of "The Lewis Family" was born in Washington, Georgia.

1975 - Oscar Davis, Hank William' s first manager, died in Nashville, Tennessee.

1975 - Johnny Rodriguez went to #1 with "I Just Can' t Get Her Out Of My Mind."

1975 - John Denver' s #1 country hit "Thank God I' m A Country Boy" debuted on Billboard' s Top 40 chart.

1975 - Hi Records released the Bill Black Combo's first country chart single "Boilin' Cabbage." Bill Black was Elvis Presley's first bass player, and played on most of his Sun Records. Bill was fired by Col. Tom Parker, the 50%, illegal immigrant manager of Elvis', after he had the audacity to ask for a raise after Elvis started to make some decent money.

1978 - Jimmy Buffet's ABC album "Son of a Son of a Sailor" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1982 - Record World magazine ceased publishing and filed for bankruptcy.

1983 - The Bellamy Brothers topped the charts with "When I' m Away From You."

1987 - Fred Maddox was inducted into the Western Swing Hall of Fame.

1990 - The Mickey Gilley Family Theater presented their first show in Branson, Missouri.

1997 - Stoney Edwards 1929~1997, singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist died from diabetes at age 67.

1999 - Tammy Wynette' s daughters filed a $50 million lawsuit against Tammy' s husband, and doctor, claiming negligence on their part in the death of their mother.

2003 - The Jamboree USA radio show celebrated its 70^th anniversary. The celebration aired on WWVA, Wheeling, West Virginia.

2003 - Darryl Worley' s "Have You Forgotten," went to #1 on the charts.

2005 - Monty Matthews, age 77, founding member of the Jordanaires, died in Springfield, Missouri.

2006 - Gene Pitney 1941~2006, age 65, singer, songwriter was found dead in his Hilton hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. The singer was found at 10:00 a.m., and had died of natural causes while on a 30 day tour of the UK. Inducted into the R&RHOF in 2006, Pitney wrote "Hello Mary Lou" for Rickey Nelson, and two of Gene's hit records were duets with George Jones; "I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night," and "Louisiana Man." Gene Pitney was laid to rest in Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut.

2006 - Country Thunder USA in Florence, Arizona, featured Carrie Underwood, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, Big & Rich, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins and Larry The Cable Guy 5^th~8^th.

2008 - John Berry will appear in concert at the Little Nashville Opry in Nashville, Indiana, this evening at 8:00 PM.

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1883 - Vernon Dalhart 1883~1948, singer, songwriter, musician, born "Marion Try Slaughter" in Marion County, Texas. Prior to finding fame in the music industry Dalhart worked as a cowboy, a salesman, and in a hardware store. Vernon became country music' s first million selling recording artist when Victor Records released his "Prisoners Song" in 1924. Inducted NSHF in 1970, the CMHF in 1981, and the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995.

1892 - Henry Whitter 1892~1941, singer, guitarist, rural folk musician pioneer, and member of

Grayson & Whitter born in Grayson County, Virginia.

1909 - Denver Darling 1909~1981, singer, songwriter, musician and bandleader born Whopock, Illinois.

1913 - Wade Ray, singer, actor, guitar, banjo and fiddler for the Son' s of the Pioneers, Roy Rogers, Ray Price' s Cherokee Cowboys, and bass player for Willie Nelson, was born in Griffin, Indiana.

1937 - Merle Haggard singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Kern General Hospital, Bakersfield, California. Inducted into the NSHF in 1977, and the CMHF in 1994. Merle has married Leona Hobbs, Bonnie Owens, Leona Williams, Debora Parret, and Theresa Lane. His children to date include Dana, Marty Ronald, Kelli Marie, Noel, Benny, and Jenessa. Stay tuned!

1944 - Al Dexter topped the charts with "Too Late To Worry, To Blue To Try."

1946 - Roy Acuff quit the Grand Ole Opry, after being refused a raise from Opry management. At the time, the Opry required members to appear every Saturday night of the year. Roy was being paid $15.00 per night on the Opry, and could make $100.00 per night touring. Mr. Acuff would later return to the Opry at the request of Ernest Tubb, and Opry management.

1951 - Joe McCubbins singer, drummer, and bandleader born in Bardstown, Kentucky. Joe was a road musician for Bill Morrison and backed numerous Opry acts that did not have their own band. Joe currently is the bandleader at the Rose Bowl in Urbana, Illinois. Home of the Fighting Illini.

1957 - Ferlin Husky's "Gone" had a grip on #1, and refused to let go for 10 weeks.

1957 - Marty Robbins and Ray Price won Golden Guitar Awards in Nashville.

1957 - Brenda Lee debuted on the country charts with "One Step At A Time."

1958 - Merle Haggard turned twenty-one in California' s San Quentin prison.

1959 - Johnny Horton 1925~1960, Louisiana Hayride star, nicknamed "The Singing Fisherman" went to #1 with his Columbia single "When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below)." Three months later Columbia released "The Battle of New Orleans," another #1 (for 10 weeks). The following year Johnny was killed by a drunk driver in Texas, on his way home to Shreveport after a short concert tour. Nine days after his death Horton's "North To Alaska," from the soundtrack of John Wayne's movie by the same name, charted and went to #1 where it remained for over a month. Prior to Horton's death, every single Columbia released on him made the Top Ten, with the exception of two. He had a #11 in 1957 and a #19 in 1959. Johnny Horton has been dead for almost 50 years, and he's still not in the Testosterone Hall of Fame in Cashville. Why? Because when the Grand Ole Opry invited him to become a member, he chose to stay in Shreveport, at the Hayride. By the way�if you're reading this, and can identify the names of the people over the years, who had the final say in who goes into the Hall of Fame, and who doesn't, I would like to have the list. But you see, you don't know, I don't know, and the people who do know, well, their not talking. Can't say as I blame them. No one should take the Country Music Hall of Fame for what it claims to be. There are some great artists there, and a couple of D.J.'s that made huge contributions to the genre, but too many people have been passed over for political, or financial reasons. I'm old enough to remember many of the pioneers of the Hayride's, Barn Dance's, Jubilee's, Town Hall Party, etc. The list of people who deserved the honor and will never receive it, is much longer than the list of current members. I would like to tell you that the problem is a sign of the times. But the truth of the matter is, Music City has always been a snake pit when it comes to the people who make the decisions. Money has always ruled the hearts of the untalented Music Row elite. But I have known a lot of artists who would have played and sang their hearts out for nothing. Because what they had inside of them had to come out, and they loved the music. But the heartless, no talent executives thought of musicians and singers as pieces of meat. Something to be sold at a profit. Is it worse today than it was forty, or fifty years ago? Absolutely. But Washington D.C. has developed the same problem. No one tries to hide their agenda in today's America. Politicians live and scheme for one purpose. To be re-elected, in order to continue to receive the huge dollars that they make from special interest groups. It runs into the millions every year, and they don't even pretend to represent the voters anymore. Nashville decision makers live and scheme for one purpose. To continue to increase the revenues that come with selling their product, to a different demographic, even if it means turning their backs on the fans, and the musicians and artists who made Music City the worlds capital of Country Music. There are no songs recorded today that anyone would want to hear fifty years from now. It currently requires a video to adequately explain what the song is about. Nashville no longer markets great music. Nashville markets sex! There is a name for people who do that.

1966 - Buck Owens recorded "Open Up Your Heart."

1968 - The Grand Ole Opry was cancelled for this evening' s performance for the first time in history. There was rioting in the streets of Nashville, as a result of Martin Luther King having been shot and killed two days earlier. Nashville Police imposed a 7:00 PM curfew as the result of the rioting. This was the only time an Opry performance had to be canceled, and WSM broadcast an Opry show that had been taped in the past. Roy Acuff and several other Opry acts put on a show earlier in the day for some very disappointed Opry fans. How ironic that the only thing that could close down the Grand Ole Opry was a group of criminals who never listened to the program, let alone bought a ticket. The 60's changed America forever, and the ACLU says AMEN brother, burn baby burn. And I say to the ACLU�your turn to burn is coming.

1968 - Ray Charles' Columbia album "Modern Sounds in Country & Western Music, Vol. 2" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1970 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "We're Gonna Get Together" b/w "Everybody Needs Somebody" w/Susan Raye.

1971 - Judy Collins Elektra album "Whales & Nightingales" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1976 - Freddy Fender' s "You' ll Lose A Good Thing" topped the charts.

1982 - Marty Robbins released "Some Memories Just Won' t Die" b/w "Lover, Lover."

1982 - The Oak Ridge Boys' MCA album "Bobby Sue" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1984 - Ral Donner, age 41, died of cancer.

1985 - Gene Martin, Starday artist, and guitarist for brother Benny Martin and Roy Acuff died today.

1987 - Gene Autry debuted as the host of The Nashville Network' s "Melody Ranch Theatre." Along with his sidekick Pat Buttram, they presented 65 of Gene' s Western films.

1987 - Hank Williams Jr. was the Academy of Country Music' s Entertainer of the Year.

1987 - Willie Nelson's Columbia album "Half Nelson" was certified Gold. Unlike this years ACM Entertainer of the year, Willie never drops his pants on stage, or gives the finger to those who are taking his picture. I suppose every artist has to do, what they do best. The apple never falls far from the tree.

1998 - Tammy Wynette 1942~1998, age 55, singer, songwriter, former wife of George Jones, died at home in Nashville. Tammy was married 5 times and had 6 children. She became the sixth female solo artist to be inducted into the CMHF (1998). Tammy Wynette was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee.

1998 - A group of 27 country music artists filed suit against Los Angeles resident Jim Solomon, who registered the names of the plaintiffs as Website domain names.

2001 - Danny Gaither, age 62, died in Indiana. Danny was a founding member of "The Gaither Trio," and brother of Bill Gaither. Danny is a member of the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame.

2001 - Dorothy May Skaggs, age 73, songwriter died in Blaine, Kentucky. Mrs. Skaggs was Ricky' s mother.

2003 - Shania Twain was named "Artist Of The Year," at the Juno Awards. The Juno is the Canadian version of America' s Grammys.

2003 - Margaret Louise Cash Garrett, age 79, was buried in Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Hendersonville, Tennessee. Margaret was Johnny Cash' s older sister. John was too ill to attend the services.

2004 - Niki Sullivan, former member of Buddy Holly's band the Crickets, died in his sleep at his home in Sugar Creek, Missouri.

2005 - Howard Bellamy and Jennifer Wright were married in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2008 - Martina McBride is scheduled to appear in concert at the Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri.

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1914 - Leon "Pappy" Selph, fiddler, bandleader born Houston, Texas.

1916 - Roy "Whitey" Grant was born in Shelby, North Carolina.

1920 - Jimmie Rodgers and Carrie Williamson were married.

1932 - Cal Smith was born "Calvin Grant Shofner," in Gans, Oklahoma.

1935 - Bobby Bare singer, songwriter, and guitarist, born Robert Joseph Bare in Ironton, Ohio.

1938 - Spencer Dryden drummer for New Riders of the Purple Sage, and Jefferson Airplane, was born New York City.

1945 - Spade Cooley topped the charts with "Shame On You."

1949 - George Morgan' s Columbia Records single "Candy Kisses" was #1 on Billboard's chart. This was George's first #1 single.

1950 - Slim Whitman debuted on the "Louisiana Hayride."

1951 - John Dittrich, member of "Restless Heart," was born in New York City.

