"June"
-1-
Ronnie Dunn born "Ronnie Gene Dunn," Coleman, TX 1953. Prior to pursuing a career in Country Music, Ronnie studied theology at Abilene Christian College.
Patsy Cline's first recording session for Coral Records 1955.
Johnny Horton's "The Battle Of New Orleans" went to #1 in 1959.
Dolly Parton moved to Nashville 1964.
Shelley Lee Alley, age 69, died 1964.
Stu Phillips joined the Grand Ole Opry 1967.
The house where Elvis Presley and his twin brother were born in Tupelo, MS was opened for tours in 1971.
Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues," single, charted 1968.
Ralph Emery asked WSM to relieve him of his duties, on the all night Broadcast of "Opry Star Spotlight," in 1972.
Asylum released "The Eagles" self titled debut album 1972.
Johnny Cash released "One Piece At A Time" 1976.
Jimmy Murphy, singer/songwriter died 1981.
Alan Jackson released his album "Don't Rock the Jukebox" 1991. The album sold over four million copies, and Alan told his wife she could quit her day job.
Epic released Joe Diffie's "A Night to Remember" 1999.
Julie Roberts appeared on ABC's Good Morning America 2004.
-2-
Carl Butler of 'Carl & Pearl Butler' singer/songwriter, born Knoxville, TN 1927.
Bobby Bobo, Midwestern Hayride WLW, born Brookfield, OH 1931.
Carl Smith debuted on the charts with "Let's Live a Little" 1951.
Del Reeves released "Cool Drool," 1958.
Clarence "Tom" Ashley, age 71, Traditional Bluegrass/Vocals/Banjo, died 1967.
Marty Robbins released "I Can't Say Goodbye/Hello Daily News" 1969.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens' album "Buck Owens In London" 1969.
The Indian Springs Bluegrass Festival debuted in Maryland in 1972.
Waylon Jennings topped the charts with "Luckenbach, Texas" 1977.
Conway Twitty's "Don't Call Him A Cowboy" was #1 in 1985.
Travis Tritt hospitalized in Nashville, after collapsing in a recording studio. He was treated for severe exhaustion and dehydration 1995.
Alabama released their album "The Essential" 1998.
Liberty Records released Suzy Bogguss's "Nobody Love, Nobody Gets Hurt" 1998.
Helen Carter, age 70, died Nashville, TN 1998. She was the daughter of Mother Maybelle Carter, and sister of June Carter Cash.
BNA released John Anderson's album "The Essential" 1998.
Adolph Hofner, Western Swing pioneer, died in San Antonio, TX 2000.
-3-
Cowboy Loye born 'Loye Donald Pack' singer/songwriter/guitarist in Nashville, TN 1900.
Tommy Leffew, mandolinist for the "Fruit Jar Drinkers," born 1905.
Curly Williams, Western Swing/fiddler/songwriter born Cairo, GA 1914.
Tex Looney, radio star/recording artist, born 1919.
Boots Randolph born 'Homer Louis Randolph' Paducah, KY 1927.
Bob Wills topped the charts with "New Spanish Two Step" 1946.
Frederick "Too Slim" Labour, of "Riders In the Sky," born Grand Rapids, MI 1948.
Hank Williams gave his final performance on the Louisiana Hayride, prior to moving to Nashville in 1949.
Elvis Presley graduated from Hume H.S. in Memphis, 1953.
The Midwest Hayride debuted on WLW-TV in Cincinnati, OH 1955.
George Jones's "She Thinks I Still Care" is #1 in 1962.
Jamie O'Neal, born "Jamie Murphy" in Sydney, Australia 1968.
Donna Fargo's "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A." went to #1 in 1972.
Billy Wallace, singer/songwriter, died Huntsville, AL 1978.
Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis, TN, opened as a tourist attraction 1982.
Reba McEntire married Narvel Blackstock, her guitar player, in Lake Tahoe, NV 1989.
Willie Nelson released his album "Who'll Buy My Memories - The IRS Tapes" in 1991. Money raised by the sale of this album, would go to the IRS to pay off the sixteen million dollar tax debt that Willie owed.
Wally Fowler, age 77, died in 1994. Member Grand Ole Opry.
Van Stoneman, age 78, "Stoneman Family," died 1995.
Wynonna stalker Randall Dee Kimbrough, age 39, was arrested for trespassing on Wynonna Judd's property 1997.
Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw were arrested in Buffalo, NY in 2000. Chesney was charged with Disorderly Conduct. McGraw was charged with second-degree assault and resisting arrest.
Capitol Records released Trace Adkins album "Greatest Hits Collection, Vol.1 2003.
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Texas Ruby born "Ruby Owens," Wise County, TX 1910.
Bill Mack, the "Midnight Cowboy," born Shamrock, TX 1929.
Pee Wee King debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1937.
Freddy Fender, singer/songwriter/guitarist, born "Baldemar O. Huerta," San Benito, TX 1937.
Linda Martell born Thelma Bynem in Lexington County, SC 1941. Linda was the first black female vocalist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and she made a total of twelve guest appearances.
Capitol Records began sending out "promotional" copies of records to radio announcers around the U.S. 1942.
Gene Autry recorded "South of the Border/When It's Round Time In Heaven" 1946.
Johnny Bond recorded "The Daughter of Jole Blon" 1947.
Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-A-lula" was released 1956.
Bill Morrison recorded "Baby Be Good," at TNT Studio's in San Antonio, TX 1960.
Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, performed together for the last time on the Grand Ole Opry in 1974.
Clark Kessinger of the Kessinger Brothers died 1975.
Alabama debuted June Jam in Fort Payne, AL 1982.
Alabama's #1 single "The Closer You Get" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 1983.
The Johnny Cash Show toured Australia from the 4th through the 17th in 1985.
The Oak Ridge Boys single "It Takes A Little Rain (To Make Love Grow)" was #1 in 1987.
