MARCH 14
1903: Cynthia May Carver was born in Lamb, KY. Using the stage name Cousin Emmy, she became one of country’s first successful female artists through both radio and films. She also wrote the Buck Owens hit “Ruby (Are You Mad).”
1945: Michael Martin Murphey was born in Oak Cliff, TX. After registering a major pop hit in 1975 with “Wildfire,” he became a significant country artist the following decade, eventually transitioning into cowboy music.
1954: Jann Browne is born in Anderson, Indiana. A member of Asleep At The Wheel from 1981-1983, she blossomed on the West Coast circuit, creating one minor hit with 1989’s “Tell Me Why.”
1970: Kristian Bush was born in Knoxville, TN. He became a member of Sugarland, which earned multiple Vocal Duo of the Year honors. He co-wrote most of the act’s material, including “Settlin’,” “It Happens” and “Everyday America.”
1970: Merle Haggard’s “The Fightin’ Side Of Me” went to #1 on the Billboard country chart.
1972: “Help Me Make It Through The Night” was 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.
1972: California Governor Ronald Reagan pardoned Merle Haggard for a 1957 attempted robbery that landed the singer in prison.
1973: Bobby Bare recorded “Marie Laveau” and “Daddy, What If” in a midday session at Nashville’s RCA Studio B.
1981: The late Elvis Presley’s “Guitar Man,” written by Jerry Reed, took the top spot on the Billboard country singles chart.
1985: MCA released The Oak Ridge Boys’ album “Step On Out.”
1991: Songwriter Doc Pomus died 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.”
1992: Garth Brooks was the musical guest on “Saturday Night Live,” performing “Rodeo” and “The River” on the John Goodman-hosted edition from New York.
1992: The Nashville Songwriters Association named Pat Alger the Songwriter of the Year; Alan Jackson, Songwriter/Artist of the Year; and “Somewhere In My Broken Heart,” Song of the Year.
1992: John Anderson made his first appearance at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart in nine years with “Straight Tequila Night.”
1998: Jo Dee Messina sang “Lesson In Leavin’” during her Grand Ole Opry debut, the same evening that Opry manager Bob Whittaker asked Diamond Rio to join the cast.
2003: Sammi Smith’s “Help Me Make It Through The Night” is #1 as the Country Music Foundation published “Heartaches By The Number,” honoring country’s 500 greatest singles. Smith was also cited for “Today I Started Loving You Again” and “Kentucky.”
2013: Jack Greene died 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.”
2017: Willie Nelson was a surprise guest at Ray Benson’s birthday bash in Austin. Teaming up with Ray on “Pancho And Lefty,” the benefit also included Sunny Sweeney, Wade Bowen, Randy Rogers and The Avett Brothers, who covered “Mama Tried.”
