NOVEMBER 28

1925: “The WSM Barn Dance” began broadcasting in Nashville, with a one-hour performance by Uncle Jimmy Thompson. It was later renamed the Grand Ole Opry.

1938: Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys recorded “San Antonio Rose” in Dallas.

1929: Berry Gordy Jr. was born in Detroit, MI. He wrote “Lonely Teardrops,” which became a country hit for Narvel Felts, and founded Motown, whose classics “Someday We’ll Be Together,” “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me” and “Tracks Of My Tears” also gained country covers.

1930: Songwriter A.L. “Doodle” Owens was born in Waco, TX. He penned Charley Pride’s “All I Have To Offer You (Is Me),” George Jones’ “Wine Colored Roses” and Doug Stone’s “Fourteen Minutes Old,” entering the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1999.

1955: Kristine Oliver was born in Manhattan Beach, CA. Along with older sister Janis Gill, Oliver formed Sweethearts Of The Rodeo, securing a string of rockabilly-tinged hits in the 1980s.

1964: Willie Nelson made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

1964: Connie Smith’s debut single, “Once A Day,” attained the #1 position on the Billboard country singles chart.

1972: Charlie Rich recorded “Behind Closed Doors” in Nashville.

1979: Kris Kristofferson hosted “The Unbroken Circle: A Tribute To Mother Maybelle Carter” on CBS, with guests Johnny Cash, June Carter, Ray Charles, Lynn Anderson, Larry Gatlin, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Linda Ronstadt.

1979: CBS-TV aired “Kenny Rogers And The American Cowboy,” a special that also features Charlie Daniels and Mac Davis.

1985: Willie Nelson records “Living In The Promiseland.” 

1986: Alabama had its first TV special on CBS, “My Home’s In Alabama.” Guests included The Judds, Willie Nelson and The Charlie Daniels Band.

1990: RCA released The Judds’ “Love Can Build A Bridge,” billed as the first 3-D video.

1992: Marty Stuart joined the Grand Ole Opry, the first new member added following the death of Roy Acuff.