1956 - Carl Perkins rode "Blue Suede Shoes" all the way to the top of the country charts.

1957 - Ferlin Husky, Buddy Knox, and Jimmy Bowen appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

1958 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "Sweet Thing" b/w " I Only Know That I Love You."

1959 - Marty Robbins recorded the twelve songs that were on his album "Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs" in one session.

1970 - Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" won an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

1973 - Kris Kristofferson' s single, "Why Me Lord" charted.

1989 - Clyde Moody 1915~1989, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, died today at age 73. Clyde recorded for several record companies, sang on the Grand Ole Opry in 1944, and played in Bill Monroe's Bluegrass Boys band four a period of four years.

1990 - The Farm Aid IV concert, was performed at the Hoosier Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana.

1991 - Garth Brooks won ACM Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year "No Fences," Single "Friends in Low Places," Song, and Video of the Year "The Dance."

1994 - Ken Carson, age 79, Sons of the Pioneers, died in Delray Beach, Florida.

2000 - Tara Lyn Hart made her first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

2001 - Jessica Andrews' s "Who I Am," became her first #1 single.

2003 - Toby Keith won 3 CMT Flameworthy Video Awards.

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1923 - Jimmy Osborne 1923~1957, "The Kentucky Folk Singer, was born in Winchester, Kentucky. Jimmy took his own life in 1957 at age 33.

1936 - Milton Brown pioneering super-star of Western Swing, was involved in a car wreck that took the life of his passenger, a sixteen-year-old girl, and critically injured Brown. Milton Brown died five days later.

1942 - Capitol Records was founded in Hollywood, by Johnny Mercer.

1946 - Al Dexter' s single "Guitar Polka" topped the charts.

1954 - Webb Pierce' s "Slowly" was #1 on the country charts.

1957 - CBS TV debuted The Jimmy Dean Show.

1958 - Johnny Cash recorded "Guess Things Happen That Way."

1958 - Jerry Lee Lewis and second wife Jane Mitcham were divorced, after "The Killer" had already married his third wife, who happened to be his 13 year old cousin.

1958 - Wanda Jackson recorded "I' d Like To Help You Get Out."

1960 - John Schneider, "Bo Duke," was born in Mount Kisco, New York.

1970 - The Johnny Cash ABC Network Television Show featured Tony Joe White, Patti Page, the Carter Family, and regular cast members, the Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins.

1970 - Tammy Wynette, and George Jones were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1978 - Bill Black's Combo version of "Cashin' In" (A Tribute To Luther Perkins) hit the country music charts today. Bill Black was Elvis Presley's original bass player at Sun Records, and on the road.

1978 - Crystal Gayle' s "Ready For The Times To Get Better" topped the charts.

1985 - George Strait's MCA album "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind" was certified Gold.

1986 - Garry Morris had the #1 single "100% Chance Of Rain."

1991 - Ricky Van Shelton's Columbia album "RVS III" was certified Platinum.

1992 - Mary-Chapin Carpenter's Columbia album "Shooting Straight in the Dark" was certified Gold.

1997 - Little Dog Records released Pete Anderson' s "Dogs In Heaven" album.

1997 - RCA Records released Alabama' s album "Dancin' On The Boulevard."

1997 - A&M released Holly Dunn' s album "Leave One Bridge Standing."

2001 - Van Stephenson, age 47, former member of "BlackHawk" died from cancer. Van was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee.

2003 - Lisa Marie Presley released her album "To Whom It May Concern."

2003 - Chris Cagle' s second album, "Chris Cagle," debuted on Billboard' s Top Country Albums chart at #1.

2006 - Gene Watson and his Farewell Party Band headlined the Llano Country Opry, at the Lantex Theater in downtown, Llano, Texas.

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1932 - Carl Perkins 1932~1998, was born in rural Tiptonville, Tennessee.

1941 - Kay Adams Tower label recording artist, was born Princetta Kay Adams in Knox City, Texas.

1942 - Margo Smith singer, songwriter, and actress, born Dayton, Ohio.

1945 Con Hunley singer, songwriter pianist, born Conrad Logan Hunley, in Fountain City, Tennessee.

1945 - Gus Hardin 1945~1996, born �Carolyn Ann Blankenship,' in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Gus charted 10 of her RCA country singles on Billboard' s country charts in less than three years. She died in a car wreck in 1996.

1953 - Hal Ketchum singer, songwriter and Grand Ole Opry member, was born in Greenwich, New York.

1957 - Mark Roberts, member of the "Red Clay Ramblers" was born in Wareham, Massachusetts.

1958 - Johnny Cash recorded "Guess Things Happen That Way" at Sun Studio in Memphis. Cowboy Jack Clement wrote the song, and produced the session. Session personnel included: John Cash~vocals & guitar; Luther Perkins~guitar; Marshall Grant~bass; Jimmy Wilson~piano; J.M. Van Eaton~drums; Ed Bruce, Sara Bruce, Nita Smith and Lee Holt~backing vocals. This recording was a #1 country hit, and topped out at #11 on the pop charts.

1959 - Dave Innis, member of "Restless Heart," was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

1961 - Patsy Cline' s #1 single "I Fall To Pieces," charted today.

1968 - Elvis Presley's RCA album "Loving You" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1969 - The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour featured Ray Charles, Lynn Kellogg, and Glen Campbell.

1981 - The Carl Perkins Museum opened in Jackson, Tennessee, on Carl' s birthday.

1984 - Kenny Loggins' Columbia single "Footloose" was certified Gold.

1987 - The Judds 'RCA/Curb album "Heartland" was certified Gold.

1988 - Dave Prater of Sam & Dave died in a car wreck near Sycamore, Georgia.

1990 - Capitol released Lacy J. Dalton' s album "Lacy J."

1990 - Darrell Glenn 1935~1990, age 54, died from cancer in Fort Worth, Texas. Darrell was a regular on Bewley' s Barn Dance on WBAP-TV, and recorded for numerous record labels.

1991 - Patty Loveless's MCA album "Honky Tonk Angel" was certified Gold.

1994 - Tim McGraw got his first #1 album "Not A Moment Too Soon."

1997 - Johnny Hicks, cast member of the Big D Jamboree, died today.

1997 - Mae Boren Axton 1914~1997, age 82, songwriter, author, and mother of Hoyt Axton, died in Nashville. Mae was laid to rest in Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Hendersonville, Tennessee.

1998 - Tammy Wynette' s Memorial Service was held at the Ryman Auditorium. The two-hour service was televised nationally on CNN. Tammy was laid to rest in Woodland Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee.

1999 - Faith Hill began her first solo tour in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

2002 - Artemis Records released Steve Earl' s "Sidetracks."

2006 - Reunion of Professional Entertainers (ROPE) Awards, were held at the Nashville Palace.

2006 - CELEBRATION FINALE AND MILLENNIUM STAGE 9th ANNIVERSARY COUNTRY MUSIC DANCE PARTY: The festivities comes to a thrilling close when nine-time Grammy-winning Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel, leads an outdoor country music dance party, which also celebrates the ninth anniversary of Millennium Stage. This concert brought to a close the Country: A Celebration of America's Music, presented by the Kennedy Center in co-operation with the Grand Ole Opry.

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1898 - Fiddlin' Arthur Smith 1898~1971, member of the Grand Ole Opry, and Bluebird recording artist was born in Bold Springs, Tennessee.

1921 - Sheb Wooley 1921~2003, singer, songwriter, and actor born Shelby Wooley, a.k.a. Ben Colder, in Enick, Oklahoma.

1926 - The Southern Serenaders, a string band led by Harry Bailey played their final show on WSM' s Barn Dance.

1928 - Uncle Will Fitzgerald Harmonica player, made his debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1938 - Weldon Myrick, steel guitarist, staff musician at the Grand Ole Opry, was born in Jayton, Texas.

1948 - Wally Fowler debuted the first all-night gospel sing at the Ryman Auditorium.

1954 - Red Foley released "Pin Ball Boogie" b/w "Jilted."

1956 - Brenda Lee made her debut appearance on the Ozark Jubilee.

1956 - Lon Hannah, member of the "Sons of the San Joaquin" was born in Pasadena, California.

1957 - Ricky Nelson debuted his singing career on "Ozzie and Harriet," his parents network television show.

1958 - Wanda Jackson recorded "Every Time They Play Our Song" b/w "A Date With Jerry."

1961 - Capitol Records released Rose Maddox and Buck Owens' duets single "Mental Cruelty" b/w "Loose Talk."

1962 - Marty Robbins recorded "Ruby Ann" in Nashville. Roberta Bellamy wrote the song, Don Law and Frank Jones produced the session. The session personnel included: Marty Robbins~vocals & guitar; Grady Martin~guitar; Jack Pruett~guitar; Bill Pursell~piano; Jerry Byrd~bass; Louis Dunn~drums. Ruby Ann charted in December and went to #1. This was Marty's 9^th #1 single. Marty became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1953.

1964 - Johnny Cash topped the charts with "Understand Your Man."

1967 - Merle Haggard recorded "Branded Man."

1971 - John Denver' s RCA Victor single "Take Me Home Country Roads" became his first country chart record. The recording only reached #50 on the Country charts.

1978 - Johnny and Rosanne Cash performed in Prague on the 10^th and 11^th

1988 - George Strait' s "Famous Last Words Of A Fool" topped the charts.

1989 - The ACM named "Alabama," Artist of the Decade.

1991 - Trisha Yearwood's self-titled MCA album was certified Gold.

1993 - Emmett Sullivan of the Sullivan Family died at age 57.

1998 - The Bellamy Brothers released "At Their Best."

2002 - The Statler Brothers announced the final tour dates of their career.

2003 - Noel Fox, age 63, �Oak Ridge Boys 1969-1972' died from a stroke in Nashville, Tennessee. The former manager of bluegrass star Rhonda Vincent, Noel sang bass for the
Oaks, and also managed the group' s music publishing companies.

2006 - The 5^th Annual Country Music Television Awards were presented live, from The Curb Event Center at Belmont University in Nashville. Jeff Foxworthy hosted.

2007 - The former lakeside home of John and June Carter Cash, in Hendersonville, Tennessee, burned to the ground today, the result of a construction fire. This was the home where Johnny made the video for "Hurt." The home was sold by the Cash estate to Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, and his wife Linda on January 4, 2006. John and June lived in this house for 35 years.

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1905 - Paul "Hezzie" Trietsch 1905~1980, of the "Hoosier Hot Shots," was born in Arcadia,

Indiana.

1905 - Harty Taylor 1905~1963, of the Cumberland Ridge Runners, and Karl & Harty was born in

Mount Vernon, Kentucky.

1913 - Mille Good 1913~1993, of "The Girls of the Golden West," was born Mildred Fern Goad in

Mount Carmel, Illinois.

1918 - Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and Charlie Chaplin, appeared on stage at The Ryman Auditorium during a World War I Bond Drive.

1921 - Dorothy Shay, aka "Dorothy Nell Sims" singer, comedian, actress, and recording artist was born in Jacksonville, Florida.

1925 - George Shuffler, guitarist, born Burke County, North Carolina.

1953 - Jumpin' Bill Carlisle's self-penned Mercury single "Knothole" hit the Country charts today. His previous Mercury release "No Help Wanted" went to #1. Knothole topped out at #3 but Bill and his group were hot. The Carlisles became members of the Grand Ole Opry this year.

