AUGUST 21
1925: Songwriter/producer Ed Penney WAs born in Cambridge, MA. He wrote and produced Terri Gibbs’ crossover hit “Somebody’s Knockin’” and authors Moe Bandy’s “Two Lonely People.”
1938: Kenny Rogers was born in St. Joseph’s Infirmary in Houston. His pop-laced ballads and story songs in the 1970s and ’80s made him one of country’s best all-time sellers, with more than 25 gold albums. He expanded his reach with a lengthy acting career, entering the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013.
1939: Harold Reid, of The Statler Brothers, was born in Augusta County, VA. His bass voice is easily distinguished in the group’s award-winning gospel harmonies. They joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008.
1939: Guitarist James Burton was born in Dubberly, LA. A member of Elvis Presley’s band during the last seven years of The King’s life, Burton played guitar on recordings by Ricky Nelson, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris and Buck Owens, among others.
1950: Hank Snow recorded “Rhumba Boogie” and “The Golden Rocket” during a late-night session at Nashville’s Brown Radio Productions.
1961: Patsy Cline recorded “Crazy” at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville.
1965: Connie Smith became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
1967: Capitol released Bobbie Gentry’s debut album, “Ode To Billie Joe.”
1981: Columbia released the double-disc Willie Nelson album “Greatest Hits (And Some That Will Be).”
1982: Sylvia went to #1 in Billboard with “Nobody.”
1988: Kacey Musgraves was born in Sulphur Springs, TX. She won New Artist of the Year at the Country Music Association awards in 2013 following her debut single, “Merry Go ‘Round.” She also co-wrote Miranda Lambert’s hit “Mama’s Broken Heart.”
1990: Alan Jackson recorded “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” “Someday” and “Midnight In Montgomery.”
1995: Joe Diffie recorded “Bigger Than The Beatles.”
2003: Johnny Cash held his final session, recording “Engine One-Forty-Three” at the Cash Cabin Studio in Hendersonville, TN.
2008: Drummer Buddy Harman died of congestive heart failure at his Nashville home. A member of the A-Team of session musicians, he played on hits by Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, The Everly Brothers and Patsy Cline.
