MARCH 8

1946: Singer and bass player Randy Meisner is born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. As a member of The Eagles, he plays on their lone country hit, “Lyin’ Eyes,” eventually leaving the group in 1977. Waylon & Willie remake his song “Take It To The Limit” in 1983

1947: Harmonica player Don Brooks is born in Dallas, Texas. Noted for his work with Billy Joel, Diana Ross and The Bee Gees, he’s a member of Waylon Jennings’ band during the 1970s, appearing on “You Ask Me To” and “This Time”

1949: Hank Snow has his first American recording session at RCA Studio A in Chicago. Producer Steve Sholes declines an opportunity to cut “I’m Moving On.” Instead, the session yields Snow’s first charted single, “Marriage Vow”

1963: The Dillards, a bluegrass group that influences The Eagles, first appear on “The Andy Griffith Show” in their recurring role as The Darlings

1975: Conway Twitty’s “Linda On My Mind” rests at #1 on the Billboard country chart

1979: Barbara Mandrell records the definitive version of “Fooled By A Feeling” and her ballad “Years” at Woodland Sound Studio in Nashville

1980: Willie Nelson reaches #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys”

1984: Keith Whitley records “Turn Me To Love.” Thirteen years later, it appears on the soundtrack to the movie “SwitchBack”

1989: Singer/songwriter Stuart Hamblen dies of brain cancer in Santa Monica, California. His mix of gospel and cowboy music made him the first western singer to appear on Los Angeles radio, and, in 1976, brought him a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame

1992: Reba McEntire hosts the final edition of NBC’s “Hot Country Nights,” which salutes the year’s nominees for the Academy of Country Music awards

1993: Epic releases Patty Loveless’ “Blame It On Your Heart”

2009: Grand Ole Opry star Hank Locklin dies at his home in Brewton, Alabama. His legacy includes the hits “Send Me The Pillow You Dream On,” “Geisha Girl” and “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”