"December"
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Gabe Tucker, recording artist/musician/artist manager, born Pierce, KY 1915.
Slim Willet a.k.a. Telli W. Mils, the Fat Cat, was born "Winston Lee Moore" in Victor, TX 1919.
Slim wrote "Don't Let The Starts Get In Your Eyes," owned publishing, recording, booking, and
advertising companies, and was a successful recording artist.
Gene Autry's first radio show debuted on WLS in Chicago, 1931. Autry was the best selling Country & Western artist, from the Depression through the end of WW II.
Jim Nesbitt, singer, comedian, born Bishopville, SC 1931.
Casey Beck of "The Tractors," born Tulsa, OK 1942.
Fred Rose, age 57, died 1954. Inducted CMHF 1961. NSHF 1970.
Kim Richey singer, songwriter, born Zanesville, OH 1956.
Eddy Arnold's single "I Wouldn't Know Where To Begin" charted 1956.
Buddy Holly debuted on the Ed Sullivan Show on CBS-TV 1957.
Walter Brennan debuted on the charts with "Mama Sang A Song" 1962.
Buck Owens recorded "Cryin' Time," and "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail," 1964.
Darryl Ellis of the Ellis Brothers, born Darryl Gatlin in Norfolk, VA 1964.
Merle Haggard recorded "Swingin' Doors" for Capitol Records 1965.
Carter Stanley, age 41, died Bristol, TN 1966. Inducted IBMAHH 1992.
Joe Heathcock, age 66, singer/fiddler/movie, and TV actor, died in Nashville, TN 1980.
Grady Martin received the first Master Award, from the Nashville Music Association in 1983.
K. T. Oslin's "Come Next Monday," was # 1 on the charts 1990.
Thomas Arron Tippin, debuted in the lives of Aaron and wife Thea Tippin, in 2000. Thomas is the first son, they have two daughters.
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Opry member Herman Crook, born Scottsboro, TN 1898.
Ruth Poe "The Poe Sisters," born near Big Creek, MS 1945.
Grandpa Jones recorded "Alimony Trouble" 1946.
Pee Wee King recorded his classic "Tennessee Waltz" 1947.
John Wesley Ryles born Bastrop, LA 1950
Danielle Alexander, pianist, born Fort Worth, TX 1954.
Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton debuted on the charts with "The Last Thing On My Mind," 1967.
Merle Haggard's "Daddy Frank" was the #1 Country song 1971.
Jerry Irby, age 65, died 1983.
Kenny & Dolly's Christmas Special "A Christmas To Remember," aired on CBS-TV 1984.
Jerry Lee Lewis checked into the Betty Ford Clinic, for treatment of an addiction to painkillers 1986.
Marvin Hughes, age 75, died in Nashville 1986. Marvin helped create the Nashville number system of chord charts.
The National Academy of Songwriters, presented Johnny Cash with their "Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998. The ceremony was conducted in Los Angeles.
Brad Paisley's "We Danced" went to #1 on the singles chart 2000.
Heather Kinley and Mark Mendenhall were married 2000.
Country singer Lynn Anderson, age 57, was arrested on Interstate 35, for Drunk Driving near Denton, TX 2004. The CMA's 1971 Female Vocalist of the Year, was released on $1,000 bond.
As a result of funds raised by Darryl Worley's Tennessee River Run, The Darryl Worley Outpatient Chemotherapy Clinic opened in Darryl's hometown of Savannah, TN 2004.
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Hubert Long, music executive, born Poteet, TX 1923. Inducted CMHF 1979.
Ferlin Husky a.k.a. "Simon Crum, a.k.a. Terry Preston" born Flat River, MO 1927.
Dick Reinhart, age 41, western swing vocalist, died 1948.
John Frost of "The Four Guys," born Eagleville, TN 1949.
Paul Gregg, "Restless Heart," born NYC 1954.
Buck Owens recorded "Foolin" Around," 1960.
Lew Childre, age 60, Grand Ole Opry, died in Foley, AL 1961.
Connie Smith's "Once A Day" topped the charts 1964.
NBC aired Elvis' TV Special in 1968.
Bob Wills' last recording session was held in Dallas, TX on the 3rd & 4th, 1973.
Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again," went to # 1 1977.
The Highwaymen begin a tour in Australia, New Zeland, and the Far East 1995.
Thomas "Grady" Martin, age 72, 'A' Team session guitarist/session leader, died from a heart attack 2001. Grady was one of the most influential guitarists in country music history. Prior to his death, Martin was asked who was the most important and interesting person he had ever met. His reply, "Jesus."
WestSide Records released Moe Bandy's two-CD set "I Just Started Hatin' Cheatin' Songs Today/It Was Always So Easy" 2002.
A memorial service for Don Gibson, was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame 2003.
Trace and Rhonda Adkins welcomed Trinity Lee Adkins, their third daughter, to the family 2004.
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Gene Autry recorded "At Mail Call Today" 1941.
Chris Hillman born Los Angeles, CA 1944.
Eddy Arnold had his first recording session in Nashville, 1944.
Rabon Delmore, age 36, died 1952.
Merle Travis recorded "Louisiana Boogie" 1952.
Brian Prout "Diamond Rio," born 1955.
The Million Dollar Quartet, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Jerry Lee Lewis, recorded a session together at SUN Studio in Memphis, 1956.
Johnnie & Jack recorded their single "Stop The World And Let Me Off" 1957.
The Everly Brothers "Wake Up Little Susie" topped the charts 1957.
Connie B. Gray elected as the first president of the Country Music Association in 1958.
Buck Owens & Susan Raye recorded "We're Gonna Get Together" 1968.
Jimmy Heap, age 55, Western Swing/bandleader/guitarist died 1977.
