1912: Songwriter Mack David was born in New York City. In addition to plenty of film music, he wrote such country hits as The Judds’ “Born To Be Blue,” Marty Robbins’ “The Hanging Tree” and Barbara Mandrell’s “Happy Birthday Dear Heartache.”
1939: Record producer Thomas “Snuff” Garrett is born in Dallas, TX. His credits include Tanya Tucker’s “Lizzie And The Rainman,” David Frizzell & Shelly West’s “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” and The Statler Brothers’ “Charlotte’s Web.”
1939: The Grand Ole Opry moved from the Dixie Tabernacle in East Nashville to the War Memorial Auditorium downtown, where it remained for five years before moving to the Ryman Auditorium.
1954: Elvis Presley recorded “That’s All Right” at Memphis’ Sun Recording Studio.
1969: Jack Greene stood tall at #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Statue Of A Fool.”
1972: Epic released the George Jones & Tammy Wynette album “Me And The First Lady.”
1975: Tanya Tucker’s “Lizzie And The Rainman” went to #1 on the Billboard country chart.
1979: While wrangling over a $3-million lawsuit filed by Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton said she signed the 1970 deal under “mental intimidation” from Wagoner. She also charged he voided the deal by tearing it up in front of her.
1979: Merle Haggard recorded “The Way I Am” in Nashville.
1980: John Conlee made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
1980: George Jones took his signature song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.
1986: Dan Seals rode to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold).”
1990: Gilley’s club, the catalyst for the movie “Urban Cowboy,” was destroyed by fire in Pasadena, TX. A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with arson.
1995: A Davidson County judge signed an order setting aside 12-year-old LeAnn Rimes’ minority status, allowing her to sign with Curb Records.
1999: Dolly Parton began shooting “Blue Valley Songbird,” a Lifetime Channel movie, in Nashville. Also appearing in the picture: Billy Dean, Ed Bruce, fiddler Sam Bush and music publisher Charlie Monk.
