Hank Snow held his first recording session in 1936. It was upstairs in a vacant church in Montreal. The two songs he recorded that day, “Prisoned Cowboy” and “Lonesome Blue Yodel,” become his first singles. His first royalty check: $1.96.
Elektra Records is formed by Jac Holzman as a jazz/folk label in 1950. After establishing a country division in the 1970s, the company represents such acts as Eddie Rabbitt, Eddy Raven, Crystal Gayle and Hank Williams Jr.
Jerry Reed recorded his first chart record in 1966. “Guitar Man” goes on to become a posthumous hit for Elvis Presley.
The 5th Annual CMA Awards were held in 1971. Charley Pride wins Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year . The event was held at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Tennessee Ernie Ford hosts the event for the third year in a row.
A few years later on October 10, 1977, guitarist and songwriter Merle Travis joined the Country Music Hall Of Fame during the 11th annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. The CBS show is hosted by future Hall of Famer Johnny Cash. Ronnie Milsap wins three trophies: Entertainer; Male Vocalist; and Album of the Year, for “Ronnie Milsap Live”
Little Jimmy Dickens was added to the Country Music Hall of Fame during the 17th annual Country Music Association awards show at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House in 1983. That same night – for the second straight year, Alabama wins three trophies in the Country Music Association awards at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. The band takes Entertainer and Vocal Group of the Year, plus Album of the Year, for “The Closer You Get”
Hank Williams Jr. wins his second Entertainer of the Year trophy and claims Album of the Year, for “Born To Boogie,” during the 22nd annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. K.T. Oslin joins him as a double-winner. That same night in 1988, Loretta Lynn and Roy Rogers take their rightful places in the Country Music Hall Of Fame during the CMA Awards.
We lost Cal Smith in 2013. A former member of Ernest Tubb’s Texas Troubadours, he earned a number of country hits during the 1970s, including his signature song, “Country Bumpkin.” This song is one of the most requested songs on The Possum…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Singer/songwriter John Prine was born in Maywood, IL in 1946. He co-writes Don Williams’ “Love Is On A Roll” and George Strait’s “I Just Want To Dance With You”
Songwriter Tony Arata was born in Savannah, GA in 1957. His credits include Garth Brooks’ “The Dance,” Clay Walker’s “Dreaming With My Eyes Wide Open,” Patty Loveless’ “Here I Am” and Jim Glaser’s “Man In The Mirror”
Tanya Tucker was born in Seminole, TX in 1958. After emerging as a teenager, she becomes one of country’s more feisty females, with a gritty vocal style netting such hits as “Delta Dawn,” “Hangin In” and “Walking Shoes”