1955 - Marty Robbins released "Pray For Me Mother Of Mine" b/w "Daddy Loves You."

1957 - Jim Lauderdale, Grammy winning singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Troutman, North Carolina.

1960 - Columbia Records released Carl Smith's single "Cut Across Shorty." The record charted in June and topped out at #28.

1964 - Steve Azar singer, songwriter, and guitarist born Greenville, Mississippi.

1968 - Ethel Park Richardson, singer, autoharp, and radio personality, died at age 84.

1969 - Chalee Tennison was born in Freeport, Texas. Prior to finding success in the music business, Chalee worked as a prison guard in Texas.

1977 - Eddie Miller 1919~1977, age 83, songwriter, recording artist, and producer died in Nashville. Eddie was the co-founder of the NSAI (home of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame), and the founder of the Academy of Country and Western Music (now known as the ACM) in Hollywood. More than 1,000 of Eddie' s songs have been recorded by other artists; over 400 artists recorded his biggest hit "Release Me." He was inducted into the NSHF in 1975. Eddie Miller was laid to rest in Harpeth Hills Memorial Gardens, in Nashville.

1978 - Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson's RCA Victor album "Waylon & Willie" was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

1980 - Alabama signed with RCA Records. This turned out to be a very profitable relationship for everyone involved. During their 22 years at RCA, Alabama charted 75 singles, and 32 of those recordings went to #1.

1980 - Cousin Emmy, "Cynthia May Carver," age 76, died in California.

1981 - David Frizzell and Shelly West' s "You' re The Reason God Made Oklahoma" was #1.

1988 - Ricky Van Shelton's Warner Bros. album "Storms of Life" was certified 2 x Platinum.

1988 - James Taylor's Columbia album "Never Die Young" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1989 - Keith Whitley topped the charts with "I' m No Stranger To The Rain."

1989 - Don Henley's Geffen Records album "Riding The Perfect Beast" was certified 2 x Platinum.

1991 - Lee Greenwood's MCA Greatest Hits album was certified Platinum.

1992 - Lee Greenwood and Kimberley Payne, former Miss Tennessee, were married.

2002 - The International Bluegrass Music Museum re-opened today, after 22 months, and 3 million dollars worth of renovations. The Museum is located in Owensboro, Kentucky.

2003 - June Carter Cash was admitted to the ICU at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, with congestive heart failure.

2004 - Tommy Cash performed his show "My Brother Johnny Cash" at the Opera House in Cork, Ireland.

2005 - Lightin'  Chance 1925~2005, age 79, Floyd Taylor Chance  Grand Ole Opry staff musician, and legendary
session bassist died today. Chance was laid to rest in Love Cemetery, Love, Mississippi.

2005 - Willis Emory "Tip" Tippin, age 78, father of Aaron Tippin, was killed today in a traffic accident in North Carolina. Today was Mr. Tippin' s 78^th birthday.

2005 - Jerry Byrd 1920~2005, age 85, member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, died in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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1916 - Ernie Lee 1916~1991, the Kentucky Balladeer, was born Ernest Eli Cornelison in Berea,

Kentucky.

1925 - Ned Miller, singer, songwriter, guitarist was born Henry Ned Miller in Raines, Utah.

1936 - Judy Lynn, singer, songwriter, and yodeler was born Judy Voiten in Boise, Idaho.

1944 - Hank Williams signed a songwriter' s agreement with Acuff-Rose.

1953 - Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin' Heart" sat atop the country charts. This was Hank's 10^th #1 hit, and was released by MGM almost two months after his death. The song is now a Grammy Hall of Fame recording.

1957 - Vince Gill was born Vincent Grant Gill in Norman, Oklahoma. Vince became a member of the Grand Ole Opry August 10, 1991, and was inducted into the CMHF in 2007. Vince was one of Roy Acuff's favorite singers.

1958 - Don Gibson joined the Grand Ole Opry. His single "Oh Lonesome Me" was #1 on the charts at the time.

1961 - Marty Robbins' single "El Paso" won a Grammy.

1964 - Deryl Dodd singer, songwriter, musician was born in Dallas, Texas.

1972 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens single "Ruby (Are You Mad)" b/w "Heartbreak Mountain."

1972 - Grand Ole Opry manager Bud Wendell produced the first edition of Nashville' s Fan Fair. The Fair opened April 12^th, and ran through the 15^th.

1977 - Jackson Browne's Asylum album "The Pretender" was certified Platinum.

1980 - Vince Gill and Janis Oliver were married on Vince' s 23^rd birthday. They divorced in 1997.

1984 - Johnny Cash recorded his single "Chicken in Black." The Columbia single was released in July, and charted on July 14^th.

1989 - Garth Brooks released "Garth Brooks" on Liberty.

1991 - Jimmie Revard of "The Oklahoma Playboys" died at age 81.

1994 - The first issue of Country Weekly magazine went on sale.

1997 - Lewis Crook 1909~1997, age 87, of The Crook Brothers died in Nashville. The Crook Brothers joined the cast of the WSM Barn Dance on July 24, 1926, and played on the Grand Ole Opry until 1988. A sixty-two year gig at the greatest venue in the world.

1997 - Travis and Theresa Tritt were married in Travis' home near Atlanta, Georgia.

1999 - Shania Twain became the first female artist to sell 10 million units with back-to-back albums.

1999 - Lecil Travis Martin 1931~1999, a.k.a. "Boxcar Willie," age 67, died as the result of leukemia in Branson, Missouri. He was one of the first artists, to open a theatre of his own in Branson (1986). Cast member of the Big D Jamboree at the age of 16, he joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1981. Box was laid to rest in Ozarks Memorial Park, Branson, Missouri.

2000 - Bud Wingard Hee Haw staff writer, died in New Mexico at age 67.

2005 - Ryan Holladay, age 12, released his first album on Skaggs Family Records "New Kid in Town." Ryan has released 3 previous albums on other labels.

2005 - The CMT Music Awards were held in Nashville. Most Traditional Country Music fans didn' t make it through the first five minutes of the show.

2007 - Lonestar appeared on The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet in New York City.

2007 - Kenny Chesney's Flip Flop Summer Tour kicked off this evening in Omaha, Nebraska. Also featured on the tour: Pat Green, Sugarland, and guitarist Joe Walsh.

2008 - George Jones is scheduled to appear in concert at the Halifax Metro Center in Halifax, Canada.

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1926 - William Thomas 'Tommy' Crank, singer, songwriter, promoter, producer, and disc jockey, was born in the mountainous region of Jackson County, Kentucky.

1936 - Milton Brown 1903~1936, age 32, Western Swing superstar, and band leader of the Musical Brownies, died in Crystal Springs, Texas, as the result of a car wreck he was involved in five days earlier.

1946 - Red Foley debuted as host of the Grand Ole Opry' s Prince Albert show.

1951 - Hank Snow topped the charts with "The Rhumba Boogie."

1952 - Sam Bush, Bluegrass master musician, born Bowling Green, Kentucky.

1959 - Johnny Horton's Columbia single "The Battle of New Orleans," / "All for the Love of a Girl," was released today. The record charted two weeks later, and went to #1 in mid-May and held on for 10 weeks. Johnny Horton is not a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1959 - George Jones topped the charts with "White Lightning."

1963 - Bill Anderson' s "Still," went to #1.

1963 - Buck Owens first #1 hit "Act Naturally," charted.

1964 - Roger Miller won five Grammys, at the Seventh Annual Grammy Awards.

1967 - George Jones' single "Walk Through This World With Me" was #1.

1967 - Johnny Cash recorded "Cisco Clifton's Fillin' Station" in Nashville. Dow Law produced the session, and Cash wrote the song. Session personnel included: Johnny Cash~vocals & guitar; Luther Perkins~guitar; Marshall Grant~bass; W.S. Holland~drums; Bob Johnson~banjo; The Carter Family~backing vocals.

1970 - The Academy of Country Music awarded Marty Robbins, their "Man of the Decade Award."

1975 - Merle Haggard topped the charts with "Always Wanting You."

1981 - Guy Willis 1915~1981, of The Willis Brothers, died at age 65. The Willis Brothers, Guy, Skeeter, and Vic joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1946. They were originally called The Oklahoma Wranglers, and backed Hank Williams on his first ever-recording session in Nashville. Guy Willis was laid to rest in the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, in Nashville.

1983 - Sheena Easton and Kenny Rogers duet "We' ve Got Tonight" topped the country charts.

1985 TNN debuted "Grand Ole Opry Live" on television.

1986 - Johnny Dollar 1933~1986, singer, songwriter, and guitarist died at the age of 53.

1987 - Johnny Cash released his debut album with Mercury Records "Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town." Dropped by Columbia Records after almost three decades of hits, John was happy to be back on a major label. This album became The Man In Black' s 50^th chart album, remaining on the charts for six months. John' s long time friend Cowboy Jack Clement produced the album.

1992 - Liberty Records released Linda Davis' self titled album.

1999 - Sire Records released Mandy Barnett' s album "I' ve Got a Right to Cry."

2002 - Kenny Chesney' s "Young" debuted on the charts.

2002 - Diamond Rio's Arista Records single "Beautiful Mess" hit the Country chart today. The song went to #1. Diamond Rio was the CMA Vocal Group of the Year in 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1997. This very talented group became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1998.

2005 - Randy Travis won his sixth Dove Award from the Gospel Music Association, when "Passing Through" was named Country Album of the Year.

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1928 - Richard Alsup, guitarist, made his debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1932 - D. L. Menard, Cajun singer, songwriter, and guitarist, born Erath, Louisiana. Richard was

presented with the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment

for the Arts in 1994.

1935 - Loretta Lynn was born Loretta Webb in Butcher Holler, Kentucky. Loretta Webb age 13, and Oliver "Mooney Lynn were married January 10, 1948. Loretta was Billboard's Most Promising Female Singer in 1960. Billboard's Top Female Vocalist 1964. Billboard Female Country Vocalist of the Year 1967. CMA Female Vocalist of the Year 1967. National Association of Record Manufactures Female Country Vocalist of the Year 1968. In 1972, Loretta became the first female artist, to win the CMA Entertainer of the Year Award. CMA Female Vocalist of the Year 1972. CMA Vocal Duo of the Year with Conway Twitty 1972. Named one of Tennessee's top five women in 1972. CMA Vocal Duo of the Year with Conway Twitty 1973. CMA Female Vocalist of the Year 1973. CMA Vocal Duo of the Year with Conway Twitty 1974. Academy of Country Music Top Female Singer, and Top Duet 1974. Music City News Top Female Vocalist 1974. CMA Vocal Duo of the Year with Conway Twitty 1975. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 1983. Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Loretta's autobiography "Coal Miner's Daughter" became a feature film, and won an Oscar for actress, and singer Sissy Spacek. Here's a reminder of the songs that took the coal miner's daughter into the land of country music legends: Don't Come Home A Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind) co-written with her sister Peggy Sue Wells; You Ain't Woman Enough; Fist City; You're Lookin' At Country; Rated X, and more. This quote from Loretta came from her page in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. "I'd say material is 80 percent of a singer's career. You can have a great voice, but you'd also better have a new song that fits your style. And the best way is to write the songs yourself. People forget that I'm a songwriter. They think of me as just a lady up on the stage, with a band backing her up. Well, let me tell you, I've sat in my room all night, scratching out most of my songs..." Loretta, we thank you for everyone of them. There will never be another artist like Loretta Lynn.

