FEBRUARY 16

1924: Jo Walker-Meador is born in Orlinda, Tennessee. She serves as executive director of the Country Music Association from 1962-1991

1931: R&B songwriter Otis Blackwell is born in Brooklyn, New York. He writes such classics as Elvis Presley’s “Don’t Be Cruel” and “All Shook Up” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls Of Fire”

1935: Sonny Bono is born in Detroit, Michigan. As one-half of the pop duo Sonny & Cher, he records “All I Ever Need Is You,” a future country hit for Kenny Rogers & Dottie West

 1960: Bass player Doug Phelps is born in Leachville, Arkansas. He becomes a founding member of The Kentucky HeadHunters but leaves in 1992 with his sibling, Ricky Lee, to form Brother Phelps. He rejoins The HeadHunters in 1996

1965: Hank Williams Jr. sings along with the voice of Hank Williams Sr. while recording the Grammy-nominated album “Father & Son.” The session’s efforts include “Why Don’t You Love Me,” “Move It On Over” and “Lost Highway”

1969: George Jones marries Tammy Wynette in Ringgold, Georgia, six months after they announced the marriage

1971: Johnny Cash records “Man In Black” in Nashville at the Columbia Recording Studio

1978: Crystal Gayle records “Why Have You Left The One You Left Me For” during an afternoon session at Jack’s Tracks in Nashville

1986: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson star in the NBC-TV movie “The Last Days Of Frank & Jesse James.” The cast also includes Ed Bruce, David Allan Coe and June Carter Cash

1990: Alabama records “Forever’s As Far As I’ll Go”

1991: Alan Jackson and Randy Travis write “She Got The Rhythm (And I Got The Blues)” over lunch on Travis’ bus in Columbus, Ohio