Jun 20, 1907
Jimmy Driftwood is born, with the given name James Morris, near Mountain View, Arkansas. Briefly a member of the Grand Ole Opry, he writes Johnny Horton’s “The Battle Of New Orleans” and Eddy Arnold’s “Tennessee Stud”
Jun 20, 1916
David Myrick–a.k.a. T. Texas Tyler–is born in Mena, Arkansas. Best known for his recitation “Deck Of Cards,” he earns seven hits from 1946-1954, including “Filipino Baby” and “My Bucket’s Got A Hole In It,” before a marijuana arrest derails his career
Jun 20, 1924
Chet Atkins is born in Luttrell, Tennessee. The consummate guitarist, he develops a successful career as an instrumentalist, but also runs RCA Records’ country division and helps create the Nashville Sound, joining the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973
Jun 20, 1937
Songwriter Ben Peters is born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. On his way to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, he writes such hits as “Daytime Friends,” “Kiss An Angel Good Mornin’,” “Before The Next Teardrop Falls” and “Turn The World Around”
Jun 20, 1945
Anne Murray is born in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Her warm, easy-going vocals snare a number of pop-slanted successes from 1970-1986, including “Snowbird,” “You Needed Me,” “Shadows In The Moonlight” and “Now And Forever (Me And You)”
Jun 20, 1949
Lionel Richie is born in Tuskegee, Alabama. Primarily a pop recording artist, he earns a country hit when Alabama backs him on “Deep River Woman,” produces several Kenny Rogers hits and has a #1 country album with “Tuskegee”
Jun 20, 1959
Shreveport mayor Clyde Fant declares Johnny Horton Day. While performing that night on “The Louisiana Hayride,” Horton receives a transatlantic phone call from friend and soldier Elvis Presley
Jun 20, 1965
Ira Louvin and his wife, Anne, die in an automobile accident headed east on Interstate 70 in Callaway County, Missouri. His car is hit by another car headed west. Several open alcohol bottles are discovered in the westbound auto
Jun 20, 1967
Singer and guitarist Dan Tyminski is born in Rutland, Vermont. He joins Alison Krauss’ Union Station, performing on “When You Say Nothing At All,” and singing lead on The Soggy Bottom Boys’ “I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow”
Jun 20, 1977
Ronnie Milsap holds the first of four recording sessions for “What A Difference You’ve Made In My Life” at Nashville’s Woodland Sound
Jun 20, 1979
Waylon Jennings records “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” written by Rodney Crowell, at Nashville’s American Studios.
Jun 20, 1980
Elektra releases Eddie Rabbitt’s “Horizon” album
Jun 20, 1983
Tammy Wynette performs “Stand By Your Man” for president Ronald Reagan during a Republican fundraiser in Jackson, Mississippi
Jun 20, 1995
MCA releases George Jones & Tammy Wynette’s “One” album, their first duet collection in 15 years
Jun 20, 2003
The Roy Rogers Museum holds its grand opening in Branson, Missouri, after being uprooted from California, where it’s resided for 37 years
Jun 20, 2003
“Nashville Star” contestant Miranda Lambert makes her Grand Ole Opry debut
Jun 20, 2003
Songwriter Bob Millsap dies at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville two months after surgery for a brain tumor. He wrote the Tommy Overstreet hit “Heaven Is My Woman’s Love” and George Jones’ “She’s My Rock”
Jun 20, 2004
Filming begins in Memphis on “Walk The Line,” a Johnny Cash biopic. Joaquin Phoenix stars as the Man In Black, Reese Witherspoon portrays June Carter, Shooter Jennings is Waylon Jennings, and Shelby Lynne acts as Cash’s mother
