DECEMBER 24

1920: Songwriter Dave Bartholomew was born in Edgard, LA. A frequent collaborator of Fats Domino, he had several songs become country hits: Hank Williams Jr.’s remake of “Ain’t That A Shame,” Ricky Nelson’s “I’m Walkin’” and Elvis Presley’s “One Night.”

1955: Otis Blackwell gave up on becoming a star and decided to concentrate on songwriting, selling six songs to Shalimar Music Publishing for $150. One of them became a major Elvis Presley hit the following year: “Don’t Be Cruel.”

1964: Glen Campbell made his first concert appearance with The Beach Boys, standing in for an ill Brian Wilson at the last minute at Sam Houston Coliseum in Houston. He continued to tour with the group for approximately four months.

1966: Jack Greene’s “There Goes My Everything” began a seven-week run at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.

1966: Elvis Presley proposed to long-time girlfriend Priscilla Beaulieu at Graceland Mansion.

1978: Alan Jackson proposed to his girlfriend, Denise Jackson, who already had the same last name.

1983: Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Band traveled to #1 in Billboard with “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer To You).”

1988: Keith Whitley checked in at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “When You Say Nothing At All.”

1993: Denise Jackson surprised her hubby, Alan Jackson, with the first car he had ever owned, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, after tracking it down.