Aug 16, 1935
Patsy Montana records “I Wanna Be A Cowboy’s Sweetheart” in New York
Aug 16, 1939
Singer/songwriter Billy Joe Shaver is born in Corsicana, Texas. His writing credits include Waylon Jennings’ “You Ask Me To,” Johnny Rodriguez’s “I Couldn’t Be Me Without You” and John Anderson’s “I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be A Diamond Someday)”
Aug 16, 1943
Kin Vassy is born in Atlanta, Georgia. A member of Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, he also provides backing vocals on a number of Rogers’ solo hits, including “Morning Desire,” “I Don’t Need You” and “Love Will Turn You Around”
Aug 16, 1948
Songwriter Danny Flowers is born in Henderson, North Carolina. He writes a trio of Don Williams hits: “Back In My Younger Days,” “Senorita” and “Tulsa Time,” also recorded by Eric Clapton
Aug 16, 1969
Merle Haggard’s blue-collar anthem “Workin’ Man Blues” goes to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
Aug 16, 1971
A monument is dedicated at the corner of 4th & State in Bristol, Tennessee, honoring the site of the first Ralph Peer-produced recording sessions featuring The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers
Aug 16, 1977
Elvis Presley dies in his bathroom at Graceland Mansion in Memphis. The most significant pop artist of the 20th century, the beginning and end of his career are grounded in country. He enters the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998
Aug 16, 1977
Within hours of hearing that Elvis Presley has died, Ronnie McDowell writes a tribute, “The King Is Gone,” destined to become his first hit
Aug 16, 1979
United Artists releases Kenny Rogers’ “Kenny” album
Aug 16, 1980
Alabama registers its first #1 single in Billboard with “Tennessee River”
Aug 16, 1985
“The Dukes Of Hazzard,” starring John Schneider and Tom Wopat, makes its final prime-time appearance on CBS, with Waylon Jennings singing the theme song
Aug 16, 1993
Lorrie Morgan makes her acting debut in TNN’s “Proudheart”
Aug 16, 2005
RCA releases Eddy Arnold’s 100th album, “After All These Years.” It includes new versions of “King Of The Road” and “You Don’t Know Me”
