Compiled by Bill Morrison - billmorrison2002@hotmail.com

ABBREVIATIONS       

 

ACM:                Academy Of Country Music

ASCAP:            American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers

BMI:                 Broadcast Music Incorporated--collects and disperses royalties
circa (ca)          Approximate date

CMDJHF:          Country Music D. J. Hall Of Fame

CCMA:              Canadian Country Music Association

CCMAHF:         Canadian Country Music Assoc. Hall of Fame

CMA:                Country Music Association

CMDJHF:          Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame

CMF:                Country Music Foundation

CMHF:              Country Music Hall of Fame

CMT:                Country Music Television

CRB:                Country Radio Broadcasters

CWM:               Country Weekly Magazine

GAC:                Great American Country cable TV home of the Grand Ole Opry

IBMA:               International Bluegrass Music Association

IBMAHF:           International Bluegrass Music Association Hall of Fame

IFCO:               International Fan Club Organization (Nashville based)

NARAS:            Music Industry group that presents the Grammy Awards

NSF:                 Nashville Songwriters Foundation

NSAI:               Nashville Songwriters Association   International

NSHF:              Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

RHOF:              Rockabilly Hall of Fame

RIAA:               Recording Industry Association of America

R.O.P.E:           Reunion of Professional Entertainers

R&RHF:            Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

SGHF               Steel Guitar Hall of Fame

SGMA:             Southern Gospel Music Association

Texas CMHF:    Texas Country Music Hall of Fame

WSM:               650 WSM-AM Radio, home of the Grand Ole Opry

 

"February"

 

-1-

 

1917 - Mary Jane DeZurik 1917-1981, of the "DeZurik Sisters," and the "Cackle Sisters" was born in Royalton, Minnesota. Member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1932 - Joe Hannah, of the "Sons of the San Joaquin" born in Marshfield, Missouri.

 

1937 - Don Everly was born Isaac Donald Everly in Brownie, Kentucky. Inducted NSHF 2001, CMHF 2001, and the RHOF.

 

1937 - Doctor Hook's Ray Sawyer, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, born in Chicksaw, Alabama.

 

1939 - Delano Floyd "Del" McCoury born in Bakersville, North Carolina.  IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 1996. The Del McCoury Band named IBMA Entertainer of the Year in 1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2002.  IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1996. Joined the Grand Ole Opry October 25, 2003.

 

1960 - Capitol Records released Hank Thompson's self-penned single "A Six Pack to Go." The record made the Top Ten.

 

1960 - Sun Records released Charlie Rich's single "Lonely Weekends." This was The Silver Fox's third Sun release, and it made the Top Thirty on the Pop charts.

 

1960 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "Above and Beyond" b/w "Till These Dreams Come True."  Above and Beyond was recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Harlan Howard wrote the song, Ken Nelson produced the session. Studio personnel included: Buck Owens-vocals & guitar; Don Rich-fiddle; Ralph Mooney-steel guitar; George French, Jr.-piano; Allen Williams-bass; Marion "Pee Wee" Adams-drums. Above and Beyond made the Top Five on the country charts.

 

1965 - Jack Clement left Texas and moved his business headquarters to Nashville. The following year Jack produced Charley Prides first sessions at RCA. Pride's first two hits, "Just Between You and Me," #9 on the charts and "I Know One," #6, were written by Jack Clement. Jack opened his own studio in Nashville in 1970. The Jack Clement Recording Studio was the first 16-track studio in Music City. The name was later changed to the Sound Emporium.

 

1968 - Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' only child, was born at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

1968 - Merle Haggard recorded "Today I Started Loving You Again." The song was released later that same year on Merle's Capitol album "The Legend Of Bonnie & Clyde."

 

1975 - Brenda Lee, Chet Atkins, Johnny Carver, Gordie Tapp and Gunilla Hutton were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1978 - Johnny Cash performed at the Billy Graham Crusade in Las Vegas, Nevada, from the 1^st through the 5^th.

 

1978 - Dolly Parton's RCA single "Here You Come Again" was certified Gold by the RIAA. This record won Dolly a Grammy for best Female Vocal Performance Country.

 

1979 - Julie Roberts, singer, and Mercury recording artist born in Lancaster, South Carolina.

 

1980 - The Eagles Asylum single "Heartache Tonight" was certified Gold by the RIAA. The Eagles album "The Long Run" was certified Gold & Platinum by the same organization. All-in-all a pretty good day, for a really good band.

 

1984 - Crystal Gayle's "The Sound of Goodbye," topped the charts.

 

1990 - The world famous "Jim Halsey Company," merged with the William Morris Agency. Jim Halsey is recognized world wide as an expert in music business matters.

 

1993 - Reba McEntire appeared on the comedy series "Evening Shade" broadcast on the CBS-Television Network.

 

1997 - Raymond Atkins 1927-1997, Dobro, and guitarist, died at the age of 69.

 

2001 - Songwriter John Jarrard, age 47, died in Nashville from diabetes.

 

2005 - Jamie O'Neal performed an invitation only show at the New York City nightspot, Shelly's.

 

2006 - For his first speech after the State of the Union, President Bush chose the former home of country music, Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House. The President spoke to a packed house.

 

-2-

 

1891 - Frank "Cicero" Weaver 1891-1967, of "The Weaver Bros. & Elviry" born in Ozark, Missouri.

 

1900 - Emmett Miller, early recording artist, born in Macon, Georgia. Emmett was the first singer to record "Lovesick Blues," "Anytime," and "Right or Wrong."

 

1902 - Lester McFarland 1902-1984, of "Mac & Bob," born in Gray, Kentucky.

 

1935 - Glenn Barber country, rockabilly, vocals, and guitarist born in Hollis, Oklahoma.

 

1938 - Rusty Kershaw, of "Rusty & Doug" born in Tiel Ridge, Louisiana.

 

1946 - Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida.

 

1959 - David Parmley of the "Bluegrass Cardinals," born in Alameda, California.

 

1961 - Johnny Horton's Columbia Records single "North to Alaska," topped the charts. This song came from the movie soundtrack by the same name. The movie starred the Duke, a.k.a. (John Wayne) for you young whipper-snappers.  John Horton has been dead for 47 years as of this writing, and continues to be ignored by the country music experts that elect the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Music City politics smells as bad as America's jewel in the sun, a.k.a. Washington D.C. John did not live in Nashville, and he chose to remain at the Louisiana Hayride, rather than accept the invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry. If anyone tells you that's not the reason Johnny Horton is not a member of the Hall of Fame, you tell them I said they're a liar.

 

1965 - Ken White, of "New Tradition" born in Louisville, Kentucky.

 

1968 - Jenks "Tex' Carman 1903-1968, singer, and guitarist died at the age of 64.

 

1970 - Susan Raye and Buck Owens Capitol single "We're Gonna Get Together" was released today.

 

1971 - Loretta Lynn, and Bill Anderson were featured guests on "Hee Haw" 1971.

 

1974 - Dolly Parton's RCA Victor single "Jolene" topped the charts. The self-penned tune became Dolly's 2^nd chart topper. Dolly's next four releases also claimed the chart's top spot. They include I Will Always Love You; Please Don't Stop Loving Me (w/Porter Wagoner); Love Is Like A Butterfly; and The Bargain Store. All were written by Dolly.

 

1974 - Tom T. Hall, Sunday Sharpe, Charlie McCoy Johnny Bench, and Ralph Emery were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1977 - The ACM announced the nominees for this years Awards show in California. Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, and Mickey Gilley all received multiple nominations.

 

1978 - Rita Coolidge's A&M single "We're All Alone" was certified Gold by the RIAA. Rita was married to Kris Kristofferson from 1973-1980.

 

1980 - Alabama's hit MDJ single "My Home's In Alabama" charted. This would be the last record released by Alabama on any label other than RCA.

 

1981 - George Strait recorded his first hit record in Nashville. "Unwound" was released by MCA later this year made it to the Top Ten on the charts. The song was written by Dean Dillon. Dean Dillon was inducted into the NSHF in 2002.

 

1985 - Merle Haggard and Janie Fricke's Epic single "A Place To Fall Apart," topped the charts.

 

1986 - Blaine Larsen, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and BNA recording artist, was born in Tacoma, Washington, and raised in California.

 

1987 - The Judd's RCA album "Heartland"  was certified platinum by the RIAA.

 

1988 - Tanya Tucker checked in to the Betty Ford Center today, after years of drug and alcohol abuse.

 

1993 - Willie Nelson and the IRS settled a long-standing dispute in regard to Willie's unpaid taxes. The IRS keeps 3.6 million in property that was seized earlier, and Willie will pay 5.4 million of the unpaid balance of 13.1 million that is owed.

 

1999 - Sony released Johnny Cash's album "16 Biggest Hits."

 

2001 - People Magazine reported that Garth Brooks and ex-wife Sandy are sharing the same ranch in Oklahoma. Sandy and the three daughters, occupy a house trailer, until their new home is completed. Garth lives in a house on the ranch.

 

2001 - Hal Blair 1915-2001, age 85, died in Biggs, California. Blair wrote, "Please Help Me I'm Falling," and "One Has My Name, The Other Has My Heart," among others. Hal was inducted into the NSHF in 2003.

 

2003 - Gary Allan's #1 single "Man To Man" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 2003.

 

2005 - Jimmie Crawford 1935-2005, member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, died at 69.

 

2006 - Louise Certain Scruggs 1927-2006, age 78, wife of Earl Scruggs died at Nashville's Baptist Hospital. Louise managed her husband's career, and was the first female manager in country music history. Louise was awarded the 25^th Annual IFCO Tex Ritter Award in 1999, in recognition of her very successful five decades of artist booking and management. Louise saw Earl for the first time at the Ryman Auditorium.

 

2007 - The 49^th Annual Grammy Awards were presented at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Vince Gill won for Best Male Country Vocal Performance; Carrie Underwood for Best Female Country Vocal; Bryan Sutton & Doc Watson for Best Country Instrumental, Best Country Song was Jesus Take The Wheel; and Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder won the Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.

 

-3-

 

1928 - Jimmie Rodgers released "Blue Yodel."

 

1933 - Betty Foley 1933-1990, daughter of Red Foley, was born in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Berea, Kentucky. Betty recorded two duets with her father on the Decca label. The first "As Far As I'm Concerned" charted in 1954, and topped out at #8. Their 1955 recording of "Satisfied Mind" went to #3. Betty died in 1990 at age 57.

 

1936 - Dave Rich, singer, songwriter, born in Briar Creek, Kentucky.

 

1949 - Linda Hargrove, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist born in Jacksonville, Florida.

 

1950 - Bill Monroe recorded his first session for Decca Records. Bill recorded for Columbia prior

to signing with Decca. His earliest hits were "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" and "Uncle Pen," both in

1945. Bill Monroe and His Blue Grass Boys joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939. Bill was inducted 

into the CMFH in 1970, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.

 

1956 - The Million Dollar Quartet, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis, recorded together at Sun Studio in Memphis. But not really...I was told  that Johnny Cash left the studio before any recording took place that day. I don't know for sure, unfortunately, I wasn't there to watch.

 

1959 - J.P. Richardson a.k.a. "The Big Bopper" 1930-1959, age 28, died in a plane crash with Buddy Holly and Richie Valens. Richardson wrote White Lightnin' for George Jones, and Johnny Preston's "Running Bear."

 

1959 - Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper, and Richie Valens, were killed in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. Waylon Jennings, bass player for Buddy Holly, gave his seat on the plane to The Big Bopper, due to the Bopper's illness. Waylon's kindness saved his own life, but he never recovered from the loss of his friend Buddy Holly, who had produced Waylon's first record. Prior to the plane taking off Buddy was teasing Waylon about the long, cold bus ride that Waylon and the rest of the touring musicians would have to endure. Waylon replied that he hoped the plane crashed. That statement haunted Waylon for the rest of his life.