1944 - Al Dexter' s "Too Late To Worry, Too Blue To Cry" topped the charts.

1945 - History was made at the Opry, when a trumpet was played on the show for the first time. Taps was played to honor President Franklin Roosevelt, who had died two days earlier.

1945 - Bob Wills' "Smoke On The Water" topped the country charts.

1951 - Lefty Frizzell' s single "I Want To Be With You Always" charted.

1958 - Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me." climbed the chart to the top, and didn't climb down for 8 weeks.

1960 - Tommy Duncan rejoined Bob Wills in a recording studio.

1962 - Mercury released "She Thinks I Still Care" by George Jones earlier this month, and the single charted today. This was the Possum' s 3^rd #1 hit, and is now a Grammy Hall of Fame song.

1962 Jimmy Dean' s single "PT109" charted.

1964 - Stuart Duncan, of the "Nashville Bluegrass Band," was born in Quantico, Virginia.

1976 - Tammy Wynette' s "Till I Can Make It On My Own" topped the charts.

1977 - Vito Pellettieri 1889~1977, age 87, the first stage manager at the Grand Ole Opry, died today. There is no way to overstate the contributions this man made to the success of the Opry.

1978 - The Johnny Cash TV special, "Spring Fever" aired this evening, with guests; Waylon, Jessi, June Carter, and Ray Charles.

1983 - Kenny Rogers Liberty album "We've Got Tonight" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1984 - The Kendalls' single "Thank God For The Radio" topped the charts.

1990 - K.T. Oslin appeared on the TV series, "Paradise."

1995 - Burl Ives 1909~1995, age 85, died from cancer in 1995. The Grammy winning singer, Oscar winning actor, and author, appeared in dozens of movies, several Broadway plays, and recorded hundreds of songs (mostly folk tunes). Between 1949~1967 Burl charted nine singles on the Country Charts: Lavender Blue (Dilly Dilly) with Captain Stubby & The Buccaneers; Riders In The Sky; Wild Side Of Life with Grady Martin; A Little Bitty Tear; Funny Way Of Laughin' (Grammy winning single); Call Me Mister In-Between; Mary Ann Regrets; Evil Off My Mind; and Lonesome 7-7203. Burl was cremated, and his ashes were interred next to his mother's grave in Mound Cemetery, Hunt City, Illinois.

1999 - Tammy Wynette' s body was exhumed and an autopsy performed in Nashville.

2001 - Brooks & Dunn' s #1 country hit "Ain' t Nothing �Bout You" crossed over to Billboard' s Top 40 chart.

2004 - Dolly Parton received the Living Legend award from the Library of Congress. Previous recipients include Ralph Stanley, Ray Charles, and Johnny Cash.

2007 - Lonestar appeared on the CBS Earl Show this morning.

-15-

1900 - J.L. "Joe" Frank 1900~1952, promoter and talent manager, born Limestone County,

Alabama. Joe was Pee Wee King' s father-in-law. Posthumously inducted into the CMHF in

1967.

1933 - Roy Clark, Hee Haw co-host, was born in Meherrin, Virginia. Roy became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1987.

1937 - Bob Luman 1937~1978, was born "Bobby Glenn Luman" in Nacogdoches, Texas. Bob was a member of the cast of the KWKH Louisiana Hayride, moved to the west coast and filmed the movie Carnival Rock, and then joined the cast of the TV show Town Hall Party. Ricky Nelson heard Bob's band on Town Hall Party and hired them away. Bob's band, which he brought with him from Louisiana, included James Burton on guitar. Bob joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, and created a little havoc every time he performed. The younger audience members at the Opry were crazy about him, however, Mr. Acuff had a different opinion. While in Nashville between 1964 and his death in 1978 Bob charted approximately 40 hits on the country charts. His biggest hit was "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers." Bob left us much too early at the age of 41, and many of us miss him a lot. Bob's lovely daughter Melissa works as a home loan officer in one of the Nashville suburbs. She recently told me that Bob was being inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Good for you Bob. you were always a winner.

1945 - Bob Wills topped the charts with "Smoke On The Water."

1951 - Junior Barnard, guitarist with The Texas Playboys, died as the result of a car wreck.

1952 - Sam Bush vocals, fiddle, mandolin, and guitarist born in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Sam is one of Music Cities most respected pickers, and was a founding member of New Grass Revival in 1972.

1961 - Marty Robbins' single "Don' t Worry" topped the charts.

1966 - The mayor of Lynchburg, Virginia proclaimed this as "Ray Pillow Day."

1967 - Bill Nettles1907~1967, age 60, songwriter, recording artist, and label owner died in Monroe, Louisiana. Bill and his brother Norman were the talent behind the Dixie Blue Boys, and later founded the Nettles Brothers. They became stars while playing their music on KWKH radio in Shreveport, and recorded on Vocation and Bluebird, the low budget division of RCA from 1937~1945. Bill was a disabled veteran of World War I, having served in the Navy. The Nettles penned tune "Have I Waited Too Long?" was debuted at KWKH by Radio Dot and Smoky, and eventually became Faron Young's theme song. Later in his career Nettles recorded for Mercury Records, Bullet and Imperial. He recorded for Starday in the mid`1950's and then formed his own label, Nett Records in Monroe, Louisiana.

1970 - Johnny Cash's ABC-TV Show featured special guest Judy Collins, and duets with June Carter Cash.

1971 - Wanda Jackson recorded "Half As Good A Girl" b/w "I' m Mad At Me."

1971 - Buck Owens recorded "Rollin' In My Sweet Baby' s Arms."

1971 - Tracy Nelson's Plantation single "The Battle Hymn of Lt. Calley" was certified Gold.

1974 - Tom T. Hall recorded "That Song Is Driving Me Crazy."

1975 - Oscar Davis, artist management, promoter, died at age 72.

1977 - Kenny Rogers' single "Lucille" topped the charts.

1983 - Elvis received 5 Gold records today for 5 separate RCA Victor singles. I'm not going to list them, everything he recorded went to some kind of metal. On March 27, 1992 Elvis was posthumously awarded 123 Gold & Platinum records. No�I'm not going to list the titles. Call Lisa Marie, she has them.

1988 - Wanda Jackson recorded "I' m Mad At Me."

1989 - Mary Chapin Carpenter debuted on the charts with her self-penned Columbia single "How Do." The record made the Top 20, and the future Grammy Award winner was named the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1992 &1993.

1993 - Trisha Yearwood's MCA album "Hearts in Armor" was certified Platinum.

1997 - Silver Eagle released "Silver Eagle Cross Country Presents Live: Vern Gosdin" 1997.

1998 - Rose Maddox 1925~1998, age 72, of "Maddox Brothers & Rose" died in Oregon.

2003 - Darryl Worley released "Have You Forgotten."

2003 - Dream Works released Jessica Andrews' album "Now."

2003 - Michael Stillman, age 87, founder of Monitor Records, died in Somers, New York.

2005 - Miranda Lambert debuted on the Tonight Show.

2007 - Roy Clark celebrated his 74^th birthday.

-16-

1877 - Simeon E. Neill Acuff 1877~1943, father of Roy Acuff was born in Tennessee. Mr. Acuff played the fiddle, and was a hard working, intelligent man. He was an ordained Baptist minister, served as postmaster of Maynardville, County Clerk of Union County, worked as a lawyer and member of the Tennessee Bar Association, law partner of Judd Acuff, and served in Knox County as a General Sessions Judge. Of course he didn' t do all of these things at the same time, but they all represent a portion of this dear man' s resume. He did find the time to teach his son the moral values of a Christian family. The things Roy Acuff learned from his father he applied to his life, and shared with those around him that he cared about.

1904 - Delia Bell singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born Delia Nowell in Bonham Texas. Delia was one half of the Bill Grand & Delia Bell duo, one of the best duets in country and bluegrass history.

1935 - Bobby Vinton was born Stanley Robert Vinton in Canonsburg, PN 1935. Bobby has charted 7 country singles on Billboards country charts.

1942 - Rick Blackburn, record company executive, born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1946 - Al Dexter' s "Guitar Polka" topped the charts.

1954 - Webb Pierce' s single "Slowly" topped the charts.

1956 - Kathy Cash, second child of Johnny Cash and Vivian Liberto Cash, was born in Memphis, Tennessee.

1961 - Claude King' s first recording session for Columbia Records.

1962 - Patsy Cline' s "She' s Got You" topped the Country charts.

1966 - Ray Charles' #1 hit "Together Again" hit the Country charts.

1968 - Dorsey Murdock Dixon 1897~1968, singer, songwriter, guitar, and fiddle player, a member of the "Dixon Brothers," died at age 70.

1969 - The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour featured special guests Nancy Sinatra, Al Martino, and Tim Conway.

1969 - Glen Campbell's Capitol album "Galveston" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1970 - Tammy Wynette' s Epic Records "Greatest Hits Album" was certified gold.

1972 - William Howard "Jesse" James 1916~1972, age 55, of Jesse James & All the Boys, died in Texas.

1977 - Waylon Jennings' #1 single "Lukenbach Texas" charted.

1978 - Charlie Pride' s "Someone Loves You Honey" topped the charts.

1983 - Alabama' s album, "The Closer You Get," went to #1.

1993 - Marty Stuart' s "Hey Baby," charted.

1997 - Janis Gill filed for divorce from Vince after 17 years of marriage.

1999 - Shania Twain became the first female artist to win the "Songwriter, Artist of the Year Award" from the Nashville Songwriters Association.

2000 - Aaron Shelton, age 89, WSM recording engineer, died in Nashville, Tennessee.

2002 - The Dixie Chicks were sued by Sony Music for breach of contract.

2003 - Darryl Worley gave a concert at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. for the military. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld introduced him. The concert was broadcast over Armed Forces Radio and TV, and the Fox News Cable Network.

2003 - June Carter Cash was released from Baptist Hospital in Nashville, after treatment for congestive heart failure.

2007 - The CMT Music Awards were presented in Nashville; however there wasn't much country music to be heard. Kris Kristofferson was presented with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award by Rosanne Cash. That was certainly the highlight of the evening.

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1901 - J. B. Fusilier 1901~1976, Cajun fiddle pioneer, born Jean Batiste Fusilier in Oberlin, Louisiana.

1906 - Claude Grant, founding member of the Tenneva Ramblers, born in Bristol, Tennessee.

1926 - Uncle Dave Macon, age 55, became the first member of the WSM National Barn Dance who was known from coast to coast. Fiddler Henry Bandy made his second appearance on the Barn Dance this evening.

1926 - The Skillet Lickers first recording session for Columbia Records.

1926 - Ray Patterson was born in Clayton, New Mexico.

1926 - Marshall Claiborne, a one-armed fiddler made his second appearance on WSM's Barn Dance.

1960 - Eddie Cochran 1938~1960, age 21, Rockabilly pioneer, died in a car crash enroute to the London airport. Gene Vincent was a passenger in the same vehicle and was seriously injured. Cochran has been inducted into the R&RHF & the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Eddie was laid to rest in Forest Lawn~Cyprus, Cyprus, California.

1961 - Duane Eddy' s single "Theme From Dixie" charted.

1965 - Marty Robbins' hit the charts with "Ribbon Of Darkness." The song was recorded March 2, in Nashville. Gordon Lightfoot wrote the song, and the session was produced by Bob Johnston. Session players included: Marty Robbins~vocals & guitar; Ray Edenton~guitar; Jack Pruett~guitar; Joe Zinkan~bass; and Louis Dunn~drums. The song went to #1.