Zeke Clement, age 82, died in Nashville 1994.
Tim McGraw's "Don't Take The Girl" topped the charts 1994.
Rounder released Rosie Flores' "Honky Tonk Reprise" 1996.
John Hartford, age 63, singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist died 2001.
Lew Houston-Childrea, steel guitarist for Conway Twitty, died in Missouri in 2001.
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William Boyd a.k.a. Hopalong Cassidy, born Cambridge, OH 1895.
Albert Green Hopkins, of "The Hill Billies" born Gap Creek, NC 1889.
Ira Stripling, of the "Stripling Brothers" born Pickens County, AL 1898.
Harold John Breau, of Lone Pine & Betty Cody" born Pea Cove, ME 1916.
Al Gallico, publisher, born Brooklyn, NY 1919.
Jerry "Carrot Top" Dykes born 1927.
Yodelin' Tommy Floyd born 1935.
Pee Wee King debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1937.
The Grand Ole Opry moved for the fourth time in nine years, leaving the "War Memorial Auditorium" for the "Ryman Auditorium," in 1943. The Opry remained at the "Mother Church of Country Music," for the next thirty-one years.
Don Reid "Statler Brothers," born Staunton, VA 1945.
The Hayloft Hoedown debuted on ABC-TV 1948.
Gail Davies singer/songwriter, born "Patricia Gail Dickerson," Broken Bow, OK 1948.
Elvis Presley appeared on Milton Berle's TV Show Texaco Star Theatre 1956.
Carl Perkins' recording of "Blue Suede Shoes" topped the charts 1956.
Bob Dylan "Bob Zimmerman" graduated from High School in Hibbing, MN 1959.
Brenda Lee's single "I'm Sorry" charted 1960.
John Y. "Lonzo," Sullivan, age 48, of "Lonzo and Oscar," died 1967.
Marla Suzanne Cox, "Cox Family," born Springhill, LA 1967.
Max Terhune, WLS Barn Dance/Western movies, died Cottonwood, AZ 1973.
"Urban Cowboy," premiered in Houston, TX in 1980.
Marty Robbins released "One Man's Trash/I Can't Wait Until Tomorrow" 1980.
Alabama's #1 single "Take Me Down" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 1982.
Conway Twitty, age 59, died near Branson, Mo. in 1993. Inducted NSHF 1993. CMHF 1999.
Nashville's world famous "Bluebird Cafe" celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2001.
Gary Allan and Angela Forsythe were married 2001.
CMT presented the 32nd Annual Fan Fair, in downtown Nashville, June 5th through June 8th, 2003. Beginning in 2004 this event was renamed the CMA Music Festival.
Dwight Yoakam, honored with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Tracy Lawrence's Homecoming Weekend Concert was held in his hometown of Foreman, AR 2004. Also appearing on the show were Rhett Atkins, David Kersh, Daryle Singletary and Chad Brock.
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Gid Tanner, of the "Skillet Lickers," born Thomas Bridge, GA 1885.
Asher Sizemore born Manchester, KY 1906.
George Vaughn Horton, songwriter, born Broad Top, PA 1911.
Charlie Cline, of the "Lonesome Pine Fiddlers" born Gilbert, WV 1931.
Billy "Crash" Craddock born Greensboro, NC 1939.
Joe Stampley born Springhill, LA 1943.
Grant Turner debuted as a WSM announcer on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His career at WSM, and the Opry, led to membership in the CMHF.
Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues" was #1 in 1949.
Curtis Wright, singer/songwriter member 'The Super Grit Cowboy Band' born 1955.
Freddy Fender released "Wasted Days, Wasted Nights," 1960.
Merle Haggard's second single "Sam Hill" was released by Tally Records 1964.
Marty Robbins released "The Shoe's On The Other Foot Tonight" 1966.
Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin" went to #1 in 1970.
Lisa Brokop, singer/songwriter/actor born Surrey British Columbia, Canada 1973.
Razzy Bailey's "Friends" topped the charts 1981.
Lorrie Morgan joined the Grand Ole Opry 1984.
Billy Ray Cyrus released his debut album "Some Gave All" 1992. The album has sold over nine million copies.
William A. Palmer, inventor of the magnetic tape recorder, died in 1996. Prior to his invention music was cut direct to the record.
Bonnie Lou released "Doin' the Tennessee Wig Walk" 2000.
Artemis released Steve Earl's album "Transcendental Blues" 2000.
Marvin Montgomery, age 88, banjo player for the Light Crust Doughboys, died in Dallas in 2001.
The 31st Annual Fan Fair was held in downtown Nashville, between June 13th-16th, in 2002.
Heidi Newfield of Trick Pony, and Bill Johnson, were married in Destin Florida 2004.
-7-
Wynn Stewart born Morrisville, MO 1934.
Bob Wills recorded "White Heat/Steel Guitar Stomp" 1937.
Clarence White, guitarist, born Lewiston, ME 1944.
Pee Wee King recorded "Fire On The Mountain, Dip and Dive" 1949.
Red Foley topped the charts with "Birmingham Bounce" 1950.
Larry Boone singer/songwriter, born Cooper City, Fl 1956.
The Everly Brothers "All I Have To Do Is Dream" was #1 in 1958.
Don Gibson wrote "I Can't Stop Loving You," and "Oh Lonesome Me," in his house trailer near Knoxville, TN on this day in 1959.
Claudette Orbison, wife of Roy Orbison, killed in a motorcycle accident 1966.
The Johnny Cash Show made its television debut 1969. The show was filmed each week at the Ryman Auditorium.
Ronnie Milsap's "Pure Love" was #1 1974.
Rocky Burnette's single "Tired Of Toein' The Line" charted 1980.
Elvis Presley's Graceland opened for public tours in 1982.
Ricky Van Shelton topped the charts with "Finally" 1990.
