Jun 8, 1936
The Carter Family conducts its first Decca recording session in New York City. The date’s material includes a song destined to become a pop hit for Elvis Presley: “Are You Lonesome To-night?”
Jun 8, 1938
Songwriter Mack Vickery is born in Town Creek, Alabama. He writes George Strait’s “The Fireman,” John Anderson’s “Let Somebody Else Drive,” Barbi Benton’s “Brass Buckles” and Johnny Paycheck’s “I’m The Only Hell (Mama Ever Raised)”
Jun 8, 1938
The Carter Family records “You Are My Flower” at the WBT Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina
Jun 8, 1939
The Coon Creek Girls become the first country act to perform at the White House, when Franklin D. Roosevelt hosts England’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth
Jun 8, 1951
Tony Rice is born in Danville, Virginia. A highly admired bluegrass guitarist, he joins J.D. Crowe & The New South in the 1970s, where his bandmates for a short time include Ricky Skaggs and dobro ace Jerry Douglas
Jun 8, 1951
Carl Smith records “(When You Feel Like You’re In Love) Don’t Just Stand There” in the afternoon at the Tulane Hotel’s Castle Studio in Nashville
Jun 8, 1953
Bonnie Tyler is born in Swansea, Wales. The scratchy-voiced singer is primarily a pop artist, though her million-selling “It’s A Heartache” becomes a country hit in 1978
Jun 8, 1953
Freddie Hart holds the first recording session of his career, for Capitol Records
Jun 8, 1955
MGM chief Frank Walker telegrams Sun Records’ Sam Phillips with an offer to buy Elvis Presley’s recording contract. It’s the latest among a series of offers from Decca, Capitol, Mercury, Chess, Atlantic and Dot
Jun 8, 1962
Skeeter Davis records “The End Of The World” at RCA Studio B in Nashville
Jun 8, 1964
Alton Delmore, of The Delmore Brothers, dies in Huntsville, Alabama. The Delmores’ blues-tinged country netted such classics as “Hillbilly Boogie” and “Blues Stay Away From Me” on their way to a 2001 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame
Jun 8, 1966
Willie Nelson records “The Party’s Over,” providing Don Meredith something to sing on “Monday Night Football”
Jun 8, 1974
Dolly Parton’s original version of “I Will Always Love You” presides at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
Jun 8, 1978
Singer/songwriter Sturgill Simpson is born in Jackson, Kentucky. Compared favorably to Waylon Jennings, he gains a Top 10 country album in 2014 with “Metamodern Sounds In Country Music”
Jun 8, 1979
Jimmy James ends a Fan Fair performance he hopes will get him into “The Guinness Book Of World Records,” playing country music for more than 25 hours straight. His concert includes 336 songs
Jun 8, 1981
Janie Fricke plays for president Ronald Reagan, giving a 40-minute performance at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland, with the Mexican president in attendance
Jun 8, 1981
Two future Country Music Hall of Fame members hook up for two days of recording, as Willie Nelson and Webb Pierce cut the duet album “In The Jailhouse Now.” The project also features Leon Russell and The Band’s Richard Manuel
Jun 8, 1996
Kenny Chesney makes his Grand Ole Opry debut, though he’s misidentified by the announcer as “Larry Chesney”
Jun 8, 1996
George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky” takes over the #1 position on the Billboard chart
Jun 8, 2003
Tammy Wynette’s “Stand By Your Man” is ranked #1 when CMT debuts its “100 Greatest Songs Of Country Music.” Ex-husband George Jones chimes in at #2, with “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” Wynette also lands at #35, with “D-I-V-O-R-C-E”
Jun 8, 2005
Kenny Rogers, Trace Adkins and Montgomery Gentry tape a concert for “CMT 100 Greatest Duets.” Also featured: Lee Ann Womack, Clint Black, Lisa Hartman Black, Raul Malo, Marty Stuart, Travis Tritt, Joe Nichols, Blake Shelton and Crystal Gayle
Jun 8, 2017
Songwriter/producer Norro Wilson dies in Nashville. He authored George Jones’ “The Grand Tour,” Charlie Rich’s “The Most Beautiful Girl” and Tammy Wynette’s “Another Lonely Song.” Wilson produced hits for Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Joe Stampley and Charley Pride
