October 26 in Country Music History

In 1929, Neal Matthews,Jr. was born. He was a member of the Jordanaires, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, posthumously. While they were remembered for all their work with Elvis, they were probably the most recorded vocal group in the history of music, having done work with Elvis, Patsy Cline, Jimmy Dean, and many, many others.

In 1985, The Oak Ridge Boys were at Number One with "Touch A Hand, Make A Friend".

In 1991, Travis Tritt was atop the charts with "Anymore".  It stayed there for two weeks.

In 1996, Clint Black scored another Number One with "Like The Rain", and held that top position for three weeks.

In 1999, songwriter and singer Hoyt Axton passed away. He was a very accomplished actor, writer, singer, songwriter, musician, boxer, and will be remembered for his passion for life itself. He died of a heart attack, after a long illness marked by heart problems and a stroke.

August 23 in Country Music History

In 1886, Wendell Hall was born in St. George, Kansas. Though this country singer had many hits, including the two million seller "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More", he was more noted for his designs of ukeleles and banjo ukeleles, as the ones shown in the "Matlock" series.

In 1916, Tootsie Bess was born. In the sixties and seventies she ran Tootsies Little Orchid Lounge, probably the most famous honky-tonk in the world. She was the second Tootsie to own and run the bar, and she was there when Willie Nelson, Roger Miller, and Faron Young made it their home away from home, and many famous songs probably had their births in that bar. Singers could go out the back door, across the alley, and they were in the old Ryman Auditorium.

In 1917, Tex Williams was born in Ramsey, Illinois. He was a popular Country singer even before there was a chart for country, and he scored many hits. His biggest hit was probably "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)", and he had many others including "The California Polka", "That's What I Like About The West", and "Life Gits Tee-jus Don't It?" He was a singer-songwriter who played the guitar and harmonica.

In 1947, Rex Allen, Jr was born in Chicago, Illinois. The son of the Cowboy singer Rex Allen, Jr. went on to become a noted singer himself, having 24 Top Forty records out of 32 charted releases, and starring in several television shows.

In 1949, the singer, composer, and fiddler known as Woody Paul of Riders in the Sky, was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He is considered the "King of the Cowboy Fiddlers", and worked regularly with Sam McGee and others through the sixties on the Grand Ole Opry. He attended Vanderbilt University and earned a PhD. in physics from MIT. The group has won more than one Grammy, and are members of the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1952, Kitty Wells went to Number One on the charts with her career record "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels".

In 1963, Milton Estes, a musician who played guitar, bass, mandolin, and piano, passed away. He worked with Pee Wee King's Golden West Cowboys, Stamps-Baxter's Lone Star Quartet, as the Old Flour Peddler with his Musical Millers to promote Martha White Flour. As a great emcee, he will be remembered for his Martha White slogan, "Goodness, Gracious, It's Good".

In 1969, Johnny Cash went to the Number One spot on the charts with "A Boy Named Sue".

In 1975, "Rhinestone Cowboy" Glen Campbell had a Number One hit by that name that began a three week run at the top of the charts.

In 1980, Eddie Rabbitt was atop the charts with "Drivin' My Life Away".

In 1986, T.G. Sheppard had a Number One hit entitled "Strong Heart".

August 22 in Country Music History

In 1910, Rod Brasfield, Grand Ole Opry comedian and Hall of Fame member, was born in Smithville, Mississippi.

In 1911, Doyle Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers was born. He was the original bass singer in the group.

In 1914,Connie B. Gay was born in Lizard Lick, North Carolina. He was originally associated with a Washington D.C. area radio station, began promoting concerts, then artists, and gradually became one of the premier management and booking agents in the business. He was the founding President of the Country Music Association, and is a member of the Hall of Fame. Artists with which he was closely associated include Jimmy Dean, Patsy Cline, Grandpa and Ramona Jones, and Billy Grammer.

In 1933, Jack Toney, Gospel singer and songwriter was born. He was a member of the Statesmen Quartet.

In 1953, Carl Smith was Number One on the charts with "Hey Joe!".

In 1957, Holly Dunn was born in San Antonio, Texas. This singer, songwriter, and guitarist is best known for her time in the eighties and early nineties when she had two Number One singles and seven additional Top Tens. Her most remembered hits are "Daddy's Hands", "You Really Had Me Going", and "Are You Ever Gonna Love Me". She is a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1960, Cowboy Copas scored the biggest Number One of his career with "Alabam", which stayed at that position for twelve weeks.

In 1987, Restless Heart was Number One with "Why Does It Have To Be (Wrong or Right)".

In 2003, honky tonk hero Floyd Tillman passed away. Just about all true Honky Tonk singers have to look upon him as an influence through his songs like "Slippin' Around", "They Took The Stars Out Of Heaven", "I Love You So Much It Hurts", and "Drivin' Nails In My Coffin". He is a member of the Country Hall of Fame.

August 21 in Country Music History

In 1938, Kenny Rogers was born in Houston, Texas. He has been an active performer in the music business for well over fifty years, and has sold between 100 and 200 million records in his time as a solo performer and member of several groups. Though he has had many charted records, his time working with United Artists producer Larry Butler made him a household name, as he recorded "Lucille" and "The Gambler", as well as several other chart topping hits. When Rogers signed with RCA in 1983, he received a $20 million dollar advance on his multi-record deal. He also has been a producer,writer, actor, entrepreneur, and an investor, and is successful in all of those endeavors. He still sings to packed houses, especially on his annual Christmas Tours.

In 1939, James Burton was born in Dubberly, Louisiana. Known as the "Master of the Telecaster", he is probably the best living live performance guitarist in the world. He was the house guitarist on the Louisians Hayride, which featured many of the greatest singers in the world, including Elvis Presley, and left to join Rick Nelsons band where he stayed for many years. He then played on the old "Shindig" show and was by now, a member of the popular crew of musicians who worked as the "Wrecking Crew" out in California. He then became Elvis Presley's lead guitarist, and never missed one performance after he joined the King, even though he worked with many others at the same time, including with Emmy Lou Harris' Hot Band. He then worked extensively with John Denver, and was one of his closest friends until his death. He has worked with many other legends, including Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Costello, and Vince Gill, and still works as much as he wants, and makes yearly appearances in Nashville. He is most famous for his Pink Paisley Telecaster, and most definitely is one of the most appreciated guitarists in the world.

In 1939, Harold Reid, bass singer and composer with the Statler Brothers, was born in Staunton, Virginia.

In 1961, George Jones owned the Number One spot on the charts with "Tender Years".

In 1965, Roy Drusky and Priscilla Mitchell had a Number One hit with their duet, "Yes, Mr. Peters".

In 1975, Sam McGee passed away in Williamson County, Tennessee in a tractor accident. Though he was proficient with several instruments, he was one of the premier fingerpickers of his time, and he and his brother Kirk, who usually played banjo or fiddle, were some of the pioneering performers who spanned from the days of Uncle Dave Macon and his Fruit Jar Drinkers, of which they were a part, right up to their last appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in 1975. They did performances on the Opry for a half century, and were still some of the most talented acts to grace the stage of the then new Opry House.

In 1976, Mickey Gilley was smiling with a chart topper entitled "Bring It On Home To Me".

In 1982, Sylvia went to the top of the Country charts with her song about "Nobody".

In 1985, Hoyle Nix, famous Texas Swing bandleader, musician, and songwriter, passed away. He was the leader of the West Texas Cowboys, and was a close friend of Bob Wills, who many times played in Nix's Big Spring Texas club called The Stampede. His "Big Balls In Cowtown" is one of the most revered of all Western Swing songs, and his son, Jody Nix, still runs The Stampede as he is also one of the current faces of the Texas roadhouse circuit.

In 1993, Doug Stone was wondering "Why Didn't I Think Of That", and holding the top spot on the Country charts.

In 2008, drummer Buddy Harmon died in Nashville, Tennessee. He played on as many as 18,000 sessions with all the big names of country music and some that were in other genres. Some of the names that he played behind on recordings are George Jones, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, and Eddy Arnold. He was the first regular drummer on the Grand Ole Opry.

August 20 in Country Music History

In 1923, Gentleman Jim Reeves was born in Galloway, Texas. Reeves originally had other aspirations, including being a minor league baseball player, but he became a club singer who followed Moon Mullican, Jimmie Rodgers, and several pop singers. He eventually was a member of the Moon Mullican show, and became an emcee for the Louisiana Hayride show, where he was asked to fill in for a Sleepy Labeef, or Hank Williams, depending upon the source. The rest is history. He had eighty charted singles, eleven of which became Number Ones on the chart. Of these eighty, fifty one were Top Tens, and no less than sixty nine were Top Forty. Out of this impressive list of hits, he will be remembered for "He'll Have To Go", "Mexican Joe", and "Four Walls" will be remembered as his biggest hits. He died in 1964 along with Dean Manuel in a Brentwood Tennessee crash of a plane he was piloting. He and Randy Hughes, who piloted the ill-fated plane that took Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Cowboy Copas, and Hughes to their deaths in 1963 were student pilots under the same trainer, according to some sources.

In 1935, Justin Tubb was born in San Antonio, Texas. He was the son of the Texas Troubador himself, and was a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry due to his success as a singer. His biggest hit was "Looking Back to See" as a singer and he also scored a lot of success as a songwriter, with his biggest success in that area being "Lonesome 7-7203", which was not only Hawkahaw Hawkins' biggest hit, but his only Number One hit. From a personal conversation, I know that he was nothing if not candid, a quality that I respect in anybody.

In 1952, Rudy Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers was born in Olney, Texas. Thirty-four Gatlin's charted hits have owned Top Forty status, and of these they have had three Number Ones. They are a tight family harmony trio, and most of the hits they have recorded also have a Gatlin or Gatlins as the writer or writers.

In 1977, four days after the death of Elvis Presley, "Way Down" went to the Number One position on the Country Music charts for the King.

In 1983, The Oak Ridge Boys went to the top of the charts with "Love Song". I wanna sing a love song......

In 1988, Restless Heart, fronted by Larry Stewazt were enjoying the fruits of their labors with a Number One song entitled "Bluest Eyes In Texas".

In 1988, Western swing steel guitarist Leon McAuliffe passed away after a long illness in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was known for his time with Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, and he also had his own group, and actually taught school and was on several radio and tv shows in his time.

August 19 in Country Music History

In 1940, Virgil Stamps, co-founder of Stamps-Baxter Music Company, died in Dallas, Texas. Aside from being one of the biggest publishers of Gospel music, he was also the bass singer in the Stamps Quartet, and is in the Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame.