Lila McCann, born Steilacoom, WA 1981.
Connie B. Gay, age 75, died 1989. Inducted CMHF 1980.
The Judds gave the final concert of their "Farewell Tour," 1991.
Clint Black and wife Lisa Hartman Black,topped the charts with "When I Said I Do" 1999.
Sawyer Brown appeared on the Grand Ole Opry for this first time in three years 2004.
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Ray Whitley, singing cowboy, film star, born Atlanta, GA 1901.
William Howard "Jesse" James, Western Swing bandleader of "Jesse James & All The Boys" born in Mississippi 1916.
Don Robertson, songwriter/piano session player, born Peking, China 1922.
Gene Autry recorded "You're The Only Star (In My Blue Heaven)" 1935.
Frank Dycus, singer/songwriter, born Hardmoney, KY. 1939.
Jim Messina, guitarist founder of "Poco" born Harlingen, TX 1947.
Merle Travis recorded "Guitar Rag," for Capitol 1952.
George Morgan, Don Gibson, Billy Grammer, Johnnie Wright, Kitty Wells, The Jordanaires, Faron Young, Ferlin Husky, Justin Tubb, Stonewall Jackson, and Ray Price, were dismissed from the Grand Ole Opry in 1956. This occurred after they refused to sign a new contract, which required them to appear on the Opry a minimum of 26 weekends per year, at union scale. The dispute was eventually resolved.
Wanda Jackson wrote, "Kickin' Our Hearts Around," and Buck Owens recorded it 1961.
Ty England, guitarist/vocals/session musician, born Oklahoma City, OK 1963.
Gary Allan, singer/songwriter/guitarist, born Gary Allan Herzberg, in Montebello, California 1967.
Buck Owens recorded "Sweet Rosie Jones" 1967.
Molly O'Day, age 64, died in Virginia from cancer 1987.
Harold Westcott "Pappy" Daily, age 85, music executive, died 1987.
Epic released Joe Diffie's album "Life's So Funny" 1995.
Wilf Carter a.k.a. Montana Slim, died in Scottsdale, AZ 1996.
T Bone Burnett's "O Brother Where Art Thou" soundtrack was released 2000.
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Hugh Farr, "Sons of the Pioneers," born Llano, TX 1903.
Jim Eanes, Bluegrass singer/guitarist, born Mountain Valley, VA 1923.
Ernest Tubb's first single for Bluebird Records released 1936.
Helen Cornelius born Helen Cornelius Johnson, Hannibal, MO 1941.
Spike Jones and his Orchestra, presented the "Musical Depreciation Revue," from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium 1946.
Roy Acuff left Columbia Records 1952.
Eddy Arnold's single "I'd Trade All of My Tomorrow's" charted 1952.
Tish Hinojosa, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, born San Antonio, TX 1955.
Bill Lloyd, "Foster & Lloyd," born Ft. Hood, TX 1955.
Carl Smith and June Carter were divorced 1956.
Tex Ritter inducted CMHF 1964.
Ronnie Milsap's "Smokey Mountain Rain," topped the charts 1980.
Roy Orbison, age 52, died in Hendersonville, TN 1988.
Johnny Cash was released from a drug treatment center 1989.
Garth and Sandy Brooks were divorced in 2000.
Rebecca Lynn Howard made a guest appearance on NBC's "Providence" 2002.
Vince Gill and wife Amy Grant, debuted the latest version of their annual "Simply Christmas" tour 2004. The concert in San Antonio, Texas, was broadcast live to U.S. troops in Baghdad.
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Jack Taylor, "The Prarie Ramblers, born Summershade, KY 1901.
Thomas Hoyt "Slim" Bryant, singer/songwriter, born Atlanta, GA 1908.
Kenneth Maddox, of "Maddox Brothers & Rose" born Boaz, AL 1922.
Boyd Bennett, Rockabilly/vocals/bass, born Muscle Shoals, AL 1924.
Bobby Osborne, Opry member, born Hayden, KY 1931.
Darrell Glenn born Waco, TX 1935.
Minnie Pearl joined the Grand Ole Opry 1940.
Gary Morris born Fort Worth, TX 1948.
Ronnie Sessions, born Henrietta, OK 1948.
Jim Reeves' single "He'll Have To Go" charted 1959.
June Carter performed for the first time on the Johnny Cash Show in Dallas, TX 1961.
Stonewall Jackson's single "B.J. the D.J." charted 1963.
Bill Boyd, age 67, Western Swing/vocals/guitar died 1977. Inducted Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame.
Folk singer/songwriter/guitarist, Harry Chapin, age 38, died in a car wreck 1981.
Reba McEntire's single "For My Broken Heart," topped the charts 1991. This was Reba's 15th #1.
The opening act for the 1998 Billboard Music Awards Show was supposed to be Madonna. Sickness caused her to cancel, and she was replaced by Garth Brooks, and Chris Gaines.
Gary Allan's album "Smoke Rings In The Dark" certified platinum 2001.
Shania Twain's album "Up" debuted on the charts at #1 in 2002.
The Country Music Association donated $100.000 to various charities during a ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2004.
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Jack Stapp born Nashville, TN 1912. CMHF 1989.
Irving Waugh, radio and television executive, born Danville, VA 1912.
Floyd Tilman born Ryan, Ok 1914. Inducted NSHF 1970, CMHF 1984.
George D. Hay used the phrase "Grand Ole Opry" for the first time, when introducing the show to the radio audience in 1928.
Earl Scruggs made his debut as the newest member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, on stage at the Ryman Auditorium in 1945.
Moon Mullican recorded "Cherokee Boogie" 1950.
The "East Texas Hillbilly Jamboree," debuted on KFRO in Longview, TX 1953.
