MAY 2
1936: Pop singer Engelbert Humperdinck was born in Madras, India. He scored a major hit with the ballad “After The Lovin’,” a song that earned a country Grammy nomination for Barbara Mandrell when she recorded it in 1977.
1944: Drummer John Ware was born in Tulsa, OK. A longtime member of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band, he played on such hits as “Blue Kentucky Girl,” “Two More Bottles Of Wine” and “Save The Last Dance For Me.”
1945: R.C. Bannon was born in Dallas. He went on to marry Louise Mandrell, and writes “Only One Love In My Life,” for Ronnie Milsap; “One Of A Kind Pair Of Fools,” for Barbara Mandrell; and Louise’s “Save Me.”
1948: Larry Gatlin was born in Seminole, TX. Joined by brothers Rudy and Steve in the Gatlin Brothers Band, he wrote numerous 1970s and ’80s hits, marked by strong hooks and loads of harmony. They include “All The Gold In California,” “Broken Lady” and “Night Time Magic.”
1962: Ty Herndon was born in Butler, AL. He won the Male Star of Tomorrow honor in the TNN/Music City News awards in 1996, while fashioning such hits as “What Mattered Most,” “Living In A Moment” and “Hands Of A Working Man.”
1963: Flatt & Scruggs performed at Neely Auditorium in Nashville, with the concert captured on the album “Recorded Live At Vanderbilt University.” A remake of The Carter Family’s “You Are My Flower” was released the following year as a single.
1970: Glen Campbell appeared on the cover of TV Guide.
1970: Marty Robbins went to the #1 position on the Billboard country singles chart with “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife.” Among the single’s supporting musicians is guitarist Charlie Daniels.
1977: Conway Twitty recorded “I’ve Already Loved You In My Mind” at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, TN.
1977: Buck Owens married Buckaroo fiddle player Jana Grief in Las Vegas. Just three days later, he filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
1979: Kenny Rogers and The Oak Ridge Boys each took home two trophies during the 14th annual Academy Of Country Music awards, televised on NBC from the Hollywood Palladium. Rogers netted Entertainer of the Year and Top Male Vocalist.
1985: Columbia released the “Highwayman” album, teaming Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.
1988: Clint Black signed with RCA Records. The relationship led to more than 10 years of hits, including “A Better Man,” “Put Yourself In My Shoes,” “Something That We Do” and “Nothin’ But The Taillights.”
1989: Reprise released Kenny Rogers’ album “Something Inside So Strong.”
1994: Garth Brooks won two honors – Entertainer and Video of the Year – at the 29th Academy Of Country Music awards on NBC, though he wasn’t in Los Angeles to receive them. His wife, Sandy, gave birth to August Anna that night in Nashville.
1998: Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Loretta Lynn made the announcement that she intended to return to college and get a degree.
1998: Shania Twain was at #1 in Billboard with “You’re Still The One.”
2000: Collin Raye released his album, “Tracks,” while Chad Brock’s “Yes!” hit stores.
2000: Faith Hill and hubby Tim McGraw confirmed plans to perform their hit single, “Let’s Make Love,” at the upcoming ACM Awards. Their subsequent performance absolutely sizzled.
2009: Clint Black was fired by Donald Trump during an episode of the NBC-TV series “The Celebrity Apprentice.”
2013: Alan Jackson performed “He Stopped Loving Her Today” to close George Jones’ memorial at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Other participants include Randy Travis, Brad Paisley, Barbara Mandrell, The Oak Ridge Boys, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt and Kenny Chesney.