In 1944, Edward Futch, also known as Eddy Raven, was born in Lafayette, Louisiana. Eddy was a regular at or near the top of the charts through the entire decade of the eighties, with Number One hits like "I Got Mexico", "Shine, Shine, Shine", "I'm Gonna Get You", "Joe Knows How To Live", "Joe Knows How to Live", "In A Letter To You", and "Bayou Boys". He had many other Top Ten hits, and also wrote the holiday favorite by the Oak Ridge Boys, "Thank God For Kids".

In 1950, Hank Snow took "I'm Movin' On" to the top of the charts, where it stayed for 21 weeks.

In 1966, Lee Ann Womack was born in Jacksonville, Texas. It has been said, that given the opportunity, she could sing the phone book, and make it country. Though she has had only one Number One hit, "I Hope You Dance" she is known for her good country ballads like "Never Again, Again", "The Fool", and "A Little Past Little Rock".

In 1978, Crystal Gayle ruled the top of the charts with "Talking In Your Sleep".

In 1989, Shenandoah was at the top of the Country Music charts with a TTCB favorite, "Sunday In The South".

In 1995, Brooks and Dunn again were atop the charts with "You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone".

In 2011, we were mourning the death in Afghanistan of our young friend and Patriot, Travis Nelson. We would appreciate any prayers and good thoughts for loved ones of this American Hero.

August 18 in Country Music History

In 1918, Hank Penny was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a celebrated Western Swing performer and bandleader who charted three Number Four hits on the charts after the creation of the country hits, including "Bloodshot Eyes", "Get Yourself a Redhead" and the "Steel Guitar Stomp". He was a co-founder of the Palomino Club, and along the way, bands he fronted contained such notables as Roy Clark and singer Jaye P. Morgan. Probably his biggest hit was "Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon?", which was a Number One on the charts in 1941, before there were Country Charts.

In 1938, Allen Reynolds was born in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He is a very accomplished producer who has worked with many Country stars, but his most famous is his collaborations with Garth Brooks, that has resulted in tens of millions in certified sales.

In 1939, Molly Bee, country singer and tv, movie, and stage star, was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her biggest hit was "I Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus", and performed on the Rex Allen Shoe, The Hometown Jamboree, The Pinky Lee Show and often on the Tennessee Ernie Ford TV Show.

In 1973, "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man" became a Number One Hit for the duo of Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn.

In 1975, Clell Summey, also known as Cousin Jody, died. He was known as a comedian on the Grand Ole Opry. He played dobro and did his comic routines, often playing off Lonzo and Oscar.

In 1979, Mel Tillis went to the top of the charts with "Coca-Cola Cowboy".

In 1984, Ronnie Milsap scored a Number One with "Still Losing You".

In 1990, "Next to You, Next to Me" went Number One for Shenandoah.

In 2004, Charlie Waller, bluegrass artist and legend, passed away in Gordonsville, Virginia. He and his Country Gentlemen recorded over forty albums, and were considered to be one of the leaders of the "New Grass Revival".

August 17 in Country Music History

In 1921, Wayne Raney was born in Wolf Bayou, Arkansas. He was a popular singer and harmonica player who at one time worked with the Delmore Brothers, and worked on the California Hayride, Wheeling Jamboree, and Grand Ole Opry, and who even appeared on Hee Haw. His three biggest hits were "Lost John Boogie", "Jack and Jill Boogie", and "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me" which went to Number on in the late forties.

In 1927, Bud Wendell was born. He became the general manager of the Grand Ole Opry, and also was head of Gaylord Enterprises.

In 1968, "Heaven Says Hello" added to the list of Number Ones in "Sonny James" resume.

In 1974, Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn were sharing the spotlight at the top of the charts with their "As Soon As I Hang Up The Phone". They were one of the most popular duos of the seventies.

In 1985, "Highwaymen" by the Highwaymen ruled the charts and was the Number One Country song in America. The Highwaymen was a group made up of four legends, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Johnny Cash.

In 1991, George Strait was at the top spot on the charts with "You Know Me Better Than That".

August 16 in Country Music History

In 1938, country music executive Tandy Rice was born. He is one of the better known booking agents working out of Nashville and represents or has represented many top acts including Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Jerry Clower, and Gene Watson.

In 1939, singer and songwriter Billy Joe Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas. He is one of the more original of all Outlaw movement artists, and has also acted in several films, including "The Apostle" and "Second Hand Lions". Even though he hasn't sold millions of records, he is considered to be one of the more critically acclaimed singer-songwriters, having won several top awards for his works.

In 1952, "A Full Time Job" became a Number One hit for Eddy Arnold.

In 1969, Merle Haggard went to the top with his anthem to the working man, "Workin' Man Blues".

In 1977, the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley passed away in his home on Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee. Elvis was known for combining rhythm and blues, gospel, and country to become the biggest star of rock and roll. He did however record many country songs, and was on the country charts many times in his life.

In 1980, Alabama scored a Number One hit with "Tennessee River".

In 1986, a very talented actor named John Schneider went to the top of the charts with "You're the Last Thing I Needed Tonight". He charted seventeen hits, and this was his fourth and final Number One hit.

In 2004, Melvin Endsley passed away. He was a songwriter who wrote over 400 songs, with the biggest being "Singing the Blues".

In 2005, Vassar Clements, one of the best fiddlers of all time, passed away. He played for Bill Monroe and then started playing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry in 1949. He played on more than 2000 albums and those stars that he performed with include many on the Who's Who list of Nashville recording stars.

August 15 in Country Music History

In 1925, Rose Maddox, of the Maddox Brothers and Sister Rose, was born in Boaz, Alabama. She was a vocalist and fiddler with America's Most Colorful Hillbilly Band, and was one of the pioneers of country music, rockabilly, and rock and roll. She has been mentioned as one of the major influences of EmmyLou Harris and Dolly Parton. Her family band was also known for their colorful stage outfits.

In 1933, Bobby Helms was born in Bloomington, Indiana. Discovered by Ernest Tubb, he is best remembered for his smash hits "Fraulein" and "Jingle Bell Rock", which is a perennial Christmas time favorite.

In 1941, Don Rich was born in Olympia, Washington. He became famous as Buck Owens' side man who did vocal harmonies with Buck, and lead the Buckaroos until his death with his lead guitar and fiddle playing. He was missed by Buck in the years between Don's death and Buck's death, and is still missed by millions of fans today.

In 1979, Asa Martin, old time country artist, passed away. He was a pioneer who gave David Akeman the nickname of Stringbean. He recorded mostly in the thirties and forties, but did make a comeback in the seventies.

In 1981, Kenny Rogers owned another chart topper with "I Don't Need You".

In 1987, Michael Martin Murphey went to the top of the charts with "I Come From A Long Line Of Love".

In 1990, Lou DeWitt of the Statler Brothers passed away after a long battle with Crohn's Disease. He was one of the cofounders of the group, and wrote their signature hit "Flowers On The Wall". He retired from the Statlers, who were originally called the Kingsmen, in 1982, and except for a short stint as a solo performer, he pretty much spent the rest of his years fighting his illness. He was one of the greatest tenor singers in any kind of music.

August 14 in Country Music History

In 1941, the Rolls Royce of Female Country Singers, Connie Smith was born as Constance June Meador. Her first single release was "Once A Day" that straight to Number One, where it remained for eight weeks, a record for a chart topper by a female artist that still stands. Though she has had no more Number One records, she has had twenty Top Tens, and has always been one of the most popular and most vocally gifted of female singers. She has also made her mark in Gospel music, having made an excellent recording of Bill Mack's "Clinging To A Saving Hand" which would rate in the top ten of all Gospel recordings on the TTCB charts. She is married to country star Marty Stuart.

In 1952, Keith Bilbrey, legendary announcer on WSM and the Grand Ole Opry, was born in Cookeville, Tennessee. Keith has done it all around country music, worked radio, tv, and has been the in house announcer at the Midnight Jamboree. He today hosts his own syndicated network show, and is friends to many lovers of Traditional and Classic Country Music. As far as we are concerned, Keith is a classic himself.

In 1958, the mother of Elvis Presley, Gladys Presley, died in a Nashville Hospital.

In 1976, Don Williams went to the top of the charts with "Say It Again".

In 1982, David Frizzell aced a monster Number One Hit with "I'm Gonna Hire A Wino To Decorate Our Home". It came from his album, "The Family's Fine, But This One's All Mine", that contained a whole albums worth of good country music.

In 1993, "It Sure Is Monday" became a Number One for Texas Country Music Singer Mark Chesnutt.

August 13 in Country Music History.

In 1966, "Almost Persuaded" by David Houston began a nine week run at the top the Country Music charts.

In 1983, Janie Fricke hit the top of the Country Music Charts with "He's a Heartache (Lookin' For A Place To Happen)".

In 1988, Keith Whitley scored a Number One with "Don't Close Your Eyes".

In 1994, John Michael Montgomery went to the top of the charts with "Be My Baby Tonight".

In 2005, Cajun fiddler Rufus Thibodeaux passed away. He at one time played in Jimmy C. Newman's band and was well recorded on many other famous Country artist's recordings. Those included George Jones, Porter Wagoner, and Hank Williams, Jr. He is considered the best Cajun fiddler of all time, and graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry for over forty years.

In 2013, Tompall Glaser, one of the original outlaws, and a member of the great family harmony of the Glaser Brothers, passed away.

August 12 in Country Music History

In 1927, Porter Wagoner was born in West Plains, Missouri. He cut his teeth on radio shows in Missouri, and went on to be on the Ozark Jubilee. On one of his trips to Nashville, he was actually at the famous Opry on the night that Hank Williams debuted with six encores. He and his manager eventually made their way to Nashville, and found a home on the Grand Ole Opry. He had many hits, as a solo artist, and as a duet partner with Dolly Parton, and had a TB show that reportedly filmed almost as many as 700 shows. He had a band that was probably the equivalent of those featuring Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, having some great musicians such as Buck Trent on the electric banjo and guitar, Don Warden on steel guitar, and Mack Magaha on fiddle, with Mel Tillis often featured in his shows. Porter's last studio album, "Wagonmaster" was produced by Marty Stuart, and is thought by us to be one of the best albums of the early 2000s.

In 1929, Buck Owens was born as Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr. He became one of the most popular of everything he did. He was a singer, songwriter, guitar player, performer, entertainer, tv star, night club owner, radio and tv station owner. He did it all and became one of the most successful performers of all time, be it concerning fame or fortune, he had it all. Born in Sherman, Texas into a sharecropper family of ten, he went from being a young man of humble beginnings to one who was at the top of his game in the Country Music Genre right up until the day he died. In his last years, he could still pack them in to his Crystal Palace in Bakersfield, California.

In 1956, Danny Shirley, lead vocalist and guitarist of Confederate Railroad, was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The group had two very successful albums on the Atlantic label, with several top forty hits. They are still on the road today, and in the past year, issued a live album.