1968 - Dorsey Dixon 1897~1968, age 70, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler for the Dixon Brothers died today. The brothers recorded for Bluebird in the 1930' s.

1970 - Johnny Cash performed at the White House for President Nixon.

1973 - Asylum released the Eagles second album "Desperado."

1974 - Bobbie Jett, mother of Jett Williams (fathered by Hank Sr.) died in California.

1982 - Johnny Cash hosted Saturday Night Live.

1986 - The Everly Brothers' Warner Bros. album "The Very Best of the Everly Brothers" was certified Gold.

1986 - Little Feat's Warner Bros. album "Feats Don't Fail Me" was certified Gold.

1992 - Aaron Tippin' s RCA single "There Ain' t Nothin' Wrong With The Radio," went to #1. This was Travelers Rest, South Carolina's favorite son's first #1 single.

1992 - Hank Penny, Western Swing legend, died at the age of 73.

2000 - Murray Nash 1918~2000, age 82, early RCA Records executive, died in Ocala, Florida.

2001 - Johnny Russell, had both legs amputated below the knees, due to diabetes.

2002 - Tammy Wynette' s children reached an out of court agreement; with the doctor they had sued for contributing to the singer' s death.

2004 - Dave Kirby, age 65, singer/songwriter/guitar session player, died in Branson, Missouri. Dave was married to country singer Leona Williams.

2004 - Kenny Chesney & Uncle Kracker' s single "When The Sun Goes Down" topped the charts.

2004 - Shortly after leaving a show, Kenny Chesney' s merchandise truck was involved in an accident on an Interstate on-ramp in Little Rock, Arkansas. The truck, and contents were destroyed by fire. No serious injuries were reported.

2004 - The Judds, Wynonna, and Naomi, debuted on the Grand Ole Opry, twelve years after Naomi retired from the duo for health reasons.

2004 - Dave Kirby 1938~2004, age 65, singer, songwriter, and session guitarist died Branson, Missouri-. Dave and Leona Williams were married in 1985 and lived in Branson. Dave Kirby was laid to rest in the Vienna Public Cemetery, Vienna, Missouri.

2007 - Glenn Sutton 1937~2007, age 69, Hall of Fame Songwriter, and Grammy winner died in Nashville from a heart attack. Inducted NSHF in 1999. Glenn wrote, or co-wrote: Almost Persuaded; She Still Comes Around; What A Man My Man Is; Take Me To Your World; I Don't Wanna Play House; Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad; You' re My Man, and many more. Glenn's funeral is scheduled for April 20^th.

2008 - George Jones is scheduled to appear in concert at Aitken University Centre in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.

-18-

1886 - Leon "Abner" Weaver 1886~1962, of "The Weaver Bros. & Elviry" was born in Ozark, Missouri.

1920 - Pete Pyle 1920~1995, was born

1925 - Billy Liebert, session musician, multi-instrumentalist, and conductor born Detroit, Michigan.

1928 - Emmet Crouch made his only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as a solo artist.

1939 - Milton Brown 1903~1936, age 32, pioneer Western Swing band leader, and vocalist, died five days after being involved in a fatal car crash. In 1930 Brown met Bob Wills and Herman Arnspiger a guitar player. The three formed a trio they called the "Aladdin Laddies," and soon after they renamed their band the "Light Crust Doughboys. It was almost two years later that Milton formed the legendary "Musical Brownies."

1939 - Gene Autry recorded his theme song "Back In The Saddle Again."

1947 - Walt Richmond, "The Tractors," born Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1948 - Eddy Arnold topped the charts with "Anytime."

1948 - Earl Scruggs married Nashville businesswoman Louise Certain, in Gaffney, South Carolina.

1949 - Kyle Lehning, producer, recording industry executive born Cairo, Illinois.

1953 - Red Foley hosted his last Prince Albert, Grand Ole Opry show.

1962 - Buck Owens covered a hit record by the Drifters "Save The Last Dance For Me." The song was recorded today at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman wrote the song, and Ken Nelson produced the record. Session personnel included: Buck Owens~vocals & guitar; Don Rich~lead acoustic guitar; Ralph Mooney~steel guitar; George French Jr.~piano; Bobby Austin~bass; Wayne Stone~drums. The single was released on May 21^st, and topped out at #11 on the charts.

1964 - Johnny Cash' s "Understand Your Man" topped the charts.

1966 - Wanda Jackson recorded "Along Came You" b/w "I Wanna Waltz.

1972 - Freddie Hart' s "My Hang-up Is You" topped the charts.

1979 - Warner Bros. released Buck Owens' single "Play Together Again Again" w/Emmylou Harris b/w "He Don't Deserve You Anymore."

1988 - Eddie Rabbitt' s "I Wanna Dance With You" went to # 1.

1994 - Johnny Cash filmed his "Delia' s Gone" video the 18^th--21^st.

1995 - River North Nashville released Holly Dunn' s "Life and Love and All the Stages."

1998 - Diamond Rio (Marty Roe, Jimmy Olander, Gene Johnson, Dan Truman, Dana Williams, and Brian Prout) became members of the Grand Ole Opry.

2003 - Tony Brown, Nashville producer and record company executive, was critically injured in a fall in Los Angeles. Brown was transported to the UCLA Medical Center in L.A.

2003 - Harry Dailey, age 51, musician, songwriter, died in Falls Church, Virginia.

2008 - Martina McBride is scheduled to appear in concert at the Germain Arena in Estero, Florida.

-19-

1895 - Jim Wolverton, of the "Leake County Revelers" born in Mississippi.

1924 - The WLS "National Barn Dance" was aired in Chicago. Illinois, for the first time. It was the first of many hillbilly shows, to be broadcast live on a weekly basis, and one of the best. The radio station was sold in 1960, and the new owners changed the format to Rock & Roll. Many of the entertainers joined WGN in Chicago and formed the WGN Barn Dance." Four years later the show was syndicated for TV, and aired into the early 1970's. Some of the artists who worked the National Barn Dance should be in the country music hall of fame. They paved the way for Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams, and they were loved by their fans. Lulu Belle & Scotty, and Bradley Kincaid were very talented and successful artists, just to name a few.

1928 - Tom Paley, vocals, guitar, banjo founding member of "The New Lost City Ramblers" born in NYC. Left the band in 1962 and was replaced by Tracy Schwarz.

1939 - Bill Rice Hall of Fame songwriter was born in Datto, Arkansas. Bill and Jerry Rice teamed up as songwriters for a period of fifteen years. As a result, both men were inducted into the NSHF in 1994. The following songs were written by Foster and Rice and represent just a few of their creations. The Easy Part's Over; Someone To Give My Love To; The Day The World Stood Still; The Back Side of Dallas; Would You Take Another Chance On Me; When You Say Love; Think About It Darlin'; Here Comes the Hurt again; and many more. At one time Foster & Rice had ten of their songs on the charts at the same time.

1941 - Bobby Russell 1941~1992, songwriter, born Nashville, Tennessee. Inducted into the NSHF IN 1994.

1963 - Wendy Holcombe, banjo virtuoso, born rural Alabama.

1965 - Ernest Tubb recorded "Waltz Across Texas."

1965 - Gary "Stretch" Brewer, of the Bluegrass--Kentucky Ramblers was born today.

1965 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "Before You Go" b/w "(I Want) No One But You."

1975 - Emmylou Harris debuted on the charts with "Too Far Gone."

1977 - Gordon Lightfoot's Reprise album "Gord's Gold" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1980 - Ricky Skaggs debuted on the charts with "I' ll Take The Blame."

1980 - Crystal Gayle, Dottie West, Debby Boone, Emmylou Harris, and Tammy Wynette, occupied the top five positions on Billboard' s country charts. It was the first time female artists held all five spots. 20% of the above named female legends have been inducted into the CMHF, a.k.a. The Music City Boys Club. I hope the other 80% are inducted some day, but I won't try to hold my breath that long.

1985 - Don Henley's Geffen Records album "Building the Perfect Beast" was certified Platinum.

1988 - George Strait's MCA album "Strait Country" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1989 - Keith Whitley' s "I' m No Stranger To The Rain" was #1.

1990 - Ronnie Milsap's RCA Victor album "Lost in the Fifties" was certified Gold, along with Lorrie Morgan's album "Leave The Light On."

1993 - Dolly Parton's Columbia album "Slow Dancing With the Moon" was certified Gold.

1998 - Earl A. Bolick 1919~1998, member of the "Blue Sky Boys," died at age 78.

2001 - John Stoneman, age 77, "The Stonemans," died in Jonesville, Virginia.

2005 - Lee Ann Womack made the cover of Woman's World magazine.

2007 - Funeral services for Glenn Sutton were held today at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Nashville. The body was cremated. The Hall of Fame songwriter, and Grammy winner died in his sleep on April 17^th, at age 69.

2008 - Martina McBride is scheduled to appear at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

-20-

1910 - Van Buren "Red" Anglin 1910~1975, singer, member of the Anglin Brothers, born in Franklin, Tennessee.

1922 - Hylo Brown 1922~2003, Bluegrass, vocals born �Frank Brown' in River, Kentucky.

1929 - The Dixie Serenading Band mad their first, and last appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1939 - Johnny Tillotson born Jacksonville, Florida.

1944 - Doyle Lawson, mandolin, vocalist, Traditional Bluegrass, Country Gospel, born in Ford Town, Tennessee. Doyle founded "Quicksilver" in 1979.

1945 - World War II reporter, Ernie Pyle was buried on Okinawa, by his G.I. buddies while Roy Acuff' s recording of "The Great Speckled Bird" was played in the background.

1950 - Hank Williams topped the charts with "Long Gone Lonesome Blues."

1957 - Cadence Records released The Everly Brothers debut single "Bye Bye Love." The song was written by husband & wife team Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, and it became Don and Phil's first chart record, first #1 hit, first Gold record, and was named a Grammy Hall of Fame recording in 1998. The Everly Brothers became members of the Grand Ole Opry in 1957. Mr. Acuff was really overjoyed about that. Almost as overjoyed as he was when Bob Luman joined the Opry, and when Porter Wagoner invited James Brown to make a guest appearance on the Opry, and he opened with "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag." That's the one I would not have wanted to experienced. Mr. Roy and Porter had a brief meeting after the final curtain came down that night.

1957 - Steve Kaufman, master guitarist, born New York City.

1958 - Don Gibson' s self-penned MGM single "Oh Lonesome Me" topped the charts, and remained at #1 for two months.

1959 - Dolly Parton, age 13, released her first single "Puppy Love."

1963 - Rick Nelson and Kris Harmon were married.

1966 - Eddy Arnold topped the charts with "I Want To Go With You."

1966 - Wanda Jackson recorded "Acting Like My Old Self Again."

1968 - Ernest Tubbs' Decca album "Ernest Tubb Sings Hank Williams" charted today.

1969 - Wade Hayes born Bethel Acres, Oklahoma.

1974 - Mickey Gilley' s Playboy Records single "Room Full Of Roses" charted and became his first #1 record.

1977 - Glenn Campbell' s Capitol Records single "Southern Nights" was certified Gold.

1985 - The Grand Ole Opry was shown on TNN for the first time.

1988 - The Johnny Cash Show toured Germany from the 20^th through the 28^th.