Dave Rich joined the Louisiana Hayride 1956.
Tex Williams released "You Rocked When You Shoulda' Rolled," 1958.
Marty Raybon, born Stanford, FL 1959.
Ray Charles' single "Your Cheating Heart" charted 1962.
Flatt & Scruggs and Merle Travis played to a full house at Carnegie Hall in 1962.
Asylum released the Eagles album "Hotel California" 1976.
Marty Robbins died in Nashville, TN in 1982, after suffering a heart attack. Marty was a member of The Grand Ole Opry/Movie and TV actor/NASCAR Driver. Inducted CMHF 1982. NSHF 1975.
Slim Pickens "Clyde Wilson," died in 1983.
Chet Atkins released his double-album CD "Chester & Lester/Guitar Monsters" 1998.
Shania Twain's album "Greatest Hits" tops the charts 2004.
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Billy Ed Wheeler born Whitesville, VA 1932.
Red Foley recorded "Old Shep" 1935.
David Houston, born Bossier City, LA 1938.
Dan Hicks, singer/guitarist, born Little Rock, AR 1941.
Hill and Range Songs, Inc., Music Publishers, established NYC 1944.
Eddy Arnold's single "Prison Without Walls" charted 1950.
Sylvia born "Sylvia Jane Kirby," Kokomo, IN 1956.
Merle Haggard recorded "Silver Wings," and "Hungry Eyes," 1968.
David Kersh born in Humble, TX 1970.
Tommy Jackson, age 53, fiddle virtuoso/session musician, died Nashville, TN 1979.
Garth Brooks' single "If Tomorrow Never Comes" became his first career #1 in 1989.
Johnny Cash appeared on Larry King Live 1996.
Faron Young, age 64, shot himself in the head, at his home in Nashville 1996. He died in the hospital, the following day.
Rural Rhythm Records released Hylo Brown's "20 Old Time Favorites" 1997.
Gary Allan's single "Nothing On But The Radio" topped the charts 2004.
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Eddie Miller, songwriter, born Camargo, OK 1919.
The WSM Barn Dance was renamed The Grand Ole Opry in 1927.
The "Sagebrush Roundup," debuted on WMMN in Fairmont, WV 1938.
Johnny Rodriquez born Sabinal, TX 1951.
Johnny Cash debuted on the Louisiana Hayride 1955.
Donny Osmond made his debut with the Osmonds, on NBC-TV's Andy Williams Show 1963.
Tammy Wynette debuted on the charts with "Apartment No. 9" 1966.
Bill Cox, the "Dixie Songbird" died 1968.
Kevin Sharp born Weiser, ID 1970.
Charlie Rich's "The Most Beautiful Girl" was certified gold 1973.
John Anderson debuted on the charts with "I Got A Feelin'," 1977.
Dolly Parton's single "Here You Come Again" topped the charts 1977.
Jimmie Riddle, age 64, "Smokey Mountain Boys," died Nashville, TN 1982.
Clint Black and Randy Travis won multiple awards at the Billboard Music Awards Show 1990.
John Duffey, age 62, of "Seldom Seen" died of a heart attack 1996.
Reba McEntire resumed her touring schedule in San Jose, California after recovering from minor knee surgery. Reba was injured while skiing in Utah, 1996.
Faron Young, age 64, died in 1996 as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, sustained the previous day in Nashville. As per his request, Faron was cremated, and his ashes spread over Old Hickory Lake, near the Cash residence. Inducted CMHF 2000.
Brett Warren of the Warren Brothers, and wife Raquel, welcomed their first child Cole Daniel Warren to the family 1999.
The Dixie Chicks NBC-TV special "An Evening With The Dixie Chicks" was aired 2002.
The 2003 Billboard Music Awards were held in Las Vegas. Shania Twain was awarded "Top Country Artist and Country Album of the Year for UP!" The Dixie Chicks were nominated in four categories, however they won none.
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Arthur Q. Smith, songwriter, born "James Arthur Pickett" Griffin, GA 1909.
Cousin Jody "James Summey," born Sevierville, TN 1914.
Dollie Good, born "Dorothy Goad," "Girls of the Golden West," Mount Carmel, IL 1915.
Tom Brumley, steel guitarist, born Powell, MO 1935.
Brenda Lee, born "Brenda Mae Tarpley," Atlanta, Ga., 1944. Inducted CMHF 1997.
Tony Brown, record producer/songwriter/piano, born Greensboro, NC 1946.
Fiddlin' John Carson, age 80, 20's recording artist, died 1949.
Butch Baldassari, Bluegrass/mandolin/guitar, born 1952.
Red Foley released "Hearts of Stone,"/"Never," 1954.
June Carter married Edwin Nix 1957.
Jerry Lee Lewis married his third wife Myra Gail Brown, while still married to his second wife, Jane Mitcham in 1957. Myra, was his 13 year old cousin, and the marriage almost ended the Killer's career. Jane Mitcham was the mother of Jerry Lee's first child, Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. Jerry Lee married Jane Mitcham in 1954, while he was still married to first wife Dorothy Barton.
Tex Ritter, and the plane that he was a passenger on, were hijacked to Cuba in 1968.
Loretta Lynn debuted on the TV series "Fantasy Island" 1982.
Lee Ann Womack performed at the Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway in 2000.
Scotty Moore, Elvis Presley's lead guitar player, was hospitalized in critical condition, after brain surgery in a Nashville hospital 2003.
Tim McGraw headlined the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize concert in Oslo, Norway.
Gary Allan's single "Nothing On But The Radio" topped the charts 2004.
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Allen Massey, of "Louise Massey & the Westerners" born in Texas 1907.
Reggie Young, session guitarist, born Caruthersville, MO 1936.