In 1957, the original truck driving man, Dragonfly, was born in Pensacola, Florida. He drove over the road and, as I told Dale Watson, could well have been the inspiration for the song that he sang about Dragonfly. I know, he is my brother, and he assumed that name over thirty years ago. He drove so far and so fast that it took years for the news that Boxcar Willie had passed to catch him. He still works in the business today, and is a huge fan of David Allan Coe. Happy Birthday, Lynn Burris, Dragonfly, a real singing trucker.

In 1972, "Bless Your Heart" became a Number One hit for Freddie Hart and His Heartbeats. One of the hottest acts of 1972 and 1973, Hart took the top spot with five charted records in a row.

In 1978, Eddie Rabbitt scored a chart topper with "You Don't Love Me Anymore".

In 1989, Patty Loveless topped the charts with "Timber, I'm Falling In Love".

In 1995, Lorrie Morgan was atop the charts with "I Didn't Know My Own Strength".

August 11 in Country Music History

In 1946, John Conlee was born in Versailles, Kentucky. This Grand Ole Opry member hsa had a number of country hits, and is one of the most recognizable voices in Country Music. His signature song is "Rose Colored Glasses", and has had seven Number One hits, twenty one Top Tens and a total of thirty two charted Country hits.

In 1951, "Hey, Good Lookin'" went to the top of the charts for the Lovesick Blues Boy, Hank Williams. Of thirty nine cuts charting from the beginning of his career to the last original release in 1955, almost all of them were Top Ten hits. Impressive for somebody who was only 29 at the time of his death. Known as the Hillbilly Shakespeare, Hiriam King Williams was probably the most gifted songwriter AND singer the world will ever know. I can't help but thinking that he would be very proud if he could see the success of his son, Randall Hank Williams, also known as Hank Jr.

In 1973, Freddy Hart took a "Trip To Heaven" to Number One with the help of his band, the Heartbeats.

In 1979, Eddie Rabbitt had "Suspicions" that he had another Number One hit with his new release of the same name.

In 1984, Don Williams was Number One with "That's The Thing About Love".

In 1990, Baillie and the Boys debuted their last top ten record, "Fool Such As I" on the charts.  It went on to become a Number Five, and stayed on the charts for twenty one weeks.  This group was extremely talented, but success often breaks up groups, as it did this one.  

August 10 in Country Music History

In 1909, Leo Fender was born in Santa Ana, California. Fender took his love for guitars and electronics to a successful career in guitar production, inventing the Fender Broadcaster in 1948, to be renamed the Telecastor. In 1954, he began production of the Stratocaster, and as we all know he also is known for the Fender Bass.

In 1927, Jimmy Martin was born in Sneedville, Tennessee. Dubbed the "King of Bluegrass", The "High Lonesome Sound" was really created when Jimmy and Bill Monroe combined after Jimmy became the lead singer for the Bluegrass Boys around 1949. He later worked with the Osborne Brothers and finally formed his own band in 1965 that also included J.D.Crowe and Big Paul Williams. His biggest hit was probably "Widow Maker" which still is a favorite of truckers. He charted six songs on the Country charts with three of them being Top Forty, and his last chart hit being with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

In 1928, Jimmy Dean was born in Plainview, Texas. Though he is probably best remembered for his line of Jimmy Dean Sausage, he was also a Hall of Fame singer and radio and television personality whose biggest hit was "Big John".

In 1946, Rosalie Allen's version of "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart" debuted on the country charts at Number 5.  Strangely, it charted for just one week.  

In 1985, Hank Williams, Jr. was atop the charts with "I'm For Love".

In 1996, George Strait got "Carried Away" by a Number One hit of the same name.

In 2011, Grand Ole Opry star Billy Grammar passed away in Illinois. He was known as one of the best guitar pickers in Country Music, and had a major hit with "Gotta Travel Home". He also had a minor hit with "I Wanna Go Home", also known as "Detroit City". Our prayers and thought go out to his loved ones.

August 9 in Country Music History

In 1934, Merle Kilgore was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Merle worked on the Big D Jamboree before becoming a guitarist on the Louisiana Hayride, where he befriended Johnny Horton and Hank Williams. He went on to become a well known songwriter and wrote "More and More" "When You Get On The Whiskey (Let Somebody Else Drive)" "Wolverton Mountain", and co-wrote "Ring of Fire" with cousin June Carter. He also was a major force with Hank Williams Jr. and his hit making machine in the 70s and 80s, and managed Bocephus for many years.

In 1947, Bonnie Campbell joined soon-to-be husband Buck Owen's band. She later married Buck, then Merle Haggard, and was probably as much of the Merle Haggard sound as Don Rich was of the Buck Owens sound. 

In 1969, "All I Have To Offer You Is Me" went to Number One for Charlie Pride.

In 1975, Freddy Fender went to the top of the charts with "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights".

In 1975, Asleep at the Wheel made a chart debut with "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read", which is still the only single recorded by them that has made the Top Ten.  

In 1980, Mickey Gilley went to Number One with the old pop standard "Stand By Me".

In 1986, "Storms of Life" by Randy Travis went to Number One on the album charts. It is absolutely one of the best albums of all time. 

In 1986, The Judds were "Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain", and atop the charts.

In 2005, Hal Rugg,steel guitarist, passed away. Hal played on many great recordings and was a steel guitarist on the Grand Ole Opry for sixteen years. He also was the director of music on many programs including the Statler Brothers TV program.

August 7 in Country Music History

In 1925, Felice Bryant was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Matilda Scaduto. She and her husband, Boudleaux were a prolific songwriting team. They wrote many hits for the Everly Brothers, but their best known piece is "Rocky Top", recorded by many but most famous as the Osborne Brothers bluegrass hit.

In 1942, BJ Thomas was born in Hugo, Oklahoma. Though originally a pop singer, his good voice and smooth delivery have earned him three Number Ones on the Country Charts. He had big hits with "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", which sold over a million copies, and "(Hey, Won't You Play)Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song", which was written by Larry Butler, a singer,songwriter, musician, and producer from Northwest Florida, and Chips Moman, a legendary producer from Memphis.

In 1948, Hank Williams joined the Louisiana Hayride. 

In 1948, Roy Acuff's "This World Can't Stand Long" debuted on the country charts.  It eventually made it to Number Twelve on the charts.  

In 1950, Rodney Crowell was born in Houston, Texas. He had one super successful album off which came all or almost all of his Number One hits. He worked as a staff writer for Jerry Reed, worked with EmmyLou Harris' Hot band, and also was married to Roseanne Cash.

In 1961, "I Fall To Pieces" went Number One for Patsy Cline.

In 1965, "The First Thing Ev'ry Morning, And The Last Thing Ev'ry Night" went to Number One for Jimmy Dean.

In 1971, Homer Haynes of Homer and Jethro passed away in Hammond, Indiana.

In 1976, "Golden Ring" became a Number One for George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

In 1981, on his birthday, B.J.Thomas joined the Grand Ole Opry. He isn't stone cold country, but he is one of my favorite singers. He put out a great version of "Rainy Night In Georgia", as well as "Most of All", and "Brown Eyed Woman". And he has a memorable voice. He was born in Hugo, Oklahoma in 1942. Just in case you didn't know it, he had a million selling single with "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". 

In 1982, Hank Williams, Jr went "Honky-Tonkin'" and wound up with another chart topping hit.

In 2001, Billy Byrd, legendary guitarist, passed away. He was probably most famous for his time with Ernest Tubb, but he played with Jimmie Dickens, the Oak Ridge Quartet, George Morgan, and others.







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August 6 in Country Music History

In 1917, acting great Robert Mitchum was born. Favorite roles were as the drunk sheriff in El Dorado when John Wayne's character says "I'm looking at a drunk with a (pause) tin badge pinned to it." I also loved his narration of "Tombstone".  He charted twice in country music, one a Top Ten with "Little Old Wine Drinker Me".  

In 1922, Old Joe Clark, aka Manuel D. Clark of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, was born in Erwin, Tennessee.


In 1953, Mark Defresne of Confederate Railroad was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Rumor has it that he likes his women a little on the trashy side. The rumor is unconfirmed. 

In 1959, singer-songwriter-producer-label executive Darrell Scott was born. "It's A Great Day To Be Alive" was just one of the many hits he has written.

In 1964, recording artists The Lynns, daughters of Loretta and Mooney Lynn, were born. They were christened Patsy and Peggy.  

In 1977, Charlie Rich hit the top of the charts with "Rollin' With The Flow".

In 1983, the top song on the charts was "Your Love's On The Line" by Earl Thomas Conley.

In 1988, "Baby Blue" by George Strait topped the charts. This song was written by Aaron Barker, who is one of the major hit makers of today, and not a bad singer and musician himself.

In 1999, Colleen Carroll Brooks, recording artist and mother of Garth Brooks, passed away from cancer.

August 5 in Country Music History

In 1931, Hal Durham was born. He was General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry, and served as announcer on the program, also.

In 1934, VERN GOSDIN WAS BORN IN WOODLAND, ALABAMA.  THE SINGER KNOWN AS "THE VOICE" WAS PROBABLY THE BEST PURE VOICE IN COUNTRY MUSIC, VERN HAS HAD A NUMBER OF HITS IN HIS LAST THIRTY YEARS. MOST OF HIS GREATEST WORK WAS DONE ON COMPLEAT RECORDS IN THE LATE SEVENTIES AND THE EARLY EIGHTIES. HE WAS 53 YEARS OF AGE BEFORE HE EVER HAD A MAJOR LABEL CONTRACT, AND STARTED HAVING PHYSICAL DIFFICULTIES AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS CAREER. "THERE IS A SEASON", "TIME STOOD STILL", AND "CHISELED IN STONE" ALL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED AS SOME OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS EVER PRODUCED. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE TWO SONGS OF VERNS ARE "DEAD FROM THE HEART ON DOWN" AND "FOR A MINUTE THERE", BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD A VERN GOSDIN SONG I DON'T LIKE.

In 1940, singer-songwriter Bobby Braddock was born in Lakeland, Florida. He cowrote "He Stopped Loving Her Today" with Curley Putman, but is known for being a prolific songwriter who has penned at least thirteen Number One Country records. When he first arrived in Nashville he was the piano player for Marty Robbins.

In 1943, Sammi Smith was born. She is best remembered for her biggest hit, "Help Me Make It Through The Night", penned by Kris Kristofferson. She left us much too soon.

In 1957, "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear" by Elvis Presley became the Number One Country song in the US.

In 1960, my sources say that W.S.(Fluke)Holland became drummer for Johnny Cash's Tennessee Three.

In 1961, Mark O'Connor was born in Seattle, Washington. He is considered one of the best fiddlers in the country today.

In 1967, Sonny James was atop the charts with "I'll Never Find Another You".

