APRIL 20
1922: Frank “Hylo” Brown was born in River, KY. The bluegrass singer, noted for his wide vocal range, signed with Capitol Records in 1954 and became a regular touring partner for Flatt & Scruggs.
1938: Singing cowboy Roy Rogers made his debut as a leading man with the release of “Under Western Stars.” Accompanied by Smiley Burnette and his horse, Trigger, Rogers played a congressman for a drought-stricken state.
1939: Johnny Tillotson was born in Jacksonville, FL. His 1962 recording “It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin’” hit the Top 5 in both pop and country music.
1944: Mandolin player Doyle Lawson was born in Kingsport, TN. After stints with Jimmy Martin and The Country Gentlemen, he formed his own bluegrass band, Quicksilver, becoming one of the genre’s leading figures.
1947: Songwriter/record producer Buddy Cannon was born in Lexington, TN. He wrote George Strait’s “Give It Away” and Vern Gosdin’s “Set ‘Em Up Joe,” and produced hits for Kenny Chesney, Reba McEntire, Chely Wright and Sara Evans, among others.
1959: Louisiana-based Goldband Records released the first single by 13-year-old Dolly Parton, “Puppy Love.”
1969: Singer and guitarist Wade Hayes was born in Bethel Acres, OK. Traditionally influenced, he scored several hits in the mid-1990s, including “Old Enough To Know Better,” “On A Good Night” and “What I Meant To Say.”
1970: Crystal Gayle recorded her debut single, “I’ve Cried (The Blues Right Out Of My Eyes),” written by older sister Loretta Lynn, at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, TN.
1979: Epic released The Charlie Daniels Band’s “Million Mile Reflections” album.
1979: Willie Nelson recorded five songs for the album “Willie Nelson Sings Kristofferson” at Nashville’s Jack Clement Studios. The date included the hit “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” plus “Me And Bobby McGee” and “Why Me,” among others.
1987: MCA released The Desert Rose Band’s self-titled debut album.
1989: Tom T. Hall’s brother, Hillman Hall, died. Hillman wrote Johnny Rodriguez’ debut single, “Pass Me By (If You’re Only Passing Through).”
1990: The Kentucky HeadHunters went gold with the “Pickin’ On Nashville” album.
1993: Epic released Patty Loveless’ “Only What I Feel” album.
1993: Epic released Joe Diffie’s “Honky Tonk Attitude” album.
1993: Mercury released Toby Keith’s self-titled debut album.
1993: A&M released Aaron Neville’s pop album “The Grand Tour.” The title track, a remake of the George Jones classic, is destined to receive a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male.
1993: Mercury released “Shania Twain,” the Canadian singer’s first album for the label.
1994: Reba McEntire’s autobiography, “Reba: My Story,” was released.
1994: George Strait recorded “Lead On” at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville.