La Costa, Tanya Tucker's older sister, born Seminole, TX 1951.
Johnny Cash suggested to Carl Perkins that "Blue Suede Shoes" would be a great title for a song 1955.
Leon "Abner" Weaver, age 76, of "The Weaver Brothers & Elviry" died 1962.
Dolly Parton's "Joshua," debuted on the charts 1970.
Buck Owens recorded "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" 1970.
George and Norma Strait were married twice this month in 1971. Once in Mexico and once in Pearsall, Texas in front of their parents.
Hank Williams III, the son of Hank Jr., born Houston, TX 1972.
Elvis made his last Las Vegas appearance at the Las Vegas Hilton in 1976.
Mike Snider and Sabrina "Sweetie" Goodwin were married 1982.
Clifton Chenier of "The King of Zydeco" died 1987.
Johnny Cash was diagnosed with blockage of an artery 1988.
Clint Black was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 1996.
Brooks & Dunn's #1 country hit "Husbands And Wives" crossed over and debuted on the Billboard Top 40 chart 1998.
Col. Robert Morris, Rockabilly and Traditional Country Hall of Fame inductee was born Dec. 12, 1951 in Memphis, TN.
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Ethel Park Richardson, vocalist/autoharp/radio personality, born Decherd, TN 1883.
Eli Oberstein, record company executive, born NYC 1901.
Wesley Tuttle, Capitol Records artist and bandleader, born 1917.
Gospel music pioneer Vestel Goodman was born 1929.
Wayne Walker, songwriter, born Quapaw, OK 1925.
Buck White, founder of The Whites, born in Oklahoma 1930.
Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman married 1934.
Ron Getman "The Tractors," born Bristow, OK 1948.
Randy Owen, Alabama lead singer, born Fort Payne, AL 1949.
Hank Williams had surgery on his spine in 1951. The surgery was the result of an injury he received while hunting in September with Jerry Rivers. The surgery was not successful, and Hank suffered a great deal of pain until his death.
John Anderson born Orlando, FL 1954.
Hank Snow recorded "These Hands" 1955.
Johnny Cash arrested in Starkeville, Mississippi, for picking flowers 1966.
John Denver's hit "Fly Away" charted 1975.
Debby Boone's "You Light Up My Life" album certified platinum 1977.
David Allan Coe and Debbie Pardue were married 1982.
Faith Hill made her debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry 1993.
Kenny Chesney's #1 hit "There Goes My Life" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 in 2003.
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James D. Vaughan, country gospel songwriter/publisher, born Giles County, TN 1864.
DeFord Bailey, pioneer member Grand Ole Opry, born Smith County, TN 1899.
Charlie Rich, born Forest City, AR 1932.
Ernest Tubb recorded "Seaman's Blues" 1947.
Flatt & Scruggs released "Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms," 1951.
Ray Charles single "I'm Movin' On" charted 1959.
Jimmy Dean's "Big Bad John" was certified gold 1961. This was the first ever country single to be certified gold by the RIAA, (Recording Industry Association of America.)
Matt Rollings, award winning keyboard session player/songwriter, born Bridgeport, CT 1964.
Howard Ragsdale, age 62, "The Fruit Jar Drinkers," died 1966.
Lorrie Morgan, age 14, debuted on the Opry 1973.
Jesse Rodgers, age 62, singer, cousin of Jimmie Rodgers, died 1973.
Jimmy Buffett's "Changes in Latitudes" certified gold by the RIAA, 1977.
Tommy Brasfield, songwriter, died 1989.
EMI released Glen Campbell's album "Capitol Years: 1965-1977" in 1999.
Troy Gentry of "Montgomery Gentry" married Angie McClure in Maui, 1999.
Bear Family released Lester Flatt's album "Flatt on Victor Plus More" 1999.
Arch Kelley, Wynonna's ex-husband was sentenced to fifty days in jail, for violating the terms of their divorce agreement. (He discussed the details of the settlement with the press.) Arch posted a $50,000 bond, and was released pending an appeal.
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A. P. Carter born Maces Springs, VA 1891.
Nudie the Tailor, born Kiev, Ukraine 1902.
Kenneth Pitts, fiddler, born in Arizona 1913.
Lynn Davis, singer, guitarist, born Johnson County, KY 1914. Lynn Davis and Molly O'Day were married in 1941.
Red River Dave, singer/songwriter/ born Dave McEnery in San Antonio, TX 1914.
Mitchell Burt Lilly, of "The Lilly Brothers" born Clear Creek, WV 1921.
Ernie Ashworth, a.k.a. "Billy Worth," singer/songwriter, born Huntsville, AL 1928. Member Grand Ole Opry.
Jerry Wallace born Guilford, MO 1928.
Hank Williams, age 19, and Audrey Sheppard Guy, were married in a gas station in Andalusia, AL in 1944.
Randy Parton born Sevierville, TN 1955.
The Everly Brothers recorded "Let It Be Me" 1959.
Skeeter Davis was fired from the Opry in 1973. Davis expressed her rage, and editorialized to the Opry radio audience, her support for the protesters she observed being arrested on her way to the Ryman Auditorium earlier that evening. She was reinstated as an Opry member eighteen months later.
Joey Castle, a.k.a. Cliff Rivers, Rockabilly vocals, died of cancer 1978.
Alan Jackson married wife Denise in Newnan, GA 1979. After a brief separation and reconciliation in 1998, they renewed their vows on their nineteenth anniversary, on December 15th.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton released a holiday duet album, "Once Upon a Christmas," 1984.
Tiny Moore, age 67, died 1987.
Shell Point released Larry Cordle's album "Murder on Music Row" 1999.
Garth Brooks on the Crook & Chase show on TNN, announced he would retire the following year in 2000.
