Author: Jennifer Hayes

JULY 24 1911: Drummer Smokey Dacus was born in Quinton, OK. He became a member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys from 1935-1940, playing on such... Read More.

JULY 23 1910: Recording engineer Aaron Shelton was born in Erin, TN. He co-founded the Castle Recording Studio--one of Nashville's first recording sites--and ran the... Read More.

JULY 22 1874: Obed Pickard is born in Ashland City, TN. Following his 1926 debut on the Grand Ole Opry, he became the first singing... Read More.

JULY 21 1895: Actor Ken Maynard was born in Vevay, IN. Appearing in nearly 90 pictures, he became the first of America's singing cowboys, blazing... Read More.

JULY 20 1918: Songwriter Cindy Walker is born in Mart, TX. She landed a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame by writing such... Read More.

JULY 19 1937: George Hamilton IV was born in Winston-Salem, NC. Added to the Grand Ole Opry in 1961, he gained a massive #1 single... Read More.

JULY 18 1939: Dion DiMucci was born in The Bronx, NY. Two of his 1960s pop successes became country hits for other artists: "Ruby Baby,"... Read More.

JULY 17 1918: Red Sovine was born in Charleston, WV. A Grand Ole Opry member beginning in 1954, he specialized in recitations, hitting paydirt with... Read More.

JULY 16 1953: Singer/songwriter Nanci Griffith was born in Seguin, TX. Primarily a folk artist, she wrote the Kathy Mattea country hit "Love At The... Read More.

JULY 15 1913: Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas was born in Blue Creek, OH. Dubbed the Waltz King of the Grand Ole Opry, he fashioned such hits... Read More.

JULY 14 1912: Singer/songwriter Woody Guthrie was born in Okemah, OK. Best known for writing "This Land Is Your Land," he influenced the use of... Read More.

JULY 13 1942: Roger McGuinn was born in Chicago. A primary member of the country-rock band The Byrds, McGuinn joined ex-Byrd Chris Hillman and The... Read More.