In 1968, Luther Perkins passed away from burns suffered in a house fire triggered attributed to his falling asleep while smoking. He was the acclaimed lead guitarist for Johnny Cash to which the Cash sound was attributed, and with bass player Marshall Grant made up the Tennessee Two. When drummer W.S. (Fluke) Holland was added, the group became the Tennessee Three. Luther is buried close to June and Johnny Cash in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

In 1968, Terry Clark was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

In 1978, Kenny Rogers was afflicted by "Love or Something Like It" and was at the Number One spot on the charts.

In 1989, "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That" was the musical question from Dolly Parton. The answer was "So you'd get another Number One hit".

In 1995, Alan Jackson went to Number One hit about a waitress that he married and told her "I Don't Even Know Your Name".

In 1998, Texas Playboy guitarist and arranger Eldon Shamblin passed away in a nursing home after a career as one of the most important electric lead guitar players in the early years of Country Music. Between Shamblin and Leon mcAuliffe, they wrote the book on Twin lead guitars, and their influences go beyond Texas Swing to big band, country, and even Southern rock as evidenced in the Allman Brothers Band. It is said that he cut over 300 sides with Bob Wills, and he practically tailored all the songs in a style that fit him AND the Playboys.

August 4 in Country Music History

In 1890, Carson Robison was born in Oswego, Kansas. Robinson was a singer, songwriter, and musician who collaborated on the first true country music hit, "The Wreck Of The Old 97" with Vernon Dalhart. He had the top country hit in 1942 with "Turkey In The Straw", and was also known for the hit, "Life Gets Tee-jus Don't It".

In 1919, James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers Quartet was born. They were one of the inspirations for Elvis Presley, and actually backed him for a time. When he saw their tour bus, he immediately had one built for himself.

In 1927, Jimmie Rodgers made his first Bristol recordings for Ralph Peer and RCA records. The rest, as they say, is history. He became the Father of Country Music.

In 1932, Scotty Stoneman of the Stoneman Family, a pioneering country group, was born.

In 1940, Larry Knechtel was born in Los Angeles, California, Though primarily known as the pianist for Bread, he backed many singers and groups as a member of the Wrecking Crew and backed up two of our favorites, Elvis Presley and Johnny Rivers.

In 1950, Vickie Hackerman of Dave and Sugar was born in Louisville, Kentucky. As I grow older, I like to watch videos of this entertaining trio, which had several different women as Sugar, but always showcased Dave Rowland. Dave was a real showman. They debuted on the charts with "The Queen Of The Silver Dollar", and then enjoyed ten top tens, including three Number Ones. Dave and Sugar also worked as backup for Charlie Pride.

In 1959, Skeeter Davis debuted on the Grand Ole Opry. I never realized how big a star she really was until I went to her estate sale, and met some of her friends and heard some of their stories.

In 1982, world famous left handed fiddler Tex Atchison passed away. He was known far and wide as probably the best left handed fiddler of his time. He was a member of the Kentucky Ramblers, and the Riders of the Purple Sage, and his travels as a fiddler brought him into contact with many of the most famous people in the world. He played on Patsy Montana's hit, "I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart", the first million seller for a female in country music, and many of Gene Autry's hits, and even worked on a radio station with "Dutch", also known as Ronald Reagan. He actually was raised in Rosine, Kentucky, and he and Bill Monroe were boyhood friends. He also worked with Johnny Bond, who wrote "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight", the greatest country song to never be a Number One, in my opinion.

In 1973, "Lord, Mr. Ford" went to Number One for guitarist, singer, and songwriter Jerry Reed.

In 1978, old time fiddlin' great Fiddlin' Doc Roberts passed away in Madison County, Kentucky.

In 1984, "Mama He's Crazy" became a Number One hit for Naomi and Wynonna, the Judds.

In 1987, the Round Mound of Sound, Kenny Price, passed away from a heart attack. He was a great country singer, gospel singer, but was probably best known for his appearances on HeeHaw, which made him a well recognized star. "Walking On New Grass" was his biggest hit.

In 1990, Dan Seals was enjoying "Good Times" at the top of the charts.

In 2004, The Notorious Cherry Bombs debuted on the Tonight Show. They were made up of Rodney Crowell, Tony Brown, Vince Gill, Hank Devito, and Richard Bennett. "It's Hard to Kiss The Lips At Night (That Chew Your A__ Out All Day Long)" was their first single and video.

In 2007, singer-songwriter-producer Lee Hazelwood died in Las Vegas, Nevada.

August 3 in Country Music History

In 1923, Dottie Dillard of the Anita Kerr Singers was born in Springfield, Missouri.

In 1924, according to our sources, Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, long time back up and Gospel group was born. Stoker played piano for them and has been both first tenor and second tenor with the group. He and Neal Matthews were perhaps the two most famous of the group that backed Elvis, Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Jimmy Dean and many others on their many hits. The year on this birthdate is arbitrary, as I have seen it as anywhere from 1924 to 1926.

In 1953, Randy Scruggs was born in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1974, Crash Craddock was at Number One with "Rub It In".

In 1985, Alabama went to the top of the charts with "Forty Hour Week (For A Livin')".

In 1981, Trisha Yearwood went to Number One with "She's In Love With The Boy".

In 1991, I am told that Johnny Lee debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.:

In 1996, Rhett Akins was at Number One with "Don't Get Me Started".

In 1999, Little Roy Wiggins, steel guitarist, passed away from heart disease. He was with Eddy Arnold for twenty five years, and worked on many of his recordings, including "Bouquet of Roses", "I'll Hold You In My Heart", and "Anytime".

In 2004, Lacy Van Zant, considered to be "The Father Of Southern Rock", passed away in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the father of Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Donnie Van Zant of .38 Special, and Johnny Van Zant who fronts the current day Lynyrd Skynyrd, and both Donnie and Johnny perform as Van Zant, a 'country' act. 

August 2 in Country Music History

In 1935, singer-songwriter Hank Cochran was born in Mississippi. He is probably best known for his songwriting prowess on the Patsy Cline hits "I Fall To Pieces" and "She's Got You", as well as for "Make The World Go Away" for Eddy Arnold, and "The Chair" and "Ocean Front Property" for George Strait. He was the cowriter on many of Vern Gosdin's top commercial hits.

In 1953, Betty Jack Davis, half of the duo Davis Sisters that also featured Skeeter Davis, was killed in a car wreck in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Davis Sisters had already notched a Number One hit with "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know", and Skeeter went on to a huge career of her own.

In 1975, Johnny Rodriguez hit the top spot on the charts with "Just Get Up And Close The Door". It was his fifth of sixth Number Ones.

In 1980, the Bellamys went to the Number One spot for the third time with "Dancin" Cowboys". They would make the top spot a total of ten times in their career, and they are still popular here, as well as overseas.

In 1986, "Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her" went to Number One for George Strait. Written by Dean Dillon, who also scored a hit with it, it was recorded by many others including Keith Whitley.

In 2002, Joe Allison, songwriter, producer, and music executive, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. He was best known for "He'll Have To Go" by Jim Reeves and "Live Fast, Love Hard, and Die Young" by Faron Young, both legendary hits that define those artists careers as singers, and Allison's as a songwriter.

In 2003, Redd Stewart died in Louisville, Kentucky from complications after a fall. He was the cowriter of "The Tennessee Waltz" with PeeWee King, and was a major recording artist and songwriter of his time. His memorable compositions include "Soldier's Last Letter" by Ernest Tubb, and he was a charter member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

August 1 in Country Music History

In 1927, The Carter Family made their first recordings for Ralph Peer and RCA in Bristol, Tennessee.

In 1931, American folk performer Ramblin' Jack Elliot was born in Brooklyn, New York.

In 1953, Hank Thompson went to the top of the charts with "Rub-A-Dub-Dub". It stayed there for three weeks, and was his second Number One hit. In 2003, Hank was a performer at the Last Ride On The Hayride, and put on a stellar performance, as he not only sang, but played lead guitar.

In 1966, George Ducas was born in Texas City, Texas. He is best remembered for his top ten hit, "Lipstick Promises".

In 1981, Hank Williams, Jr. scored a Number One record with "Dixie On My Mind". It was his fourth Number One record.

In 1987, Howdy Forrester passed away. He was a great fiddler who worked many years with Roy Acuff and the Smoky Mountain Boys.

In 1987, Ronnie Milsap ruled the charts with "Snap Your Fingers".

In 1992, Brooks and Dunn ignited the line dance craze with "Boot Scootin' Boogie", their fourth Number One hit.

August 8 in Country Music History

In 1921, The Wondering Boy, Webb Pierce was born in Monroe, Louisiana. Webb Pierce was the Number One rated Billboard artist of the fifties. He is in the Hall of Fame, and is not only famous for his singing and many hits, but for his self promotion, and his Pontiac with all the silver dollars and the longhorns.

In 1922, actor Rory Calhoun was born. You may remember him as Ernest Tucker in "Pure Country" starring George Strait.

In 1922, Irene Smith, Hank Williams' sister was born. She was one of his first managers, and became a collector of memorabilia with many museum pieces, and is considered one of the great country music historians

In 1932, Mel Tillis, world class singer and songwriter, was born in Pahokee, Florida. He is known for "I Ain't Never", "Good Woman Blues", "Send Me Down To Tucson", "Southern Rain", and "Coca-Cola Cowboy". He also made an infamous video called "The Cowboys Dream" that featured a Playboy Playmate, but I have not seen a copy of that video available in years. In addition, Mel is also a world class comedian.

In 1933, Joe Tex was born in Baytown, Texas. He was one of the success stories of Buddy Killen when he was a major player in Nashville.

In 1934, The Sons of the Pioneers recorded for the first time.

In 1935, Howard Jenkins, Conway Twitty's brother and band member, was born. 

In 1939, Phil Balsley of the Statler Brothers was born in, well, where else? Stanton, Virginia. The Statlers are very deserving of their place in the Hall of Fame. All five of them were excellent singers, all were involved in writing, and they were excellent entertainers, on and off the record.

In 1944, Michael Johnson was born in Alamosa, Colorado.

In 1950, Jamie O'Hara was born in Toledo, Ohio.

In 1953, "Crying In The Chapel"debuted on the charts, on its way to a high point of Number Four for singing cowboy Rex Allen. 

In 1964, The Osborne Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry. 

In 1970, Sonny James scored a Number One hit with "Don't Keep Me Hangin" On".

In 1975, Hank Williams, Jr.'s life changed when he was critically injured in a fall from Ajax Mountain in Montana.

In 1981, Crystal Gayle had "Too Many Lovers", and a Number One record to boot. She is the younger sister of Loretta Lynn, and has had a great career herself.

In 1987, Reba McIntyre held the top spot with "One Promise Too Late".

In 2013, Jack Clement, most famous for his work with Johnny Cash and Charlie Pride, passed away at age 81.  