David Ball's "Riding With Private Malone" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 2001.
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Robert Gardner of "Mac & Bob" born Oliver Springs, TN 1897.
Joe Zinkan, multi-instrumentalist/back-up singer/session player, born Indianapolis, IN 1918.
Shelby Singleton, recording executive/record producer, born Waskom, TX 1932.
Jim Glaser, singer/songwriter, born Spalding, NE 1937.
Molly O'Day's first recording session for Columbia 1946.
Ernest Tubb recorded "Waiting For A Train" 1947.
Hank Snow recorded "I Don't Hurt Anymore" 1953.
Jeff Carson, singer/songwriter, born Tulsa, OK 1964.
Don Williams debuted on the charts with "The Shelter Of Your Eyes," 1972.
Jenny Lou Carson "Lucille Overstake," age 63, died in 1978.
Johnny Cash was hospitalized in Nashville, for a bleeding ulcer 1983.
Si Siman, age 73, entertainment executive/producer/promoter died 1994.
Keith Gattis' first album "Keith Gattis," released by RCA in 1996.
Nicolette Larson, age 45, recording artist, died of liver failure 1997.
Kenny Chesney's single "I Lost It" with Pam Tillis singing back-up, charted in 2000.
Sara Evans #1 country hit "Born To Fly" crossed over on Billboard's Top 40 in 2000.
During Brad Paisley's 36th guest appearance on the
Grand Ole Opry, Little Jimmy Dickens, and Jeannie Sealy, extended an invitation to Brad to join the Grand Ole Opry in 2000. Brad cried, said yes, and Mr. Acuff smiled down from heaven. Brad was inducted on February 17th, 2001.
Stuart Adamson, age 43, singer/songwriter/guitarist, was found dead in his Hawaii hotel room 2001. Adamson, was reported missing from his Nashville residence on November 7th. The cause of death was alcohol related.
Wynonna Judd pled guilty to Drunk Driving in a Nashville Court 2003. She lost her driving privileges for one year, and was sentenced to perform 200 hours of community service. In addition, she was sentenced to serve eleven months and twenty-nine days in jail. The jail time was suspended, and she will serve that time on probation. After paying $350.00 in fines and court costs Wynonna was released.
Suzy Boggus appeared in concert at Nashville's Belcourt Theater in 2004. This show was part of her Holiday Tour.
Martha Carson, age 83, died in Nashville 2004. Martha became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1952.
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Dallas Jones, of the "Leake County Revelers" born 1889.
Karl Victor Davis of the Cumberland Ridge Runners, and WLS's National Barn Dance, born Mt. Vernon, KY 1905.
Spade Cooley, west coast superstar, born Grand, OK 1910.
Frankie Miller, singer/songwriter/recording artist, born Victoria, TX 1930.
Nat Stuckey born Cass County, TX 1933.
Sharon White of "The Whites," born Wichita Falls, TX 1953.
Roy Husky Jr., session musician/ bassist, born Nashville, TN 1956.
Marty Robbins released "Knee Deep In The Blues/The Same Two Lips," 1956.
Patsy Cline recorded "She's Got You," for Decca 1961. This was her second #1 single,
and her last.
Duane Propes "Little Texas," born Longview, TX 1966.
Tracy Byrd born Vidor, TX 1966.
Merle Haggard's first #1 single "The Fugitive," written by Liz Anderson, was released 1966.
The Judds made their final TV appearance 1990. Naomi retired a short time later for health reasons.
Herman Harper "Carol Lee Singers," died 1993.
Rex Allen Sr., age 77, the Arizona Cowboy, died 1999. The singer/actor was accidentally killed in
Tucson, AZ when his caregiver ran over him with a car.
Doug Stone was onboard a commercial airplane that crash-landed at Chicago's O'Hare Field in 1999. American Airlines flight 1243 skidded off the runway, and into a ditch. Stone was not injured in the incident.
Harold "Dusty" Rhodes, age 89, died in Los Angeles in 2000. Rhodes was the inventor of the electric piano.
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Wilf Carter, a.k.a. Montana Slim, vocals/guitarist born Port Hilford, Nova Scotia, Canada 1904.
Joe Galante, record executive, born Queens, NY 1949.
Hometown Jamboree debuted on Southern California TV 1949. The final broadcast aired
9-12-1959.
Elvis Presley recorded "Milkcow Blues Boogie/You're A Heartbreaker" for Sun 1954.
Pee Wee King debuted his weekly TV show on WBBM Chicago 1954.
Justin Tubb recorded "I Gotta Go Get My Baby" 1954.
Cledus T. Judd "James Barry Poole," born Crowe Springs, GA 1964.
British singer/songwriter, Kristy MacColl, age 41, was run over by a speedboat and killed in 2000. The accident occurred in Mexico.
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Bill Carlisle, born Wakefield, KY 1908. Grand Ole Opry member. Inducted CMHF 2002.
Little Jimmy Dickens, born James Cecil Dickens, Bolt, WV 1920. Member Grand Ole Opry. Inducted CMHF 1983.
Uncle Dave Macon debuted on WSM in 1925.
John McEuen "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band," born in California 1945.
Janie Fricke born "Jane Frickie," near South Whitney, IN 1947.
Hank Williams played the last show of his career at Austin's "Skyline Club" 1952. Hank worked the show as a single (without his band.) University of Texas student, Justin Tubb was in the audience, and met Hank backstage after the show. Hank died a few days later.
Hank Locklin's "Let Me Be The One," topped the charts 1953.
Marty Robbins released "Tennessee Toddy/Mean Mama Blues" 1955.
Sammi Smith's "Help Me Make It Through The Night," charted 1970.
Lynn Anderson's #1 single "Rose Garden" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 1970.
