JUNE 26
1909: Colonel Tom Parker was born in Breda, Holland, his real name: Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk. He managed Eddy Arnold, Hank Snow and, of course, Elvis Presley.
1926: Fiddler Kenny Baker was born in Jenkins, KY. After first appearing with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys in 1956, he played on more of Monroe’s sessions than any other musician. He also played on Tom T. Hall’s “Fox On The Run.”
1953: Bass player Ralph Ezell was born in Union, MS. As a member of Shenandoah, he played a role in such hits as “The Church On Cumberland Road,” “Janie Baker’s Love Slave” and “Two Dozen Roses.”
1954: Elvis Presley had a spur-of-the-moment tryout with Sam Phillips.
1963: Columbia released Ray Price’s “Make The World Go Away” and “Night Life.“
1963: A Nashville judge approved 18-year-old Brenda Lee’s plan to sign a 20-year contract with Decca Records guaranteeing her $35,000 annually.
1973: Gretchen Wilson was born in Granite City, IL. Her feisty debut single, “Redneck Woman,” led to instant stardom and the Country Music Association’s Horizon Award. She followed it with “Here For The Party” and “When I Think About Cheatin’“
1973: Olivia Newton-John recorded “Let Me Be There.”
1977: Elvis Presley performed what proved to be his final concert at Indianapolis’ Market Square Arena. He became ill and was hospitalized overnight. His last song: “Can’t Help Falling In Love.“
1981: MCA released Merle Haggard’s “Rainbow Stew/Live At Anaheim Stadium.”
1984: George Strait recorded “The Cowboy Rides Away” in a late-night session at the Sound Stage in Nashville.
1989: Alan Jackson signed his first recording contract with Arista Records. He also recorded “Wanted,” “Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow” and “I’d Love You All Over Again” on the same day.
1990: Capitol released Pirates Of The Mississippi’s self-titled debut album.
1992: Columbia releases Mary Chapin Carpenter’s album “Come On, Come On.”
2014: Lake City, TN, renamed itself Rocky Top in an effort to increase tourism. The change is under appeal as the House of Bryant, which owns the rights to the song “Rocky Top,” maintained the town would harm its business.
