Jul 18, 1939
Dion DiMucci is born in The Bronx, New York. Two of his 1960s pop successes become country hits for other artists: “Ruby Baby,” for Billy “Crash” Craddock; and “The Wanderer,” for Eddie Rabbitt
Jul 18, 1954
Ricky Skaggs is born in Cordell, Kentucky. Centered in bluegrass, he leads a swing toward traditional country in the early-1980s, joining the Grand Ole Opry in 1982 and taking the Country Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year in 1985
Jul 18, 1964
Connie Smith makes her Grand Ole Opry debut
Jul 18, 1964
Roger Miller makes his first appearance at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Dang Me”
Jul 18, 1977
The ABC-TV game show “The Better Sex” debuts, with Bill Anderson co-hosting alongside Sarah Purcell
Jul 18, 1980
Epic releases The Charlie Daniels Band’s “Full Moon” album
Jul 18, 1981
Alabama rolls into #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Feels So Right”
Jul 18, 1983
Waylon Jennings records “I May Be Used (But Baby I Ain’t Used Up)” at the Cartee 3 Studios in Nashville
Jul 18, 1986
Columbia Records drops Johnny Cash after 28 years on the label. Cash finds out by reading the newspaper
Jul 18, 1987
The Judds’ “I Know Where I’m Going” hits the top spot on the Billboard country chart
Jul 18, 1995
Warner Bros. releases Jeff Foxworthy’s “Games Rednecks Play” album
Jul 18, 1995
MCA releases Tracy Byrd’s “Love Lessons” album
Jul 18, 2006
Arista releases Alan Jackson’s single “Like Red On A Rose,” produced by Alison Krauss, to radio
Jul 18, 2006
Curb releases the Rodney Atkins album “If You’re Going Through Hell”