Dolly Parton's movie "9 to 5" premiered in 1980.
Johnny Paycheck shot a man in Hillsboro, OH 1985. He served two years in an Ohio prison, prior to being pardoned by the Governor of Ohio.
David Cobb, WSM deejay and Grand Ole Opry announcer, died 1988.
Johnny Cash was hospitalized, and heart bypass surgery was performed at Baptist Hospital in Nashville 1988.
Terri Clark's #1 hit "You're Easy On The Eyes" charted on Billboard's Top 40 in 1998.
Marion Worth, age 64, died Nashville, TN 1999. Member Grand Ole Opry.
Roebuck "Pops" Staples, age 84, member of the gospel group "The Staples Singers," died in 2000, as the result of a fall.
Waylon Jennings' left foot was amputated in Phoenix, AZ 2001.
Areta McReynolds, wife of Grand Ole Opry star Jim McReynolds, died from a heart attack in 2002.
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George Cooper Jr., president Local 257 American Federation of Musicians (Nashville,) born Nashville, TN 1897.
Evelyn Overstake of "The Three Little Maids" born Decatur, IL 1914.
Charles "Skeeter" Willis of "The Willis Brothers" born Colton, OK 1917.
Bill Keith, banjo player, born Boston, MA 1939.
Michael Hurley, a.k.a. Doc Snock, born in Pennsylvania, 1941.
Hank Williams released "Rootie Tootie,"/"My Sweet Love Ain't Around," 1947.
Lefty Frizzell debuted on the Opry in 1950.
Rob Hajacos, session musician, born Richmond, VA 1956.
Marty Robbins' "El Paso," topped the charts 1959.
Johnny Horton's "Battle of New Orleans" went gold 1966.
Ernest Tubb recorded "Saturday Satan, Sunday Saint" 1968.
Jack Stapp, age 68, died in Nashville, TN 1980. Jack was program director at WSM for eighteen years, and founded Tree Publishing Co. Inducted CMHF 1989.
Don Law, producer, died La Marque, TX 1982.
Johnny Cash was admitted to the Betty Ford Center 1983.
Randy Travis joined the Opry 1986.
Garth Brooks' "Longneck Bottle" topped the charts 1997.
Hank Snow, age 85, died 1999. Member Grand Ole Opry. Inducted CMHF 1979. Member Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
Eddy Arnold was awarded the National Medal of the Arts 2000.
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Vito Pellettieri, the Grand Ole Opry's first Stage Manager, born 1889.
Lightin' Chance, born "Floyd Taylor Chance" Como, MS 1925. Opry staff musician/session bassist.
Freddie Hart, born "Frederick Segrest," Lockapoke, AL 1926.
Albert Lee, guitarist/session musician, born Herefordshire, England 1943.
Danny Dill and Annie Lou were married 1945.
Hank Williams recorded "Cold, Cold Heart," 1950.
Lee Roy Parnell, born Abilene, TX 1956.
Conway Twitty released "Lonely Blue Boy," 1959.
Christy Forester born Fort Oglethorpe, GA 1962.
Tom T. Hall recorded "The Monkey That Became President" 1971.
Tom T. Hall recorded "Faster Horses" 1975.
"The Electric Horseman," featuring Robert Redford and Willie Nelson premiered 1979.
John Jacob Bailes, age 71, of the Bailes Brothers died 1989.
Shania Twain married Robert John "Mutt" Lange, record producer, 1993
Harold Morrison, age 62, The Smoking Bluegrass, died 1993.
Mack Vickery, age 66, singer/songwriter, died Nashville, TN 2004. Inducted Alabama Music Hall of Fame 2003. Mack recorded under the names; Atlanta James, Vick Vickers, and Mack Vickery.
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Aunt Molly Jackson, singer/songwriter, born Mary Magdalene Garland, Clay County, KY 1880.
Hawkshaw Hawkins born "Harold Franklin Hawkins," Huntington, WV 1921.
Red Stegall born Gainesville, TX 1937.
Hank Williams recorded "Lovesick Blues," 1948.
Johnny Cash released "Train of Love,"/"There You Go," 1956.
Charles Lynn Mead, "BR5-49," born Nevada, MO 1960.
Paul Martin of "Exile," born Winchester, KY 1962.
Delaney Katharine McBride, daughter of John and Martina, born 1994.
Johnny Wakley, singer/songwriter, age 57, died from liver disease 2001. He was the son of Jimmy Wakley.
Dave Dudley, age 75, died of a heart attack 2003.
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Buddy Harmon, session drummer, born Nashville, TN 1928.
Buck Owens recorded "Excuse Me I Think I've Got A Heartache/Above And Beyond," 1959.
Marty Robbins released "Don't Worry/Like All The Other Times" 1960.
Jack Greene joined the Grand Ole Opry 1967.
Merle Haggard recorded "The Fightin' Side of Me," 1969.
Johnny Cash's "The World of Johnny Cash" certified gold 1971.
Ray Cash, age 85, father of Johnny Cash, died 1985.
Funeral services were open to the public as the Grand Ole Opry house hosted Hank Snow's final public appearance. Hank, age 85, died on December 20, 1999. The service was televised.
Alison Krauss' album "So Wrong, So Long" certified gold 1997.
Calvin Crawford, age 68, died in Nashville 1999 from cancer. Calvin played Bass guitar for Little Jimmie Dickens for 19 years.
Mercury Records' "O Brother Where Art Thou?" movie soundtrack debuted on the charts 2000.
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Lulu Belle of "Lulu Belle and Scotty," born Boone, NC 1913.
Mary Jane DeZurick, of the Cackle Sisters born 1917.
Gospel music pioneer Jake Hess born 1927.
