Tuesday, June 21, 2011

June 23 in Country Music HistoryIn

In 1929, June Carter was born in Maces Springs, Virginia. She was born into the Carter Family, a pioneering country group. She became a member of Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters, and also worked solo, and as a duet with Johnny Cash. She was married to two Country Music Hall of Famers, Carl Smith and Johnny Cash, and had a child with each and a child with her second husband, Rip Nix. All three children made their mark in the music world. June was also an acclaimed comedienne and worked on the road and at the Opry as such. She won several Grammy awards for her work. In addition to her comedy and singing talents, she also played the guitar, banjo, autoharp, and harmonica, and was known for her acting, songwriting (she was co-writer of "Ring of Fire", and as an author. The world definitely lost a talented lady when it lost June Carter.

In 1953, Pake McIntyre, singer and brother of Reba, was born in Chockie, Oklahoma.

In 1956, Ray Price took "Crazy Arms" to the top of the country charts. The song was written by steel guitarist Ralph Mooney and Charles Seals, and was about Mooney's relationship with his wife, and the problems caused by his alcohol addiction. It was the first Number One for Price, who charted hits for almost forty years. "Crazy Arms" was Number One for twenty weeks.

In 1958, Johnny Cash was Number One with "I Guess Things Happen That Way".

In 1979, Ronnie Milsap went to the top of the charts with "Nobody Likes Sad Songs". It was his twelfth Number One song,and he still would hit the top with many more. In fact he would go to the top with a total of thirty-five singles, and another fourteen Top Tens.

In 1984, "When We Make Love" by Alabama would rule the charts. It was their thirteenth chart-topper.