MAY 16

1953: Jimmy Dean made his Grand Ole Opry debut, introduced to the audience at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium by Carl Smith.

1969: Merle Haggard recorded “Workin’ Man Blues” at the Capitol tower in Hollywood.

1971: Rick Trevino was born in Houston. The Hispanic singer, signed to Columbia Records at age 19, developed a short string of 1990s hits, including “She Can’t Say I Didn’t Cry,” “Learning As You Go” and “Running Out Of Reasons.“

1974: “Music Country USA” made its final prime-time appearance on NBC. The week’s guests include Jerry Reed, Jeannie C. Riley, Dorsey Burnette, Buck Owens, Donna Fargo and Mac Davis.

1977: MCA released the “Smokey & The Bandit” soundtrack, featuring Jerry Reed’s “East Bound And Down.“

1977: MCA releases Merle Haggard’s “Ramblin’ Fever” album

1986: RCA releases The Judds’ “Rockin’ With The Rhythm“

1986: Capitol released T. Graham Brown’s debut album, “I Tell It Like It Used To Be.“

1997: Garth Brooks began a three-night stand at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, playing for close to 130,000 people. The shows were filmed for a 1998 NBC-TV special.

1999: Eddy Arnold appeared at the Orleans Hotel in Las Vegas, giving the final concert performance of his career.

2015:  Elvis Presley’s former tour bus sold for $263,000 during an auction of The King’s memorabilia by Julien’s at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Also among the more than 100 items were Presley’s Martin D-28 guitar, $76,800; his marriage certificate, $41,600; and his 1968 drivers license, $5,120.