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July 31 in Country Music History

In 1937, Bonnie Brown, of the Browns, was born in Sparkman, Arkansas. The Browns were a group that had several major hits on the pop charts before the group disbanded, except for special occasions. Their biggest hit was "The Three Bells" in 1959, which became a crossover Number One hit on the pop charts as well. The Browns tight harmonies were matched by few, with the Louvins and Browns being masters of family harmony. They performed on the Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Ole Opry as well as many other shows of the day. Bonnie is now retired and lives with her physician husband.

In 1952, guitarist, producer,and musical director Steve Gibson was born in Peoria, Illinois.

In 1954, the Number One song in the land was "One By One" by Kitty Wells and Red Foley.

In 1963, professional wrestler Chad Brock was born in Ocala, Florida. He did make a tiny ripple in the waters of country music several years ago.

In 1964, Jim Reeves lost his life in a plane crash in Brentwood, Tennessee. Allegedly, he was trained by the same instructor who trained Randy Hughes who piloted the craft that took the lives of Hughes, Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas. Reeves was already rich from his career and his many shrewd investments, and his voice was to be familiar on the radio charts for almost two decades after his death.

In 1971, Charlie Pride was at the top of the charts with "I'm Just Me".

In 1982, "I Don't Care", a remake of an old Webb Pierce hit written by Pierce and Cindy Walker, went to Number One again, this time for Ricky Skaggs.

In 1987, Kenneth "Thumbs" Carllisle passed away from a heart attack while driving from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Decatur, Georgia. He was a great guitarist who played the lead guitar with it laying across his lap. He played many years with Little Jimmy Dickens and Roger Miller.

In 1996, Willie Lee (Jay) Webb passed away. He was Loretta Lynn's brother, and was also a country music performer.

July 30 in Country Music History

In 1949, Eddy Arnold had a Number One hit with "I'm Throwing Rice (At The Girl That I Love).

In 1958, Neal McCoy was born in Jacksonville, Texas. 

In 1983, George Jones was Number One with "I Always Get Lucky With You". It was the Possum's ninth Number One as a solo artist, and was cowritten by Merle Haggard.

In 1988, "Don't We All Have The Right" by Ricky Van Shelton was the Number One hit on the Country charts.

In 2003, Sam Phillips passed away. Phillips was known as being the owner of Sun Records, which was the most innovative studio in the country during the time that Phillips owned it. He is known for his contributions to rock and roll, blues, and soul, but he should be given credit for his contributions to country through Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Charlie Rich, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley. Through Elvis, here are just some of the names in country music that still bring a smile to our face. Eddie Rabbitt, Tony Brown, Richard Sterban, Emory Gordy, Jr., Dave Rowland, Jerry Chesnut, D J Fontana, James Burton, Chet Atkins, Charlie Daniels, Ronnie Milsap, Jim Ed Brown, Maxine Brown, Bonnie Brown, Mac Davis, Jerry Reed, Glen Campbell, and the Jordanaires are just a few of the names that we all recognize, and most of them got their big breaks by working with Elvis.

July 29 in Country Music History

In 1944, Louis Jordan went to Number One on the charts as he asked the music question, "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't (Me Baby). I think we were in English class together.

In 1954, Pete Cassell passed away. Born near Atlanta, Georgia, this blind singer and musician who played both guitar and piano became a legend in the Atlanta area, and also on the WVA airwaves. He was said to be a smooth singer such as George Morgan or Eddie Arnold, and was a major influence on the career of Marty Robbins.

In 1967, Marty Robbins went to the top of the country charts with "Tonight Carmen". It was his twelfth of sixteen Number Ones in his career. He also had 47 Top Tens and and 85 Top Forties among his 94 charted releases.

In 1988, steel guitarist Pete Drake passed away after a long battle with emphysema. He backed such greats as Don Gibson and Marty Robbins, and played as a session player on many cuts, as well as recording on his own. He played on the hits "Rose Garden", "Behind Closed Doors" and "Lay Lady Lay" and many, many more. He also worked as a producer. He is buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1989, Reba McIntyre's version of "Cathy's Clown" went to Number One. The video that accompanied this video was meant for her to be Miss Kitty, and Bruce Boxleitner to be Matt Dillon, characters of "Gunsmoke".  It also featured many more Western characters from the past. 

In 1997, Mercury Records released "Takin' The Country Back" by John Anderson. This album contained the single by the same name that was written by Curtis Wright and Marty Stuart, and that single and the video was the inspiration for this website which, in the nineties and early 2000s was a major player in the internet country music field.

In 1999, Anita Carter, a member of the Carter Sisters, passed away in Hendersonville, Tennessee. In 1950, she joined the Grand Ole Opry as a member of the Carter Sisters, and opened shows for both Elvis and Johnny Cash. She performed in duets with several male singers including Hank Snow, Don Davis, and Waylon Jennings. There is a video available of "I Can't Help It" with her and Hank Williams. She also recorded as a solo artist, and allegedly was the first one to record what became a big Johnny Cash hit entitled "Ring Of Fire". She and Don Davis, who was her husband twice, were the major stars on a Mobile, Alabama Country Music morning show on WKRG that aired for five years in the sixties.

July 28 in Country Music History

In 1938, Buddy Spicher, one of the best fiddlers in the world, was born in Dubois, Pennsylvania.

In 1939, Harold Brent Burkett, founding member of the Four Guys, was born in Steubenville, Ohio. The Four Guys were offered a spot on the Grand Ole Opry though they never had a hit. In fact, the crowd pleasers, and they certainly were crowd pleasers, only had three top 100s in their career, though they were some of the most popular of entertainers not only at Opry, but everywhere they performed.

In 1945, Jack Guthrie went to the top of the very young Country Charts with "Oklahoma Hills". Jack Guthrie died in 1948 after a battle with tuberculosis. He had had three Top Five hits on the newly created country charts in the last three years before his death. He was a cousin of Woody Guthrie.

In 1973, Donna Fargo went to the top of the charts with "You Were Always There".

In 1979, "You're The Only One" became a Number One hit for Dolly Parton.

In 1984, Earl Thomas Conley scored his fourth Number One in a row, and the sixth of his career with "Angel In Disguise".

July 27 in Country Music History

In 1896, Clark Kessinger, one of the best if not the best old time country music fiddlers, was born in South Hills, West Virginia. He played in many fiddle contests and was made the World's Champion Fiddler at the 47th Annual Union Grove Old Time Fiddlers and Bluegrass Festival when he was in his mid-eighties.

In 1920, Henry D. Haynes, also known as Homer of Homer and Jethro, was born near Knoxville, Tennessee. He owned a Fender Stratocaster with serial number 0001 and was a member of this act from 1936 until his death in 1971. Homer and Jethro were a talented acted, being famous for their picking, singing, and comedy.

In 1925, Annie Lou Dill nee Stockard, was born in Skull Bone, Tennessee. She was known for being one of the "Sweethearts of Country Music" who performed on the Grand Ole Opry, and as opening acts on many of the package shows of the forties, fifties and early sixties. Her husband was Danny Dill, who co-wrote "Detroit City" and "Long Black Veil".

In 1925, Charlie Poole and the North Carolina Ramblers had their first recording session. 

n 1933, Nick Reynolds, guitarist and founding member of the Kingston Trio, was born in San Diego, California.

In 1944, Roberta Lee Streeter, aka Bobbie Gentry, was born in Chickasaw County, Mississippi.  She charted six times on the country charts, but her "Ode To Billy Joe" was a Number One on the pop charts for four weeks, and was a gold record.  

In 1956, Duncan Cameron was born in Utica, New York. He is most famous for his stints as guitarist in the Amazing Rhythm Aces and Sawyer Brown.

In 1957, Bill Engvall was born in Galveston, Texas. 

In 1959, Takinthecountryback.com favorite Stonewall Jackson went to the top of the charts with "Waterloo". Stonewall, who is a descendant of the Civil War General by the same name, is still a performing member of the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1963, Johnny Cash went to the top of the charts with "Ring of Fire". It was co-written by his future wife to be, June Carter and her distant cousin, Merle Kilgore, both favorite Country Music personalities.

In 1974, Donna Fargo topped the charts with "You Can't Be A Beacon (If Your Light Don't Shine".

In 1985, "Love Don't Care (Whose Heart It Breaks)" went to Number One for Earl Thomas Conley. Conley was one of the top artists of the eighties. He is also a great songwriter.

In 1991, Ricky Van Shelton was Number One with "I Am A Simple Man". Though he is now retired, Ricky Van Shelton was a neo-traditionalist who was constantly at the top of the charts, having ten chart toppers with four years.

In 1997, Richochet was at Number One for "Daddy's Money". Though the song is more pop fluff than Country, this group was a fine collection of country performers who actually were great as singers, songwriters, and musicians. One of the finest performances of the "Star Spangled Banner" was done by the group, as well as a great version of "Seven Bridges Road".

July 26 in Country Music History

In 1922, Jim Fogelsong was born in Lundale, West Virginia. He was one of the top music executives in Nashville, especially during the seventies and eighties, and he was president of ABC, Capitol,Dot, and MCA records during his career. He signed popular artists, among them Barbara Mandrell, Don Williams, Garth Brooks, Donna Fargo, Reba McEntire, the Oak Ridge Boys, Con Hunley, George Strait, Tanya Tucker, Sawyer Brown, and Suzy Boggus to his labels, ensuring himself a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame, to which he was inducted in 2004. If Hall of Fame signings mean anything, Fogelsong has Williams, Strait, and Mandrell joining him in the hall already, indicating he was very good at spotting talent.

In 1931, Fred Foster was born in North Carolina. Foster is probably most famous for being the founder of Monument Records, though he produced many great hits for some of the biggest artists in the world. He produced almost all of Roy Orbison's greatest hits, and also produced Billy Grammer, Ray Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, Tony Joe White, Larry Gatlin, Charlie McCoy, Al Hirt, Boots Randolph, Jerry Byrd, Billy Joe Shaver, Grandpa Jones, The Velvets and Robert Mitchum. He was the first Nashville producer to work with Dolly Parton, and he worked with Willie Nelson on a Cindy Walker tribute album as well as a Merle Haggard/Ray Price collaboration entitled "Last of the Breed". Off the Haggard/Price album, he won a Grammy for the cut "Lost Highway".

In 1956, Scott Hendricks was born in Clinton, Oklahoma. He produced many of the top Arista artists during the 90s as well as many of the Capitol artists in the late 90s, including Trace Adkins. Later, he managed Virgin records, but now is back doing what he does best, production. He has produced albums for Alan Jackson, Brooks and Dunn, Trace Adkins, Faith Hill, John Michael Montgomery, Steve Wariner, Suzy Bogguss and Blake Shelton. During the 1990s, Hendricks co-produced over 30 Number One country hits.