 

1960 - Brenda Lee released her  single "Sweet Nothin's." The song was written by Rockabilly legend Ronnie Self.

 

1961 - Maurice Woodward "Tex" Ritter recorded I Dreamed Of A Hill-Billy Heaven" for Capitol Records.  

 

1962 - Ral Donner's single "She's Everything (I Wanted You to Be)" charted.

 

1964 - Matraca Berg, singer, songwriter, born in Nashville, Tennessee. Matraca's mother is Icee Berg, the session singer, and songwriter. Matraca and Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band were married in 1993.

 

1970 - Tom T. Hall's self-penned Mercury single "A Week In A Country Jail" topped the charts. This was "The Storyteller's" first #1 record.

 

1971 - Lynn Anderson's Columbia single, "Rose Garden," was certified Gold. by the RIAA. This recording won Lynn a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance.

1973 - Don Gibson, Sue Thompson, and Demetris Tapp were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1973 - Johnny Cash's Columbia album "Any Old Wind That Blows" hit the country albums chart today.

 

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

 

1979 - Johnny Duncan, Janie Fricke, Johnny Gimble and Jana Jae were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1979 - Exile's single "You Thrill Me" crossed over to the pop charts.

 

1992 - Willie Nelson announced that Farm Aid V would be held March 14^th in Irving, Texas.

 

1992 - RCA released Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius's "Greatest Hits."

 

2002 - James Blackwood 1919-2002, age 83, the last surviving member of the legendary group The Blackwood Brothers died in Memphis, Tennessee, as the result of a stroke. James was laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery-East, Memphis, Tennessee.

 

2004 - Lonestar's "Greatest Hits" album was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

 

2005 - The "Turn It Up & Bring It On" tour with Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry, and Cledus T. Judd kicked off in Madison, Wisconsin.

 

2005 - Frank Jones 1928-2005, age 76, music industry executive, and record producer died in his sleep at his residence in Nashville. Member of the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

-4-

 

1918 - Vic McAlpin 1918-1980, Hall of Fame songwriter, born Vernice Johnson McAlpin, in Defeated Creek, Tennessee. Vic served on the first CMA board of directors. He co-wrote his book "From Defeated Creek to Music City U.S.A." with Tom C. Armstrong and Beverly Beard. Co-founded Allmac Music with Joe Allison, one of Nashville's earliest music publishing companies.

 

1929 - Paul Burlison, born in Brownsville, Tennessee.  Inducted into the RHOF.

 

1931 - Clarence Tate, fiddler, born Gate City, Virginia.

 

1942 - Kenny Wertz, singer, guitarist, of "The Flying Burrito Brothers," born in Washington, D.C.

 

1943 - Barry Beckett, producer, keyboardist, born Birmingham, Alabama.

 

1960 - Billy Walker, "The Tall Texan," became a member the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1962 - Clint Black singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player, born Clint Patrick Black, in Long Branch, New Jersey. Won the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year award in 1990. Joined the Grand Ole Opry on January 10, 1991, and married actress Lisa Hartman that same year.

 

1963 - Patsy Cline recorded "Faded Love," for Decca.

 

1965 - Chris McDaniel of "Confederate Railroad," born Rock Springs, Georgia.

 

1970 - Ferlin Husky, and Dottie West were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1975 - "W.W. and the Dixie Dance kings," starring Burt Reynolds, Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis, and Don Williams, premiered at Nashville's Crescent Theater.

 

1978 - Johnny Paycheck joined striking coal miners on the picket line in Virginia.

 

1978 - Patti Page, Brush Arbor, Buddy Alan and D.J. Sarginson were featured guests on "Hee Haw."  

 

1989 Jethro Burns 1920-1989, of "Homer & Jethro" died Evanston, Illinois, at age 65.

 

1991 - Capitol released Tennessee Ernie Ford's "Songs of the Civil War."

 

2001 - Wilma Lee Cooper was inducted into the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music (SPBGMA's) Preservation Hall of Greats.

 

2002 - Nickel Creek's self-titled debut album was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

2005 - Vassar Clements gave his last performance in Jamestown, New York.

 

-5-

 

1912 - Tex Atchison, of "The Prarie Ramblers," born in Rosine, Kentucky.

 

1933 - Claude King, singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Shreveport, Louisiana. Became a cast member of the KWKH Louisiana Hayride in 1952. Claude's first #1 hit was his Columbia single "Wolverton Mountain" in 1962.

 

1938 - Roy Acuff made his second guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. The huge amount of fan mail generated by this guest appearance was enough to convince acting Opry manager Harry Stone, to make Roy a regular member of the Opry. Prior to Acuff becoming a member of the Opry, the show featured mainly instrumental music. Vocal acts would soon become the mainstay of the Grand Ole Opry. George D. Hay was on medical leave from the Opry at the time Stone hired Acuff. Hay didn't like Roy's music, and had refused to hire him in the past.

 

1939 - Brian Golby, fiddler, was born in England.

 

1940 - Jimmie Davis recorded "You Are My Sunshine" for the Decca label in New York City. Davis co-wrote the song with Charles Mitchell, and it became a huge hit.

 

1941 - Henson Cargill 1941-2007, "Skip-a-Rope," born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

 

1943 - Ernest Tubb's first movie debuted at the New Liberty Theater in Fort Worth, Texas. Ernest's wife Elaine attended the showing of "Fighting Buckaroo"  and took pictures of the marquee for friends, and neighbors. Ernest had already moved to Nashville, and when he wasn't playing the Opry, he was playing concert dates with Pee Wee King.

 

1957 - Bill Haley began his first tour of England.

 

1960 - Elvis Presley returned to the U.S. from Germany, after he was discharged from the Army.

 

1963 - Patsy Cline recorded her Decca single "Sweet Dreams." Exactly one month later on March 5, 1963, Patsy would die in a plane crash near Camden, Tennessee. Sweet Dreams hit the charts on May 11, 1963.

 

1971 - Sara Evans, singer, songwriter, dancer, and mom, born in Boonville, Missouri.

 

1972 - Link Davis 1914-1972, singer, session musician, and multi-instrumentalist died at the age of 57.

 

1972 - Jeannie C. Riley, Buddy Alan, and Johnny Bench were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1972 - Loretta Lynn's Decca single "One's On The Way" was the #1 country record.

 

1977 - Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Lorne Greene and Jana Jae were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1978 - Eddy Noack 1930-1978, a.k.a. Armond A. Noack Jr. age 47, singer, songwriter, died today from a cerebral hemorrhage. Eddie 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.

 

1979 - Anne Murray's Capitol album "New Kind of Feeling" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1980 - T. G. Sheppards "I'll Be Coming Back For More," topped the charts.

 

1987 - Dan Seals' EMI America label album "Won't Be Blue Anymore," was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album charted in 1985 and went to #1. Three singles from the album also went to #1.  "Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)"  "Meet Me in Montana (a duet with Marie Osmond" and "Bop."

 

1991 - Arista Records released Diamond Rio's single "Meet In The Middle." This was the group's first release, their first chart record, and their first #1 hit. James Foster, Chapin Hartford, and Don Primmer wrote the song. The members of the band; Marty Roe; Dana Williams; Jimmy Olander; Gene Johnson; Brian Prout; and Dan Truman. Diamond Rio joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1998.

 

1998 - Patty Loveless' Epic album "The Trouble With The Truth" was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album was released in February 1996.

 

2002 - RCA released Eddy Arnold's "Looking Back" album.

 

2005 - Brad Paisley's single "Mud on the Tires" topped the charts.

 

2005 - Sonny Spencer, age 75, of the "Sons of the Pioneers" died in Tucson, Arizona.

 

-6-

 

1916 - Esther "Violet" Koehler 1916-1973, of the Coon Creek Girls born in Wilton, Wisconsin.

 

1943 - Ernest Tubb made his third guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. This would be E.T.'s last guest appearance. The following Saturday night, he was scheduled to become a member of a show that he would be a huge part of for the next four decades.

 

1956 - George Jones, "The Possum," became a cast member of the KWKH Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana. The show was nicknamed The Cradle of the Stars, because they lost so many members of their cast to the Grand Ole Opry. Most people don't know that directly beneath the stage at the Louisiana Hayride was the City Morgue.

 

1956 - RCA Records released Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel."

 

1960 - George Hamilton IV became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1961 - Marty Robbins' Columbia single "Don't Worry" charted today. The song was recorded in Nashville on July 12, 1960. Marty wrote the song, and Don Law and Frank Jones produced the session. The session personnel included Marty Robbins-vocals & guitar; Grady Martin-guitar; Jack Pruett-guitar; Floyd Cramer-piano; Bob Moore-bass; Louis Dunn-drums.

 

1961 - Dale Reno, of the Reno Brothers was born in Roanoke, Virginia.

 

1962 - Richie McDonald, lead singer of Lonestar born in Lubbock, Texas.

 

1967 - Anita Cochran singer, songwriter and guitarist, born in Pontiac, Michigan.

 

1971 - Conway and Loretta debuted on the charts with "After the Fire Is Gone."

 

1971 - Lynn Anderson's cover of Kitty Wells' 1952 hit "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" was released on the Chart label in 1971. The Joe Miller penned tune charted for Lynn, and reached the Top Twenty. Jesse Colter w/Waylon Jennings covered Kitty's hit in 1981 for RCA. Jesse's version made the Top Ten.

 

1973 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Ravishing Ruby" b/w "Spokane Motel Blues."

 

1974 - Buck Owens recorded "On the Cover of the Music City News" at Buck Owens Studios, in Bakersfield, California. The session personnel included: Buck Owens-vocals; Don Rich-lead guitar & harmony vocal; Ron Jackson-rhythm guitar; Jerry Brightman-Dobro; Jim Shaw-piano & harmony vocal; Doyle Curtsinger-bass & harmony vocal; Jerry Wiggins-drums. Released as a Columbia Records single a few weeks later, the record topped out at #9. In September Columbia released Buck's album "It's A Monster's Holiday," which included On The Cover of the Music City News.

 

1976 - Ronnie Milsap became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1979 - The Balfa Brothers, Rodney and Will, were killed in a car wreck in Louisiana.

 

1980 - Kenny Loggins Columbia album "Keep the Fire" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1980 - George Jones recorded "He Stopped Loving Her Today" in Nashville.

 

1989 - Patty Loveless and Emory Gordy Jr. were married in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

 

1998 - Michael Peterson singer, songwriter, and guitarist made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

 

2000 - Derroll Adams 1925-2000, age 75, singer, songwriter, banjo, and harmonica player, died in Antwerp, Belgium.

 

2001 - EMI released Asleep At The Wheel's album "23 Country Classics."

2001 - Ray Price, age 75, underwent stomach surgery at a Houston, Texas hospital.

 

2001 - Arista released Diamond Rio's album "One More Day."

 

2005 - Sonny Day, age 80, an original member of Roy Acuff's Smokey Mountain Boys, died in Nashville from bone cancer.

 

2005 - Merle Kilgore 1934-2005, age 70, singer, songwriter, and talent manager, died in Mexico. Death was a result of complications related to cancer treatment. Merle was laid to rest in Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Hendersonville, Tennessee.

 

2007 - George Hamilton IV celebrated his 47^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

-7-

 

1898 - Moran Lee "Dock" Boggs 1898-1971, early recording artist, born West Norton, Virginia.

