1919: Songwriter Johnny Hathcock was born in Texas. He wrote Jim Reeves’ “Welcome To My World” and Hank Thompson’s “Wake Up, Irene.”
1923: Soprano Millie Kirkham was born in Hermitage, TN. She provided a high harmony voice on numerous hits, including Ferlin Husky’s “Gone,” Elvis Presley’s “Blue Christmas” and George Jones’ “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
1964: Connie Smith signed with RCA Records.
1965: Bill Anderson records “Bright Lights And Country Music.”
1969: Conway Twitty recorded “To See My Angel Cry” and “That’s When She Started To Stop Loving You” in a late-night session at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, TN.
1970: Actor Clint Eastwood recorded “Love In The Hot Afternoon” at Nashville’s Jack Clement Studios. The song became a hit five years later for Gene Watson.
1975: Former Columbia Records president Clive Davis and 18 other executives were indicted for six counts of income tax evasion. Davis later pled guilty to one count.
1977: United Artists releases Crystal Gayle’s “We Must Believe In Magic” album.
1978: The Oak Ridge Boys claimed their first #1 country single with “I’ll Be True To You.”
1981: Johnny Cash’s former bass player and road manager, Marshall Grant, sued the Man In Black for $2.6 million.
1982: John Anderson held the last recording session in Nashville’s historic Columbia Studio B, recording Lefty Frizzell’s “The Long Black Veil.”
1982: Naomi Judd visited a “Hee Haw” taping in Nashville, where Ricky Skaggs introduced her to publicist Woody Bowles. Within days, The Judds were introduced to their first manager, Ken Stilts.
1989: Garth Brooks made his Grand Ole Opry debut.
1989: Rosanne Cash topped the Billboard country chart with a remake of The Beatles’ “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party.”
1991: Capitol released Tanya Tucker’s “What Do I Do With Me” album.
1995: Tracy Lawrence blew into the #1 position on the Billboard country singles chart with “Texas Tornado.”
2010: “(Ghost) Riders In The Sky” ranked #1 as the Western Writers of America named the 100 Best Western Songs.