Jun 18, 1915
A.P. Carter marries Sara Dougherty, uniting two of the three performers who will comprise The Carter Family, in Clinch Mountain, Virginia
Jun 18, 1923
Guitarist Zeke Turner is born in Lynchburg, Virginia. Capitalizing on his membership in Red Foley’s band, he becomes one of Nashville’s first session musicians, noted for his work on recordings by Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams
Jun 18, 1942
Paul McCartney is born in Liverpool, England. Several Beatles songs become country hits: “Something,” by Johnny Rodriguez; “I Feel Fine,” by Sweethearts Of The Rodeo; and “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party,” by Rosanne Cash
Jun 18, 1955
Faron Young’s signature hit, “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young,” reaches #1 on the Billboard country chart
Jun 18, 1966
Billy Walker, Lorne Greene and Boots Randolph headline a country show at the historic Hollywood Bowl. The bill also features Justin Tubb, Stonewall Jackson, Pat Buttram, Joe & Rose Lee Maphis, Warner Mack, Billy Mize, Skeets McDonald, Tex Williams, Marion Worth, Billy Wallace and Bonnie Guitar
Jun 18, 1967
Tim Hunt, the lead vocalist for Yankee Grey, is born. The group scores one Top 10 single, “All Things Considered,” in 1999, mixing Southern rock and tight harmonies
Jun 18, 1973
Loretta Lynn appears on the cover of Newsweek magazine with the headline “The Country Music Craze”
Jun 18, 1976
Blake Shelton is born in Ada, Oklahoma. Beginning with his 2001 debut, “Austin,” he mixes ballads and party anthems with biting personal humor on his way to multiple wins as Male Vocalist of the Year and a regular role on the NBC series “The Voice”
Jun 18, 1984
“Rhinestone,” starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone, premieres at Nashville’s Roy Acuff Theater
Jun 18, 1984
Warner Bros. releases John Anderson’s album “Eye Of A Hurricane”
Jun 18, 1984
Warner Bros. releases The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s album “Plain Dirt Fashion”
Jun 18, 1986
Columbia releases Janie Fricke’s album “Black & White,” her first with her name misspelled–intentionally–Frickie
Jun 18, 1994
Neal McCoy’s “Wink” begins a four-week ride at #1 in Billboard
Jun 18, 1996
Ricochet makes its Grand Ole Opry debut, performing on a Tuesday matinee at the Grand Ole Opry House
Jun 18, 2004
Ray Charles’ funeral is held at Los Angeles’ First AME Church. Willie Nelson sings “Georgia On My Mind” and Glen Campbell does a gospel song. Also on hand: Stevie Wonder, Clint Eastwood, Janie Fricke, B.B. King, Bill Clinton and Little Richard