Alan Jackson joined the Grand Ole Opry 1991.
Liberty released John Berry's album "John Berry" 1993.
Courtney Johnson, age 56, "New Grass Revival," died 1996.
Jerry Capehart, age 69, died from cancer 1998. Capehart co-wrote "Summertime Blues," with Eddie Cochran.
Gretchen Wilson's single "Redneck Woman" topped the charts 2004.
-8-
Adolf Hofner, guitarist/vocalist/bandleader, born Moulton, TX 1916.
Monte Hale, Singing Cowboy/actor, born San Angelo, TX 1921.
Clyde Beavers, singer/disc jockey born Teenega, GA 1932.
Mack Vickery, singer/songwriter, born Town Creek, AL 1938.
The Coon Creek Girls gave a command performance at the White House for King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England 1939.
Vernon Oxford, singer/songwriter/musician, born Rogers, AR 1941.
Tony Rice, guitarist, born Danville, VA 1951.
Eddy Arnold released "The Tennessee Stud," 1959.
Stonewall Jackson's #1 single "Waterloo," charted 1959.
Johnny Cash's #1 single "Ring Of Fire," charted 1963.
Lester Flatt Day was declared in the State Of Tennessee in 1963.
Alton Delmore, age 55, of the Delmore Brothers, died Huntsville, AL 1964. Inducted Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame 1971.
Wynn Stewart topped the charts with "It's Such A Pretty World Today" 1967.
Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," went to #1 in 1974.
Mickey Gilley's "Window Up Above" was #1 in 1975.
Waylon Jennings' "Lucille" topped the charts 1983.
Roba Stanley, age 76, nicknamed "The First Country Sweetheart," died in Gainesville, FL 1986. Roba was the first female country music recording artist (Okeh Records) 1924-1926.)
Anne Murray and husband Bill Langstroth, legally separated, after 23 years of marriage in 1998.
Tommy Perkins, age 69, drummer for Bob Wills, died in an automobile accident in 2003.
Bill Lowery, music publisher, past president of the Country Music Foundation, died 2004.
-9-
Les Paul, Grammy Award-winning guitarist, born Waukesha, WI 1915.
Herb Remington, steel guitarist/bass/composer, member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, born Mishawaka, IN 1926.
William Cox, "Cox Family," born Cotton Valley, LA 1937.
Stoney Cooper and Wilma Lee Leary married 1941.
Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side Of Life" was #1 1952.
Johnny Cash's "I Walk The Line," charted 1956.
The Everly Brothers "All I have To Do Is Dream," topped the charts in 1958.
Hank Locklin topped the charts with "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" 1960.
Marty Robbins released "Hawaii's Calling Me/ Ka-lu-a" 1962.
John Denver and Annie Martell were married 1967.
Johnny Rodriquez's "You Always Come Back," went to #1 in 1973.
Johnny Cash went #1 with "One Piece At A Time" 1976.
Merle Haggard topped the charts with "Someday When Things Are Good" 1984.
BNA released John Anderson's album "Solid Ground" 1993.
Sony released Johnny Cash's album "VH-1 Storytellers" 1998.
Warner Bros. released Bela Fleck's "Left of Cool" album 1998.
King released David Allan Coe's "Johnny Cash Is a Friend of Mine" 1998.
Gretchen Wilson's album "Here For The Party" topped the charts 2004.
-10-
Rusty Gill, Singing cowboy/actor born 1919.
Jack Turner, "The Singing River Boy," born 1921.
Bob Yellin, "The Greenbriar Boys," born NYC 1936.
Gene Autry's "At Mail Call Today" topped the charts 1945.
Thom Schuyler, singer/songwriter/music executive, born Bethlehem, PA 1952.
Hank Williams' single "Take These Chains From My Heart" was #1 1953.
Buddy Holly released "That'll Be The Day," 1957.
Faron Young's "Hello Walls" was #1 1961.
Ed Burleson, singer/guitarist, born in Texas 1969.
Waylon Jennings' "Luckenbach Texas" was #1 1977.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band celebrated its 20th anniversary at a Performance in Rocks, Colorado 1978.
Merle Haggard topped the charts with "Natural High" 1985.
Herman Crook, age 89, harmonica player for the Crook Brothers, died 1988.
Ricky Van Shelton joined the Grand Ole Opry 1988.
Capitol released Skip Ewing's album "Naturally" 1991.
Tennessee Ernie Ford released his album "Country Gospel Classics, Vol. 2" 1991.
Carolina Cotton, age 70, died from cancer 1997.
Steve Sanders, age 45, died in his Florida home, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in 1998. Steve had recently quit the "Oak Ridge Boys," after a fifteen-year association.
Linda Davis hosted the Muscular Dystrophy Association Benefit at The Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville 2004.
Julie Roberts made her debut appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 2004.
The 2004 edition of the "Grand Ole Opry Superstar Spectacular" was presented at the Ryman Auditorium 2004. All proceeds from this annual concert go to the Opry Trust Fund, which benefits needy members of Nashville's music community.
Ray Charles, age 73, died in Los Angeles, CA 2004.
-11-
Edwin Duhon, "The Hackberry Ramblers," born Lafayette, LA 1910.
Brother Dave Gardner, singer/country comedy/drummer born Jackson, TN 1926.
Jud Strunk singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist born Jamestown, NY 1936.
Wilma Burgess born Orlando, FL 1939.
Hank Williams debuted as a guest, on the Grand Ole Opry in 1949. He appeared on the 9:30-10:00 PM segment sponsored by Warren Paint, and hosted by Ernest Tubb. He sang "Lovesick Blues," and received six encores.
Jimmy Arnold, Traditional Bluegrass/Vocals/Fiddle/Guitar/Harmonica, born Fries, VA 1952.
Rose Maddox released "Wild Wild Young Men," 1955.
