Jul 8, 1957
Imperial releases The Scholars’ single “Beloved.” The group includes 18-year-old singer Kenny Rogers
Jul 8, 1958
Drummer Fred Young is born in Glasgow, Kentucky. He joins The Kentucky HeadHunters, whose energetic, influential blend of country and rock brings them the Country Music Association’s Vocal Group of the Year in 1990 and 1991
Jul 8, 1961
Toby Keith is born in Clinton, Oklahoma. The former semi-pro football player emerges in 1993 with “Should’ve Been A Cowboy,” becoming a brash hitmaker, label owner and entrepreneur. He also joins the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015
Jul 8, 1964
Buck Owens records “I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)” at the Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood
Jul 8, 1970
Drew Womack is born in Brownwood, Texas. He becomes the lead singer of Sons Of The Desert, which earns two hits in 1997, and writes Kenny Chesney’s “She’s Got It All.” The group also backs Lee Ann Womack on “I Hope You Dance”
Jul 8, 1972
Kris Kristofferson records “Why Me” at the Monument Studios in Nashville. The session also yields a performance of Larry Gatlin’s song “Help Me,” featuring Gatlin and Rita Coolidge, for Johnny Cash’s movie “The Gospel Road”
Jul 8, 1972
When a concert date is cancelled, Barbara Mandrell joins the Grand Ole Opry, three weeks earlier than scheduled
Jul 8, 1985
MCA releases The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Touch A Hand, Make A Friend”
Jul 8, 1989
Ricky Skaggs lifts “Lovin’ Only Me” to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
Jul 8, 1997
Marty Stuart marries Connie Smith on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Afterward, they drive out into the wilderness and end up dancing on a cliff to Buck Owens’ “Your Tender Loving Care”
Jul 8, 2000
Lee Ann Womack’s “I Hope You Dance” begins a five-week ride at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
Jul 8, 2011
Little Jimmy Dickens dresses in a phony William Lee Golden-like beard on the Grand Ole Opry as he invites The Oak Ridge Boys to become members. The group, of course, says yes