In 1969, Buck Owens was at the top of the charts with "Johnny B. Goode".

In 1980, Clint Eastwood and Merle Haggard were "Barroom Buddies" and doing fine with a Number One record from the Eastwood flick "Bronco Billy".

In 1986, Randy Travis scored his first of many Number One hits with "On The Other Hand". When this happened I went to a Walmart in Houston and bought this album, along with the Keith Whitley album with his first major hit,  "Miami, My Amy".  On this album was Keith's version of "On The Other Hand". 

July 25 in Country Music History

In 1894, three time Oscar winner Walter Brennan was born in Swampscott, Massachussetts. He was known also for his Number Three hit recording, "Ole Rivers", and was one of the best at spoken word recordings, especially Christmas records.

In 1903, Jack Grant of the Grant Brothers, also known as the Tenneva Ramblers, was born in Bristol, Tenneva. He and his group became a part of the Jimmie Rodgers Entertainers for a brief time, and then went back to recording on their own. 

In 1927, Ralph Peer's famous Bristol Sessions began on State Street on the line between Tennessee and Virginia. The two biggest acts to come out of these recording sessions would be Jimmie Rodgers and the Carter Family.

In 1948, songwriter Steve Goodman was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is well remembered for two songs, "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" and "City Of New Orleans". Not well known is that he was a songwriting and singing protege of Kris Kristofferson and Paul Anka. He died at a young age due to leukemia, and some of his ashes were scattered at Wrigley Field.

In 1965, Marty Brown was born in Maceo, Kentucky. He had one charted hit, and seemed stardom bound. Though his albums were critically acclaimed, he didn't achieve much commercial success.

In 1967, Tommy Duncan passed away in San Diego, California after a performance. Duncan was a great singer in Bob Wills Texas Playboys, and was the lead singer on all their hits except "Faded Love". It was said that he knew all the words to at least 3,000 songs, and he also helped write many of the songs that he sung. Many consider him to be a hillbilly "Bing Crosby" with a golden voice, and an uncompromising style of his own.

In 1970, Charlie Pride was at the top of the charts with "Wonder Could I Live There Anymore". The Pride of America had twenty nine Number One hits, and twenty three more Top Tens. This golden voiced wonder from Sledge, Mississippi was also a good baseball player in his time.

In 1978, Hank Newman of the Georgia Crackers passed away. 

In 1987, Steve Wariner was happy with his new Number One, "The Weekend". Steve, like Larry Gatlin, received his start in country music with Dottie West.

In 1990, Harold Weakley passed away. Though known for his long stint as the drummer on the Grand Ole Opry, he was also a great singer.

In 1992, Garth Brooks was at Number One with "The River".

In 1994, songwriter Artie Glenn passed away. He is most famous for writing "Crying In The Chapel", which was a hit for his own son, Darrell, and Rex Allen, which sold two million copies, and Elvis, which sold untold numbers, and was a Number One. Eddy Arnold was among the many others who recorded this song.

In 1995, the Silver Fox, Charlie Rich, passed away from a blood clot in the lung at Hammond, Louisiana. He was a jazz lover, and the love of jazz brought him and producer Billy Sherrill together as a team. The singer and pianist became a major force on not only the Country charts in the seventies, but also the pop charts. He had nine Number One Country Hits, and also had a Number One Pop Hit. His career hit was "The Most Beautiful Girl", and it topped all charts.

In 2001, The Ryman Auditorium was officially named a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service.

July 24 in Country Music History

In 1914, popular WLS radio announcer and talented musician Donald "Red" Blanchard was born in Pittsville, Wisconsin.

In 1922, singer-songwriter Lawton Williams was born in Troy, Tennessee. He is best known for writing the hits "Fraulein", a Number One for Bobby Helms, "Farewell Party", a hit for Gene Watson, "Geisha Girl", a hit for Hank Locklin, "Color of the Blues", a hit for George Jones, and "Shame on Me", Bobby Bare's first charted country hit.

In 1926, Marion Garner, country music entertainer and bass player, was born in Arkansas. In his day, bass players had to be entertainers, usually comedians, and he was one of the best, touring with the likes of Hank Williams, Sr., Patsy Cline, and Red Foley. He was a very popular member of the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Texas.

In 1926, The Crook Brothers started appearing on what was to become known as the Grand Ole Opry. That night on the WSM Barn Dance started a sixty two year run on the Opry for these talented and beloved performers on the show that would become the premier radio show in the world.

In 1936, song writing legend Max D. Barnes was born. He wrote "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes", a hit for George Jones, "Drinkin' and Dreamin'" performed by Waylon Jennings, "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)" for Vern Gosdin, as well as  "Way Down Deep", "Chiseled in Stone", "Look At Us", "Don't Take It Away", "Thank God For The Radio", "Drinkin' and Dreamin", "Joe Knows How To Live", "Ten Feet Away", "Do You Believe Me Now", "I Won't Need You Anymore", "Let Go Of The Stone", and "Storms Of Life".. He was born in Hardscratch, Iows, grew up in Nebraska, and had a forty year career as a tunesmith.  I believe he definitely earned that word, "legend". 

In 1957, Pam Tillis, singer, songwriter, and member of the Grand Ole Opry, was born in Plant City, Florida. Tillis was a major force on the charts in the nineties, but she also is a great songwriter, having written songs recorded by many major stars.

In 1971, "Bright Lights, Big City" became a chart topper for the Southern Gentleman, Sonny James. He had twenty three Number Ones, forty three Top Tens, and over sixty Top Forty country hits.

In 1982, Alabama was at Number One on the Country charts with "Take Me Down".

July 23 in Country Music History

In 1917, Eva Overstake was born in Decatur, Illinois.  She and her sisters were born to Salvation Army workers and were originally known as the Overstake Sisters, before they were renamed "The Three Little Mermaids" as they were remembered on the National Barn Dance.  She married fellow National Barn Dance star Red Foley in 1933, and became the mother of three daughters.  One, Shirley, became Mrs. Pat Boone.

In 1919, Paul Rice of the Rice Brothers was born in Gainesville, Georgia. It is said that Paul Rice actually wrote "You Are My Sunshine" and that Jimmy Davis bought the song from him.

In 1940, country singer Johnny Darrell was born in Hopewell, Alabama. He was the first to record "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", written by Mel Tillis.

In 1943, Tony Joe White was born in Oak Grove, Louisiana. I wonder if he still eats poke salad, with all his songwriting bucks. 

In 1971, Allison Krauss, was born in Decatur, Illinois. This talented country and bluegrass performer is a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry, and with Rhonda Vincent, is probably one of the two most influential female singers in country and bluegrass today.

In 1977, Alabama debuted on the charts with "I Want To Be With You Tonight".

In 1983, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson went to Number One as a duo with the Townes Van Zandt written "Pancho and Lefty".

In 1988, Vern Gosdin scored another Number one with "Set 'Em Up Joe", a tribute to Ernest Tubb and his blockbuster hit, "Walkin' The Floor".

In 1994, Alan Jackson rode to the top of the charts with "Summertime Blues", originally cowritten and performed by Eddie Cochran.

July 22 in Country Music History

In 1924, Margaret Whiting was born in Detroit, Michigan, though she was raised in Hollywood. This singer was probably best known in country music as the duet partner of Jimmie Wakely, and they had a Number One hit with their version of "Slippin' Around". She was also associated with eight other Top Ten singles. 

In 1947, Terry Clements, folk guitarist, was born in Detroit, Michigan. He was most famous for his collaborations with Gordon Lightfoot. 

In 1967, David Houston occupied the top spot on the charts "With One Exception".


In 1972, Charlie Pride topped the charts with "It's Gonna Take A Little Bit Longer".

In 1975, country and gospel singer Sonya Isaacs was born. 

In 1976, Hattie Stoneman, also known as Mom Stoneman of the Stoneman Family, passed away. Pop and Mom Stoneman were legendary Country Music pioneers and then the addition of their family band made them even bigger stars. They were popular radio, tv, and concert performers. Pop Stoneman had "Sinking of the Titanic" which sold an estimated four million copies, and the family had several charted hits later on. 

In 1984, Jack Benny Lynn, Loretta Lynn's son, drowned in Waverly, Tennessee.

In 1989, George Strait asked the question, "What's Going On In Your World", and received a Number One record for his trouble.

In 2001, singer-songwriter Bob Ferguson, also known as Eli Possumtrot, passed away in Jackson, Mississippi. He was best known as writer of "Wings of a Dove" and "Carroll County Accident". He was manager for Ferlin Husky, and was an assistant to Chet Atkins at RCA, where he helped produce many of the biggest names in the industry.

July 21 in Country Music History

In 1895, cowboy Ken Maynard was born in Vevay, Indiana. He was known for his fiddling ability and other talents, including the ability to play many instruments.  

In 1899, Sarah Dougherty was born in Cooper Creek, Virginia. She later married A.P.Carter, and they, with her cousin, who was also her husband's sister-in-law, Maybelle, became the First Family of Country Music, The Carter Family. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.

In 1928, Roy Madison Huskey, Jr., known as Junior, was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was a great bass player, famous for his Czechoslavkian stand up bass. He is not to be confused with his son, Roy Milton Huskey, who was also a renown bass player and a member of the A-Team.

In 1933, Bobby Hicks, Fiddlers Hall of Fame member, was born. He worked with Bill Monroe as a bass player and a fiddler, and worked for twenty-three years as fiddler in Ricky Skaggs Kentucky Thunder.

In 1936, Steel Guitar Hall of Fame member Hal Rugg was born. As well as working with many of the best in Country Music, Hal also was the music director on the Statler Brothers Show for seven years.

In 1956, Johnny Cash scored his first Number One single with "I Walk The Line". It would stay on the charts for a total of forty three weeks. Johnny Cash would only have fourteen Number One hits, but he would sell many albums, as he had a truly devoted following.

In 1958, Faron Young went to the top of the charts with "Alone With You", and it held this position for thirteen weeks.

In 1972, Paul Brandt was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada as Paul Renee Belobersycky. Some how I believe that he made a good career choice in changing his name.  There are those who believe he can remember almost everybody who has ever met him, but usually there are giveaways to this gift. 

In 1973, Jeannie Pruett became the last one to join the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium before the move to the new Opry House.  Later, Brad Paisley would be inducted in one of the winter shows at the Ryman.  

In 1979, Canadian songbird Anne Murray achieved the top spot on the charts with "Shadows In The Moonlight".

In 1984, Anne Murray was again at the top of the charts with "Just Another Woman In Love". In her career, she had ten Number Ones, twenty five Top Tens, and over forty Top Forty hits, so she was a fixture on the charts.

