May 9, 1914
Hank Snow is born in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia. The Grand Ole Opry member earns more than 40 hit records from 1949-1974, including “I’m Moving On,” “I’ve Been Everywhere” and “Hello Love,” earning him a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame
May 9, 1928
The Carter Family records its theme song, “Keep On The Sunny Side,” plus “Little Darling, Pal Of Mine” and “Anchored In Love” at the Victor Studio in Camden, New Jersey
May 9, 1937
Sonny Curtis is born in Meadow, Texas. A sideman with Buddy Holly, he writes “I Fought The Law,” for The Bobby Fuller Four; “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” for Keith Whitley; and “Walk Right Back,” for Anne Murray
May 9, 1938
Songwriter Rex Gosdin is born in Woodland, Alabama. The younger brother of Vern Gosdin, he writes Leon Everette’s 1982 hit “Just Give Me What You Think Is Fair”
May 9, 1968
Merle Haggard records “Mama Tried” at the Capitol Recording Studio in Hollywood, with Glen Campbell joining the band on the session
May 9, 1983
Willie Nelson is a double-winner, claiming Single Record of the Year, for “Always On My Mind,” and Album of the Year for an LP of the same name during the 18th annual Academy Of Country Music awards, telecast on NBC from Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
May 9, 1984
Nudie Cohn dies at St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, California. The tailor, known for his rhinestone-studded outfits, designed stage gear for Elvis Presley, Porter Wagoner, Lefty Frizzell and Webb Pierce, among others
May 9, 1989
Keith Whitley dies from alcohol poisoning at his home in Nashville. The rich-voiced husband of Lorrie Morgan was on a career upswing behind the singles “Don’t Close Your Eyes,” “When You Say Nothing At All” and “I’m No Stranger To The Rain”
May 9, 1990
Columbia releases Shenandoah’s album “The Extra Mile”
May 9, 1992
Brooks & Dunn’s “Neon Moon” hits #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
May 9, 2001
David Ball records “Riding With Private Malone”
May 9, 2008
Alabama files a $202,670 lawsuit against drummer Mark Herndon in DeKalb County. The band claims Herndon was overpaid for merchandising royalties on the group’s 2003 farewell tour
May 9, 2009
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Stephen Bruton dies of throat cancer in Los Angeles. A member of Kris Kristofferson’s band for two decades, he co-produced the “Crazy Heart” soundtrack just before his passing
May 9, 2014
A statue of Hank Snow is unveiled at the Hank Snow Home Town Museum in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, as the city proclaims Hank Snow Day on the centennial of the late singer’s birth. Liverpool also renames the property across the street as Hank Snow Community Park