Stoney Edwards singer/songwriter/musician, born Seminole, OK 1929.
Gene Autry recorded his hit "Mexicali Rose" 1935.
Mike Curb, born Savannah, GA 1944.
Marty Robbins released "Sometimes I'm Tempted/I Told The Brook" 1961.
Willie Nelson's home in Nashville destroyed by fire 1969.
Jimmy Dickens and Mona Evans were married 1971.
Alan Jackson, age 20, asked his future bride Denise, age 18, to marry him 1978. The couple were married on December 15, 1979, in Newnan, Georgia.
Charlie Moore, age 44, Bluegrass singer-songwriter died in 1979.
Deborah Allen's single "Baby I Lied" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 1983.
George Strait's "The Chair," topped the charts 1985.
Keith Whitley's "When You Say Nothing At All" went to #1 1988.
The new "Johnny Cash.com," debuted 2002.
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Buddy Jones, recording artist/police officer, born Asheville, NC 1906. At the completion of his
recording career, Jones worked as a police officer in Shreveport, LA until his death in 1956.
Alton Delmore, born Elkmont, AL 1908.
Curly Sechler, singer/songwriter/musician, born China Grove, NC 1919.
Roy Acuff and Mildred Douglas were married in Middlesboro, KY 1936.
Jimmy Buffett, singer/songwriter, born 'James William Buffett,' Pascagoula, MS 1946.
Barbara Mandrell, "The Sweetheart of Steel," born Houston, TX 1948.
Steve Wariner born Noblesville, IN 1954.
Sixteen-year-old Priscilla Beaulieu spent Christmas at Graceland 1960.
Kimber Clayton, songwriter, born Montgomery, AL 1964.
The Osborne Brothers' "Rocky Top" charted 1967.
George Jones and Tammy Wynette's duet "Take Me," charted 1971.
The Gatlins joined the Grand Ole Opry 1976.
Alecia Elliott born Muscle Shoals, AL 1982.
Roger Bowling, age 39, songwriter, died in Wiley, GA 1982.
In 1982, three armed subjects wearing nylon stocking over their heads invaded Johnny Cash's
home in Jamaica. The Cash family and their guests, were terrorized and robbed. Before leaving
the robbers locked everyone in the basement of the home. The three men were later shot and
killed by Jamaican authorities.
Billy Nelson, age 33, son of Willie Nelson, hung himself on Christmas Day 1991.
Bear Family released Little Jimmy Dickens' "Country Boy" album 1997.
Denver Pyle, "Uncle Jesse Duke" of The Dukes of Hazzard died 1997.
Bear Family Records released Charline Arthur's "Welcome To The Club" 1998.
Bryan MacLean, age 52, died 1998. Bryan wrote Patty Loveless' hit "Don't Throw Us Away."
Hazel McCoury, age 92, mother of Del McCoury, died 2002.
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"Bashful Brother Oswald," Beecher Ray "Pete" Kirby, born Sevier County, TN 1911.
Harry Choates, fiddler/songwriter/singer " born Rayne, LA 1922.
Ronnie Prophet born Calument, Quebec, Canada 1938.
Rattlesnake Annie born Ashville, NC 1941.
Bob Carpenter, "Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" born Philadelphia, PA 1946.
The KWTO "Ozark Jubilee" debuted Springfield, MO 1953.
Alan O'Bryant, "Nashville Bluegrass Band," born Reidsville, NC 1955.
Jimmie Osborne, age 34, "The Kentucky Folk Singer, " took his own life 1957.
Travis Lewis, of "The Lewis Family" born Greenwood, SC 1958.
Jay Farrar of "Uncle Tupelo" born Belleville, IL 1966.
Buck Owens released "Where Does The Good Times Go/The Way That I Love You" 1966.
Audrey Wiggins, of "John & Audrey Wiggins" born Ashville, NC 1967.
Marty Robbins released "Tonight Carmen/Girl with Gardenias in Her Hair" 1967.
Lynn Anderson's "Rose Garden" topped the charts 1970.
George Jones & Tammy Wynette's first duet "Take Me," charted 1971.
Joe Attlesey, age 69, of "The Shelton Brothers" died 1980.
Jimmy Arnold, age 40, Traditional Bluegrass/vocals/fiddle/guitar/harmonica, died 1992.
Johnny Hathcock, age 81, songwriter, died in Amarillo, TX 2000.
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Scotty Moore, guitarist, born Gadsden, TN 1931.
Tracy Nelson singer/daughter of Rick Nelson, born French Camp, CA 1944.
Les Taylor "Exile," born Oneida, KY 1948.
The "Marshall Jamboree," debuted on KMHT in Marshall, TX 1952. The emcee was T. Tommy Cutrer.
Marty Robbins released "That's All Right/Gossip" 1954.
Jeffery Park Bryant, "Ricochet," born Pecos, TX 1962.
Merle Haggard's "Sing A Sad Song," charted 1963.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens' album "Open Up Your Heart" 1966.
Bob Luman, age 41, died in Nashville, TN 1978.
Vestal Goodman, age 74, gospel music pioneer, died while on vacation in Orlando, FL 2003. The cause of death was the flu.
Hank Garland, age74, artist/session guitarist, died Orange Park, FL 2004.
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Dorsey Burnette, Rockabilly singer/songwriter/bassist, born Memphis, TN 1932.
Joe Diffie, singer/songwriter/guitarist, born Tulsa, OK 1958.
Mike McGuire, drummer, "Shenandoah," born Haleyville, AL 1958.
Bill Anderson's "That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome" charted 1958.
Bobby Bare's single "The All American Boy" charted 1958.
Chet Atkins released "One Mint Julep," and "Teensville," 1959.
Marty Roe, "Diamond Rio," born Lebanon, OH 1960.
