Aug 4, 1927
Jimmie Rodgers records for the first time in Bristol, Tennessee, singing “Sleep, Baby, Sleep” and “The Soldier’s Sweetheart” during an afternoon session with producer Ralph Peer at a furniture store at 408 State Street
Aug 4, 1932
Scotty Stoneman is born in Galax, Virginia. The son of Ernest “Pop” Stoneman, he joins with his siblings to create The Stoneman Family, which earns the Vocal Group of the Year award from the Country Music Association in 1967
Aug 4, 1950
Vicki Hackeman is born in Louisville. As one of the two original females in Dave & Sugar, she performs on “Tear Time,” “The Door Is Always Open” and “Golden Tears” during her tenure, 1975-1979
Aug 4, 1956
Jimmy C. Newman joins the Grand Ole Opry, the same night that George Jones debuts on the show
Aug 4, 1963
Connie Smith wins a talent contest in Columbus, Ohio, and gains the attention of guest artist Bill Anderson, who helps her get her first recording contract
Aug 4, 1963
Songwriter Craig Wiseman is born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. His long list of credits includes Kenny Chesney’s “Summertime,” Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here,” Chris Young’s “Voices” and Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying”
Aug 4, 1975
The Oak Ridge Boys begin a three-week stand at Las Vegas’ Landmark Hotel, becoming the first gospel group ever to headline in Vegas
Aug 4, 1977
Jerry Lee Lewis records “Middle Age Crazy” at the US Recording Studio in Nashville
Aug 4, 1980
MCA releases the “Smokey & The Bandit II” soundtrack. The album features The Statler Brothers, Brenda Lee, Burt Reynolds, Roy Rogers, Tanya Tucker, Mel Tillis and Don Williams
Aug 4, 1981
Ricky Skaggs marries Sharon White. The couple performs “If I Needed You” during the ceremony
Aug 4, 1984
The Judds make their first appearance at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Mama He’s Crazy”
Aug 4, 1987
Kenny Price dies at Memorial Hospital in Florence, Kentucky, a day after suffering a heart attack. The “Hee Haw” comedian earned four Top 10 singles from 1966-1971
Aug 4, 1988
Brenda Lee files a $20-million lawsuit against MCA Records, accusing the label of underpaying royalties. Both parties settle out of court for an undisclosed sum
Aug 4, 1996
Faith Hill, Trisha Yearwood and fiddler Mark O’Connor perform at the Olympics’ closing ceremonies in Atlanta. They join Stevie Wonder, The Pointer Sisters, B.B. King, Al Green, Little Richard, Ray Charles, Gloria Estefan and Wynton Marsalis
Aug 4, 2008
Brooks & Dunn earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
