Mar 14, 1903
Cynthia May Carver is born in Lamb, Kentucky. Using the stage name Cousin Emmy, she becomes one of country’s first successful female artists through both radio and films. She also writes the Buck Owens hit “Ruby (Are You Mad)”
Mar 14, 1945
Michael Martin Murphey is born in Oak Cliff, Texas. After registering a major pop hit in 1975 with “Wildfire,” he becomes a significant country artist the following decade, eventually transitioning into cowboy music
Mar 14, 1954
Jann Browne is born in Anderson, Indiana. A member of Asleep At The Wheel from 1981-1983, she blossoms on the West Coast circuit, creating one minor hit with 1989’s “Tell Me Why”
Mar 14, 1970
Kristian Bush is born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He becomes a member of Sugarland, which earns multiple Vocal Duo of the Year honors. He co-writes most of the act’s material, including “Settlin’,” “It Happens” and “Everyday America”
Mar 14, 1970
Merle Haggard’s “The Fightin’ Side Of Me” goes to #1 on the Billboard country chart
Mar 14, 1972
“Help Me Make It Through The Night” is a double-winner during the 14th annual Grammy awards in New York, claiming Best Country Song for Kris Kristofferson and Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, for Sammi Smith
Mar 14, 1972
California Governor Ronald Reagan pardons Merle Haggard for a 1957 attempted robbery that landed the singer in prison
Mar 14, 1973
Bobby Bare records “Marie Laveau” and “Daddy, What If” in a midday session at Nashville’s RCA Studio B
Mar 14, 1981
The late Elvis Presley’s “Guitar Man,” written by Jerry Reed, takes the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart
Mar 14, 1985
MCA releases The Oak Ridge Boys’ album “Step On Out”
Mar 14, 1991
Songwriter Doc Pomus dies of lung cancer in New York. Primarily an R&B figure, he wrote several songs that became country hits, including Emmylou Harris’ version of “Save The Last Dance For Me” and Dwight Yoakam’s remake of “Little Sister”
Mar 14, 1992
Garth Brooks is the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” performing “Rodeo” and “The River” on the John Goodman-hosted edition from New York
Mar 14, 1992
The Nashville Songwriters Association names Pat Alger the Songwriter of the Year; Alan Jackson, Songwriter/Artist of the Year; and “Somewhere In My Broken Heart,” Song of the Year
Mar 14, 1992
John Anderson makes his first appearance at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart in nine years with “Straight Tequila Night”
Mar 14, 1998
Jo Dee Messina sings “Lesson In Leavin"” during her Grand Ole Opry debut, the same evening that Opry manager Bob Whittaker asks Diamond Rio to join the cast
Mar 14, 2003
Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night” is #1 as the Country Music Foundation publishes “Heartaches By The Number,” honoring country’s 500 greatest singles. Smith is also cited for “Today I Started Loving You Again” and “Kentucky”
Mar 14, 2013
Jack Greene dies at his Nashville home of complications from Alzheimer’s disease. A 45-year member of the Grand Ole Opry, he is best known for the hits “There Goes My Everything” and “Statue Of A Fool”