Marcus Hummon, singer/songwriter, born 1960.
Merle Haggard's first # 1 record "Sing A Sad Song" debuted on the charts 1963.
Hank Williams Jr., age 14, had his first MGM recording session 1963.
Buck Owens released "I've Got A Tiger By The Tail/Cryin' Time" 1964.
Johnny Cash appeared in court in El Paso, Texas in regard to drug charges 1965.
Tex Ritter made his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry 1973.
Marty Stuart's' single "Arlene" became his first chart record 1985.
Billy Ray Cyrus and Letica Finley were married 1993.
Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter had an estate sale in Brentwood, TN 2000.
Brian Prout, Diamond Rio drummer, and Stephanie Bentley, co-writer of "Breathe," were married 2001.
Eja D'Angelo, son of Shania Twain and husband Mutt Lange, was born 2001.
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Rose Lee Maphis born Baltimore, MD 1922.
Ed Bruce, born "William Edwin Bruce," Keiser, AR 1940.
Gene Autry's "Don't Live A Lie' charted 1945.
Ernest Tubb recorded "I Love You Because," 1949.
Lefty Frizzell's "If You've Got The Money Honey I've Got The Time," topped the charts 1950.
Buddy Knox released "Party Doll," 1956.
The Grand Ole Opry presented a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall, for the Musicians Aid Society 1961.
Glen Campbell's "Kentucky Means Paradise," charted 1962.
Buck Owens recorded "Gonna Have Love," for Capitol 1964.
Jessica Andrews, singer/songwriter, born Huntingdon, TN 1983.
John Michael Montgomery broke his right leg while hunting 2000. Surgeons at a Lexington, KY Hospital successfully operated on the compound fracture.
Alan Jackson's "Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning" went to #1 2001.
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Joaquin Murphey, steel guitarist, born Hollywood, CA 1923.
Bob Ferguson, producer/singer/songwriter, born Willow Springs, MO 1927.
Richard Wagstaff Clark, a.k.a. Dick Clark, host of American Bandstand, born Mount Vernon, NY 1929.
Skeeter Davis, born "Mary Frances Penick," Dry Ridge, Ky. 1931.
Melvin Ray Goins, of the "Lonesome Pine Fiddlers" born Bramwell, WV 1933.
John Hartford, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist, born New York, NY 1937.
Mike Auldridge, Bluegrass/multi-instrumentalist, born Washington, D.C. 1938.
Bob Wills and The Texas Playboys debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1944.
Red Foley released "Hot Rod Race"/"Smoke On The Water No. 2" 1950.
Suzy Bogguss born Susan Kay Bogguss, Aledo, IL 1956.
Don Gibson released "Oh Lonesome Me"/"I Can't Stop Loving You" 1957.
Don Henry, songwriter, born San Jose, CA 1959.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens' album "I've Got You On My Mind Again" 1968.
Elsie McWilliams, co-writer of some Jimmy Rodgers songs, died in Meridian, MS 1985.
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Rosa Lola Lee "Rose" Carter, "The Chuck Wagon Gang," born Snyder, OK 1914.
Rex Allen, last of the Hollywood singing cowboys, born Wilcox, AZ 1920.
Dale Noe, songwriter/guitarist, born New Boston, OH 1927.
Fred Carter Jr., session musician, born Winnsboro, LA 1933.
A dispute between the radio networks, and ASCAP, "the American Society of Composers and Publishers" resulted in the radio industry being prevented from playing any ASCAP- licensed music in 1940. The ban lasted for ten months.
John Denver born John Henry Deutschendorf, Jr., Roswell, NM 1943.
Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were married 1947.
Hank Williams got very drunk at a New Years Eve party in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1951. He fired a few shots at wife Audrey, and as a result…Audrey divorced him for the second time.
Marty Robbins released "Tennessee Toddy,"/"Mean Mama Blues," 1955.
Jeff Johnson, bassist, born Nashville, TN 1959.
Merle Kilgore moved to Nashville, from Shreveport, 1961.
Marty Robbins released "It's a Sin/I Feel Another Heartbreak Coming On" 1968.
Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner Daughter," charted 1970.
Rick Nelson, age 45, his fiancee Helen Blair, and all of the members of Rick's "Stone Canyon Band," were killed in a plane crash near DeKalb, TX 1985.
Garth Brooks released his "The Hits" CD 1994. The album sold over ten million copies. Since that release, Garth and Chris Gaines have retired approximately four times.
Kenny Rogers proposed to his girlfriend, Wanda Miller, on stage during a concert in Las Vegas 1996. She said yes.
Floyd Cramer, age 64, record producer/piano/session musician, died at his home in Nashville 1997. Inducted CMHF 2003.
Eddy Shaver, age 38, guitarist, died on New Years Eve 2000, after an accidental heroin overdose. Eddy was the son of country music legend Billy Joe Shaver.
The Old Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum closed its doors for the last time in 2000. Staffers then moved the priceless artifacts to the beautiful new facility in downtown Nashville. The Hall opened again for business on May 17, 2001. If you remember when country music, really was country music, and you loved it, you MUST see what the keepers of our treasured memories have accomplished. You will not be disappointed.
Grand Ole Opry star Charlie Louvin, injured in a car wreck on New Years Eve 2001. Louvin suffered broken ribs, a concussion, and a cracked breastbone.
Marie Hartford, age 67, died in Nashville from lung cancer in 2001. Marie was the widow of John Hartford.
Jim McReynolds, age 75, "Jim & Jesse," died in Galatin, TN 2002.
Kenny Chesney's "When The Sun Goes Down" was Country Music's #1 album for 2004. It closed out the year with over 3,000,000 sales, and spent 14 weeks at the top of the charts.