1988 - Reba McEntire's MCA album "The Last One to Know" was certified Gold.

1990 - The Kentucky Headhunters' Mercury album "Pickin' on Nashville" was certified Gold.

1993 - Epic released Joe Diffie' s "Honky Tonk Attitude."

1993 - Tracy Lawrence's Atlantic album "Alibis" was certified Gold.

1999 - Edsel released Freddy Fender' s "Greatest Hits."

1999 - June Carter Cash released her album "Press On."

-21-

1907 - Wade Mainer, singer, banjoist and recording artist, born in Buncombe, North Carolina. Leader of the Sons of the Mountaineers, Wade entertained President Roosevelt at the White House, and over the years recorded for several labels.

1924 - Ira Louvin 1924~1965, of The Louvin Brothers was born "Ira Lonnie Loudermilk," near Section, Alabama. Inducted CMHF 2001.

1928 - Hillous Butrum, "Drifting Cowboys" born in Lafayette, Tennessee.

1931 - Carl Belew 1931~1990, singer, songwriter cast member of the Louisiana Hayride, born Salina, Oklahoma. Carl wrote, or co-wrote the following songs. Am I That Easy to Forget; What's He Doing in My World; Stop the World and Let Me Off; Help Stamp Out Loneliness; Lonely Street; Don't Squeeze My Sharmon, and more. Carl recorded for Four Star Records. He was inducted into the NSHF in 1976.

1947 - Hank Williams & The Drifting Cowboys first recording session for MGM Records was held today at Castle Studios in Nashville. Session personnel included: Hank Williams~vocals & guitar; Zeke Turner~electric guitar; Louis Innis~rhythm guitar; Dayle Lohman~steel guitar; Bronson Reynolds~bass; and Tommy Jackson~fiddle. Songs recorded today: "Move It On Over," "I Saw The Light," "Last Night I Heard You Crying In Your Sleep," "Six More Miles To The Graveyard." Move It On Over became Hank's first chart record. The self-penned tune climbed the chart to #4.

1948 - Paul Davis, singer, songwriter, and producer, born in Meridian, Mississippi.

1951 - Rex Allen' s "Sparrow In The Tree Top" became his first top ten record.

1956 - Mark Rader, "Traditional Grass," was born in Middletown, Ohio.

1957 - Johnny Cash started his first Canadian Tour.

1960 - Bob Wills and Tommy Duncan recorded for Liberty Records for the first time.

1962 - Bob Luman released "Big River Rose."

1962 - Walter Brennan, singer, actor, debuted on Billboard' s Top 40 Chart with "Old Rivers."

1969 - Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton recorded "Just Someone I Use To Know." The RCA Victor single topped out at #5 on the charts.

1971 - After taking a career break to spend more time with her children, Connie Smith rejoined the Grand Ole Opry today. Can you imagine one of today's superstar mothers doing the same? Nah�neither can I.

1974 - Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton performed their last concert together in Salina, Kansas. The next sound you heard were Music City attorney's licking their greedy chops.

1987 - Amy Grant's Myrrh Record label album "My Father's Eyes" was certified Gold.

1987 - Reba McEntire's MCA album "What Am I Gonna Do About You" was certified Gold.

1995 - Brooks and Dunn' s "Little Miss Honky Tonk," topped the charts.

1998 Collector' s Choice Music released Elton Britt' s "The RCA Years."

2000 - Neal Matthews, of "The Jordanaires," died at age 70, in Nashville, Tennessee.

2003 - Rose Augustine, age 93, founder of "Guitar Review," died New York City.

2003 - Grammy winning producer, and engineer, George Mossenburg, was hired as an audio consultant to the Grand Ole Opry. Mossenburg lives in Nashville, and was hired to improve the audio quality of the Opry Radio and TV broadcasts. The corporation could have saved a great deal of money by just hiring some artists that are familiar with what real country music is, and how to dress on stage in something other than ragged ugly jeans, and tops that display more body parts than the artist displays talent. A huge problem, a simple solution. Or so it seems to this old man who longs to hear some real country music.

2004 - After 18 years as President and CEO of BMI, Frances W. Preston announced that she would step down from that position in August. No one person contributed more to Nashville, Tennessee becoming "Music City USA" than this fine lady. Nashville's first BMI office was born in Mrs. Preston's Nashville home. She dedicated her life to the music, the people who write it, and her community. Frances Preston, well done.

2006 - Tim McGraw and Faith Hill' s Soul2Soul II Tour debuted in Columbus, Ohio. This was Faith' s first road tour in six years. The tour will conclude on September 4^th.

2007 - GAC broadcast Part one of Kenny Chesney Phases & Stages: The Flip Flop Summer Tour. The show was taped in Omaha, Nebraska, on April 12^th.

-22-

1936 - Glen Campbell, singer, songwriter, guitarist, TV host and actor, "The Rhinestone Cowboy," was born Delight, Arkansas. Hosted the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (1968-1972). "Rhinestone Cowboy: An Autobiography: Campbell and Tom Carter released in 1994 by Villard Books.

1940 - Ray Griff, singer songwriter, guitar, drums, and pianist born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

1944 - Al Dexter topped the charts with "Too Late To Worry, Too Blue To Cry."

1945 - Pat Enright of the "Nashville Bluegrass Band," born in Huntington, Indiana.

1945 - Cleve Francis "Cleveland Francis Jr." singer, songwriter, guitarist and cardiologist, born Jennings, Louisiana.

1950 - Hank Williams' "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" topped the country music charts.

1951 - Reuben Gosfield, "Asleep At The Wheel" born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1967 - Heath Wright, singer, songwriter, of "Ricochet" born in Vian, Oklahoma.

1967 - "The Four Guys" joined the Grand Old Opry.

1968 - Loretta Lynn topped the charts with "Fist City."

1968 - Steve Sholes, age 57, RCA Records executive, died from a heart attack while driving from the RCA studios to the Nashville airport. Steve was inducted into the CMFH in 1967.

1970 - The Johnny Cash ABC Network Television Show featured Lynn Anderson, Burl Ives, June Carter, and the regular cast members.

1971 - Marty Robbins released "The Chair" b/w "Seventeen Years."

1972 - Jerry Lee Lewis' "Think About It Darlin' " topped the country charts.

1974 - Charlie Rich's Epic album "Very Special Love Songs" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1976 - Eddie Rabbitt' s single "Drinkin My Baby" was #1.

1978 - Kellie Coffey, born in Moore, Oklahoma.

1987 - Kenny Rogers and Dottie West' s "Every Time Two Fools Collide," went to #1.

1984 - Johnny Lee and Lane Brody' s duet "The Yellow Rose" topped the charts 1984.

1988 - George Strait's MCA album "If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')" was certified God.

1989 - Clint Black made his debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1996 - Fred Kirby recording artist, and DJ died at age 86.

1997 - Warner Brothers released Anita Cochran' s debut album "Back to You."

2003 - Felice Bryant 1925~2003, age 77, of the songwriting team of Boudleaux & Bryant, died at her home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Inducted Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 1972. Georgia Music Hall of Fame 1982, National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame 1986, Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame 1985 Country Music Hall of Fame 1991, and Nashville Arts Foundation Living Legend Award 1991. Felice was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, in Nashville.

2003 - Vince Gill was named recipient of the PGA' s Distinguished Service Award. It is the Professional Golfers' Association' s highest honor.

2006 - The Renee Grant-Williams 8^th Annual Vocal Masters Class, was held in Nashville.

2007 - Blake Shelton's Second Annual Raindance charity event was opened today in Blake's hometown of Ada, Oklahoma, and will run through the 24^th. Funds raised from this event are for the victims of Oklahoma's drought, and wildfires, that occurred in 2005~2006. The three day event includes team roping, an archery tournament and concert featuring Blake Shelton, Neal McCoy Craig Morgan and Steve Holy. Last years event raised just over $133,000.

-23-

1900 - The New York Journal printed the word "Hillbilly" for the first time.

1926 - Marshall Claiborne, a one-armed fiddler made his final appearance on WSM's Barn Dance.

1936 - Roy Orbison 1936~1988, singer, songwriter, guitarist born Vernon, Texas. Roy was Elvis Presley's favorite singer.

1938 - Manuel, clothes designer for the stars was born Manuel Arturo Jose Cuevas Martinez in Mexico. Manuel worked for Nudie in California, and marred his daughter Barbara Cohn in 1960.

1938 - Roland White, of the "Nashville Bluegrass Band," was born in Madawaska, Maine.

1939 - Ray Peterson, recording artist, born Denton, Texas.

1945 - Bob Wills topped the charts with "Smoke On The Water."

1955 - Mark Schatz, Bluegrass bassist, born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1956 - Elvis Presley made his debut appearance in Las Vegas, at the New Frontier Hotel. The audience reaction was less than enthusiastic, and the second week of the engagement was cancelled. Elvis would not return to Las Vegas for thirteen years.

1957 - Dave Rich recorded "Red Sweater" for RCA.

1961 - Marty Robbins "Don' t Worry" went to the top of the country charts.

1968 - Aaron Barker songwriter, born San Antonio, Texas.

1969 - Glen Campbell' s single "Galveston" topped the charts.

1969 - Glen Campbell' s Goodtime Hour featured Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Bob Newhart, Vicki Carr, John Hartford, and Glen.

1975 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Deal."

1977 - Loretta Lynn' s single "She' s Got You" went to #1.

1981 - Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins recorded their Live album "The Survivors" at a concert in Stuttgart, Germany.

1988 - Mickey Gilley, Lorrie Morgan, David Holt, Cliff Dumas and Vickie Rae Von were featured guests on Hee Haw. Jim Stafford served as co-host

1988 - Ocie Stockard 1909~1988, age 78, Western Swing band leader, multi-instrumentalist, an original member of Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies, and later played for Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, died in Fort Worth, Texas.

1993 - Reba McEntire's MCA album "Rumor Has It." was certified Platinum.

1999 - Lee Roy Parnell, Billy Ray Cyrus, Garth Brooks and Rhett Akins surprised Charley Daniels, and an audience of 13,000 fans, with their surprise appearance at Charley' s ' 99 Volunteer Jam concert in Nashville, Tennessee.

2000 - The Library of Congress honored Johnny Cash and Ralph Stanley with their "Living Legend" award.

2001 - Tim McGraw gave free performances in Nashville and New York to promote the release of "Set This Circus Down."

2004 - Chuck Reeves, music director at KBUL in Reno, Nevada, married Debbie Roszelle on Montgomery Gentry' s tour bus after a concert.

2005 - The Juno Awards Show was aired from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2006 - Today would have been Roy Orbison's 70^th birthday.

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1900 - Bobby Gregory born Staunton, Virginia.

1916 - Eldon Shamblin, guitarist, arranger, member of the "Texas Playboys," was born in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

1943 - Richard Sterban member of the "Oakridge Boys," was born in Camden, New Jersey.

1949 - Larry Rice, Bluegrass, mandolin player, member of the Rice Brothers, was born on this date.

1955 - Webb Pierce's "In The Jailhouse Now" had a 21 week hold on #1.

1957 - Harry "Haywire Mac" McClintock, age 74, died in San Francisco, California.

1958 - Johnnie & Jack recorded "Poison Love" 1958.

1960 - Flatt & Scruggs recorded "Polka On A Banjo."

1963 - Brenda Lee and Ronnie Shacklett were married at the Radnor Church of Christ in Nashville.

