Jul 2, 1916
Actor Curtis Wayne Gates is born in Lamar, Colorado. Under the name Ken Curtis, he joins The Sons Of The Pioneers from 1949-1953, then goes on to portray Festus in TV’s “Gunsmoke” and Monk in “Have Gun, Will Travel”
Jul 2, 1923
Janette Carter is born in Maces Spring, Virginia. The daughter of A.P. and Sara Carter, of The Carter Family, she sings with June Carter, Johnny Cash and Connie Smith on “Kindred Spirits: A Tribute To The Songs Of Johnny Cash”
Jul 2, 1925
Marvin Rainwater is born in Wichita, Kansas. One-quarter Cherokee, he veers stylistically between rock and country, gaining one Top 10 country single in 1957: “Gonna Find Me A Bluebird”
Jul 2, 1955
“The Lawrence Welk Show” debuts on ABC-TV, providing a launching pad for the career of Lynn Anderson, who joins the cast for one season in September 1967
Jul 2, 1956
Elvis Presley records “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Hound Dog” at the RCA Studios in New York. The latter song requires 31 takes
Jul 2, 1964
Jim Reeves holds his final recording sessions, cutting the ironically titled “Is It Really Over?” and “Missing You” at Nashville’s RCA Studio B
Jul 2, 1969
Columbia releases Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue”
Jul 2, 1973
MCA releases Conway Twitty’s “You’ve Never Been This Far Before”
Jul 2, 1976
El Paso declares Marty Robbins Day, holding a tribute to him at the Sun Bowl
Jul 2, 1984
Columbia releases Willie Nelson’s “City Of New Orleans” album
Jul 2, 1986
Columbia releases Sweethearts Of The Rodeo’s self-titled debut album
Jul 2, 1991
MCA releases Trisha Yearwood’s self-titled debut album
Jul 2, 1994
TV Guide devotes the magazine’s cover to Reba McEntire
Jul 2, 1999
Andy Griggs makes his Grand Ole Opry debut
Jul 2, 2007
Songwriter Hy Zaret dies at his home in Westport, Connecticut, at the age of 99. He was best known for composing the lyrics to “Unchained Melody,” a country hit for Elvis Presley in the 1970s and for LeAnn Rimes in the ’90s