 

1901 - "Austin" Ambrose Allen 1901-1959, of the Allen Brothers, born in Sewanee, Tennessee.

 

1921 - Wilma Lee Cooper was born Wilma Leigh Leary, in Valley Head, West Virginia. Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper joined the Grand Ole Opry on January 12, 1957.

 

1933 - Warren Smith, Sun recording artist, born in Humphreys County, Mississippi.

 

1934 - "Donna" Laverne Stoneman of the Stoneman Family born in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

1943 - Tony Booth singer, guitarist born in Tampa, Florida. Tony is a former member of Gene Watson's band, and has charted country singles on the MGM, Capitol, and United Artists label.

 

1953 - Marty Robbins, "Mr. Teardrop" became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His first chart hit was his self-penned Columbia single "I'll Go On Alone" which charted in December 1952.

 

1957 - Jim Reeves, "Gentleman Jim," recorded "Four Walls," at RCA in Nashville. The single charted in April and went to #1. This was Jim's 3^rd #1 hit.

 

1958 - Johnny Cash's "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen," topped the charts.

 

1962 - Garth Brooks, born Troyal Garth Brooks in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

 

1963 - Patsy Cline's last recording session was held in Nashville, for Decca Records. The four hour evening session produced: "He Called Me Baby" by Harlan Howard; "Crazy Arms" by Ralph Mooney and Chuck Seals; "You Took Him Off My Hands" by Harlan Howard; and "I'll Sail My Ship Alone." (The last song Patsy ever recorded) by Bernard, Thurston, Mann and Burns. The session personnel on her last session included: Patsy Cline-vocals; Grady Martin-electric guitar; Randy Hughes (Patsy's manager and pilot)-acoustic guitar; Ray Edenton-rhythm guitar; Wayne Moss-6 string electric bass; Bob Moore-acoustic bass; Buddy Harman-drums; Floyd Cramer-piano: a six piece string section; and the Jordanaires-background vocals.   Patsy died in a plane crash less than three months later. The above name Randy Hughes was flying the plane.

 

1966 - Buck Owens released "Roll Out The Red Carpet."

 

1967 - Boots Randolph's Monument album "Yakety Sax" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1971 - Moran Lee "Dock" Boggs 1898-1971, age 73, recording artist, died on his birthday.

 

1976 - George Jones and Sunday Sharpe were featured guests on HEE HAW.

 

1976 - Eddie Rabbitt's Elektra single "Drinkin My Baby (Off My Mind), charted today. This would be the first of many #1 country hits for this very talented man.

 

1980 - Gordon Lightfoot's Reprise album "Summertime Dream" was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

 

1980 - Anne Murray's Capitol album "I'll Always Love You" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1981 - John Conlee became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1984 - Jennifer Hanson singer, songwriter born in Whitter, California. Her mother was a singer, her father a guitar player, it's in the girls DNA.

 

1985 - Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash appeared on the David Letterman Show.

 

1988 - Pie Plant Pete 1906-1988, a.k.a. "Claude J. Moye," star of the WLS National Barn Dance, died at age 81. Moye sang and played guitar, and a harmonica which was suspended by wire from around his neck.

 

2001 - Dale Evans 1912-2001, age 88, widow of Roy Rogers, died in California. Dale wrote "The Bible Tells Me So" and Roy's theme song "Happy Trails To You. Named California Mother of the Year in 1967; inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame 1995; and has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Dale and Roy were married for fifty years. Dale Evans was laid to rest next to Roy, in Sunset Hills Memorial Park, in Happy Valley, California.

 

2003 - Jennifer Hanson singer, songwriter, Capitol recording artist made her first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

 

2005’Ä́Sawyer Brown served as grand marshals of the Mardi Gras procession, and Toby Keith was the parade's celebrity monarch in New Orleans.

 

2006 - John Conlee celebrated his 25^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

2006 - Marty Stewart's latest album "Live at the Ryman" with Marty's great band the Fabulous Superlatives was released today.

 

-8-

 

1902 - Pappy Daily 1902-1987, industry executive, and record producer born Harold Westcott Daily in Yoakum, Texas. Pappy was George Jones producer from 1953-1971.

 

1908 - Bob Dunn 1908-1971, Western Swing steel guitarist, the first country music session player to use an amplified string instrument (1935), was born in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma.

 

1936 - Walter L. "Buddy" Cagle Jr., singer, guitarist born in Concord, North Carolina.

 

1942 - Joe South singer, songwriter, and guitarist born "Joseph Souter, in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

1948 - Dan Seals singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in McCamey, Texas. Dan and Marie Osmond won the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award in 1986.

 

1949 - Merle Watson banjo, and guitarist born in Deep Gap, North Carolina. Merle is the son of Doc Watson.

 

1958 - Steve Scruggs, of the "Earl Scruggs Revue," born in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

1959 - Johnny Cash appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

 

1963 - Don Wayne Reno of The Reno Brothers, born in Roanoke, Virginia.

 

1963 - Marty Robbins released "Cigarettes and Coffee Blues" b/w "Teenager's Dad."

 

1974 - Waylon recorded "I'm A Ramblin' Man."

 

1974 - Olivia Newton-John's MCA single "Let Me Be There" was certified Gold by the RIAA. The record charted in 1973 and topped out at #7, however, it won Olivia a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal. This was Olivia's 1^st trip to the country music charts.

 

1975 - George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and Mickey Gilley were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1985 - The final episode of The Dukes of Hazzard was aired.

 

1993 - Johnny Cash recorded "The Wanderer" for U2's album "Zooropa."

 

1994 - Atlantic Records released Neal McCoy's album "No Doubt About It."  The album was certified Gold, and later Platinum by the RIAA.

 

1996 - Travis Tritt and Theresa Nelson became engaged today. The couple was introduced to each other by Travis' friend Marty Stuart.

 

1999 - Lulu Belle, of Lulu Belle & Scotty, stars of the WLS National Barn Dance, died from Alzheimer's disease. This very popular duo belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

2000 - Jim Owens and wife Lorianne Crook announced their purchase of a Theatre in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The Crook & Chase TV show will be taped there, and aired on TNN.

 

2000 - Varese released The Everly Brothers album "Devoted to You: Love Songs: 2000."

 

2001 - Lonestar was honored as the "International Touring Act Of The Year," at the United Kingdom's Country Radio Awards.

 

2004 - The 46^th Annual Grammy Awards were presented this evening. June Carter Cash won for best Female Country Vocal Performance "Keep On The Sunny Side."  Vince Gill won for best Male Country Vocal Performance "Next Big Thing."  Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder won for Best Country Performance By A Duo or Group "A Simple Life." Best Country Song "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" Alan Jackson & Jimmy Buffett.  Alison Krauss won four Grammys this year, making her the all time leading female Grammy winner in any genre. Aretha Franklin was the prior leading winner with sixteen total Grammys.

 

2005 - Keith Knudsen, age 56, drummer and founding member of "Southern Pacific" died in San Francisco, California.

 

2005 - Roger Schutt, a.k.a. "Captain Midnight," age 73, Nashville disc jockey, and friend of Music Row outlaws, died in Nashville.

 

2006 - The world famous all-girl band "Mustang Sally" performed a two-hour concert at The Stage on Broadway, in Nashville.

 

2006 - The 48^th Annual Grammy Awards were presented at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. Alison Krauss won 3 Grammys, bringing her total to twenty. Alison has won more Grammy's than any female artist in the history of the awards. Other winners in the country category were Emmylou Harris Best Female Vocal Performance, and the Del McCoury Band Best Bluegrass Album. Amy Grant won Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album, and Tim McGraw & Faith Hill won Best Country Collaboration With Vocals. Eddy Arnold, the Original Carter Family, and Jerry Lee Lewis were presented the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award this year. This presentation is made at a different time and place, but usually the same week as the Awards Show.

 

-9-

 

1908 - Howard Ragsdale 1908-1966, guitarist for the Grand Ole Opry's "Fruit Jar Drinkers," was born in Lyles, Tennessee.

 

1914 - Ernest Tubb 1914-1984, born in Crisp, Texas. The Texas Troubadour's home town no longer exists. E.T. was the first artist to take a Grand Ole Opry show to New York City's Carnegie Hall (1947). He opened the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Nashville in 1947. Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1943, and was inducted into the CMHF in 1965. Ernest Tubb helped more young artists than everyone else in Nashville combined. He was a good man, and a friend to many. Ernest died broke. Not because he spent all the money he made, but because he gave it away to family and friends who were in need.

 

1916 - Charlie Bailey, Bluegrass, born Happy Valley, Tennessee.

 

1939 - Red Lane, songwriter, born "Hollis Rudolph De Laughter," in Bogalusa, Louisiana.  Inducted NSHF 1993.

 

1941 - James D. Vaughan country and gospel songwriter, and promoter died today.

 

1947 - Joe Ely singer, songwriter, and guitarist  born in Amarillo, Texas.

 

1955 - The "Peach State Jamboree," debuted on WJAT in Swainsboro, Georgia.

 

1959 - George Jones released "White Lightning."

 

1963 - Travis Tritt singer, songwriter, and guitarist born James Travis Tritt in Marietta, Georgia. Became a member of the Grand Ole Opry on February 28, 1992. Travis was Waylon Jennings favorite singer.

 

1970 - Danni Leigh recording artist born Strasburg, Virginia, better known in Europe than in the U.S.

 

1971 - Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1973 - Charlie Rich recorded his Epic single "The Most Beautiful Girl." This was Charlie's  2^nd #1 hit. The single was certified Gold by the RIAA, on December 10^th.

 

1974 - Charley Pride, Barbara Fairchild, Tony Booth, and Craig Scott were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1975 - Willie Nelson recorded "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" in Texas. The Columbia Records single charted in July, and went to #1. The song was written by Fred Rose, and Willie won a Grammy for Best Country Male Vocal for his effort. This was Willie's first #1 record.

 

1980 - Willie Nelson's "My Hero's Have Always Been Cowboys," hit the Pop charts.

 

1980 - Dottie West's single "A Lesson In Leavin" charted, and became her first #1 single.

 

1981 - Bill Haley 1925-1981, age 55, singer, guitarist, and bandleader died of a heart attack in Harlingen, Texas.  Inducted into the R&RHOF 1987, and later the RHOF.  

 

1984 - Ronnie Milsap's "Show Her," topped the charts.

 

1985 - Nicolette Larson's first chart record was "Only Love Will Make It Right" on MCA. Bob McDill wrote the song, and was inducted into the NSHF later this year.

 

1987 - Randy Travis' "Storms of Life," was certified platinum by the RIAA.

 

1991 - Mark Chesnutt's MCA single "Brother Jukebox"  was the #1 country song. Three years later the CMA awarded Mark with their Horizon Award.

 

1999 - Varese released Gene Autry's album "20 Greatest Movie Hits."

 

2002 - WSM--FM broadcast the Grand Ole Opry for the first time this evening.

 

2005 - Lee Greenwood and Crystal Gayle performed at the ceremony dedicating President Ronald Regan's commemorative postage stamp in Washington D.C.

 

2006 - T. Graham Brown performed at Louisville, Kentucky's "Coyote's" as a member of the Red, White and Blues Tour.

 

-10-

 

1896 - Claude Lampley 1896-1975, banjoist with the Grand Ole Opry's "Fruit Jar Drinkers," was born in Bon Aqua, Tennessee.

 

1910 - George York of "The York Brothers" born in Louisa, Kentucky.

 

1918 - James Carson, singer, songwriter, born James William Roberts, in Richmond, Kentucky.

 

1943 - Ral Donner, was born Ralph Donner in Chicago, Illinois.

 

1947- Ernest Tubb recorded "So Round So Firm So Fully Packed."

