In 1910, Red Foley was born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. Red sold 25 million records between 1943 and 1965, and had at least ten Billboard Number Ones on the country charts. Of his 65 charted Billboard country hits, 56 of them went Top Ten, making him a true legend in Country Music.
In 1916, Dave "Stringbean" Akeman, singer, banjo picker, Grand Ole Opry star and star of Hee Haw, was born in Annville, Jackson County, Kentucky. He was discovered by Bill Monroe when he played ball on a Monroe owned team, and he and Grandpa Jones became the biggest names in banjo players until Earl Scruggs, employing the clawhammer method. He and Jones were also the best of friends and lived close to each other near Goodlettsville, Tennessee, where Stringbean and his wife were both murdered in 1973.
In 1944, Rod Brasfield, country comedian, joined the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1949, Russell Smith, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Amazing Rhythm Aces, was born in Nashville, Tennessee. They were a talented group, being remembered for "Amazing Grace (Used To Be Her Favorite Song)" and "Third Rate Romance".
In 1950, technically there were two different songs at Number One on the Country Music Charts. "Why Don't You Love Me" by Hank Williams and "I'll Sail My Ship Alone" by Moon Mullican were both chart toppers on different surveys. The two men were also friends and contemporaries, having performed on the Louisiana Hayride and other venues together. It is the opinion of this writer that Hank and Moon laid all the foundations for rock and roll music, and Elvis, Hank Snow, and Jerry Lee Lewis followed in their tracks.
In 1953, John Burris and Edna Peters were married in Geneva, Alabama. While courting, they danced to the music of Hank Williams in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. They later became the parents of the purveyor of this site, and grandparents of the purveyor of 1980s Country music site. Happy 61st Anniversary, Mom and Dad.
In 1967, Jack Greene topped the charts with "All the Time". This Mel Tillis and Wayne Walker collaboration had already went to Number Eight for Kitty Wells in the late fifties, and became Jack's second Number One of the five to his credit.
In 1978, EmmyLou Harris went to the top of the charts with "Two More Bottles of Wine". In the past she had a lot of success with remakes of traditional and classic country music. She also was, and is, known for her ability to spot great musicians. Musicians who have played in her "Hot" and "Nash Ramblers" include James Burton, Glen Hardin, Ronnie Tutt, Rodney Crowell, Sam Bush, Emory Gordy, Jr., Rodney Crowell, Jon Randall, T-Bone Burnett, Vince Gill, Roy Huskey, Jr., Levon Helm and Ricky Skaggs.
In 1986, Kate Smith died. Her renditions of "God Bless America" still reverberate through my mind. She may not have been a country singer, but she sure could sing about her country-the good old USA.
In 1989, Earl Thomas Conley scored his last Number One record with "Love Out Loud". It was the last of his eighteen Number ones, and he had eight more that would be in the Top Ten. One of the great singer-songwriters, he was also a great entertainer who toured with the great Hank Williams, Jr. when Jr. ruled Country Music. Conley also had a style and a voice that will be remembered.
In 1991, Minnie Pearl's career ended with a debilitating stroke which would confine her to a nursing home for the remainder of her life. She was one of the most beloved members of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1999, the Country Hall of Fame broke ground on a new building in Nashville, Tennessee. There are those of us who still mourn the destruction of the old building, which was small, but had an atmosphere the new one has never recaptured.
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In 1967, Jack Greene topped the charts with "All the Time". This Mel Tillis and Wayne Walker collaboration had already went to Number Eight for Kitty Wells in the late fifties, and became Jack's second Number One of the five to his credit.
In 1978, EmmyLou Harris went to the top of the charts with "Two More Bottles of Wine". In the past she had a lot of success with remakes of traditional and classic country music. She also was, and is, known for her ability to spot great musicians. Musicians who have played in her "Hot" and "Nash Ramblers" include James Burton, Glen Hardin, Ronnie Tutt, Rodney Crowell, Sam Bush, Emory Gordy, Jr., Rodney Crowell, Jon Randall, T-Bone Burnett, Vince Gill, Roy Huskey, Jr., Levon Helm and Ricky Skaggs.
In 1986, Kate Smith died. Her renditions of "God Bless America" still reverberate through my mind. She may not have been a country singer, but she sure could sing about her country-the good old USA.
In 1989, Earl Thomas Conley scored his last Number One record with "Love Out Loud". It was the last of his eighteen Number ones, and he had eight more that would be in the Top Ten. One of the great singer-songwriters, he was also a great entertainer who toured with the great Hank Williams, Jr. when Jr. ruled Country Music. Conley also had a style and a voice that will be remembered.
In 1991, Minnie Pearl's career ended with a debilitating stroke which would confine her to a nursing home for the remainder of her life. She was one of the most beloved members of the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1999, the Country Hall of Fame broke ground on a new building in Nashville, Tennessee. There are those of us who still mourn the destruction of the old building, which was small, but had an atmosphere the new one has never recaptured.
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