Marty Robbins released "Respectfully Miss Brooks/You Don't Owe Me A Thing" 1956.
Roy Orbison's first #1 hit "Running Scared" topped the Billboard chart 1961.
George Jones topped the charts with "She Thinks I Still Care" 1962.
Jay McDowell "BR5-49," born Bedford, IN 1969.
Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'" was #1 1970.
Ann Murray's "Heart Over Mind," album certified gold 1985.
Joe Val, age 58, songwriter/multi-instrumentalist died 1985.
Patty Loveless joined the Grand Ole Opry 1988.
Tim McGraw kicked off his "Out Loud Tour" in Virginia Beach, VA 2004.
Faith Hill's first major movie "The Stepford Wives," opened in theaters 2004. Nicole Kidman, Glenn Close, and Bette Midler starred.
-12-
Penny Jay, songwriter born 1927.
Charlie Feathers, Rockabilly singer-songwriter, Sun recording artist born Myrtle, MS 1932. Member RHOF.
Dr. Humphrey Bate, age 61, "The Possum Hunters," died 1936.
Bob Wills topped the charts with "Sugar Moon" 1947.
Ernest Tubb recorded his #1 single "Slipping Around," 1949.
Junior Brown, singer/songwriter/guitarist, born 'Jamison Brown' in Kirksville, IN 1952.
Rocky Burnette, singer/songwriter/guitarist, born Memphis, TN 1953. Rocky is the son of Johnny Burnette.
Webb Pierce's single "In The Jailhouse Now" was #1 in 1955.
Rebecca Holden born, Austin, TX 1958.
Eli Oberstein, age 58, record company executive, died 1960.
Tex Ritter joined the Grand Ole Opry 1965.
Lynn Anderson's "You're My Man" was #1 in 1971.
J. E. Mainer, age 72, fiddler/band leader/recording artist, died 1971.
Johnny Bond, age 63, singer/songwriter/actor/author died from a heart attack in Burbank, CA 1978. NSHF 1970. CMHF 1999.
Dan Seals topped the charts with "I Will Be There" 1987.
Alabama's single "God Must Have Spent A Little More Time On You" debuted on Billboards Top 40 in 1999.
Chet Atkins released "Guitar Country/More of That Guitar Country" in 2001.
American Originals released Harley Allen's album "Live At The Bluebird" in 2001.
A 3-mile section of Highway 92 in Hiram, GA was re-named "Travis Tritt Highway," in 2001.
Oms Records released Vassar Clements' album "Full Circle" 2001.
Terri Clark joined the Grand Ole Opry 2004. Terri is the first female Canadian artist to join the Opry family.
-13-
Slim Dusty born "David Gordon Kirpatrick," in Kempsey, New Wales, Australia 1927.
Curley Lambert born 1930.
Howard Vokes born 1931.
Gene Autry recorded his hit single "I Want To Be Sure" 1945.
Eddy Arnold topped the charts with "Texarkana Baby" 1948.
Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" was #1 in 1956.
Roy Drusky joined the Grand Ole Opry 1959.
Loretta Lynn's "Honky Tonk Girl," debuted on the charts 1960.
Johnny Cash recorded "I Still Miss Someone," 1963.
The Country Music Foundation Library and Media Center, was dedicated 1972.
The final broadcast of The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour aired 1972.
A&M released The Flying Burrito Brothers album "Close Up the Honky-Tonks" 1974.
Sunshine Sue Workman, age 67, of the Old Dominion Barn Dance died 1979.
Kenny Rogers and Dottie West's "What Are We Doin' In Love," went to #1 in 1981.
Rosanne Cash's #1 single "Seven Year Ache" debuted on the charts 1981.
Randy Travis' "Forever and Ever, Amen," goes to #1 in 1987, and becomes the CMA Single of the Year.
MCA released Johnny Gimble's "Still Fiddlin' Around" album 1988.
Jerry Lee Lewis was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, 1989.
The Music City Christian Fellowship (MCCF,) an organization of artists that support Christian values in the entertainment industry, held it's Silver Anniversary Show at the Ryman Auditorium 2004.
-14-
Burl Ives born Newton, IL 1909.
George Carlisle born 1911.
Lester Flatt born Overton County, TN 1914.
Fiddlin John Carson recorded his first record in Atlanta, for Okeh Records 1923.
Tex Ritter married Dorothy Fay Southworth, 1941.
Janie Black, recording artist, born 1944.
Hank Williams released "Move It On Over," 1947.
Hank Williams recorded "Honky Tonk Blues," 1950.
Patsy Cline was seriously injured in a car wreck on a Nashville street in 1961. Patsy went through the windshield and received a dislocated hip, broken wrist, and serious lacerations on her face, and cracked ribs. Patsy was unable to sing for the next eight months.
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman, age 75, of the "Stoneman Family" died in Nashville 1968.
Johnny Rodriquez went to #1 with "You Always Come Back" 1973.
Alabama's debut album "My Home's In Alabama," charted 1980.
Bob Rolontz, age 79, record executive, originator of the platinum record, died 2000.
Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton inducted into the National Academy of Popular Music, Songwriters Hall of Fame, in New York City in 2001.
The Charlie Daniels Museum debuted in downtown Nashville, 2001.
Josh Turner and Jennifer Ford were married in 2003.
Little Jimmy Dickens interrupted Trace Adkins while he was performing on the Grand Ole Opry in 2003. Jimmy asked Trace if he would like to become a member of the Opry, Trace, tearfully said of course I would, and Jimmy said, "Come back on August 23, 2003 and you'll be inducted as a member."
-15-
Blind Alfred Reed, songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/recording artist, born Floyd, VA 1880.
Tex Owens, singer/songwriter, wrote "Cattle Call" born Killeen, TX 1892.
Marvin Hughes, pianist, born Nashville, TN 1911.
Leon Payne, singer/songwriter, born Alba, TX 1917.