July 20 in Country Music History

In 1898, mountain and roots music pioneer J.E. Mainer was born in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

In 1918, Cindy Walker, Country Music Hall Of Fame Songwriter, was born in Texas. The first song of hers to be recorded was cut by Bing Crosby, and she had many cut by Eddy Arnold and Bob Wills. She may be the best female songwriter of all time, and even though her prowess as such is well known, she could also sing and dance. One of the most beloved ladies in country music.

In 1944, T G Sheppard was born William Neal Browder in Humboldt, Tennessee. In a great career, he had fourteen Number Ones, twenty-nine Top Tens, and almost forty Top Forties. He did tour in a bus that Elvis once owned, which later became a Kentucky Headhunters tour bus. He was one of the top acts of the eighties, having eight Number Ones in a row, and ten of twelve charted hits at one time became Number Ones.

In 1959, neo-traditionalist Radney Foster was born in Del Rio, Texas.

In 1968, Johnny Cash had a Number One hit on his remake of "Folsom Prison Blues". It was originally a hit for Cash in 1958, and went to Number Four on the charts.

In 1974, Bobby Bare had a Number One with "Marie Laveau", about the legendary Witch Queen of New Orleans.

In 1985, Lee Greenwood was informed that he had another Number One hit as he was riding down a "Dixie Road".

In 1996, Ricochet scored a Number One with "Daddy's Money". Though they were not a true Country group, Ricochet was a group well known for their harmonies, most famously their versions of "The Star Spangled Banner", and "The Seven Bridges Road".

July 19 in Country Music History

In 1896, William Roy Hardison was born in Maury County, Tennessee. He was the banjo picker for the Old Time Country group known as the Gully Jumpers, allegedly given that name by the Solemn Old Judge of the Grand Ole Opry, George D. Hay. They supposedly cut the first record recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1926, Sue Thompson was born in Nevada, Missouri. She was married to both Dude Martin and Hank Penny, and among her hits are "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)" and "Norman". 

In 1937, George Hamilton IV was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "The International Ambassador of Country Music" was known to all of our friends for his devotion not only to spreading the music that we love around the world, but he regularly contributed of his time to the Hank Williams Festivals in Georgiana, Alabama.

In 1939, country singer and dj Billy Parker was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. He won many awards for his radio shows.

In 1944, Commander Cody was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He and his Lost Planet Airmen were a cross between Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Tex Williams, Bob Will's Playboys, and a forerunner of Asleep at the Wheel. They had most of their success on the pop charts.

In 1947, Tex Williams went to Number One with "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)".  It owned the spot for sixteen weeks. 

In 1952, Carl Smith's first Number One after his marriage to June Carter was "Are You Teasing Me". 

In 1966, Johnny Rivers recorded "Poor Side Of Town". It is one of my favorite crying in my beer jukebox songs even though I don't drink....
....come to think of it I haven't seen a jukebox in a while, either.

In 1969, "I Love You More Today" took Conway Twitty back to the top of the charts.

In 1969, Kenny Rogers of Kenny Rogers and the First Edition made his first country chart visit with "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", written by Mel Tillis. 

In 1975, Lefty Frizzell passed away after suffering a stroke. This Texan was known for being one of the best singer-songwriters and a superb entertainer. He had several Number One hits, and will always be remembered for his style as well as his substance. His influences on real country music are apparent today in the music of George Jones, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum, and in the works of the late Keith Whitley.

In 1975, Conway Twitty was again at the top of the charts with "Touch The Hand". It was the first of two weeks at the top of the charts. 

In 1980, "True Love Ways" became a Number One hit for Mickey Gilley.

In 1986, a somewhat forgotten Judy Rodman was on the top of the charts with "Until I Met You". She was hot at this time in the eighties, and she was one of the nicest people off stage. She was gracious if you had the opportunity to meet her at a concert, which we did. She is still active in Nashville as a songwriter.

In 1997, George Strait was atop the charts again with "Carryin' Your Love With Me". It was not only a great song, it was one of the few videos he made, and it was a good piece, also.  It carried the top spot on the charts for four weeks. 

July 18 in Country Music History

In 1919, Walter David "D" Kilpatrick was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was one of the legends in behind the scenes Nashville.

In 1954, Ricky Skaggs was born in Cordell, Kentucky. He is a noted singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and composer. He plays mandolin, fiddle, guitar, and banjo. He made his first major appearance with Bill Monroe at 6 years of age, following that up with an appearance with Flatt and Scruggs. He became acquainted with Keith and Dwight Whitley, and they formed life long friendships, and He and Keith became members of Ralph Stanley's Clinch Mountain Boys. He went on to JD Crowe's New South Band, and then to EmmyLou Harris' Hot Band. He then became one of the biggest country acts of the eighties and nineties, and finally returned to his roots in bluegrass, where he and his Kentucky Thunder are one of the biggest acts in any kind of music.

In 1954, Mark Jones of Exile was born in Harlan, Kentucky. 

In 1960, Hank Locklin was in the middle of a fourteen week run at the top of the charts with "Please Help Me, I'm Falling". 

In 1964, "Dang Me" became a Number One hit for the King of the Road, Roger Miller. It held the top spot for six weeks.

In 1981, Alabama, the supergroup made up of Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, and Mark Herndon, went to the top spot in the charts with "Feels So Right". It was atop the charts for two weeks. 

In 1987, the Judds had a hit with "I Know Where I'm Going". They did know, too, for they were at Number One.

July 17 in Country Music History

In 1918, singer Red Sovine was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He was probably best known for his hits "Why Baby Why" with Webb Pierce, "Giddy-Up Go", "Phantom 309", "Teddy Bear", and "Little Rosa".

In 1951, Harry Choates, "Fiddle King Of Cajun Swing" died in a jail cell in Austin, Texas after allegedly putting himself into a coma by banging his head on the jail cell bars.

In 1952, Nicolette Larson was born in Helena, Montana.

In 1964, Craig Morgan was born.  He is one of my favorites to come along in the past fifteen years.  

In 1974, perhaps the best sideman of all time passed away in California. Don Rich of the Buckaroos died in a mysterious motorcycle accident on Highway 1. He was a superb fiddler, lead guitarist, vocalist, and especially harmony singer, who contributed much to the musical career of Buck Owens. He will forever be remembered by us for his many contributions to Country Music.

In 1974, Jay Hanna Dean, also known as Dizzy, passed away in Reno, Nevada. This Hall of Fame pitcher, who was the last National Leaguer to win thirty games in a season, was also known for being a sportscaster who loved Roy Acuff and his "Wabash Cannonball". He was the one who nicknamed Roy Acuff the "King of Country Music".

In 1976, Red Sovine celebrated his birthday with a Number One Record. "Teddy Bear" was a hit in the golden age of cb radio. Though still used in big trucks today, cell phones have rendered them as just a minor communications device. "Teddy Bear" held the top spot for three weeks. 

In 1982, Barbara Mandrell aced a Number One with "'Til You're Gone".

In 1985, another pioneering Bakersfield Sound artist passed away. Wynn Stewart was most well known for "It's Such A Pretty World Today", but he was a major influence on Buck Owens and Merle Haggard, who basically owned the Country Music Charts in the 60s and 70s.

In 1993, "Chattahoochee" became the Number One song for Alan Jackson. Enough said.

In 2010, guitarist Fred Carter, Jr. passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. Though young fans will know him as the father of Deanna Carter, he was a world class guitarist who performed on many records, and is most well known for his work on "El Paso" with Marty Robbins. He also did some great things on Vern Gosdin cuts.

July 16 in Country Music History

In 1915, Speck Rhodes was born in West Plains, Missouri. Speck was an accomplished bassist and banjo player, as well as a fine comedian before he signed on with Porter Wagoner. He was a member of the Wagoneers for over twenty years, and one of the most beloved figures of the Opry and the Porter Wagoner Show.

In 1949, Ronnie Robbins, son of Marty and Marizona Robbins, was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He put his career on hold to take care of the estate, but in my estimation, he was a great singer also. He just had to overcome the expectations of the name.

In 1955, Webb Pierce went to the top of the charts with "I Don't Care". It held the top spot for a total of twelve weeks. 

In 1977, Ronnie Milsap was at the top of the charts with "It Was Almost Like A Song", for the first of three weeks at that position. 

In 1983, Alabama had another chart topper with "The Closer You Get".

In 1988, Roseanne Cash was Number One with "If You Change Your Mind".

In 1994, Travis Tritt took his "Foolish Pride" to the top of the charts.

July 15 in Country Music History

In 1913, Lloyd (Cowboy) Copas was born in Jefferson Township, Ohio. His first big break as a singer came when he replaced Eddy Arnold in Pee Wee King's band, the Golden West Cowboys. He then struck it big with "Filipino Baby" and went on to become a star on the Grand Ole Opry and the Ozark Jubilee. His biggest hit was his only Number One, "Alabam" which stayed at that position for twelve weeks in 1960.

In 1914, Dolph Hewitt of the WLS Barn Dance was born. He also played on the WWVA Jamboree.

In 1946, Linda Ronstadt was born in Tucson, Arizona. She was the first really big female singer in rock and pop, but crossed over into the Country charts several times, and is also known for her collaborations with EmmyLou Harris and Dolly Parton as Trio.  In fact, she has been associated with twenty four charted country hits, with two of them being Number One hits, eight more being Top Ten hits, and three more being Top Twenty hits. 

In 1950, "Mississippi" became a Number One hit for Red Foley.

In 1957, Mac MacAnally was born in Red Bay, Alabama. He is a noted singer, songwriter, musician, and producer.

In 1972, "Made In Japan" went to the top of the charts for Buck Owens.

In 1978, Ronnie Milsap had a chart topper with "Only One Love In My Life".

In 1986, Columbia unceremoniously released Johnny Cash from his recording contract. And they wonder why nobody is loyal to them today. 

In 1989, Eddie Raven gained the top spot on the charts with "In A Letter To You".

In 1998, Hal Southern, songwriter of "I Dreamed Of A Hillybilly Heaven", passed away.

In 2003, George Strait released what was arguably his best country album, "Honkytonkville".

In 2010, Hank Cochran, one of the greatest Country songwriters, and also a singer, passed away in Tennessee. He wrote or co-wrote many songs including "Don't Touch Me" for Jeannie Seely, "I Fall to Pieces" and "He's Got You" both by Patsy Cline, "The Chair" and "Oceanfront Property" both recorded by George Strait, and "Make the World Go Away" recorded by half of all the artists in sixties music. He also had a hit of his own with "Sally Was A Good Old Girl".

July 14 in Country Music History

In 1912, Woody Guthrie, singer, songwriter, musician, and popular folk hero was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. He is probably best known as the songwriter of "This Land Is Your Land".