1970 - Edsel released The Flying Burrito Brothers second album "Burrito Deluxe" featuring Gram Parsons.

1979 - Rebecca Lynn Howard, singer, songwriter, born in Salyersville, Kentucky.

1979 - Gale Binkley 1896~1979, of the "Binkley Brothers Dixie Clodhoppers," died at age 83.

1984 - Jerry Lee Lewis, age 48, married Kerrie McCarver, age 22. This was the killer' s fifth marriage.

1986 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Down At The Mall."

1993 - Farm Aid IV was held in Ames, Iowa.

2001 - MCA released "The Best of Freddy Fender."

2001 - Mercury released "The Best of Flatt & Scruggs."

2003 - Tracy Byrd was named Naches River Festival' s "Citizen of the Year," in Beaumont, Texas.

2006 - Bonnie Owens 1932~2006, age 73, died as the result of Alzheimer' s disease at a Bakersfield hospice. The former wife of Buck Owens 1948~1953, and Merle Haggard 1965~1978, enjoyed a recording career of her own with Tally Records, and Capitol between 1963~1969. Bonnie charted six singles on the Billboard country singles chart during that time. Bonnie is the mother of Buck' s son Buddy Alan. Bonnie and Buck are Together Again; her ashes were placed next to Buck, in the Greenlawn Southwest Cemetery, in the Owens family Mausoleum in Bakersfield, California.

2007 - The GMA (Gospel Music Association) Music Week presented their Songs of Faith Signature Show at the Ryman Auditorium. Brenda Lee, Pam Tillis, Diamond Rio, the Del McCoury Band and Josh Turner appeared on the show.

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1909 - Karl Marx Farr, of the "Sons of the Pioneers," was born in Rochelle, Texas.

1915 - Cliff Bruner 1915~2000, Western Swing fiddle pioneer, bandleader, was born in Texas City, Texas. Cliff joined Milton Brown' s "The Musical Brownies" in 1935, and formed his own band "The Texas Wanderers" after Milton' s death. At one time Cliff's band included: Moon Mullican-piano; Dickie McBride-guitar; Bob Dunn-steel guitar; Hezzie Brock-bass and Will Raley-electric mandolin. With the decline in popularity of Western Swing in the 1950's Brunner retired from music, and became an insurance salesman in Houston, Texas.

1928 - Vassar Clements 1928~2005, fiddle virtuoso, was born in Kinard, South Carolina.

1932 - Ervin "Vin" Bruce, "King of the Cajuns," was born in Cut Off, Louisiana.

1940 - O.B. McClinton was born in Senatobia, Mississippi.

1945 - Stu Cook of "Southern Pacific," was born in Oakland, California.

1945 - Larry Robbins of the Johnson Mountain Boys, was born in Dickerson, Maryland.

1948 - T. Texas Tyler headlined a country music concert at Carnegie Hall.

1954 - Rob Crosby, singer, songwriter, was born in Sumpter, South Carolina.

1955 - Webb Pierce' s "In The Jailhouse Now" topped the charts.

1957 - Rev. Andrew Jenkins1885~1957, age 71, Okeh and Bluebird recording artist died today.

1960 - Janice Rogers is granted a divorce from Kenny Rogers. The couple was married in 1958 and have one child Carole Lynne.

1961 - Elvis Presley appears on stage at the Bloch Arena in Hawaii. He would not perform again in person for seven years.

1966 - Jeffrey Howard Hawkins, member of "Little Texas," was born in Arlington, Texas.

1971 - Sonny James' "Empty Arms" topped the charts.

1978 - Willie Nelson performed for President Carter at the White House.

1978 - Gordon Lightfoot's Warner Bros. album "Endless Wire" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1985 - Roger Miller' s musical "Big River" opened on Broadway. It later won the Tony for Best Musical of the Year.

1986 - Ronnie Milsap's RCA Victor "Greatest Hits" album was certified 2 x Platinum.

1987 - K.T. Oslin' s "80' s Ladies," charted.

1989 - TNN debuted their "Viewers Choice Awards."

1997 - The Dukes of Hazzard Reunion TV movie aired.

2000 - The Amazing Rhythm Aces released their album "Absolutely Live."

2003 - Toby Keith' s "Greatest Hits, Vol. 1," was certified double platinum.

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1897 - Fiddlin' Doc Roberts was born in Madison County, Kentucky.

1927 - Cecil Null 1927~2001, songwriter, guitarist born in East War, West Virginia.

1933 - Johnny Mosby, of "Johnny & Joni Mosby" was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas.

1937 - Hasil Adkins 1937~2005, rockabilly singer, guitarist, born in Boone County, West Virginia.

1938 - Duane Eddy was born in Corning, New York.

1941 - Ernest Tubb recorded "Walking The Floor Over You," the first time, at Biggs Studio in Dallas Texas. The session was produced by Dave Kapp, and the session players included; Ernest Tubb~Vocals & Rhythm guitar; Fay Smith~Lead, and Steel guitar; and the name of the Bass player has been lost to the ages. Ernest recorded the song again in 1979.

1947 - Roy Acuff and the Smokey Mountain Boys, rejoined the Grand Ole Opry, as host of the "Royal Crown Cola Show." The group quit the Opry the previous year in a dispute over salaries. Roy returned because Ernest Tubb and Opry management told him the Opry needed him.

1948 - Eddy Arnold' s "Anytime" sat at the top of the country music chart.

1952 - Hank Williams made his only network television appearance, on the Kate Smith Show. Hank sang, "Hey Good Lookin' ."

1952 - Martha Carson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

1964 - Roy Orbison' s 28^th birthday party was held three days late. The guests included the Beatles and they were running a little bit behind schedule.

1964 - Johnny Cash' s "Understand Your Man" was the #1 song.

1971 - Jay DeMarcus of the Rock--Pop group "Rascal Flatts" was hatched.

1971 - Sammi Smith's Mega Records single "Help Me Make It Through the Night" was certified Gold.

1972 - Jerry Lee Lewis' "Chantilly Lace" went to #1.

1972 - Buck Owens recorded "Ain' t It Amazing, Gracie."

1974 - Vernon Tim Spencer, age 65, of the "Sons of the Pioneers," died today.

1975 - Jessi Colter' s #1 country hit "I' m Not Lisa" charted on Billboard' s Top 40.

1975 - B.J. Thomas set the record for the longest title of a #1 hit on Billboard's popular music chart. The song was "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song."

1980 - Dottie West' s single "A Lesson In Leavin" went to #1. Dotti is not in the CMHF.

1988 - K. T. Oslin' s "I' ll Always Come Back" topped the charts 1988.

1990 - Wesley Rose, music executive, died at age 72. Inducted into the CMHF in 1986.

1994 - Johnny Cash released his album "American Recordings."

1995 - Pam Tillis' album "Sweetheart' s Dance" certified platinum by the RIAA.

2008 - Martina McBride is scheduled to appear in concert at the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls, Texas.

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1890 - Lennie Aleshire 1890~1987, WAS born Leonard Harrison Aleshire in Missouri. Lennie and friend Floyd Rutledge entertained as "Flash and Whistler" when they joined the vaudeville act of "The Weaver Brothers and Elviry" in the 1920' s. They performed as "Lennie and Goo Goo" while cast members of Red Foley' s "Ozark Jubilee" from 1955~1961. Considered by many as pioneers of country music, the duo had influenced many country music performers who would come to stardom in later years.

1903 - Sydney Nathan 1903~1968, record company executive, and founder of King Records was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

1909 - Jimmie Skinner WAS born in Blue Lick, Kentucky.

1929 Tommy Hill 1929~2002, brother of Goldie Hill, artist, songwriter, A&R man and record label owner, wrote "Slowly" and "Teddy Bear," was born near Coy City, Texas.

1929 - Francis Craig and His Orchestra made their final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

1931 - Maxine Brown of "The Browns" and member of the Grand Ole Opry was born in Campti, Louisiana.

1944 - Herb Pedersen, singer, songwriter, and session-musician, member of the Desert Rose Band was born in Berkley, California. a.k.a. Looney Tunes, California.

1950 - Bob Wills recorded "Faded Love."

1957 - Ricky Nelson released "I' m Walkin."

1958 - The Everly Brothers appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

1963 - Ray Charles' single "Take These Chains From My Heart" hit the Country chart today.

1971 - The Opryland USA theme park opened the gates for the first time in Nashville, Tennessee.

1972 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Willy The Wandering Gypsy And Me."

1974 - Waylon Jennings' single "This Time" hit the country charts.

1974 - Charlie Rich' s albums "Very Special Love Songs" and "There Won' t Be Anymore," were #1

and #2 on the country album charts.

1976 - Olivia Newton-John's MCA album "Come on Over" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1980 Paul "Hezzie" Trietsch 1905~1980, age 75, of the "Hoosier Hot Shots," died today.

1981 Denver Darling 1909~1981, singer, songwriter, musician and bandleader died at age 72. Denver recorded for Decca, Deluxe and MGM records, and was the first country musician to perform at New York City' s Carnegie Hall (1945). His bands were named; the Trail Blazers, the Texas Cowhands, and the Georgie Porgie Boys.

1990 - Garth Brooks released his "No Fences" album.

1993 - Brooks & Dunn's Arista album "Hard Workin' Man" was certified Gold & Platinum today.

1996 - Mercury Records released Harley Allen' s album "Another River."

2001 - Trisha Yearwood was on hand as officials in Monticello, Georgia renamed highway 83N, "Trisha Yearwood Parkway."

2002 - Hillous Buel Butram, age 74, died in Nashville. Butram was a staff musician at the Grand Ole Opry by the age of 16.

2003 - Edward L. Gaylord, age 83, chairman of Gaylord Entertainment, died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

2004 - An unidentified person threw a brick from an Interstate overpass, striking the front windshield of Joe Diffie' s tour bus. The window was shattered, however there were no injuries reported to the police.

2004 - Loretta Lynn released her album "Van Lear Rose."

2006 - The 19^th annual Merlefest was held at the Wilkes Community College campus in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, beginning today through the 30^th.

2007 - Irving Waugh 1912~2007, WSM executive, and a World War II correspondent reporting from the Pacific Theater of operations, died at the age of 94. Waugh was executive producer of the CMA Awards Show for twenty-five years.

2008 - Martina McBride is scheduled to appear in concert at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

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1877 - John "Dad" Crockett of the "Crockett Mountaineers, was born in West Virginia.

1928 - Mrs. C.R. Cline, a hammer dulcimer player made her second appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. She was accompanied by her husband on guitar.

1929 - Dale Potter, fiddler, born in Puxico, Missouri.

1937 - Bill Walker, arranger-conductor, born New South Wales, Australia. Bill was Nashville' s busiest arranger-conductor in the 60' s and 70' s.

1945 - Gene Autry' s "At Mail Call Today" charted. Gene and Fred Rose wrote the song, which went to #1 and remained on the charts for almost six months.

1949 - The Sons of the Pioneers recorded "Riders In The Sky."

1950 - Hank Williams' "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" topped the charts.

1950 - Bill Haley and the Comets appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

1958 - The Everly Brothers #1 country hit "All I Have To Do Is Dream" charted.

1963 - "Dad" Carter 1889~1963, of "The Chuck Wagon Gang," died at age 73.

1973 - Charlie Rich' s "Behind Closed Doors" topped the charts.

1975 - Billie Jo Spears single "Blanket On The Ground" was #1.