Tommy Vaden, fiddler, born Nashville, TN 1925.
Bill Porter, record company executive, born St. Louis, MO 1931.
Waylon Jennings, born Littlefield, TX 1937.
Gene Autry's hit single "Wave To Me, My Lady" charted 1946.
Terri Gibbs, recording artist/keyboardist, born Miami, FL 1954.
Jack Clement went to work for Sam Phillips at Sun Studio's in Memphis, 1956.
Webb Pierce released "I Ain't Never," 1959.
Terry Smith bassist/studio musician, born Reidsville, NC 1960.
Johnny Cash performed at the Hollywood Bowl 1962.
Buck Owens' "Act Naturally," becomes the first #1 of his career, 1963.
Michael Britt, guitar/vocals, "Lonestar," born Ft. Worth, TX 1966.
"Hee Haw" debuted on the CBS-TV network 1969. Buck Owens and Roy Clark were co-hosts; the Buckaroos were hired as house band. CBS dropped the show in 1971 and it went into syndication.
Bill Gatins died 1973.
John Denver's #1 hit "Annie's Song" charted on Billboard's Top 40 chart 1974.
Tom T. Hall recorded "Mama's Got The Catfish Blues" 1976.
The Johnny Cash Show toured Australia from the 15th through the 23rd, in 1981.
The City of Nashville awarded Marty Robbins the Metronome Award 1985.
C.F. Martin III died 1986.
Ruby Falls, age 40, singer/songwriter died Nashville, TN 1986.
Minnie Pearl appeared on her last show date in Joliet, IL 1991.
Lucky Moeller, age 84, died 1996.
RCA Records released Alabama's album "Twentieth Century" 1999.
Jamie O'Neal debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 2001.
Jerry Lee Lewis hospitalized in Memphis in 2001, suffering from pneumonia.
-16-
George McCormick, born rural Carthage, TN 1933.
Billy "Crash" Craddock, born "William Wayne Craddock," Greensboro, NC 1939.
The Rouse Brothers recorded the first version of "The Orange Blossom Special," 1939.
Hank and Audrey Williams, held the Grand Opening of their "Hank & Audrey's Corral," western store, at 724 Commerce Street, in downtown Nashville in 1951. The opening celebration was broadcast by WSM.
Lefty Frizzell topped the charts with "I Want To Be With You Always" 1951.
Buck Owens recorded "Under You Spell Again" at Capitol Records, Hollywood 1959. The record was released on July 13, 1959, and became the first of Buck's compositions to become a country standard.
Marty Robbins' movie, "Hell On Wheels," premiered in Nashville, 1967.
Wynn Stewart was #1 on the charts with "It's Such A Pretty World Today" 1967.
Bob Nolan, "Robert Clarence Nobles", age 72, Sons of the Pioneers," died 1980.
Eddy Raven's "I Got Mexico," went to #1 in 1984.
Lee Mace, founder of Lee Mace's Ozark Opry, died 1985.
MCA released Vince Gill's "High Lonesome Sound"
Koch Records released Gail Davies' "Greatest Hits" album 1998.
Jack McFadden, age 71, died 1998. Jack was the talent coordinator for "Hee Haw," and managed Buck Owens career for three decades.
Mark Wills and Darryl Worley were invited by President Bush to join him at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL, as he thanked the troops at CENTCOM for their hard work and dedication to duty. Mark and Darryl performed for the troops and their family's 2004.
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Red Foley born "Clyde Julian Foley," Blue Lick, KY 1910. Red sold over 25-million records between 1943 and 1965. Inducted CMHF 1967.
David "Stringbean" Akeman born Anniville, KY 1916.
Bill and Mary Reid, early radio, and recording stars, born 1926.
Earl Taylor born Lee County, VA 1929.
Rod Brasfield joined the Grand Ole Opry 1944.
The Poe Sisters joined the Grand Ole Opry 1944.
Gene Autry discharged from the U. S. Army 1945.
Russell Smith, founding member of the "Amazing Rhythm Aces," born Nashville, TN 1949.
Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life" topped the charts 1952.
The Ozark Jubilee opened at the Jewell Theater in 1954.
Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" charted 1957.
Hank Locklin went to #1 with "Please Help Me I'm Falling" 1960.
The Ralph Emery Show on WSM-TV debuted 1963.
The top country song in America in 1967 was Jack Greene's "All the Time."
Johnny Cash appeared at Explo '72 in Dallas, Texas with Billy Graham 1972.
Aaron Clark of the Clark Family Experience, born 1977.
Alan Jackson recorded his first session in Nashville 1986. His sister and another investor paid $6.000 each to pay for the session.
Reprise Records released Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakam's duet single "Streets Of Bakersfield" 1988. The song went to #1.
Minnie Pearl suffered a serious stroke in 1991, and spent the remaining years of her life in a nursing home in Nashville.
Dewey Balfa, age 65, traditional Cajun recording artist died 1992.
Ground breaking for the new Country Music Hall of Fame in downtown Nashville 1999.
Suzy Bogguss' first album in three years, "Swing," was released in 2003. Bogguss and Ray Benson produced the album.
Hal Ketchum and wife Gina welcomed their third daughter and named her Sophia Grace 2004.
-18-
Slim Newman, of "The Georgia Crackers" born Cochran, GA 1910.
Dick Foran, singer/actor, born 1910.
A.P. Carter, age 23, married Sara Dougherty, age 16, in 1915. Both were elected to the CMHF, along with Maybelle, in 1970.
Zeke Turner of "Zeb and Zeke Turner" born Lynchburg, VA 1923.
Bill Morrison, TNT Recording artist, born Mattoon, IL 1940. Inducted Rockabilly Hall of Fame 7/1/2003.
Hank Williams made his second appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, this time on the NBC network portion of the show, in 1949.
Marty Haggard, singer/guitarist, son of Merle Haggard, born Bakersfield, CA 1958.