 

1955 - Faron Young's movie, "Hired Guns" premiered on this date.

 

1955 - The Louvin Brothers, members of the Country Music Hall of Fame, joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1958 - Johnny Horton released "Honky Tonk Hardwood Floor" b/w "The Wild One."

 

1960 - Lionel Cartwright singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Gallipolis, Ohio.

 

1962 - Johnny Cash recorded "Sing It Pretty, Sue."

 

1962 - Roy Orbison released "Dream Baby," on Monument.

 

1962 - Jimmy Dean's single "The Cajun Queen" debuted on the charts.

 

1964 - Janet Bean of "Freakwater," born in Bartow, Florida.

 

1965 - Lefty Frizzell recorded "She's Gone, Gone, Gone."

 

1973 - Oral Roberts, Richard & Patti Roberts, Frankie Laine, and Buddy Alan were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1977 - George Jones and Tammy Wynette's "Near You," was #1 on the country charts.

 

1978 - Ronnie Milsap's RCA Victor album "It Was Almost Like a Song" was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album was named CMA Album of the Year. This was Ronnie's first Gold album.

 

1979 - Ray Price, Bill Anderson and The King of Country Music (Roy Acuff) were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1985 - Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings performed at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

 

1986 - Arthur E. Satherley, recording pioneer, died at the age of 96. He was inducted into the CMHF in 1971.

 

1986 - "The Highwaymen" album was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1995 - Kendall Hayes 1935-1995, age 59, songwriter, penned "Walk On By," died from cancer. Leroy Van Dyke took "Walk On By" to the top of the charts in 1961.

 

1996 - BlackHawk makes their first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1997 - Gaylord Entertainment, the Traditional Country Music wrecking crew, announced that they have sold CMT and TNN to CBS/Westinghouse.

 

-11-

 

1918 - Wesley Rose, music publisher and member CMHF, born Chicago, Illinois.

 

1935 - Gene Vincent 1935-1971, Rockabilly, country artist born Eugene Vincent Craddock in Norfolk, Virginia.

 

1949 - Bobby Lee House, songwriter, born in Harrison, Arkansas.

 

1950 - Clancy Fields, of the "Fields Brothers" born in Kermit, West Virginia.

 

1956 - The Sun version of "Folsom Prison Blues," recorded by Johnny Cash charted today.

 

1956 - Little Jimmy Dickens released "Hey Worm!"

 

1962 - June Carter became a regular member of the Johnny Cash Show.

 

1962 - Sheryl Crow, singer, songwriter, and guitarist, born Kennett, Missouri.

 

1965 - Johnny Cash's album "Ring of Fire," was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1966 - William Roy Hardison 1896-1966, of the Grand Ole Opry's "Gully Jumpers," died at the age of 69.

 

1966 - Roger Miller's Smash album "Golden Hits" was certified Gold by the RIAA. This was Roger's 3^rd God album.

 

1970 - Lynn Anderson and George Jones were featured guests on "Hee Haw.".

 

1971 - Buck Owens released "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" b/w "I'm Goin' Home."

 

1972 - The Grand Ole Gospel Time Show debuted at the Ryman Auditorium. Johnny Cash made a guest appearance.

 

1978 - Kenny Rogers, Joe Higgins, The Kendalls and the Roy Clark Family were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1981 - Emmylou Harris's Warner Bros. album "Luxury Liner" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1982 - Columbia released Willie Nelson's single "Always On My Mind."  This became one of Willie's most awarded singles. The recording won a Grammy for Country Song of the Year, a Grammy for Country Male Vocal Performance, and won the CMA's Single of the Year. Always On My Mind has been certified Gold, and Platinum by the RIAA.

 

1997 - Hoyt Axton did his Willie Nelson impression today. The very talented singer, songwriter,  guitarist, and actor was arrested at his home in Montana, after local authorities found a large amount of cannabis (marijuana), in his residence.

 

1998 - Bear Family released Little Jimmy Dickens' album "Out Behind The Barn."

 

1994 - Sorrell Brooke, "J. D. Hogg" of The Dukes of Hazzard died on this date.

 

2003 - MCA released Vince Gill's album "Next Big Thing." The title track from this album was released as a single in 1992. The single provided Vince with another Grammy for Best Male Vocal Performance.

 

2004 - Vestal Goodman, Al Green, Sandi Patty, and BMI president Frances Preston were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Pat Boone, a GMA inductee himself (2002) hosted the program from Trinity Music City, near Nashville.

 

2007 - The 49^th Annual Grammy Awards were presented in Los Angeles. In the Country Music category Carrie Underwood won a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance for "Jesus Take The Wheel." This song also won a Grammy for "Best Country Song of the Year" for songwriters Brett James, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson. Vince Gill, Doc Watson, and Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder were also Grammy winners in the Country category. Merle Haggard was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

-12-

 

1911 - Stephen H. Sholes 1911-1968, RCA record producer, and executive born in Washington, D.C. Sholes recruited Chet Atkins into the RCA family as well as Eddy Arnold, Hank Locklin, The Browns, Homer and Jethro, Jim Reeves, Hank Snow, Pee Wee King, and in 1955 Elvis Presley. When Sholes was promoted and left Nashville, he chose Chet Atkins to replace him. While in Nashville Sholes served on the Board of Directors at the CMF and the CMA. Stephen Sholes was inducted into the CMHF in 1987.

 

1912 - Lucky Moeller 1912-1992, promoter, and booking agent, born Walter Ernest Moeller in Okarche, Oklahoma. Lucky was the CEO of Moeller Talent in Nashville.

 

1930 - Harley "Red" Allen 1930-1993, a highly respected bluegrass singer, songwriter, and recording artist, born in Pigeon Roost, Kentucky.

 

1937 - Jay Lee Webb, Loretta Lynn's brother, was born in Butcher Holler, Kentucky. Jay recorded for Decca from 1967-71.

 

1944 - Moe Bandy was born "Marion Franklin Bandy Jr." in Meridian, Mississippi. Won the 1980 CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award w/Joe Stampley.

 

1953 - Taylor Rhodes, of the "Earl Scruggs Revue," was born today.

 

1955 - Pee Wee King released "Tweedlee Dee."

 

1963 - Buck Owens Recorded "Act Naturally." This was Buck's first big hit, and eventually went to #1 on the charts. Twenty-six years later, Buck traveled to Abby Road Studios in London, England, and recorded this song again. This time with Ringo Starr as a duet. See March 27, 1989 calendar entry.

 

1972 - Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1972 - Loretta Lynn's Decca single "One's On The Way" was the #1 country record.

 

1974 - Capitol Records released "Best Of Buck Owens, Vol. 5."

 

1977 - Barbara Mandrell and Hoyt Axton were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1979 - Olivia Newton-John's MCA single "A Little More Love" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1981 - Ronnie Milsap's RCA Victor  "Greatest Hits" album was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1983 - B.J. Thomas' Cleveland Int'l. single "Whatever Happened To Old Fashioned Love" charted today, and went to #1. This song was Billy Joe's 2^nd #1 country single.

 

1993 - Mercury Records released Toby Keith's self-penned single "Should've Been A Cowboy." This was Toby's first chart song, and it went to #1.

 

2002 - Mattie Bell Gates, age 64, former waitress at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, and Roberts Western World on Broadway in Nashville, died from emphysema.

 

2002 - Columbia released Chet Atkins album "Chet Picks on the Grammys."

 

2005 - SHeDAISY performed live in New York City on CBS-TV's Early Show.

 

2005 - Dean McNett, age 77, of the Doc & Chickie Williams Show died today.

 

2005 - Sammi Smith 1943-2005, age 61, Grammy winning recording artist, died in Okalahoma City, Oklahoma. Sammi was married to Jody Payne, a member of Willie Nelson's band. Sammi was laid to rest in Elmhurst Cemetery, in Guymon, Oklahoma.

 

-13-

 

1896 - Rev. Dwight L. Moody held his first Nashville revival at the Ryman Auditorium.

 

1914 - ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers, was founded in New York City.

 

1919 - Tennessee Ernie Ford 1919-1991, born "Ernest Jennings Ford," in Bristol, Tennessee. Ernie was a writer, and cast member of Hee Haw from 1969-1987. Inducted CMHF in 1990.

 

1919 - Chickie Williams of "Doc & Chickie Williams," born in Bethany, West Virginia.

 

1920 - Boudleaux Bryant 1920-1987, of the songwriting team of Boudleaux & Bryant, master songwriter, born Shellman, Georgia. Inducted NSHF in 1972, Georgia Music Hall of Fame 1982, National Songwriters Hall of Fame 1986, Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame 1985, National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame 1986, Country Music Hall of Fame 1991.

 

1927 - Jim McReynolds 1927-2003, of "Jim & Jesse," born Coeburn, Virginia. Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.

 

1935 - Charlie Moore 1935-1979, bluegrass singer, DJ and guitarist was born Charlie B. Moore, Jr. in Piedmont, South Carolina. Charlie was one of bluegrass music's top vocalists.

 

1939 - Janis Lewis Phillips, of "The Lewis Family" born Lincoln, Georgia.

 

1940 - Rodney Paul Lay, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor, born Coffeeville, Kansas.

 

1943 - Ernest Tubb The Texas Troubadour became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The best forty years of E.T.'s life was just beginning.

 

1947- Hank Williams recorded "Honky Tonkin."

 

1958 - Patsy Cline recorded the following songs in Nashville for the Four Star label: "Just out of Reach (of My Two Open Arms)" written by V.F. Stewart; "I Can See an Angel" by Kay Adelman; "Come on in (and Make Yourself at Home)" by V.F. Stewart; "Let the Teardrops Fall" by C.C. Beam, C.L. Jiles, and W.S.Stevenson. Owen Bradley produced the session, and the session personnel included: Patsy Cline-vocals; Hank Garland-electric piano; Grady Martin-electric guitar, electric bass, and banjo; Bob Moore-acoustic bass; Buddy Harman-drums; Floyd Cramer-piano; the Anita Kerr Singers-Anita Kerr, Dottie Dillard, Louis Nunley and Gil Wright-background vocals.

 

1958 - David McLaughlin of the Johnson Mountain Boys, born in Washington D.C.

 

1965 - The Bill Anderson Show aired for the first time on WSM TV.

 

1965 - Roger Miller's self-penned single "King Of The Road" charted today. The Smash Label single went to #1.  This was Roger's 2^nd #1 hit, and earned 3 Grammy's for Roger. This recording is now a Grammy Hall of Fame record.

 

1971 - Billy Crash Craddock debuted on the charts with "Knock Three Times."

 

1976 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Give Her My Best" b/w I'm Forty Now."

 

1979 - Willie Nelson's Columbia album "Willie & Family" was certified Gold by the RIAA. This album was recorded Live at Harrah's Casino in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and eventually went 4 X Platinum.

 

1980 - The Oak Ridge Boys' "Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight," topped the charts.

 

1998 - Buddy Lee 1932-1998, age 65, CEO of Buddy Lee Attractions, died today.

 

2001 - Sugar Hill released Rodney Crowell's album "The Houston Kid."

 

2001 - Koch Records released Johnny Dowd's "Temporary Shelter."

 

2002 - Waylon Jennings 1937-2002, age 64, died in his sleep in Chandler, Arizona. Inducted NSHF 1995, Texas CMHF 1999, and the CMHF 2001. Waylon was laid to rest in Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Arizona. Willie Nelson did not attend the funeral, or the Memorial Service held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on March 23^rd.

 

2003 - Earl Scruggs was honored with a star, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Earl's star is located at 7021 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, California.

