Hank Williams’ funeral drew more than 20,000 people in Montgomery, AL in 1953. A country choir led by Webb Pierce, Red Foley, Little Jimmy Dickens and Carl Smith performs I Saw The Light. Ernest Tubb offered Beyond The Sunset.
Bob Wills gave his blessing to rock & roll in The Tulsa Tribune in 1958: “Why, man, that’s the same kind of music we’ve been playin’ since 1928! It’s just basic rhythm and has gone by a lot of different names in my time.“
George Jones recorded She Thinks I Still Care at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville in 1962.
Leo Fender sold his company, Fender Guitars, for $13 million to CBS in 1965.
A huge night at the show that made country music famous in 1969…George Jones, Mel Tillis, Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton all join the Grand Ole Opry. Wynette and Tillis remained members for a relatively short time.
That same day in 1969 Johnny Cash earned a #1 single in Billboard with Daddy Sang Bass. Written by Carl Perkins, it features vocal appearances by The Statler Brothers and The Carter Family.
Alan Jackson records Dallas and Love’s Got A Hold On You on the same day in 1991.
Collin Raye posts his first #1 country single with Love, Me in 1992.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Kathy Forester, of The Forester Sisters, was born in Lookout Mountain, GA in 1955. The Foresters emerged as a rare all-female harmony group in 1985, The quartet scored 15 hits in the next six years.
Patty Loveless was born in Elkhorn City, KK in 1957. A distant cousin of Loretta Lynn, Loveless’ pure, powerful style lead to membership in the Grand Ole Opry and 1996 recognition from the Country Music Association as Female Vocalist of the Year.
Deana Carter was born in Nashville in 1966. The daughter of guitarist Fred Carter, her 1996 hit Strawberry Wine nets the Country Music Association’s Song and Single of the Year. She also co-wrote the Kenny Chesney/Grace Potter duet You And Tequila.
Steve and Carol Earle had a son at Nashville’s Baptist Hospital in 1982. The boy was named Justin Townes Earle–his middle name in honor of Townes Van Zandt – much to Carol’s dismay.
