AUGUST 8
1921: Webb Pierce is born in West Monroe, LA. He gained a reputation for a nasal twang and garish stage persona, but became one of the biggest honky-tonk stars of the 1950s, reaching the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
1932: Mel Tillis was born in Pahokee, FL. After finding success by writing Bobby Bare’s “Detroit City,” Patsy Cline’s “So Wrong” and Webb Pierce’s “I Ain’t Never,” among others, he turned his stutter into a comedic twist and develops a successful career as an artist, earning a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1944: Michael Johnson was born in Alamosa, CO. Though better known for his 1978 pop hit “Bluer Than Blue,” the smooth-voiced singer shifted into country during the 1980s, finding success with “Give Me Wings” and “The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder.”
1949: Singer and actor Keith Carradine was born in San Mateo, CA. He wrote and sang “I’m Easy,” the most successful song from the satirical country music movie “Nashville,” winning an Oscar award for his efforts.
1950: Jamie O’Hara was born in Toledo, OH. He and Kieran Kane form The O’Kanes, a 1980s duo built on strong hooks and spare arrangements. He also wrote The Judds’ “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days),” Gary Allan’s “Man To Man” and John Conlee’s “As Long As I’m Rockin’ With You.”
1964: Dottie West and The Osborne Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry. The Osbornes delivered “Ruby (Are You Mad).”
1975: Hank Williams Jr. had a near-fatal accident while climbing Ajax Mountain in Montana. His head hit several jutting rocks as he fell 500 feet. It took six hours for medics to reach him and deliver him to Missoula Community Hospital.
1975: Robert Altman’s movie, “Nashville,” premieres at Nashville’s 100 Oaks Theater. The country parody earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. Appearing on screen: fiddler Vassar Clements and songwriters Merle Kilgore and Jonnie Barnett.
1980: MCA releases Don Williams’ “I Believe In You” album.
1987: Reba McEntire ascended to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “One Promise Too Late.”
1989: Columbia released Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Never Had It So Good.”
1995: Mercury released Terri Clark’s self-titled debut album.
2013: Jack Clement died from cancer in Nashville. He wrote hits for Jim Reeves and Johnny Cash, produced Charley Pride and Waylon Jennings, and owned several recording studios. His passing came just months before he was officially inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2017: Glen Campbell died in Nashville following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. A deft guitarist and smooth vocalist, he earned numerous crossover hits–including “Wichita Lineman,” “Rhinestone Cowboy,” “Southern Nights” and “By The Time I Get To Phoenix“–while earning a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
2022: Olivia Newton-John died at her California home following a lengthy battle with breast cancer. The pop singer and star of “Grease” earned multiple crossover country hits at the start of her career, claiming the Country Music Association’s Female Vocalist of the Year trophy in 1974.