1978 - Dolly Parton's RCA Victor album "Here You Come Again" was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

1980 - Tommy Caldwell 1949~1980, bassist and background vocalist for the Marshall Tucker Band died at the age of 30.

1984 - The Judds first #1 single "Mama He' s Crazy," charted today.

1982 - Ricky Skaggs went to #1 with "Crying My Heart Out Over You."

1988 - Terri Gibbs and David Daughtry were married.

1990 - George Strait's MCA album "Beyond the Blue Neon" was certified Platinum.

1991 - Ken Curtis 1916~1991, age 74, singer, songwriter, movie & TV actor died in his sleep from natural causes in Fresno, California. Ken (played Festus on Gunsmoke), and replaced Frank Sinatra in the Tommy Dorsey band in 1941 after Frank quit. In 1981 he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame. Ken was cremated, and his ashes scattered in Colorado.

1996 - Tennessee Governor Don Sundquist proclaimed today as Jerry Lee Lewis Day in Memphis.

1997 - Faith Hill and Tim McGraw released their duet "Its Your Love."

2001 - Brad Paisley debuted as a host of the Grand Ole Opry.

2001 - Blake Shelton's first Warner Records single "Austin" charted today. The song was written by David Kent and Kristi Manna, and climbed the chart to #1 where it remained for 5 weeks. This was Blake's first chart record, and his first #1.

2003 - June Carter Cash was hospitalized at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, suffering from acute breathing problems.

2005 - Hasil Adkins 1937~2005, age 68, rockabilly singer was found dead in his home near Madison, West Virginia. The cause of death was unknown.

2007 - GAC broadcast Part two of Kenny Chesney Phases & Stages: The Flip Flop Summer Tour. The show was taped in Omaha, Nebraska, on April 12^th.

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1929 - Billy Mize, singer, songwriter, and steel guitarist, born in Arkansas City, Kansas. Billy was the MC of many of the West Coast's best radio and television country music shows including; Cousin Herb Henson's Trading Post Show; his own Chuck Wagon Show; Gene Autry's Melody Ranch; and he was a cast member of Town Hall Party, as a singer and steel guitarist. The ACM awarded Billy their Top TV Personality award in 1966.

1930 - Eddie Noack 1930~1978, singer, songwriter born D. Armona Noack Jr. in Houston, Texas. Eddy Recorded for Gold Star, K-Ark, and D Records. When Eddy recorded Rockabilly songs he used the name Tommy Wood. Noack moved to Nashville in 1965 and concentrated on his songwriting. Among those who recorded Noack's tunes were Hank Snow and George Jones.

1933 - The Delmore Brothers, one of the top brother acts in the history of the Opry, made their debut appearance this evening. The brothers stayed with the Opry until 1938. During their stay at the Grand Ole Opry the brothers had recorded over eighty songs on the Bluebird and Ward labels.

1933 - Willie Nelson, "The Red Headed Stranger," was born in Abbott, Texas. Inducted into the NSHF in 1973, CMHF in 1993, and the Texas CMHF 1998.

1941 - Roy Acuff "The King of Country Music" recorded "Be Honest With Me."

1941 - Duane West of the "Jordanaires" (1958~1982) was born in Salisbury, Maryland.

1943 - Duane Allen, member of The Oakridge Boys," was born in Taylortown, Texas.

1943 - Simeon E. Neill Acuff, age 66, father of Roy Acuff died today.

1950 - Wayne Secrest of "Confederate Railroad," was born in Alton, Illinois.

1954 - Karen Brooks singer, songwriter, was born in Dallas, Texas. Between 1982~1985 Karen charted 8 country singles on the Billboard chart. Her top seller was the #1 "Faking Love," a duet with T.G. Sheppard

1954 - Justin Tubb and Goldie Hill recorded "Lookin' Back To See."

1954 - Mike Auldridge, Dobro player, was born today.

1957 - Bill Carlisle and his group won the "Arthur Godfrey Talent Search."

1960 - Dick Clark told the U.S. House of Representatives that he had never taken payola for playing anyone' s records on his show "American Bandstand."

1963 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' album "On The Bandstand."

1963 - Stephanie Bentley, singer, songwriter, born Thomasville, Georgia.

1965 - Decca records sponsored a party celebrating Ernest Tubbs twenty-fifth anniversary as a Decca recording artist. In addition to the usual gold watch, Ernest was surprised to receive a Gold record for his hit "Walking The Floor Over You," which had been recorded in 1941. The party was held in New York City.

1970 - Johnny Cash's ABC-TV Show featured special guests Doug Kershaw & Rick Nelson.

1972 James Bonamy singer, songwriter born Winter Park, Florida.

1976 - Conway Twitty's MCA album "You've Never Been This Far Before" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1982 - Alabama's RCA Victor album "Mountain Music" was certified Gold, and Platinum today by you know who.

1983 - Marty Robbins released "What If I said I Love you" b/w "Baby That' s Love."

1989 - Tammy Wynette, T. Graham Brown, Richard Petty, Kyle Petty, and the Million Dollar Band were featured guests on Hee Haw. Waylon Jennings was this weeks co-host.

1989 - George Strait' s "Beyond The Neon" album was certified Gold.

1992 - Doug Stone had quadruple bypass surgery in Nashville, Tennessee.

1992 - Urel Albert 1928~1992, recording artist, comedian, and impressionist died at age 63.

2003 - Rhonda Vincent released her "One Step Ahead" album.

2003 - Calvin Gilmore, star of the Carolina Opry, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, mad his debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

2004 - Johnny Cash and Reba McEntire were honored in Los Angeles at the eighth annual Prism Awards.

2004 - Frances Preston, BMI president and CEO, was honored by the State of Tennessee for service to her community and state. Frances is a member of the CMHF. The Nashville BMI office was first located in Frances Preston's home.

2005 - Vern Gosdin "The Voice" was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

2005 - Eddie Montgomery fell and broke his wrist during a concert in Asheville, North Carolina. Demon whiskey, and wild wild women. Working the road can be such a drag.

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1925 - Johnny Horton 1925~1960, known as "The Singing Fisherman" was born in Los Angeles, California. Johnny was a cast member of the KWKH Louisiana Hayride. Even though this artist had an amazing recording career, he is not a member of the CMHF. Dead for 48 years, and ignored by Rock-Pop, Tennessee's, Country Music Showcase. The Academy of Country Music should start a Country Music Hall of Fame. Their organization is more fan oriented than the Music Row Publicists who call themselves the Country Music Association. What a joke!

1927 - Alvin Condor and his banjo, made their first appearance on WSM's Barn Dance, accompanied by fiddler Dick Weems.

1929 - Fuzzy Owen singer, songwriter, musician, Bakersfield music pioneer, and label owner was born Charles Lee "Fuzzy" Owen in Conway, Arkansas. Fuzzy managed the career of Merle Haggard for many years.

1932 - The Dixieliners made their debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. The band consisted of the McGee Brothers and Arthur Smith.

1933 - Willie Nelson singer, songwriter, bass, guitarist and actor born in Abbott, Texas. Willie joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1964, was inducted into the NSHF in 1973., and the CMHF in 1993. Willie was presented with Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. He began writing songs when he was 7 years old. His first song to be published was "Pullamo" in 1949 by Sophisticate Music. Willie recorded his first record, "No Place For Me" in Vancouver, Washington, and paid for the session himself. Moved to Nashville in 1960, and the following year Patsy Cline recorded "Crazy" and it went to #1. His first success as recording artist came in 1962, when Willie and his second wife Shirley Collie recorded duets "Willingly" #10 on the charts, then "Touch Me" went to #7. Those were Willie's first two chart records (Liberty Records). Made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on November 28, 1964. Returned to Texas in 1970 after his home just outside of Nashville burned to the ground. The only thing Willie saved from the fire was an old guitar case where he stored, hid, or removed from wondering eyes�his smoking material. The first of Willie's Fourth of July Picnic Concerts took place in Austin, Texas in 1972. His first movie role came along with 1980's "Electric Horseman." Later that same year Willie starred in "Honeysuckle Rose." In the late 1950's Willie, like most musicians experience, was having a season of "ain't got no money honey." He sold his song "Family Bible" for $50.00 and "Night Life" for $150.00. When he attempted to sell "Hello Walls" to Faron Young, Faron asked him what he needed the money for. Willie told Faron why he needed the cash, and the exact amount. Faron gave Willie several times the amount of cash he needed, but not to purchase Hello Walls. It was a loan to a friend. When Willie received his first royalty check for Hello Walls, he went immediately to Tootsie's Orchid Lounge where he knew Faron would be, walked up to Faron and kissed him on the lips. It was a huge check, and Willie never forgot Faron's kindness. When Waylon Jennings died Willie did not attend the funeral in Arizona, or the Memorial service at the Ryman Auditorium. He was justified in what he did, and should not receive any condemnation from anyone as a result. The fault was all Waylon's and the friendship ended long before the death.

1940 - Darrell McCall born in New Jasper, Ohio.

1951 - Hank Snow topped the charts with "The Rhumba Boogie."

1951 - Ray Price' s debut single "If Your Ever Lonely Darling" was released.

1957 - Elvis recorded "Jailhouse Rock" 1957.

1959 - George Jones went to #1 with "White Lightning."

1960 - Chicago' s WLS "National Barn Dance," aired its final show. The show ran for over

Sixteen years, and was broadcast from coast to coast, over the NBC radio network.

1962 - Robert Earl Reynolds of "The Mavericks" was born in Kansas City, Missouri.

1966 - Ray Pillow joined the Grand Ole Opry, and was introduced by Ernest Tubb.

1967 - Sonny James' "Need You" topped the charts.

1969 - Glen Campbell's Goodtime Hour featured special guests the Righteous Brothers, Liza Minnelli, Waylon Jennings, and Glen's parents.

1971 - Carolyn Dawn Johnson was born in Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada.

1971 - James Taylor's Warner Bros. album "Mud Slide Slim & the Blue Horizon" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1974 - Merle Haggard recorded "Old Man From The Mountain," on the same day his Capitol album "The Best of the Best of Merle Haggard" was certified Gold.

1982 - Everybody's favorite Willie received a Gold album today for his Columbia album "Always on My Mind."

1984 - Tyler Wilkinson of the Wilkinson' s, born in Canada.

1988 - Rodney Crowell and Rosanne Cash' s "It' s Such A Small World," went to #1.

1988 - The Johnny Cash Show toured Britain from the 30^th through May 12^th.

1988 - George Jones, Vince Gill, and Hillbilly Jim were featured guests on Hee Haw. Janie Frickie was this weeks co-host.

1990 � DeWitt "Snuffy" Jenkins 1908~1990, age 81, Bluegrass banjo player died today.

1995 - Rosanne Cash and producer John Leventhal were married.

1998 - The Oak Ridge Boys performed at ceremonies, celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the American Red Cross blood service, in Washington, D. C.

1998 - Curly Chalker 1931~1998, age 66, "Harold Lee Chalker" steel guitarist, died at a nursing home in Nashville. Curly was inducted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame in 1985.

2004 - The Grand Ole Opry American Road Show debuted at the Toyota Arena in York, Pennsylvania. Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, the Del McCoury Band, and Rebecca Lynn Howard performed.

2005 - Billboard Magazine renames the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart "Hot Country Songs."
Billboard is now in its 110^th year. A name you can trust.

2006 - Ray Pillow celebrated his 40^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.