 

2005 - A memorial service was conducted for Sunny Spencer in Branson, Missouri. A twenty-two year member of the Sons Of The Pioneers, Sunny died in Tucson, Arizona, earlier this month.

 

2005 - Garth Brooks performed at a fundraiser in Fort Worth, Texas. The concert raised money for the purchase of an MRI machine for Cook Children's Medical Center. Tickets cost $1,000 each.

 

2005 - The 47^th annual Grammy Awards were held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The winners in the Country category were: Gretchen Wilson for Best Female Vocal Performance; Tim McGraw for Best Male Vocal Performance; Jack White & Loretta Lynn for Best Country Collaboration With Vocals; Earl Scruggs, Jerry Douglas, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Randy Scruggs, and Vassar Clements for Best Country Instrumental Performance (Earl's Breakdown). Craig Wiseman & Tim Nichols (songwriters) for Best Country Song) "Live Like You Were Dying," Tim McGraw; and Loretta Lynn for Best Country Album "Van Lear Rose."

 

2006 - Jo Dee Messina worked as a Westwood One correspondent during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Torino, Italy. Her assignment extended from the 13^th-24^th.

 

-14-

 

1898 - Harry Stone, radio executive, was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Stone replaced George D.

Hay as manager of WSM in 1932.

 

1908 - Lonnie Glosson, singer, songwriter, born Judsonia, Arkansas.

 

1939 - Razzy Bailey singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born "Erastus Michael Bailey," in Five Points, Alabama.

 

1945 - Bill Nowlin, one of the founders of Rounder Records, was born in Boston, Massachusetts.

 

1951 - Michael Doucet, singer, songwriter, and fiddler, born in Scott, Louisiana.

 

1961 - Wanda Jackson recorded "I Talk A Pretty Story."

 

1970 - Merle Haggard recorded "The Fightin' Side of Me."

1976 - Tom T. Hall and Susan Raye were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1983 - Marty Robbins released "Change Of Heart" b/w "Devil in a Cowboy Hat."

 

1985 - Randy Travis signed his first major label contract with Warner Brothers.

 

1987 - Wendy Lou Holcombe 1963-1967, age 23, virtuoso banjo player, died as the result of an enlarged heart in Alabaster, Alabama. Wendy appeared on Ernest Tubb's Midnight Jamboree, and the Grand Ole Opry. This very talented young lady was laid to rest in Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, Alabama.

 

1988 - Kathy Mattea and songwriter John Vezner were married.

 

1995 - Alan Jackson's "Who I Am" was certified 2 X Platinum by the RIAA.

 

1996 - MCA Nashville released Bobbie Cryner's "Girl of Your Dreams."

 

1998 - Hal Ketchum and wife Gina were married today on Valentine's Day.

 

1999 - Buddy Knox died of cancer at age 65. Buddy Wayne Knox was laid to rest in Dreamland Cemetery, Canyon, Texas.

 

2005 - Funeral services for Robert "Sonny' Spencer, age 75, of the "Sons of the Pioneers" were held in Branson, Missouri. Sonny was laid to rest in Evergreen Cemetery, Notch, Missouri.

 

-15-

 

1917 - Effie Juanita "Anna" Carter, of the "Chuck Wagon Gang" born in Shannon, Texas.

 

1917 - John Wallace "Wally" Fowler 1917-1994, founder of the group that became "The Oak Ridge Boys," born in Adairsville, Georgia. Wally was a star of the Grand Ole Opry (1940's), and founded the All Night Sing gospel show at the Ryman Auditorium.

 

1918 - Hank Locklin born McLellan, Florida. Hank was a cast member of the Louisiana Hayride in the late 1940's, and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1960.

1927 - Ann Louise Certain 1927-2006, was born in Lebanon, Tennessee. Louise and Earl Scruggs were married in Gaffney, South Carolina, in 1946. Managing her husband's career made Louise the first female in the history of Music City to successfully manage an artist's career. A female named Audrey made two attempts to manage male artists, but had little success with two artist's named Hank.

 

1928 - Jimmie Rodgers recorded "In The Jailhouse Now."

 

1936 - Bobby Barnett singer, songwriter, recording artist was born in Cushing, Oklahoma.

 

1957 - Webb Pierce recorded "Honky Tonk Song." Buck Peddy and Mel Tillis wrote the song, and the Decca single charted in March 1957.

 

1958 - Jimmy Martin 1927-2005, Bluegrass singer, songwriter, guitarist and mandolin player joined the Louisiana Hayride 1958. Jimmy was a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys from 1949-1953. Jimmy Martin recorded for Decca Records.

 

1962 - Ray Charles recorded "I Can't Stop Loving You."

 

1963 - Andy Ginn of Perfect Stranger, born in Memphis, Tennessee.

 

1966 - Buck Owens recorded "Think Of Me."

 

1967 - Waylon recorded "Love of the Common People."

 

1971 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' album "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."

 

1975 - Dolly Parton, Kenny Price, Terry McMillan and Barbi Benton were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1978 - Crystal Gayle's United Artists album "We Must Believe In Magic" was certified Platinum by the RIAA. The album contained Crystal's #1 single "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue." This was Loretta's baby sister's first Gold & Platinum album.

 

1981 - Dorris Macon, son of Uncle Dave Macon, died on this date.

 

1986 - Tanya Tucker's "One Love at a Time," charted.

 

2002 - Waylon Jennings was laid to rest in the Mesa Cemetery, during a private funeral service in Mesa, Arizona.

 

2005 - Merle Kilgore's funeral was held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Merle was laid to rest in Hendersonville Memory Gardens, Hendersonville, Tennessee.

 

2006 - Music Row's 3^rd Annual Country Breakout Meet 'N' Greet, was held at The Stage, in Nashville

 

2006 - CRS-37 (Country Radio Seminar) was held at the Nashville Convention Center, 15^th-17^th.

 

-16-

 

1914 - James Clarence "Jimmy" Wakely 1914-1982, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist born Mineola, Arkansas.

 

1916 - Bill Doggett, Honky Tonk (Parts 1 & 2) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

 

1924 - Jo Walker-Meador was born Edith J. Denning in Orlinda, Tennessee.  Walker-Meador was the executive Director of the CMA for twenty-nine years. Inducted CMHF 1995.

 

1932 - Otis Blackwell 1931-2002, songwriter, born Brooklyn, New York. Inducted NSHF 1986, and the National Academy of Popular Music Songwriters Hall of Fame 1991.

 

1943 - Ronnie Milsap singer, songwriter, and pianist, born Robbinsville, North Carolina. Ronnie was the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1974, 1976, and 1977. He became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1976, and was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1977. Ronnie was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1990.

 

1946 - Jack Guthrie, Western singer-songwriter debuted as a guest on the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1950 - Paul Worley musician, songwriter, and producer born Nashville, Tennessee.

 

1958 The Everly Brothers single "This Little Girl Of Mine" charted.

 

1963 Patsy Cline's "Leavin' On Your Mind," charted today. Wayne Walker wrote the song, it was Patsy's 9^th chart hit, and the last she would have in her lifetime. Patsy died in a plane crash 17 days later.

 

1967 - Smiley Burnette 1911-1967, age 55, singer, songwriter, actor and comedian, died today. Smiley was inducted into the NSHF in 1971. He was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills cemetery, in Los Angeles, California.

 

1968 - Elvis Presley's RCA album "How Great Thou Art" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1969 - George Jones and Tammy Wynette were married in Ringgold, Georgia.

 

1971 - Jody Miller was the featured guest on "Hee Haw."

 

1971 - Johnny Cash recorded "Man In Black."

 

1974 - John Denver's #1 hit "Sunshine On My Shoulders" charted on Billboard's Top 40.

 

1974 - Johnny Cash, Jean Shepard, and George Lindsey were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1974 - Lefty Frizzell's ABC single "I Never Go Around Mirrors" charted this week, and topped out before reaching the Top Twenty. Keith Whitley included the song on his 1988 RCA Victor album "Don't Close Your Eyes,"  however, he never released the song as a single.

 

1975 - Marty Robbins crashed his car, in the Daytona 500 NASCAR race.

 

1983 - Crystal Gayle's single, "Till I Gain Control Again," topped the charts.

 

1986 - NBC aired "The Last Days of Frank and Jesse James," starring Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.

 

1999 - Koch released Bobby Bare's album "Bare Tracks."

 

2001 - Andy Griggs was arrested in Tallahassee, Florida, along with a member of his band. They reportedly stole an ambulance and took it for a joyride. The two men were charged with felony charges of Grand Theft Auto.

 

2002 - James "Lucky" Ward, age 65, guitarist, died in Georgia.

 

2003 - Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, and other Grand Ole Opry artists paid tribute to Waylon Jennings, who had died three days earlier in Arizona.

 

2005 - "Kid Rock" a.k.a. Bob Ritchie was arrested by Nashville police on assault charges. The Detroit based rap singer was in town to participate in Merle Kilgore's memorial service.

 

2005 - Grammy winner Sammi Smith's Memorial Service was held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sammi was laid to rest in Elmhurst Cemetery, Guymon, Oklahoma.

 

2006 - CRB's list of performers for their CRS-37, BMI WCRS LIVE! included; Miranda Lambert, Craig Morgan, Time Nichols and Jon Randall. The show was hosted by Bob DiPiero.

 

-17-

 

1903 - Steve Stebbins, retired LAPD officer, turned talent booking agent, born Chico, California.

 

1907 - Dick Reinhart, western swing vocalist, born in Tishomingo, Oklahoma.

 

1920 - Billy Byrd 1920-2001, legendary guitarist, born "William Lewis Byrd' in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1949 Billy joined Ernest Tubb's Texas Troubadours as lead guitarist, and bus driver, and played on all of Ernest's records during that period. In 1955 Hank Garland and Billy Byrd designed a new guitar for the Gibson company called The Byrdland Guitar. Billy died in August, 2001. Billy was laid to rest in Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Nashville.

 

1931 - Uncle Jimmy Thompson 1848-1931, an early Grand Ole Opry fiddler, died on this day.

 

1935 - Johnny Bush born "Johnny Bush Shin III,' in Houston, Texas.

 

1938 - Buck Trent, banjo player, born Spartanburg, South Carolina.

 

1945 - Gene Autry's single "Don't Fence Me In," charted.

 

1957 - Johnny Cash started his first California Tour 1957.

 

1962 - Marty Robbins recorded "All The Way" for Columbia Records in Nashville. The song was written by Sammy Cahn and J. Van Heusen, the session was produced by Don Law and Jack Jones. The session  personnel included:  Marty Robbins-vocals & guitar; Grady Martin-guitar; Jack Pruett-guitar; Bill Pursell-piano; Jerry Byrd-bass; Louis Dunn-drums.

 

1965 - The Tennessee State Legislature declared "The Tennessee Waltz," the State Song.

 

1967 - Smiley Burnett 1911-1967, died in Knoxville, Tennessee. Lester Alvin Burnette was an announcer and entertainer at WDZ in Tuscola, Illinois in 1928. Gene Autry hired him in 1933 to work with him at Chicago's WLS Barn Dance in 1933. Smiley moved to Hollywood with Autry in 1934, and over the years appeared in many movies, and was a cast member on CBS-TV's Petticoat Junction. Smiley was inducted into the NSHF in 1971. Smiley is credited with naming Roy Rogers' horse "Trigger." He was nicknamed "Frog" in the movies he made with Gene Autry for Republic Pictures. Smiley Burnett was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California.

 

1968 - Henson Cargill's single "Skip A Rope," topped the charts.

 

1969 - Jon Randall born, John Randall Stewart, in Dallas, Texas.

