Eddy Arnold registers a #1 country hit in Billboard with “The Cattle Call” in 1955.
A day for the history books – Jerry Lee Lewis records “Great Balls Of Fire” at the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis in 1957.
Hank Snow and late manager Hubert Long earned spots in the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 1979. The inductions were part of the 13th annual Country Music Association awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. That the ceremony host Kenny Rogers wins three trophies: Male Vocalist; Vocal Duo, for work with Dottie West; and Album of the Year, for “The Gambler,” which earns Don Schlitz Song of the Year.
Willie Nelson and Anne Murray share the cover of TV Guide in 1983.
Tennessee Ernie Ford gets a plaque in the Country Music Hall Of Fame as he’s officially inducted in 1990. The Kentucky HeadHunters are named Vocal Group of the Year and their CD, “Pickin’ On Nashville,” takes Album of the Year, making The HeadHunters and Garth Brooks the only double-winners during the Country Music Association awards in Nashville.
Mercury released Sammy Kershaw’s debut album, “Don’t Go Near The Water” in 1991. It produced four singles including “Yard Sale,” “Anywhere But Here”, the title track and his first single, “Cadillac Style.” The album would go on to be certified platinum.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Steel player Pete Drake was born in Augusta, GA in 1932. He worked with Marty Robbins, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jim Reeves and more. He also produced several of B.J. Thomas’ 1980s country hits.
Susan Raye was born in Eugene, OR in 1944. An associate of Buck Owens and a member of the “Hee Haw” cast in the 1970s, she nets several hits during the decade, including her best-known work “L.A. International Airport”
Jackie Frantz was born in Sidney, OH in 1950. She becomes one of the two original females in the trio Dave & Sugar. During her tenure, from 1975-1977, she contributes to “Queen Of The Silver Dollar” and “The Door Is Always Open”
Ricky Lee Phelps was born in Paragould, AR in 1953. He sings lead for The Kentucky HeadHunters, twice named Vocal Group of the Year by the Country Music Association, before leaving the band in 1992 to form Brother Phelps
That same day in 1953 Anthony Kenney was born in Glasgow, KY. He takes over as the bass player for The Kentucky HeadHunters when Doug Phelps and Ricky Lee Phelps leave to form their own duo in 1992
