Country Music Calendar

DECEMBER 22 1921: Hawkshaw Hawkins was born in Huntington, WV. He scored a handful of hits from 1949-1963, including "Slow Poke," "Soldier's Joy" and "Lonesome... Read More.

DECEMBER 21 1925: Floyd Taylor "Lightnin'" Chance was born in Como, MS. He played bass on such classics as Faron Young's "Hello Walls," The Everly... Read More.

DECEMBER 20 1929: Songwriter Charlie Williams was born in TX. He wrote Bobby Bare's hit "500 Miles Away From Home" and eventually ran Willie Nelson's... Read More.

DECEMBER 19 1908: The Grand Ole Opry's Bill Carlisle was born in Wakefield, KY. Along with brother Cliff, he formed The Carlisles, and their mix... Read More.

DECEMBER 18 1943: Guitarist Keith Richards was born in Dartford, England. With The Rolling Stones, he performed on their 1964 single "It's All Over Now,"... Read More.

DECEMBER 17 1910: Spade Cooley was born in Grand, OK. A fiddler and bandleader, he brought the phrase "western swing" into widespread use, building such... Read More.

DECEMBER 16 1937: Jim Glaser was born in Spalding, NE. As a member of Tompall & The Glaser Brothers, he backed Marty Robbins on "El... Read More.

DECEMBER 15 1891: A.P. Carter was born in Maces Spring, VA. Along with his wife, Sara, and her cousin, Maybelle, The Carter Family became a... Read More.

DECEMBER 14 1899: DeFord Bailey was born in Smith County, TN. The first African-American to play the Grand Ole Opry, the harmonica player was a... Read More.

DECEMBER 13 1901: Pioneering record producer Eli Oberstein was born in New York City. He worked with The Delmore Brothers, The Blue Sky Boys, Ernest... Read More.

DECEMBER 12 1915: Frank Sinatra was born in Hoboken, NJ. One of the best-loved vocalists of the 20th century, his 1940s hits "September Song" and... Read More.

DECEMBER 11 1901: Inventor Guglielmo Marconi transmitted radio signals from London across the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. 1902: The Nashville Musicians Union--Local 257--was founded.... Read More.