Jul 26, 1922
Record executive Jim Foglesong is born in Lundale, West Virginia. Beginning in 1973, he successfully runs Dot Records, ABC, MCA and Capitol, influencing the careers of Garth Brooks, Donna Fargo, George Strait and Barbara Mandrell, among others
Jul 26, 1931
Monument Records founder Fred Foster is born in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Credited as a co-writer on “Me And Bobby McGee,” Foster’s label is key in the careers of Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison and Billy Grammer
Jul 26, 1940
Lawrence Brown is born in Simonton, Texas. Under the stage name Dobie Gray, he nets a million-selling pop single in 1973 with “Drift Away” and writes John Conlee’s 1986 country hit “Got My Heart Set On You”
Jul 26, 1943
The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger is born in Kent, England. The Stones’ “It’s All Over Now” becomes a minor country hit for John Anderson. Several artists–including Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence and Rodney Crowell–record a tribute album, “Stone Country”
Jul 26, 1947
Guitarist Al Anderson is born in Windsor, Connecticut. After a stint in the eclectic rock band NRBQ, he becomes a major songwriter, penning such hits as George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make It Alright,” Diamond Rio’s “Unbelievable,” LeAnn Rimes’ “Big Deal” and The Mavericks’ “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down”
Jul 26, 1956
In a 373-9 vote, the House of Representatives cites eight entertainment figures, including Pete Seeger, with contempt for alleged communist involvement. A year later, Seeger’s “Kisses Sweeter Than Wine” becomes a country hit for Jimmie Rodgers
Jul 26, 1968
Jeannie C. Riley records “Harper Valley P.T.A.”
Jul 26, 1972
Columbia releases the Lynn Anderson album “Listen To A Country Song”
Jul 26, 1977
Faron Young files suit against Capitol Records, claiming the label owes him more than $150,000 in royalties over the past 20 years
Jul 26, 1982
Taping of “The Dukes Of Hazzard” resumes for the fall season without John Schneider and Tom Wopat, embroiled in lawsuits with Warner Bros.
Jul 26, 1986
Randy Travis scores his first #1 single in Billboard with “On The Other Hand”
Jul 26, 1994
Epic releases Joe Diffie’s “Third Rock From The Sun” album
