Mar 12, 1939
Lew DeWitt is born in Roanoke, Virginia. A founding member of The Statler Brothers, he writes “Flowers On The Wall” and sings tenor for the group until 1982, when illness forces retirement. The Statlers join the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008
Mar 12, 1948
Singer/songwriter James Taylor is born in Boston, Massachusetts. He writes George Jones’ 1978 single “Bartender’s Blues” and wins a country Grammy for “How’s The World Treating You,” a 2003 collaboration with Alison Krauss
Mar 12, 1961
After giving him a two-week tryout, Gene Autry’s expansion Los Angeles Angels drop hopeful baseball player Charley Pride during spring training in Palm Springs
Mar 12, 1963
Production begins in South Africa on the Jim Reeves movie “Kimberley Jim”
Mar 12, 1969
Johnny Cash wins twice during the 11th annual Grammy awards. He collects the trophy for Best Album Notes, for “Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison”; and Best Country Vocal Performance, Male, for “Folsom Prison Blues”
Mar 12, 1975
George Jones opens his Possum Holler nightclub at the corner of Commerce & Printer’s Alley in Nashville
Mar 12, 1975
The divorce of George Jones and Tammy Wynette is finalized. Wynette takes custody of their only child, Tamala, and keeps their home on Franklin Road in Nashville
Mar 12, 1977
Lynn Anderson has a guest role in the ABC police drama “Starsky And Hutch”
Mar 12, 1981
MCA releases The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira”
Mar 12, 1981
The Statler Brothers record “Don’t Wait On Me” during an afternoon session at Nashville’s Sound Stage
Mar 12, 1986
Columbia releases the Willie Nelson album “The Promiseland”
Mar 12, 1988
Randy Travis’ “Too Gone Too Long” goes to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
Mar 12, 1990
Mark Chesnutt begins recording his first album, “Too Cold At Home”
Mar 12, 1991
Columbia releases Dolly Parton’s “Eagle When She Flies” album
Mar 12, 1991
Alan Jackson’s debut album, “Here In The Real World,” receives platinum certification
Mar 12, 1991
Garth Brooks records the Billy Joel-written “Shameless” at Jack’s Tracks in Nashville
Mar 12, 1996
Columbia releases Chet Atkins’ “Almost Alone” album
Mar 12, 1996
Arista releases Steve Wariner’s instrumental album “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
Mar 12, 2006
“Ring Of Fire: The Johnny Cash Musical Show” has its Broadway debut at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, with Lari White in the cast. Among the 38 songs performed: “Man In Black,” “Hurt,” “I Walk The Line,” “Daddy Sang Bass” and “I’ve Been Everywhere”