Marty Robbins released "The Last Time I Saw My Heart/She Was Only Seventeen" 1958.
Eddy Arnold's single "The Last Word In Lonesome Is Me" debuted on the charts 1966.
Henry Maddox, age 46, of "Maddox Brothers & Rose" died 1974.
Paul Howard, age 75, died Little Rock, AR 1984. Member Grand Ole Opry.
Cecil Campbell steel guitar/banjo died 1989.
Davis Daniel released his third album "I Know a Place" on A&M Records 1996.
RCA released "The Essential Chet Atkins" 1996.
The L.A. Times reported, the following country music stars, were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1998: Reba McEntire, Charlie Pride, Freddy Fender, Alabama and Patsy Cline.
Exile released their album "All the No. 1 Hits" 2002.
Lonestar debuted on daytime TV as they made a guest appearance on Days Of Our Lives 2004.
Ray Charles, buried in Inglewood Park cemetery in California 2004.
-19-
Howard Dixon, of the "Dixon Brothers" born Darlington, SC 1903.
Lester Flatt, singer/guitarist/mandolinist born Overton County, TN 1914.
Pat Buttram, actor/comedian born 1915.
DeFord Bailey debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1926.
Norman Bullock born 1932.
Hank Williams released "I'm A Long Gone Daddy,"/"The Blues Comes Around," 1948.
Carl Smith released his debut record "Guilty Conscience," 1950.
Johnnie and Jack released "Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight," 1954.
Hank Snow's single "I Don't Hurt Anymore" went to #1 1954.
Doug Stone, born Marietta, GA 1956.
Marty Robbins released "Cowboy In The Continental Suit/Man Walks Among Us" 1964
Emmylou Harris' "Two More Bottles of Wine" topped the charts 1978.
Boxcar Willie debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1980.
Riders In The Sky joined the Grand Ole Opry 1982.
Steve Wariner topped the charts with "Life's Highway" 1986.
Bobby Helms, age 63, died 1997. Inducted RHOF 2003.
"The Best of Asleep at the Wheel" was released in 2001.
Gretchen Wilson holds on to the #1 spot on the charts with "Red Neck Woman" 2004.
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Jimmy Driftwood born, "James Corbet Morris," in Mountain View, AR 1907.
T. Texas Tyler, singer/songwriter born Mena, AR 1916.
Marshall Pack born 1922.
Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins, born Luttrell, TN 1924. Inducted CMHF 1973.
Ann Murray born Springhill, Nova Scotia, Canada 1945.
Eddy Arnold topped the charts with "It's A Sin" 1947.
Faron Young's single "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young" was #1 in 1955.
Evelyn Marie Cox, "Cox Family," born Springhill, LA 1959.
Buck Owens' single "Act Naturally" topped the charts 1963.
Ira Louvin, age 41, and wife Anne, died in an automobile accident near Williamsburg, MO 1965. Member Grand Ole Opry. Inducted NSHF 1979, CMHF 2001.
Jerry Reed's "When You're Hot, You're Hot" was #1 in 1971.
Buck Owens recorded "You Ain't Gonna Have Ol' Buck To Kick Around No More" 1972.
Kenny Rogers' single "She Believes In Me" was #1 in 1979.
Louise Massey, age 80, of "Louise Massey & the Westerners" died 1983.
Whitey Ford, "The Duke Of Paducah," died at age 85, in Nashville, TN 1986. Joined the Grand Ole Opry 1942, inducted CMHF 1986.
Randy Travis topped the charts with "Forever and Ever, Amen" 1987.
Changes to the set, and lighting on stage at the Grand Ole Opry were made in 2000. A huge projection screen was added to the new backdrop. These were the first changes to the décor in twenty years.
Gretchen Wilson's album "Here For The Party" was # 1 2004.
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Charlie Lamb, journalist/publisher/artist manager, born Knoxville, TN 1921.
Eddie Adcock, Bluegrass/Banjo/Guitar, born Scottsville, VA 1938.
Leon Everette, born Aiken, SC 1948.
Johnny Cash released his first single "Hey Porter," on Sun Records 1955.
Ray Price topped the charts with the Ralph Mooney penned "Crazy Arms" 1956.
Kathy Mattea born Cross Lanes, WV 1959.
Porter Howell, "Little Texas," born Longview, TX 1964.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens' album "Buck Owens, Ruby" 1971.
Allison Moorer, born Mobile, AL 1972.
Glen Campbell's #1 hit "Rhinestone Cowboy" charted 1975.
Don Williams' single "You're My Best Friend," went to #1 in 1975.
C. E. Moody, age 87, "The Georgia Yellow Hammers," died 1977.
Buck Owens married Jennifer Smith 1979.
J. W. Gallagher, guitar maker for Doc Watson and others, died 1979.
Randy Travis topped the charts with "I Told You So" 1988.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens & Ringo Starr's single "Act Naturally" 1989.
Liberty Records released "The Best of Gail Davies" 1991.
John Lee Hooker, age 83, died in California, 2001.
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Ralph Sylvester Peer, country music record pioneer, born Independence, MO 1892.
The seating capacity of the Ryman Auditorium was increased, with the construction of the balcony in 1897. The extra space was needed for an upcoming Confederate Veterans convention.
Frankie More, leader of the "Log Cabin Boys" born 1906.
Roy Drusky, singer/songwriter born Atlanta, GA 1930.
Kris Kristofferson born "Kristoffer Kristofferson," Brownsville, TX 1936.
Eddy Arnold's "One Kiss Too Many" was #1 in 1949.
Red Foley topped the charts with "Birmingham Bounce" 1950.
Marty Robbins went to #1 with "Just Married" 1958.
Marty Robbins released "Devil Woman/April Fools Day" 1962.
Ernie Ashworth's "Talk Back Trembling Lips" topped the charts in 1963.