 

1970 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Hang Them All" b/w "America The Ugly." Tom had great success when he wrote and recorded the songs that brought him the nickname "The Storyteller." When he wrote about political matters the genius in him got lost in his far left political fog. The above named songs never made any American charts.

 

1971 - Johnny Cash was featured on the TV series "This Is Your Life."

 

1973 - Jody Miller, Tony Booth, Doyle Holly, and Joe Stampley were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1974 - Bryan White, born in Shellman, Georgia.

 

1975 - Eck Robertson 1887-1975, age 87, champion fiddler, recording artist, died today. One of the pioneer's of the recording industry, Eck had two hits in 1922. "Sallie Gooden" and "Arkansas Traveler."

1979 - Conway Twitty, Dave & Sugar and Grandpa, Ramona & Alisa Jones were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1984 - Merle Haggard's Epic label single "That's The Way Love Goes," topped the charts. This recording provided Hag a Grammy for Best Male Vocal. This was Merle's 33rd #1 hits.

 

1996 - Gus Hardin 1945-1996, RCA recording artist a.k.a. "Carolyn Ann Blankenship," age 50, died in a car crash. This talented lady charted several country hits from 1983-86.

 

1998 - Sony released the Gatlin Brothers "Super Hits" album.

 

2001 - Brad Paisley became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

2005 - BMI gave a Number One party for Darryl Worley's latest #1 hit "Awful Beautiful Life."  From 2000-2004 Darryl Worley charted 10 country singles, and 30% of them went to #1. For you Rap fans, that means that 3 of the 10 records were #1 hits.

 

2005 - Lee Ann Womack performed on Good Morning America and Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

 

2006 - Country Radio Seminar's "New Faces of Country Music Show" was presented this evening. New artists featured at this years show included Keith Anderson, Jeff Bates, Jason Aldean, Van Zant, and Little Big Town.

 

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1914 - Frank "Pee Wee" King 1914-2000, born "Julius Frank Anthony Kuczynski,' in Milwaukee,

Wisconsin.  Inducted into the NSHF in 1970 and the CMHF in 1975.

 

1916 - Claude Boone singer, songwriter, guitarist, bass, fiddle and recording artist, born Yancy County, North Carolina. Claude sustained a career of fifty years, mostly in Knoxville, and North Carolina, working as a staff musician on Cas Walker's TV Show on WBIR in Knoxville, for over twenty years.

 

1939 - The Andrew Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry. They were brought to the show to replace the very popular Delmore Brothers.

 

1939 - Bobby Hart, singer, songwriter, producer, born Phoenix, Arizona.

 

1945 - Ed Benson was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He became executive director of the CMA in 1992. Ed once told a reporter during his tenure as head of the CMA that the older fans of country music need to get use to the changes, because there's no going back. Hey Ed, here's a quote for you, "The dollar rules in the house of fools, and truth is an unloved step child."

 

1950 - The WSB Barn Dance gave its final performance in Atlanta, Georgia. The show debuted on November 16, 1940.

 

1952 - Juice Newton singer, and guitarist was born Judy Kay Newton  at the Lakehurst Naval Base, in New Jersey. Newton scored her first #1 country hit with her Capitol single "The Sweetest Thing I've Ever Known" in 1982.

 

1956 - Carl Perkins "Blue Suede Shoes," debuted on the charts. Carl wrote the song after Johnny Cash told him back stage at one of their concerts, that a song about blue suede shoes should become a hit.

 

1956 - Dudley Connell, of the "Johnson Mountain Boys" was born in Scheer, West Virginia.

 

1959 - Brenda Lee opened at the Olympia Music Hall in Paris, France for a three-week engagement. This was her first time to appear outside of the U. S., and she was held over for an additional five weeks.

 

1959 - Ray Charles recorded "What'd I Say.

 

1962 - The Everly Brothers appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

 

1969 - Johnny Cash recorded with Bob Dylan for the album "Nashville Skyline."

 

1970 - Merle Haggard, Henson Cargill, and Tammy Wynette were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1978 - Hattie Louise "Tootsie' Bess 1916-1978, age 61, owner of "Tootsie's Orchid Lounge"

died today. Tootsie was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee. Tom T.

Hall went into Tootsie's bar after her death, and asked to see the cigar box under the bar where

Tootsie kept all of the unpaid tabs of the down and out country artists and musicians. Some of the

tabs were several years old, and the box was full. Tom T. added up the balance, and paid the

bartender for everyone of those tabs. You see, when Tom T. arrived in Nashville a few years

earlier, all he had with him was an old guitar, forty-six dollars, and a dream. Tom T. Hall, is a very

special man.

 

1978 - Johnny Rodriguez, Susan Raye, Sheriff Katherine Crumbley, Jimmy Henley, C.B. Slane

and the Duke of Paducah were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1981 - Emmylou Harris's Warner Bros. album "Blue Kentucky Girl" was certified Gold by the

RIAA, and additionally her album "Profile-Best of Emmylou Harris" was certified Gold.

 

1985 - The Johnny Cash Show appeared at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

 

1995 - Johnny Carroll, age 57, Rockabilly, vocals, and keyboards, died in Dallas, Texas.

 

1997 - Razor & Tie released "Glen Campbell Collection (1962-1989): Gentle on My Mind."

 

1998 - Travis and Theresa Tritt welcomed their first child, Tyler Reese Tritt into the world.

 

2003 - Johnny Paycheck 1938-2003, age 64, died in Vanderbilt Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee from emphysema. John became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1997. He was buried in a cemetery plot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Nashville, which was donated by George and Nancy Jones. For the first time in 64 years, John has found peace and his demons have moved on.

 

2005 - Julie Roberts performed on ABC's Good Morning America.

 

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1913 - Howard Watts 1913-1970, a.k.a. Cedric Rainwater, was born in Monticello, Florida. Howard played bass in Hank Williams "Driftin' Cowboy's" band, and also played for Bill Monroe and Flat & Scruggs.

 

1927 - Raymond "Duck" Atkins 1927-1997, Dobro player, and guitarist was born near Erwin, Tennessee.

 

1938 - Roy Acuff became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Prior to this night most of the music on the Opry was instrumentals. The focus would now, and forever, be on singing performers.

 

1953 - Tex Ritter recorded "High Noon" for the movie soundtrack.

 

1955 - Bob Wills released "Sincerely" b/w "Cornball Rag."

 

1956 - Carl Perkins released "Blue Suede Shoes" for Sun Records. The single went to #1 on the country charts.

 

1957 - Lorianne Crook, talk show host, born in Wichita, Kansas.

 

1966 - Jan Howard and Bill Anderson's single "I Know Your Married," charted.

 

1970 - Glen Campbell's Capitol album "Try a Little Kindness" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1972 - Faron Young's "Four In The Morning" was Billboard's #1 record.

 

1972 - Brenda Lee, Hank Thompson, and George Lindsey were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1974 - Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton announced the breakup of their act. And some Music City attorney's began licking their chops. The legal end of the separation went on for years.

 

1975 - John Denver's RCA Victor album "An Evening With John Denver" was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album was recorded live in 1974, and hit the country charts in March 1975. John's #1 RCA single "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" was issued from this album, and it became Denver's 2^nd #1 country hit.

 

1977 - George Jones, Tammy Wynette and the Roy Clark Family were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1979 - Cart T. Sprague, Cowboy singer, died at age 83.

 

1981 - Dolly Parton's RCA Victor single "9 to 5" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1987 - Willie Nelson's movie "Red Headed Stranger," premiered in Austin, Texas.

 

1992 - Biff Collie 1926-1992, disc jockey, station owner, show promoter, died at age 65. Biff was inducted into the CDJHF in 1978.

 

1998 - Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones 1913-1998, age 84, died from a series of strokes. Grandpa had been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 52 years. He was inducted into the CMHF in 1978, and was a Hee Haw cast member from day one of the show's run. Everybody's Grandpa was laid to rest in the Luton Memorial Methodist Church Cemetery, in Nashville, Tennessee. Grandpa was Stringbean's best friend, and closest neighbor. He was the person who found String and his wife Estelle the morning after they had been murdered at their home, in the hills north of Nashville. Louis Marshall Jones was a man who anyone would be proud to call "Grandpa."

 

1999 - Gertie Louise Hemphill, age 65, of "The Hemphill Singers" died in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

2005 - Wilma Lee Cooper was honored by The Grand Ole Opry with a plaque commemorating her 48th anniversary as an Opry member.

 

2006 - The second annual Chevy Presents-Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich: The American Revolution Tour included a concert at the world famous Ryman Auditorium this evening.

 

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1947 - Merle Travis had the #1 song on the charts "So Round, So Firm, So Fully Packed."

 

1951 - Kathie Baillie, of "Baillie & the Boys," born in Morristown, New Jersey.

 

1953 - Marty Robbins released "ICouldn't Keep from Crying" b/w "After You Leave."

 

1954 - Claire Lynch, Rounder Records, born Albany, New York.

 

1954 - Webb Pierce's "Slowly," went to #1.

 

1960 - Tennessee Ernie Ford's Gospel album "Hymns," was certified gold by the RIAA.

 

1961 - Johnny Burnette's single "Little Boy Sad" charted.

 

1965 - Leon Ashley and Margie Singleton were married.

 

1965 - Buck Owens' "I've Got a Tiger by the Tail," topped the Charts 1965.

 

1979 - Eddie Rabbitt topped the charts with "Every Which Way But Loose."

 

1988 - The Grand Ole Opry celebrated Roy Acuff's 50^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Porter Wagoner hosted two segments that evening, and Dolly Parton was his guest on both shows. This was the first time they had performed together on stage since the 1974 breakup of their show.

 

1991 - Johnny Cash was honored at the Grammy Awards when he was presented with the "Living Legend" Award.

 

1996 - Razor & Tie released "Honky Tonk Amnesia: The Hard Country Sound of Moe Bandy."

 

1999 - Sara Evans #1 country hit "No Place That Far" crossed over on Billboard's Top 40. Vince Gill sang back up.

 

2004 - Jo Dee Messina entered a rehabilitation center in Sundance, Utah, to deal with an ongoing problem with alcohol.

 

2005 - Larry Kingston, age 63, songwriter, died at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville.

 

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1926 - Donald Wesley "Don" Reno 1926-1984, singer, songwriter, and banjo player, of "Reno & Smiley" was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

 

1938 - Two days after joining the cast of the Grand Ole Opry, Roy Acuff and his band began broadcasting a morning show on WSM at 7:00 A.M. Roy and the band were also teamed with the Delmore Brothers on personal appearances.

 

1946 - Averal Ava Ekiss Aldridge 1946-2003, singer, songwriter, born in Arizona.

 

1948 - Eddy Arnold topped the charts with "I'll Hold You In My Heart."

 

1952 - Jerry Lee Lewis, age 16, married his first wife Dorothy Barton, age 17.

 

1953 - Hank Williams' "Kaw-Liga" b/w "Your Cheatin' Heart" went to #1 on Billboard's country chart seven weeks after Hank died.

 

1957 - Buck Owens signed a recording contract with Capitol Records in Los Angeles, California.

 

1958 - Mary Chapin Carpenter, singer, songwriter born Princeton, New Jersey. CMA Female Vocalist Of The Year 1992 & 1993, and has won numerous Grammy Awards.

 

1964 - Stonewall Jackson topped the charts with "B.J. the D.J.

 

1970 - Bobbie Gentry & Glen Campbell's Capitol Records single "All I have To Do Is Dream" charted this week.

 

1970 - Marty Robbins' "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," charted, and went to #1. Marty wrote the song about his wife Marizona.

 

1973 - Waylon recorded "Honky Tonk Hero's" and "Never Could Toe The Mark."

