JUNE 11
1931: Jimmie Rodgers recorded “Let Me Be Your Side Track” in Louisville, KY. He also attempted a pair of songs with The Carter Family, although they re-recorded those numbers the following day.
1941: Songwriter Wayne Kemp was born in Greenwood, AR. His credits include “The Fireman,” by George Strait; “One Piece At A Time,” by Johnny Cash; and “I’ll Leave This World Loving You,” by Ricky Van Shelton.
1949: Hank Williams made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, performing “Lovesick Blues” and “Mind Your Own Business.” Legend claims he received six encores. Porter Wagoner was in the audience attending his first Opry show.
1958: Ernest Tubb recorded the Roger Miller-penned “Half A Mind,” along with “Next Time,” in an evening session at the Bradley Film & Recording Studio in Nashville.
1966: Singer/songwriter Bruce Robison was born in Bandera, TX. Finding an artistic home in alternative-country, he netted commercial success as the songwriter of Tim McGraw’s “Angry All The Time” and The Dixie Chicks’ “Travelin Soldier.”
1969: “True Grit” debuted in theaters, with Glen Campbell in his first movie role, alongside John Wayne and Kim Darby.
1970: Roger Miller recorded the original versions of “Don’t We All Have The Right” and “Tall, Tall Trees” at the Jack Clement Studios in Nashville. The songs later become hits for Ricky Van Shelton and Alan Jackson, respectively.
1972: Tammy Wynette performed “Stand By Your Man” at the Old Plantation Music Park in Lakeland, FL, during a campaign stop for George Wallace by George Wallace Jr. Also appearing: George Jones, Ferlin Husky and Del Reeves.
1979: John Wayne died from cancer in Los Angeles. Known for work in such movies as “True Grit” and “North To Alaska,” he’s incorporated in the lyrics of Big & Rich’s 2004 hit “Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy).”
1980: “Bronco Billy” makes its debut in theaters. Leading man Clint Eastwood duets with Merle Haggard on “Bar Room Buddies.” The soundtrack also features Haggard’s “Misery And Gin” and Ronnie Milsap’s “Cowboys And Clowns.“
1988: Patty Loveless joined the Grand Ole Opry, where she sang “If My Heart Had Windows” and “A Little Bit In Love.”
1988: Randy Travis made an appearance at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “I Told You So.”
1990: Mark Chesnutt shot the video to his first single, “Too Cold At Home,” at home.
1991: MCA releases George Strait’s “You Know Me Better Than That.”
1994: “That Ain’t No Way To Go” brought Brooks & Dunn to the top of the Billboard country singles chart.
1996: Garth Brooks made an unscheduled appearance at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds in Nashville for Fan Fair. He signed autographs for a ridiculous 23 hours straight.
1999: The Dixie Chicks album, “Wide Open Spaces,” was certified for sales of 6 million, making it the best-selling album by a duo or group in country music history. A year later, it was certified for sales in excess of 11 million. When the critically acclaimed disc surpassed 10 million, the trio became the only group in the history of country music to receive a prestigious RIAA Diamond Award.
2004: “The Stepford Wives” opened in movie theaters, with Faith Hill in her acting debut.
2015: Jim Ed Brown died from cancer at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN. The lead singer in the family trio The Browns, he also recorded a series of duets with Helen Cornelius and several solo hits, including “Pop A Top.” The Browns joined the Country Music Hall of Fame months later.