Cal Smith's single "Country Bumpkin" was #1 in 1974.
Merle Haggard recorded his #1 single "Going Where The Lonely Go," 1981.
Waylon & Willie's "Just To Satisfy You" was #1 in 1982.
MCA released Mark Chesnutt's album "Almost Goodbye" 1993.
Warner Bros. released Bela Fleck's "Tales from the Acoustic Planet, Vol. 2" 1999.
Shania Twain's "The Woman in Me" CD was certified platinum 1995. Sales exceeded the 12 million mark in early 2004.
Michelle Poe debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 2004.
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June Petrie "Elviry" Weaver of "The Weaver Brothers & Elviry" born Chicago, IL 1891.
Zeb Turner, born William Grishaw of "Zeb & Zeke Turner" in Lynchburg, VA 1915.
June Carter Cash, born "Valerie June Carter," Maces Springs, VA 1929.
Diana Trask born Melbourne, Australia 1940.
Pake McEntire born, Dale Stanley McEntire, Chockie, OK 1953.
Billy Walker released "I've Got Leavin On My Mind" 1956.
At the invitation of Pete Drake, Ringo Starr of the Beatles arrived in Nashville to cut a solo country album in 1970. The session included Drake, Jerry Reed, Charlie Daniels, and The Jordanaires. "Beaucoups of Blues," was released before the end of the year.
Elton Britt, age 58, died 1972.
Charlie Daniels released "The Devil Went Down To Georgia" 1979.
Arkie The Arkansas Woodchopper, "Luther Ossenbrink," age 65, died Marshall, MO 1981.
Joe Nichols released his "Man With A Memory" album 2002.
Marty Stuart was arrested for DUI in Hendersonville, Tennessee for the second time in two years 2004. Police reported the arrest was a result of Stuart hitting two cars on Main Street. Marty was released after posting $1,500. One of Marty's latest hits was a song he co-wrote entitled "The Whiskey Ain't Workin' (Anymore)."
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Ramblin' Tommy Scott, "Tommy Lee Scott," born Stephens County, GA 1917.
Johnnie Bailes of the Bailes Brothers, born West Virginia 1918.
Daddy Dick Richards born 1918.
Johnny Hathcock, songwriter, born in Texas 1919.
Carl Hayes born 1926.
Connie Hall, singer/songwriter born Walden, KY 1929.
Louise Duncan born 1932.
Joey Castle, a.k.a. Cliff Rivers, Rockabilly singer, born NYC 1942.
Lefty Frizzell topped the charts with "I Want To Be With You Always" 1951.
Steuart Smith, guitarist, songwriter, producer, born Baltimore, MD 1952.
Buck Owens & Rose Maddox released "We're The Talk Of The Town/Sweetheart In Heaven" 1963.
Connie Smith signed with RCA Records 1964.
Sonny James' single "That's Why I Love You Like I Do" went to #1 in 1972.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "Monster's Holiday" 1974.
Foy Willing born "Foy Willingham" leader of "Riders of the Purple Sage" died 1978.
Joe Sun's "Old Flames Can't Hold A Candle To You," charted 1978.
The Oak Ridge Boys celebrated their first #1, "I'll Be True to You" 1978.
Johnny Cash performed for the Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville, Tennessee, from the 24th through the 27th, in 1979.
Marshall Grant sued Johnny Cash for $2.6 million dollars in 1981.
John Anderson recorded the last session at Owen Bradley's legendary studio "The Hut" in 1982. The Music Row studio was once home to Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Lefty Frizzell, Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn and may others.
Garth Brooks debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1989.
Capitol released Tennessee Ernie Ford's album "Red, White & Blue" 1991.
Curb Records released Jeff Carson's "Butterfly Kisses" 1997.
Dixie Chick Natalie Maines, married actor Adrian Pasdar, in Las Vegas, 2002.
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Bud Davis born 1921.
Glenn Tubb born 1935.
Billboard magazine retitled its Hillbilly Music Chart "Country & Western," in 1949.
Eddy Arnold's single "Cattle Call" hit the charts 1955.
Marty Robbins & Lee Emerson released "I'll Know Your Gone/How Long Will It Be" 1956.
Lew Dewitt retired from the Statler Brothers 1982.
Jenifer Strait, age 13, daughter of George and Norma Strait, died in a car wreck 1986.
Boudleaux Bryant, age 67, master songwriter, died in Knoxville, TN 1987. Inducted NSHF 1972, CMHF 1991.
Warner Brothers released David Ball's album "Starlite Lounge" 1996.
The Ryman Auditorium was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2001.
Dierks Bentley was honored when People Magazine included him in its annual bachelor's issue, listing him among the nation's most eligible single men 2004.
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Colonel Tom Parker, born Breda, Netherlands 1909.
Bill Gatins born 1909.
Doc Williams of "Doc & Chickie Williams," born Cleveland, OH 1914.
Kenny Baker, Traditional Bluegrass/Fiddle, born Jenkins, KY 1926.
Frank Wakefield, "The Greenbriar Boys," born Emory Gap, TN 1934.
Ralph Ezell, bassist, "Shenandoah," born Union, MS 1953.
Hank Williams topped the charts with "Take These Chains From My Heart" 1953.
Cedarwood Publishing opened 1954.
Roy Drusky's single "Three Hearts In A Triangle" charted 1961.
Capitol Records released Buck Owens' single "Your Tender Loving Care" 1967.
John Denver's single "Take Me Home, Country Roads" charted 1971.
Gretchen Wilson, born Granite City, IL 1973.
The Oak Ridge Boys made their chart debut with "Family Reunion," in 1976
Elvis Presley gave his final concert in Indianapolis, IN 1977.
Vernon Presley died in Memphis, TN 1979.
The Oak Ridge Boys topped the charts with "Little Things" 1985.
Alan Jackson signed with Arista Records 1989.