 

1974 - Today was declared "Loretta Lynn Day" in the state of Georgia. Loretta addressed the state legislature and told them’Ķ"I don't know what you-all are doing, but I sure hope it comes out all right."

 

1976 - Faron Young and Crystal Gayle were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1976 - Willie & Waylon's album "Wanted The Outlaws" became the first country music album to go platinum.

 

1979 - Ray Whitley 1901-1979, age 78, singing cowboy film star, songwriter, and guitarist died in Baja California, Mexico.

 

1981 - Boxcar Willie a.k.a. Lecil Travis Martin, joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1984 - Leslie York of "The York Brothers" died at the age of 66.

 

1988 - Merle Haggard's "Twinkle, Twinkle Lucky Star" topped the charts.

 

1994 - Trace Adkins' second wife; shot him with a 38-caliber revolver. The bullet passed through both lungs and both chambers of his heart.

 

2001 - Johnny Cash won his tenth Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.

 

2001 - Malcolm Yelvington 1918-2001, age 82, Sun Records recording artist, died in Memphis, Tennessee. One of Malcom's hits was "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee."

 

2004 - Julie Roberts' Mercury single "Break Down Here" charted today. This was Julie's first chart record.

 

2005 - An American Airlines flight from St. Martin to Miami experienced electrical failure and the engines were completely shut down, requiring an emergency landing. Passengers on the plane included Billy Ray Cyrus, songwriters Scotty Emerick, Jeffery Steele, Chuck Cannon, and Bob DiPiero and video director Shawn Silva. The Nelson twins, sons of Ricky Nelson who died in a plane crash on December 31, 1985 were also on board.  No injuries were reported.

 

2006 - Every bodies favorite Outlaw Jessie Colter released her new album "Out of the Ashes." Jessi's last album was released nine years ago.

 

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1915 - Jesse Ashlock, songwriter, fiddle player, born in Walker County, Texas.

 

1920 - Del Wood 1920-1989, was born Polly Adelaide Hendricks in Nashville, Tennessee. Del was a member of the Grand Ole Opry cast from 1953 until her death in 1989. She began playing a song called "Down Yonder" in 1950 as a piano player at a radio station in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The following year Del recorded the song on the Tennessee label, and it became a huge hit. The song climbed the country chart to #5, and was a top five hit on the Pop chart, eventually selling a million units. Del made her guest debut on the Grand Ole Opry in 1952. She had one child Wesley, who she adopted. Del Wood died at the age of 69. She was laid to rest in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, in Nashville, Tennessee.

 

1956 - Elvis Presley's debut single release for RCA"Heartbreak Hotel," hit Billboard's pop chart. This was his first crossover hit.

 

1960 - Marty Robbins released "Big Iron" b/w "Saddle Tramp."

 

1960 - Dorsey Burnette's single "(There Was A) Tall Oak Tree" charted today.

 

1968 - Johnny Cash proposed to June Carter on stage in London, Ontario, Canada.

 

1969 - Flatt and Scruggs played their final performance on the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1975 - B.J. Thomas's ABC single "Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song" charted today and went to #1.The recording was named the Grammy Country Song of the Year.

 

1975 - Kitty Wells and Freddy Fender were the featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1981 - MCA released Jimmy Buffett's "Coconut Telegraph."

 

1982 - Barbara Mandrell's MCA album "Live" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1992 - Hightone Records released Sonny Burgess' "Tennessee Border."

 

1994 - Pat Boone, while doing a rope trick on TNN's "Crook & Chase," in 1994, knocked his toupe off with the rope.  Pat calmly walked to where it had landed, picked it up, and positioned the hairpiece back on top of his head.  That incident brought to a close Pat Boone's cowboy imitations.

 

1995 - Shania Twain released her album "Any Man of Mine." By June, Shania was a star.

 

2003 - Terri Clark's "I Just Wanna Be Mad," went to #2 on the charts. No female artist had a higher-ranking single that year.

 

2005 - Country duo Hanna’ÄîMcEuen released their debut single "Something Like A Broken Heart." Their fathers are Jeff Hanna and John McEuen, founders of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

 

2005 - Billy Cochran, age 50, fiddler, and guitarist died from liver disease  Billy played for Ray Price, Dottie West, Eddy Raven, Johnny Lee and many others.

 

-23-

 

1897 - Dave Apollon, Traditional Bluegrass, Mandolin player born Kiev, Russia.

 

1911 - Al Clauser 1911-1989, Western Swing bandleader, guitarist, songwriter, was born in Manitoa, Illinois.

 

1923 - Buck Griffin, singer, guitarist born in Corsicana, Texas.

 

1946 - Rusty Young of "Poco" born in Long Beach, California.

 

1947 - Minnie Pearl and Henry Cannon were married today. Henry, a former military pilot, was now co-owner of Capitol Airways. Prior to Elvis Presley purchasing his own jet (the Lisa Marie), Henry flew Elvis to his concerts, and back and forth between Memphis and Hollywood. Minnie and Elvis were good friends, and she once opened a show for him in Hawaii.

 

1948 - Thom Bresh, singer, songwriter, guitarist, born Hollywood, California. Thom is the son of Merle Travis.

 

1952 - Dell Wood debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1957 - Porter Wagoner joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1957 - Patsy Cline charted the first of her thirteen pop chart hits, when "Walkin' After Midnight" made Billboards Top 100.

 

1958 - Johnny Cash topped the charts with "Ballad of a Teenage Queen."

 

1959 - Ernest Tubb recorded "I Cried A Tear."

 

1963 - Bill Anderson's self-penned Decca single "Still" hit the Billboard Country chart. This was "Whispering Bill's" 2^nd #1 record. The South Carolina native became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1961, and was inducted into the NSHF in 1975. Induction into the CMHF came in 2001.

 

1966 - Buck Owens single "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line" topped the charts.

 

1971 - Tom T. Hall, Connie Eaton, Bobby Bare, and Susan Raye were featured guests on
"Hee Haw."

 

1971 - Charlie Pride had three albums certified Gold today by the RIAA. "Charley Pride's 10^th Album," "Charley Pride in Person," and "Just Plain Charley"

 

1974 - Pat Boone, Skeeter Davis, Ronnie Milsap, and George Lindsey were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1979 - Tanya Tucker's MCA album "TNT" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1981 - Roy Newman 1899-1981, Western Swing bandleader, and multi-instrumentalist, died today at the age of 81. Newman was recording before Bob Wills; however Roy's band had more horns than most Western Swing bands of the day, therefore a different sound.

 

1981 - Eddie Rabbit's Elektra album "Horizon" was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

 

1982 - Alabama won a Grammy for their single "Mountain Music."

 

1985 - Mel McDaniel's "Baby's Got Her Blues Jeans On," went to #1.

 

1986 - "Born To Boogie," went gold for Hank Williams Jr.

 

1988 - Leroy LeBlanc, age 73, a.k.a. "Happy Fats" died today.

 

1990 - Reba McEntire's first child was born.

 

1993 - Capitol released Eddie Cochran's 2-album set "Singin' to My Baby" & "Never to be Forgotten," thirty-three years after his death in a London car crash.

 

2002 - LeAnn Rimes and dancer Dean Sheremet were married in Dallas, Texas.

 

2002 - Brooks & Dunn's #1 country hit "The Long Goodbye" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 chart.

 

2003 - The 45^th Annual Grammy Awards were presented at Madison Square Garden. Female Country Vocal: "Cry" Faith Hill. Male Country Vocal: "Give My Love To Rose" Johnny Cash. Bluegrass Album: "Lost In The Lonesome Pines" Jim Lauderdale, Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys. Best Country Collaboration With Vocals: "Mendocino County Line" Lee Ann Womack & Willie Nelson. Best Country Song: "Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning" Alan Jackson.

 

2004 - BMI President and CEO Frances W. Preston was honored by the Broadcasters'  Foundation with their prestigious Golden Mike Award. The presentation took place at the

Plaza in New York City. The nonprofit Broadcasters' Foundation has long been a safety net in times of financial crisis for radio and television professionals across the country.

 

2006 - The GuitarTown Auction Gala Event was held at BMI, in Nashville. Money generated by this event benefits the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The DISTRICT, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and United Way of Nashville. Artists scheduled to perform at this year's event Vince Gill, Bill Anderson, Michael McDonald, Tracy Lawrence, Chely Wright, Keith Anderson, Jamie O'Neal, Little Texas, Jace Everett, Brenda Lee, Steve Cropper, Muzik Mafia, Lee Roy Parnell. and Keni Thomas.

 

2006 - The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum inducted the following artists: Wynonna Judd, Naomi Judd, John Conlee, Sam Bush, and Dottie Rambo. Lily Tomlin hosted the awards show. The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame & Museum is located at 2590 Richmond Road, in Renfro Valley, Kentucky.

 

-24-

 

1902 - Don Law 1902-1982, Columbia Records executive, and producer, born in London, England.

 

1942 - Roy "Little Roy" Lewis Jr., of "The Lewis Family" born in Lincoln County, Georgia.

 

1949 - Steve Buckingham, producer, born in Richmond, Virginia.

 

1950 - Becky Hobbs singer, songwriter, pianist, and guitarist born Rebecca Ann Hobbs in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Becky is known to her friends as "The Beckaroo."

 

1958 - Sammy Kershaw, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born in Abbeville, Louisiana, and raised in Kaplan, Louisiana. Sammy and Lorrie Morgan were married on September 20, 2001. This was Lorrie's 5^th marriage and Sammy's 4^th.

 

1962 - Patsy Cline's Decca single "She's Got You" was released today. This was Patsy's 2^nd #1 hit.

 

1964 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens single "My Heart Skips A Beat" b/w "Together Again." The songs were recorded at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood. The session was produced by Ken Nelson, the session players included: Buck Owens-vocals & guitar; Don Rich-rhythm guitar; Jelly Sanders-rhythm guitar; Tom Brumley-steel guitar; Doyle Holly-bass; Mel Taylor-drums. Both sides of this single went to #1.

 

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

 

1969 - Johnny Cash recorded "Johnny Cash at San Quentin."

 

1969 - B. J. Thomas' Scepter single "Hooked on a Feeling" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1973 - Donna Fargo, Tommy Cash, Charlie Rich, and Tennessee Ernie Ford were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1978 - As a result of the popularity of "Take This Job and Shove It," Johnny Paycheck was asked to join striking coal miners on the picket line in Virginia. Johnny did just that today.

 

1979 - Charlie Rich and Mary K. Miller were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1981 - "Lee" William Allen of the Allen Brothers died.

 

1991 - George Gobel 1919-1991, singer, comedian and actor died at age 72. George joined the cast of the WLS National Barn Dance when he was 13 years old.

 

1991 - Webb Pierce 1921-1991, age 69, died in Nashville, Tennessee. Webb began his career at the KWKH Louisiana Hay Ride. He made his debut guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1952, and became a regular member the following year. He was inducted into the CMHF 2001. Webb Pierce was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee.

 

1998 - Hal Ketchum and Gina Pacconi were married.

 

1998 - Razor & Tie released "The Fine Lookin' Hits of Eddie Cochran."

 

2005 Goldie Hill 1933-2005, age 72, "The Golden Hillbilly," and wife of country legend Carl Smith, died from cancer at Baptist Hospital in Nashville. Goldie joined the Grand Ole Opry 1953. She was laid to rest in Williamson Memorial Gardens, Franklin, Tennessee.

 

-25-

 

1889 - Thomas Green Ryman filed a Charter of Incorporation, forming the "Union Gospel

Tabernacle." After his death, the name of the church building would be changed to The Ryman

Auditorium.

