Jul 31, 1927
The Carter Family drives from Maces Spring, Virginia, to Bristol, Tennessee, to audition for Victor producer Ralph Peer. The next day, the group makes its historic first recordings
Jul 31, 1937
Bonnie Brown is born in Sparkman, Arkansas. She joins older siblings Maxine and Jim Ed in forming The Browns, whose million-selling crossover hit “The Three Bells” precedes their 1963 induction into the Grand Ole Opry
Jul 31, 1963
Chad Brock is born in Ocala, Florida. He has fewer than 20 matches as a professional wrestler before embarking on a singing career in the 1990s. His most successful single comes with an autobiographical love song, “Yes!”
Jul 31, 1964
Jim Reeves and pianist Dean Manuel die in a plane crash during a thunderstorm in Brentwood, Tennessee. Numerous locals–including Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins and Ernest Tubb–search for three days before discovering the wreckage
Jul 31, 1969
Elvis Presley begins a historic four-week run at Las Vegas’ International Hotel in his first live show since 1961. In the audience are Liberace, Herb Alpert, Dick Clark, Cary Grant, Fats Domino, Burt Bacharach, Pat Boone and Paul Anka
Jul 31, 1976
Kris Kristofferson hosts “Saturday Night Live” from New York City on NBC-TV with musical guest Rita Coolidge. Kristofferson sings “Help Me Make It Through The Night”
Jul 31, 1981
Elektra releases Eddie Rabbitt’s “Step By Step” album
Jul 31, 1984
The Forester Sisters sign their first recording contract with Warner Bros.
Jul 31, 1990
Kathy Mattea, Clint Black, The Judds and K.T. Oslin appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show”–the first time the show has had a country theme
Jul 31, 2001
Warner Bros. releases Blake Shelton’s self-titled debut album
Jul 31, 2003
The Department of the Interior designates the Sun Recording Studio in Memphis as a national historic landmark, the first studio to receive such an honor
Jul 31, 2010
Songwriter/producer/musician George Richey dies in Nashville. Married two decades to Tammy Wynette, his writing credits included “The Grand Tour,” “Soul Song,” “‘Til I Can Make It On My Own” and “A Picture Of Me (Without You)”