Johnny Cash played the Glastonbury Festival in England 1994.
Garth Brooks set an all time record at Fan Fair, when he signed autographs for twenty-three consecutive hours in 1996. Only Chris Gaines knows why.
Shawn Camp released his album "Lucky Silver Dollar" 2001.
Carlene Carter and boyfriend Howie Epstein, of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, were arrested in Albuquerque, NM, by the New Mexico State Police in 2001. Felony charges of receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, and possession of a controlled substance (3 grams of heroin) were filed against the couple. Carlene is the daughter of Carl Smith and June Carter. She was arrested one week earlier by Santa Fe County Sheriff's Deputies, after failing to appear in court on a bad check charge.
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Milt Mabie, of "Louise Massey & the Westerners" born 1900.
Red Murrell, singer/DJ, born Willow Springs, MO 1912.
Nathan Abshire, Cajun recording artist born Gueydan, LA 1913.
Elton Britt, born "James Britt Baker," Marshall, AR 1913.
Pete Kaye born 1918.
Ken Marvin born 1924.
Rosalie Allen, singer/songwriter, born Julie Marlene Bedra, in Old Forge, PA 1924.
Ivan Leroy "Little Roy Wiggins," superb steel guitarist, born Nashville, TN 1926.
Ersel Hickey born Brighton, NY 1934.
Gene Autry recorded his #1 single "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer," 1949.
Marty Robbins released "Cryin' Cause I Love You/I Wish Somebody Loved Me" 1952.
Columbia Records released Marty Robbins "I'll Love You Till The Day I Die" 1955.
Lorrie Morgan, born "Loretta Lynn Morgan" Nashville, TN 1959.
Wanda Jackson released "Let's Have A Party," 1960.
Hank Snow recorded his #1 hit "I've Been Everywhere" 1962.
Johnny Cash accidentally caused a forest fire in Los Padres National Park 1965.
Johnny Cash was sued for $125,000 in 1967, as the result of a fire he caused at the Los Padres National Park two years earlier.
Ray Price's "For The Good Times" charted 1970.
Doug Urie of "South 65," born 1976.
Joe Maphis, age 65, of "Joe & Rose Lee Maphis, died in Nashville 1986.
Lyle Lovett married Julia Roberts 1993. They divorced in 1996. The couple met while filming "The Player" in 1992.
Sarie Wilson, age 97, of "Sarie and Sally" died 1994.
Atlantic Records released Bobby Bare's album "Live at Gilley's" 1999.
Tracy Lawrence and wife Becca become parents for the first time when Skylar JoAnn Lawrence is born 2001.
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Sarah Ogan Gunning, of the singing Ogan clan, born 1910.
George Morgan born Waverly, TN 1924.
The WWVA Jamboree debuted 1940.
The "Grand Ole Opry" movie, premiered in Nashville, 1940.
Ava Barber born Knoxville, TN 1954.
Merle Haggard and Bonnie Owens married 1965.
Merle Haggard recorded "The Bottle Let Me Down," 1966.
Marty Robbins' "El Paso City," went to #1 in 1976.
Rodney Crowell's single "Ashes By Now" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 chart 1980.
Edna "Sarie" Wilson died 1994.
Bear Family released Don Gibson's "Singer Songwriter, 1961-1966" 1994.
Burt Hamrick died 1996.
The Country Radio Broadcasters awarded Buck Owens their Career Achievement Award in 2001. Brad Paisley made the presentation.
The first annual "Dale Earnhardt Tribute Concert," held at The Daytona International Speedway 2003.
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Barney Pritchard, of the "Scottdale String Band" born 1904.
Quilla Hugh "Porky" Freeman, guitarist, born Vera Cruz, MO 1916.
WSM announcer T. Tommy Cutrer, born Osyka, MS 1924.
Harold Breau married Rita Cote in 1940. They then formed "Lone Pine & Betty Cody"
Ernest Tubb recorded "You Don't Have To Be A Baby To Cry," 1950.
City Officials designated today as "Merle Travis Day" in Muhlenberg, KY 1954.
Janis Martin debuted on the Grand Ole Opry 1957.
Duane Eddy's single "Forty Miles Of Bad Road" charted 1959.
Brenda Lee released her first #1 record "I'm Sorry" 1960. The song was written by Rockabilly legend Ronnie Self. Brenda received a gold record and was nominated for a Grammy.
Bobby Bare's single "Detroit City" debuted on Billboard's Top 40 Chart 1963.
MCA released Jimmy Buffett's "A White Sport Coat and a Pink Crustacean" 1973.
George Jones' topped the charts with "He Stopped Loving Her Today," 1980.
Rosemary Clooney died 2002.
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Bill Chitwood, "The Georgia Yellow Hammers," born Resaca, GA 1888.
Doyle Holley born Perkins, OK 1936.
Donna Hilley, music industry executive, born Birmingham, AL 1946.
R. W. Blackwood and Bill Lyles, of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet, killed in a plane crash in Clanton, AL 1954.
Dwayne Keith O'Brien "Little Texas" born Ada, OK 1963.
Vivian Liberto Cash filed for Divorce from Johnny Cash 1966.
Merle Haggard's single "Everybody's Had the Blues Sometimes" went to #1 1972.
Vern Gosden charted his #1 single "I Can Tell By The Way You Dance," in 1984.
Starday released Jim Eanes album "Your Old Standby" 1998.
Black Jack Wayne died 1999.
Sara Evans "I Could Not Ask For More" charted on Billboard's Top 40 in 2001.
Chester Burton "Chet" Atkins, age 77, died in Nashville 2001. In 1973, Chet Atkins, age 49, was the youngest person ever inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. He was inducted into the R&RHF in 2002, as a sideman.
Neal McCoy was a guest of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at her inauguration in 2004. Neal is one of the top selling artists in the Philippines, and is part Filipino.