 

1911 - Frank Blevins fiddler, singer born in Smyth County, Virginia.

 

1927 - Ralph Stanley born in Stratton, Virginia. Member Grand Ole Opry. Inducted IBMAHH 1992.

 

1932 - Faron Young 1932-1996, member Country Music Hall of Fame, born in Shreveport, Louisiana. Faron joined the cast of the Louisiana Hay Ride in 1951, and moved to the Grand Ole Opry in 1954. He founded the Music City News, one of Nashville's best ever sources for country music news. If the MCN printed a story, you could count on it being accurate.

 

1946 - Peter Wernick of "Hot Rize," was born in New York City.

 

1949 - Hank William's "Lovesick Blues" released by MGM. It went to #1 and remained on the chart for 9 months.

 

1956 - Elvis Presley's "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" went to #1 on the Country charts.

 

1957 - Buddy Holly recorded "That'll Be the Day" at Norman Petty's New Mexico studio.

 

1959 - Johnny M. Tulucci of the "Cactus Brothers," was born in Miami, Florida.

 

1970 - Johnny Cash sang his version of "Sunday Morning Coming Down" for the first time on his TV Show.

 

1970 - Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1971 - Lynn Anderson's Columbia album "Rose Garden" was certified gold.

 

1974 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "On the Cover of the Music City News." The record topped out at #9.

 

1978 - Ruth Buzzi and David Houston were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1981 - The Statler Brothers Mercury album "The Best of the Statler Brothers Rides Again, Vol. 2" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1993 - Toy Talmadge Caldwell Jr. 1947-1993, guitarist, and songwriter, a founding member of the Marshall Tucker Band, died in his sleep at his home in Moore, South Carolina. He was 45.

 

1998 - Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood's "In Another's Eyes" won a Grammy.

 

2000 - The International Bluegrass Music Museum in Owensboro, Kentucky, closed for a multi-million dollar renovation.

 

2000 - Roy Clark released his album "Absolutely the Best, Vol.1."

 

2004 - Margie Bowes had a foot amputated. Bowes' foot was seriously injured in a vehicle accident in 1995, and required numerous surgeries prior to the amputation. The former member of the Grand Ole Opry was once married to Doyle Wilburn.

 

2006 - This years winter Grand Ole Opry Shows at the Ryman will end with this evenings Opry broadcast. Next week the Opry will be presented from the new Grand Ole Opry house.

 

2007 - This year's Country Music Cruise featured entertainment by The Bellamy Brothers, Collin Raye, Mel Tillis, Suzy Boggus, and Collin Raye. The ship departed from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, today and returned on March 4^th.

 

-26-

 

1898 - Sid Harkreader, fiddler, guitarist, born Gladville, Tennessee.

 

1926 - Billy Jack Wills, Western swing bandleader, singer, and songwriter born Hall County,

Texas. Billy was Bob Wills' youngest brother.

 

1932 - Johnny Cash 1932-2003, "The Man In Black" born Kingsland, Arkansas, the fourth of seven children to Roy and Carrie Cash.

 

1938 - Roy Acuff changed the name of his band from "The Crazy Tennesseans to "The Smokey

Mountain Boys" in 1938. The name was suggested by Harry Stone.

 

1938 - Jan Crutchfield songwriter, singer, and music executive born in Paducah, Kentucky.

 

1952 - Chris Wall, singer, songwriter born Los Angeles, California.

 

1955 - Lillie Skipper Williams, mother of Hank Williams, died in Montgomery, Alabama. Hank's possessions and memorabilia were left to Hank's sister Irene.

 

1955 - The Louvin Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

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

 

1958 - Marty Robbins recorded "Ain't I The Lucky One" in New York City for Columbia Records. Melvin Endsley wrote the song, and Mitch Miller produced the session. The session personnel included: Marty Robbins-vocals & guitar; Billy Mure-guitar; Tony Mottola-guitar; Don Arnone-guitar; Frank Carroll-bass; Ed Shauhnessy-drums; Ray Coniff-session leader.

 

1960 - Marty Robbins released "Big Iron" b/w "Saddle Tramp".

 

1968 - Jim Reeves' RCA album "Distant Drums" was certified Gold by the RIAA. The album was released in 1966. Three singles released from the album went to #1. "Distant Drums," "Is It Really Over?" and "This Is It." This was Jim's 2^nd Gold Album.

 

1971 - A&M Records released the album "Rita Coolidge."

 

1972 - Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Johnny Bench were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1977 - Ernest Tubb and Jody Miller were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1994 - The Desert Rose Band gave their final concert in Indio, California.

 

2002 - ASV released Red Foley's album "Chattanoogie Shoeshine Boy."

 

2002 - The National Conference on Education honored Dolly Parton with their Galaxy Award.

 

2005 - One of Pat Green's tour buses caught fire near Chattanooga, Tennessee, in the early morning hours. The bus driver woke the band and everyone was removed from the bus without injury.

 

2005 - The Grand Ole Opry moved back to the Opry House after a two-month stay at the Ryman Auditorium.

 

2005 - Charlie Louvin appeared on the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree on WSM. It was Charlie's 50^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

2006 - The National Wild Turkey Federation's 30^th Convention and Sport Show was held the 23^rd-26^th in Nashville. Joe Diffie and Diamond Rio headlined the entertainment.

 

-27-

 

1897 - Will Gilmer of the "Leake County Revelers" born in Leake County, Mississippi.

 

1909 - Texas Jim Robertson, singer, and actor born in Batesville, Texas.

 

1925 - Hardrock Gunter, born Sidney Louis Gunter Jr., in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

1927 - Guy Mitchell was born on this date.

 

1936 - Chuck Glaser of The Glaser Brothers born in Spalding, Nebraska. The brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1966, and were the CMA's Vocal Group of the Year in 1970.

 

1959 - Billy Grammer joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1959 - Jerry Lee Lewis' second son Steve Allen Lewis was born.

 

1961 - Marty Robbins began a ten-week run at #1 with "Don't Worry About Me."

 

1971 - Buck Owens recorded "Ruby" today at the Buck Owens Studios, in Bakersfield, California. The song was written by mountain singer Cousin Emmy, and the session personnel included Buck Owens-vocal; Don Rich-rhythm guitar & harmony vocal: Ron Jackson-banjo; Jim Shaw-piano; Doyle Curtsinger-bass & harmony vocal; Jerry Wiggins-drums. The song was released as a single by Capitol on April 12, 1971, and it went to #1 in Cashbox. Someone on the left coast must have purchased some ads.

 

1979 - Nicolette Larson's Warner Bros. album "Nicolette" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

 

1979 - Kenny Rogers United Artists album "The Gambler" was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

 

1988 - Tanya Tucker's "I Won't Take Less Than Your Love," went to #1.

 

1990 - Alan Jackson's Arista single "Here in the Real World," was released today. The song became Alan's 2^nd chart record.

 

1993 - Johnny Cash met Rick Rubin for the first time in Santa Ana, California.

 

2000 - Walter Bailes, age 80, died in Sevierville, Tennessee. Walter was a member of the Grand Ole Opry's "The Bailes Brothers."

 

2001 - Dream Works released Jessica Andrews' album "Who I Am."

 

2002 - The 44^th Annual Grammy Awards were presented at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Winners in the Country category include: *Dolly Parton Best Female Vocal Performance "Shine." * Ralph Stanley Best Male Vocal Performance "O Death." *Alison Krauss & Union Station Best Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal "The Lucky One." *Dan Tyminski, *Harley Allen & *Pat Enright Best Country Collaboration With Vocals "I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow." *Albert Lee, *Earl Scruggs, *Gray Scruggs, *Glen Duncan and *Jerry Douglas Best Instrumental Performance "Foggy Mountain Breakdown."

 

2002 - The Country Radio Broadcasters honored Brooks & Dunn, with their "Humanitarian of the Year" award.

 

2007 - Billy Grammer joined the Grand Ole Opry 48 years ago today.

 

2007 - CRB, Inc. presented it's Career Achievement Award to Kenny Rogers at the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame Dinner and Awards show this evening. The award is presented to an artist who has been a major influence on the growth and success of Country Radio.

 

-28-

 

1911 - James R. Denny 1911-1963, WSM executive, publisher, booking agent born in Silver Point, Tennessee. 

 

1923 - Audrey Mae Sheppard, Hank Williams first wife, was born in Banks, Alabama. Prior to marrying Hank, Audrey was married to Erskine Guy.

 

1927 - Don Helms, future steel guitarist in Hank Williams Drifting Cowboys band, was born on this date.

 

1940 - Joe South, was born Joseph Alfred Souter in Atlanta, Georgia.

 

1948 - Bunny "Jamup" Biggs 1897-1948, of the Grand Ole Opry team "Jamup and Honey", died at the age of 52. Bunny Biggs was laid to rest in Spring Hill Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.

 

1949 - Capitol Records released Tennessee Ernie Ford's single "Tennessee Border."

 

1958 - Jim Fungaroli of the "Cactus Brothers," was born in Harrisonburg, Pennsylvania.

 

1971 - Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, 1898-1971, Grand Ole Opry star, died Louisville, Kentucky.

 

1971 - The Everly Brothers appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.

 

1976 - Sonny James, David Wills, and LaWanda Lindsey were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

 

1977 - Jason Aldean, recording artist, born in Macon, Georgia.

 

1986 - Barbara Mandrell performed her first show after her near-fatal car accident, at L.A.'s Universal Amphitheater. Dolly Parton insisted that she was going to open the show for her friend, and she did. Barbara didn't know if she would be able to continue her career. The show was perfect, and Barbara was back in business.

 

1989 - Dean Stoneman of the Stoneman Family died on this date.

 

1992 - Travis Tritt became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1998 - Garth Brooks hosted Saturday Night Live on NBC.

 

2000 - Gary Boggs, died today at the age of 59. Boggs played steel guitar for George Jones, Connie Smith, and Vern Gosdin.

 

2002 - The all new Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum, located in Renfro Valley, Kentucky, inducted the following artists;  Tom T. Hall, Loretta Lynn, the Osborne Brothers, Merle Travis, Bill Monroe, Jean Ritchie, the Everly Brothers, Red Foley, Grandpa Jones, John Lair, Bradley Kincaid and Rosemary Clooney.

 

2004 - George Strait drew a record crowd of 17, 299 fans to his concert at the Alltel Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas.

2007 - Country Radio Seminar-38 opened in Nashville, and ran through March 2^nd.

 

-29-

 

1952 - Webb Pierce's "Wondering" topped the charts.

 

1955 - Ira and Charlie Louvin The Louvin Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

1960 - Bob Beckham's single "Crazy Arms" debuted on the charts.

 

1960 - Patsy Cline released "Lovesick Blues" and "How Can I Face Tomorrow."

 

1968 - Henson Cargill's "Skip A Rope" was #1 on the country charts. Johnny Cash turned the song down, he didn"t think his fans would like it.

 

1976 - Waylon and Willie's "Good Hearted Woman" topped the charts.

 

1980 - WSM's Dave Overton died.

 

1988 - George Vaughn Horton, songwriter died.

 

1992 - Travis Tritt joined the Grand Ole Opry.

 

2000 - Capitol released Glenn Campbell's "20 Greatest Hits."

 

2000 - Smith Music released Moe Bandy's "Live At Billy Bob's Texas."

 

2000 - Lynn Anderson released her album "Live at Billy Bob's Texas."

 

2002 - Columbia Records released "The Essential Johnny Cash."

 

 

 

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****This Country Music History Calendar is reprinted with permission from the original work copyrighted by Bill Morrison © 2005.
See: Bill's "Rockabilly Country News & Views"Page

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