July 1 in Country Music History

In 1894, John Lee Lair, entertainer and founder of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, was born in Renfro Valley Kentucky. The Renfro Valley Barn Dance is still active today, and has been going for close to seventy years.

In 1899, Thomas "Georgia Tom" Dorsey was born in Villa Rica, Georgia. He is known as the Father of Gospel Music. This African-American is probably the ultimate gospel superstar, having laid the basis for all gospel music from his blues and jazz roots. He is known for many compositions that are still some of the most well known, including "Peace In The Valley", "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", and "Old Ship of Zion". 

In 1924, Charles Everett Lilly of the Lilly Brothers was born in Clear Creek, West Virginia. The Lilly Brothers were an old time bluegrass act that was from the Northeast Region, frequently playing in Boston.

In 1948, Kyle Tullis, bass player extraordinaire, was born. He played in many bands and was a noted session musician, also. He played with Gram Parson's Fallen Angels, as well as with the Might Oaks Band, and with backing bands for Steve Wariner, Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, and Lorrie Morgan.

In 1955, Keith Whitley was born in Ashland, Kentucky. In his short career he was a noted bluegrass performer, working with his brother, Dwight, and Ricky Skaggs, and went on the star in Ralph Stanley's band as well as J.D.Crowe and New South. When he went solo, after a slow start, he started hitting the charts hard and high and regular. It is hard to imagine what he might have done had he not been so self destructive.

In 1961, Michelle Wright was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada.

In 1972, Hank Williams Jr. went to Number one with "Eleven Roses". The song was co-written by once Hank Jr. brother in law Lamar Morris, who was guitarist for the Bama band, and Darrell McCall. 

In 1978, Margo Smith went to the top of the charts with "It Only Hurts For A Little While".

In 1989, Kathy Mattea went to the top of the charts with "Come From The Heart".

In 1995, John Michael Montgomery made it to number one singing about one of my favorite things in the world-a livestock auction. The song-"Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident".

In 1997, Robert Mitchum who had that great big unmistakeable voice, passed away. He was a great actor, with my favorite of his westerns being "El Dorado" with the Duke and Walter Brennan. I also loved his narrative of "Tombstone". Among his vocal efforts are "There Is A River", "The Ballad of Thunder Road", and his country top ten hit, "Little Old Wine Drinker Me". 

In 1999, Guy Mitchell passed away. You may remember that he had hits on many songs, both country and pop, and even novelty songs, including "Singing the Blues" and "Heartaches By The Number". He actually was more of a country singer to start with, and then made the switch to pop to keep his career going, which it did.