In 1920, Marijohn Wilkin, nee Melson, was born in Kemp, Texas. She was known as the "Den Mother Of Music Row", and was one of the most talented songwriters on Music Row. Though probably known most for her collaboration with Kris Kristofferson on "One Day At A Time", she also wrote "Waterloo", and with Danny Dill penned "Long Black Veil", probably one of the best songs in country music history. She was known for the efforts to help fledgling songwriters get a foothold in the music business, including Kristofferson, Ed Bruce, and Johnny Duncan. She also was a good vocalist and toured with Red Foley, and also cut several solo albums.

In 1933, singer, songwriter, comedian, and great entertainer Del Reeves was born in Sparta, North Carolina. Though he was probably best known for his hit, "Girl On The Billboard" in 1965, he put on one of the best shows, being able to sing, joke, and do some of the greatest impressions. I still remember seeing him do a Roy Acuff impression as the Roy Acuff walked up behind him. We missed him as he didn't do many Opry appearances in his last few years, and we miss him now.

In 1951, Eddie Arnold had another of his many chart toppers with "I Wanna Play House With You". Arnold has twenty eight Number Ones, ninety two Top Tens, and at least one hundred twenty five Top Forty records to his credit in an amazing career.

In 1952, The Eddy Arnold Show premiered on CBS-TV. 

In 1956, Johnson Mountain Boys member Richard Underwood was born. He was the banjo player in this fantastic group that also had our favorite country music dj and historian, Eddie Stubbs, as fiddler. For a real treat, try to catch Eddie when he is fiddling around with Marty Stuart.

In 1956, Elvis ruled the country charts with "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You".

In 1960, Ray Herndon of McBride and the Ride was born in Phoenix, Arizona.

In 1961, Bill Anderson joined the Grand Ole Opry. This talented singer, songwriter, and entertainer is probably one of the most successful people in the Nashville music business.

In 1973, Clarence White, flatpicking bluegrass guitarist extraordinaire, died in an accident in Palmdale, California. For the last five years of his life he was the lead guitar player for the Byrds, who had a big influence on Vern Gosdin and EmmyLou Harris.

In 1973, Loretta Lynn had the top Country song in the nation with "Love Is The Foundation".

In 1984, Exile was atop the charts with "I Don't Want To Be A Memory".

In 1985, Lily May Ledford of the Coon Creek Girls died of lung cancer. She was known for being a true country fiddle and banjo player who enjoyed a long career.

In 1990, Garth Brooks was Number One with "The Dance".

July 13 in Country Music History

In 1895, popular folk entertainer and radio personality Bradley Kincaid was born in Point Level, Kentucky. One of his notable accomplishments was nicknaming Marshall Jones, Grandpa, a moniker that is well known by country fans all over the US. Grandpa Jones and Bradley Kincaid both were stars on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1908, Tim Spencer of the Sons of the Pioneers was born. 

In 1910, Clarence Ganus was born in Searles, Alabama. He is most famous for writing "Take A Cold Tater And Wait", and "Sleeping At The Foot Of The Bed". I have experienced the kind of life style referenced in these songs.

In 1924, Vernon Dalhart recorded "Wreck Of The Old 97".

In 1939, Cajun legend Joe Barry was born in the swamps of Louisiana.

In 1958, Rosey Carter Adams was born Rozanna Lea Nix, the daughter of Rip Nix and June Carter. Her stepfather was Johnny Cash, and she was a third generation member of the Carter Family.

In 1959, guitarist Brent Mason, one of the best session players in Nashville, and probably the most recorded at this time, was born in Vanwert, Ohio.

In 1962, Rhonda Vincent was born in Kirksville, Missouri. Rhonda is not only the premier bluegrass artist of our time, but one of the purest country singers, as her duets with Daryle Singletary and Gene Watson are some of the best works to come out of Nashville in the past decade or two. She also has had some success as a solo country act. She gets my vote as the reigning queen of Americana.

In 1962, singer-songwriter Victoria Shaw was born in New York City.

In 1985, "Forgiving You Was Easy" became a chart topper for the Red Headed Stranger, Willie Nelson.

July 12 in Country Music History

In 1945, Butch Hancock of the Flatlanders was born in Lubbock, Texas. A true Texas outlaw who performs with Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore.

In 1952, Webb Pierce went to Number One on the charts with "That Heart Belongs To Me".

In 1975, Merle Haggard was "Movin' On" with a Number One hit from the TV series of the same name. Do you remember Will and Sonny, played by Claude Akins and Frank Converse?

In 1980, Charlie Pride won another Number One award with "You Win Again", a remake of a Hank Williams written hit from decades earlier.

In 1986, Lee Greenwood scored a chart topper with "Hearts Aren't Made to Break (They're Made to Love)".

In 1998, Jimmy Driftwood, popular singer, songwriter, musician, and one of the first true folklorist in the country, passed away.  He is probably most well remembered for writing the songs "The Battle of New Orleans" and "Tennessee Stud". He is also remembered for his love of his Arkansas home and lifestyle.

In 2003, Toby Keith and Willie Nelson ruled the charts with "Beer For My Horses".

July 11 in Country Music History

In 1930, Jimmie Rodgers recorded "Blue Yodel No. 8 (Mule Skinner Blues) at Hollywood Recording Studios in Los Angeles, California.

In 1947, Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was born in Detroit, Michigan.

In 1953,Webb Pierce scored his fourth Number One with "It's Been So Long". He went on to have thirteen Number Ones, fifty-four Top Tens, and eighty three Top Forty country hits.

In 1981, Earl Thomas Conley scored his first Number One with "Fire and Smoke". It came on the heals of his first Top Ten "Silent Treatment".

In 1987, George Strait was atop the Country Music charts again with "All My Ex's Live In Texas", written by Sanger (Whitey) and Lyndia Shafer.

July 10 in Country Music History

In 1908, Paul Howard, leader of the Arkansas Cotton Pickers, was born in Midland, Arkansas.

In 1938, singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Kirby was born in Brady, Texas. He wrote many hit songs, with "Is Anybody Going To San Antone" being one of the biggest. He also wrote "What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana?" recorded by Merle Haggard and Charlie Louvin. He played as a session guitarist and regular touring guitarist for many of the best acts in Country Music. He had a pure country pedigree, his uncle being Big Bill Lister who played with Hank Williams.

In 1958, Bela Fleck, banjo virtuoso, was born in New York City, New York. He is one of the most technically proficient banjo players in the business.

In 1960, "Hawk" Shaw of BR-549 was born in Topeka, Kansas. The drummer is one of the original members of this "retro" group, that has often been spotted at Roberts on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1961, Queen of Country Music Kitty Wells was at Number One with "Heartbreak U.S.A". This was the third and last Number One for the lady also known for being the wife of Johnny Wright, but she had 35 Top Ten, and 61 Top Forty records. This Hall of Fame member broke through with her recording of "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" in 1952.

In 1965, Ken Mellons was born in Kingsport, Tennessee. He had one major hit, but, in the minds of Takinthecountryback.com staffers, was one of the most underrated of all Country artists in the last twenty years. He wrote and recorded many great country songs. Any one of his first three albums is worthy of a listen if you like stone cold country mixed with a little "Joe Diffy" type honky-tonk thrown in. George Strait recorded his "Honk If You Honky-Tonk". 

In 1976, "The Door Is Always Open" went to Number One for Dave and Sugar. Dave Rowland was a member of the Stamps Quartet, known for backing Elvis, and always with two ladies as a backing group, Sugar, this combination was one of the most talented acts in the late 70s having three Number Ones and many more charted hits. They were part of an all RCA tour that consisted of Charlie Pride and Ronnie Milsap that was one of the biggest draws of its time, playing to sell out crowds everywhere.

In 1980, Burt Hutcherson, guitarist for the Gully Jumpers, an early traditional music group that played the Opry, passed away at the tender age of 86. 

In 1982, Janie Fricke went to Number One with "Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby". It was the second of nine Number Ones for this talented lady that, with EmmyLou Harris, this writer feels is one of the two most talented females to perform during the seventies and eighties.

In 1993, John Anderson knew that a Number One hit was like "Money in the Bank".

In 2001, Marizona Robinson, widow of Marty Robbins, died in Brentwood, Tennessee. Marty used to proudly introduce her as "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife".

July 9 in Country Music History

In 1906, Pie Plant Pete, aka Claude J. Moye, was born in Shawneetown, Illinois. He was a star of the WLS Barn Dance in Chicago, and was a great performer of old time music in his time. The hit that I remember is "Hand Me Down My Walking Cane".

In 1907, singing Cowboy Eddie Dean was born. Thought by Roy Rogers and Gene Autry to be the best Cowboy singer, he wrote and sang many numbers on screen and off. He is most famous for writing "One Has My Name(The Other Has My Heart)" and "I Dreamed of a Hillbilly Heaven". He will also be remembered for the love affair with his wife. They enjoyed a long marriage, and he also referred to her as "Dearest", which is also on her tombstone.

In 1923, Molly O'Day was born as Lois Laverne Williamson in Pike County, Kentucky. She worked in and around country music until she actually was the leader of a band named Molly O'Day and the Cumberland Mountain Folks. In her brief, but storied career, she worked shows with Hank Williams and Mac Wiseman. She was so good that both Ralph Stanley and the Smithsonian Institute tried to get her out of retirement,but in her later years she did mostly gospel.

In 1929, Jesse McReynolds of Jim and Jesse and the Virginia Boys was born in Coeburn, Virginia. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jesse is a mandolin virtuoso known for his split string picking, and had a big country hit with "There's A Diesel On My Tail".

In 1929, Lee Hazelwood was born. He worked in several areas of music, but is mostly known on the country side for his work with Duane Eddy.

In 1942, pioneering Country artist Kelly Harrell passed away after suffering a heart attack. He was the first Country artist to be recorded with electronic recording equipment, and was one of the few artists of his time that did not play an instrument.

In 1952, Carl Smith and June Carter were married. To this union of Country superstars would be born Rebecca Carlene Smith, also known as Carlene Carter. Smith and Carter would only stay married until 1956.

In 1953, David Ball was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He is probably best known for two songs, "Thinking Problem" and "Riding With Private Malone", but David Ball is definitely one of the best Country Music singers working today. This Grammy Award winner put out "Amigo" as an album several years ago that is one of the best albums of all time.

In 1955, Porter Wagoner was at Number One with "Satisfied Mind".

In 1977,Charlie Pride had another Chart topper entitled "I'll Be Leaving Alone".

In 1983, Ricky Skaggs had the "Highway Forty Blues" and another Number One hit.

In 1986, Lewis Talley, passed away. He was a singer, songwriter, musician, producer, and manager who will always be remembered for his work with Merle Haggard and Fuzzy Owen.

In 1988, Alabama was "Fallin' Again" to another chart topping tune.

In 2013, legendary Nashville music executive Jim Foglesong passed away at age 90, in Nashville, Tennessee.