In 1909, Burl Ives, popular actor and folk singer, was born in Jasper County, Illinois. "A Little Bitty Tear" was his biggest hit.
In 1923, Fiddlin' John Carson, already the first old time country music personality to have a radio program, recorded his first album for Okeh Records. Produced in Atlanta, Georgia, Carson later became embroiled with Okeh in several disputes about copyright issues.
In 1947, Eddy Arnold scored his second Number One with "It's A Sin".
In 1949, Hank Williams was at Number One with "Lovesick Blues", one of sixteen weeks that it would be there.
In 1951, Hank Williams was again Number one with "Hey, Good Lookin'". On and off, it was at Number One for a total of eight weeks.
In 1952, Hank Thompson topped the chart with "The Wild Side Of Life". This hit was a chart topper for fifteen weeks.
In 1953, Hank Williams was at the top of the charts after his death with the ever popular, "Take These Chains From My Heart". It retained that spot for four weeks.
In 1954, Johnny and Jack were atop the charts with "(Oh, Baby Mine) I Get So Lonely". Most of us younger people remember this from the Statler Brothers version, but the original is a great recording.
In 1955, Webb Pierce was "In the Jailhouse Now", and he was also atop the charts. He owned the charts with this record for twenty one weeks.
In 1957, Jim Reeves was riding high with the Number one, "Four Walls". It was Number One for eight weeks.
In 1959, a history lesson from Johnny Horton in "The Battle of New Orleans" was the top rated single in the land. This great hit was Number One for a total of ten weeks.
In 1960, Hall of Fame Should Be Hank Locklin was in the middle of a fourteen week stand at Number One with "Please Help Me, I'm Fallin'".
In 1961, Patsy Cline was involved in a car wreck in Nashville that did severe damage to her, as she went through the windshield. She did not work for eight months.
In 1961, Faron Young, also known as the Singing Sheriff, was talking to his surroundings at the top of the chart with "Hello, Walls". This classic topped the charts for nine weeks.
In 1962, George Jones, possibly the best stylist in country music history, was at Number one with "She Thinks I Still Care". Dickey Lee was a co-writer on this song. It topped the charts for six weeks.
In 1963, the fans of Hawkshaw Hawkins were keeping his posthumous hit, "Lonesome 7-7203" at the top of the charts. This song was written by Justin Tubb, and stayed atop the charts for four weeks.
In 1964, Buck Owens was "Together Again" with the top rated country record position, after the hit "My Heart Skips A Beat". Buck was hot. "Together Again" was at the top for two weeks.
In 1965, Eddy Arnold was still putting out Number Ones with "What's He Doing In My World?", a record that spent two weeks at the top of the charts.
In 1967, Bakersfield Sound pioneer Wynn Stewart was Number One with his biggest hit, "It's Such A Pretty World Today". It was good enough for two weeks at the top of the charts.
In 1968, Ernest V. Stoneman, also known as Pop Stoneman of the Stoneman's, passed away. .
In 1969, fellow ROPE member Sonny James was at the pinnacle of the charts with "Running Bear". Mr. James certainly felt at home in the top spot, having enjoyed many before he retired. This hit was good for three weeks at the top of the charts.
In 1970, Conway Twitty, was at Number One with his signature tune, "Hello Darlin'". It held the position for four weeks.
In 1972, Donna Fargo was the "Happiest Girl In the Whole USA" because this tune was Number One. She was happier when it stayed there for three weeks.
In 1973, Johnny Rodriguez was atop the charts with "You Always Come Back To Hurting Me". After many years, Johnny is now making noise on the Texas circuit again.
In 1975, Linda Ronstadt was wondering "When Will I Be Loved", even as she topped the charts. She and her management were responsible for the formation of the ever popular group, The Eagles.
In 1976, Crystal Gayle was singing "I'll Get Over You" as her song was topping the charts.
In 1977, the Outlaws duo of Waylon and Willie was responsible for "Luckenback, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love" still holding the top spot. It eventually held this spot for six weeks.
In 1980, Alabama charted with the album, "My Home's In Alabama". They became the most successful country group of all time.
In 1982, "For All The Wrong Reasons", the Bellamy Brothers were right at the top of the charts.
In 1984, The Hag was riding high with "Someday When Things Are Good".
In 1985, things were still good for the Hag, as he was Number One with a "Natural High".
In 1987 Randy Travis was at the top of the charts with "Forever and Ever, Amen".
In 1986, while traveling down "Life's Highway", Steve Wariner snagged a Number One hit.
In 1988, Randy Travis was at the top of the charts with "I Told You So".
In 1989, Clint Black was a "Better Man" for being at the top of the charts.
In 1990, George Strait was Number One with "Love Without End, Amen".
In 1996, George Strait was again at the top with the Forrest Gump inspired "Blue Clear Sky". There was talk about the words being changed to Clear Blue Sky, but the writers held fast, for good reason, and it became a monster hit, and the title cut for a great album.
In 2008, Jonathan Curry and Nickie Bridges were married in
Gallatin, Tennessee. Jonathan is a longtime member of our
Takinthecountryback.com gang and was also a radio disc jockey who
patterned his radio style after the great Eddie Stubbs. To a long and
great life together Jonathan and Nickie.
