AUGUST 3

1924: Gordon Stoker, of The Jordanaires, was born in Gleason, TN. The quartet sang back-up on singles by Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Jimmy Dean and Tammy Wynette, among others, gaining enrollment in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

1927: Bristol Sessions – Jimmie Rodgers auditioned for record producer Ralph Peer in Bristol, TN. He received a thumbs-up, leading to a historic recording session the following day.

1953: Songwriter/guitarist/producer Randy Scruggs was born to Earl Scruggs in Nashville. His credits include George Strait’s “Heartland,” Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain” and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s “Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Volume 2.”

1964: The Country Music Foundation registered its charter in the state of Tennessee, paving the way for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

1966: Lonestar’s keyboard player Dean Sams was born in Garland, TX. Winners of the Academy of Country Music’s Best New Group or Duo for 1995, the band earned hits with “Tequila Talkin’,” “No News” and the pop crossover single “Amazed.”

1968: Johnny Cash guitarist Luther Perkins was burned over 50% of his body when he fell asleep smoking a cigarette at his home in Nashville. He was rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center, but died two days later.

1971: Loretta Lynn recorded “One’s On The Way” in an evening session at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, TN. She also made her first attempt at recording “Rated ‘X’.“

1974: Billy “Crash” Craddock’s signature song, “Rub It In,” reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.

1977: Bobby Bare recorded Billy Joe Shaver’s “I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal (But I’m Gonna Be A Diamond Someday)” at the Jack Clement Studios in Nashville. More than three years later, John Anderson turned it into a hit.

1979: Mac Davis had his first movie role, portraying a professional quarterback in the debut of “North Dallas Forty.”

1980: Marty Robbins finished 13th in a 1978 Dodge Magnum at the Talladega 500, held at the Alabama International Speedway in Talladega.

1985: Alabama topped the chart for the 17th time with the single, “40 Hour Week.”

1991: Johnny Lee made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

1991: Steel guitarist Doyle Turner, who played in Hank Williams’ band for two years in the mid-’40s, died in Panama City, Florida. His son, steel player Robby Turner, would appear on hits by Mark Chesnutt, A Thousand Horses, Travis Tritt and Gary Allan.

1991: Trisha Yearwood’s name appeared at #1 in Billboard for the first time with her single “She’s In Love With The Boy.”

1993: Giant released Clay Walker’s self-titled debut album.

1997: At the request of NASA, Diamond Rio hosted a 30th-anniversary bash for the Kennedy Space Center. The group performed in the Rocket Garden area of the Visitor Center.

1999: Patsy Cline received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999: Rounder released Alison Krauss’ solo album “Forget About It.”

2001: Blake Shelton hit the #1 on “Radio & Records’” Country Top 50 chart with his debut single, “Austin.” A day later, he did the same on “Billboard’s” Top Country Singles chart.

2017: Still not dead: Willie Nelson insisted he’s still alive following an errant report lighting up Twitter that he’d passed away.