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Country Music History – June 18

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JUNE 18

1915: A.P. Carter married Sara Dougherty in Clinch Mountain, VA. The union of two of the three performers who will comprise The Carter Family changed country music forever.

1923: Guitarist Zeke Turner was born in Lynchburg, VA. Capitalizing on his membership in Red Foley’s band, he became one of Nashville’s first session musicians, noted for his work on recordings by Ernest Tubb and Hank Williams.

1955: Faron Young’s signature hit, “Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young,” reached #1 on the Billboard country chart.

1966: Billy Walker, Lorne Greene and Boots Randolph headlined a country show at the historic Hollywood Bowl. The bill also featured 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.

1967: Tim Hunt, the lead vocalist for Yankee Grey, was born. The group scored one Top 10 single, “All Things Considered,” in 1999, mixing Southern rock and tight harmonies.

1973: Loretta Lynn appeared on the cover of Newsweek magazine with the headline “The Country Music Craze

1976: Blake Shelton was born in Ada, OK. Beginning with his 2001 debut, “Austin,” he mixed 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.

1984: “Rhinestone,” starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone, premiered at Nashville’s Roy Acuff Theater.

1984: Warner Bros. released John Anderson’s album “Eye Of A Hurricane.”

1984: Warner Bros. released The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s album “Plain Dirt Fashion.”

1986: Columbia released Janie Fricke’s album “Black & White,” her first with her name misspelled–intentionally–Frickie.

1994: Neal McCoy’s “Wink” began a four-week ride at #1 in Billboard

1996: Ricochet made its Grand Ole Opry debut, performing on a Tuesday matinee at the Grand Ole Opry House.

2004: Ray Charles’ funeral was held at Los Angeles’ First AME Church. Willie Nelson sang “Georgia On My Mind” and Glen Campbell did a gospel song. Also on hand: Stevie Wonder, Clint Eastwood, Janie Fricke, B.B. King, Bill Clinton and Little Richard.