Sep 1, 1924
Ernest Stoneman passes an audition with Columbia Records in New York. He declines an offer to record for the label, however, when he receives a better deal the next day from Okeh
Sep 1, 1931
Lecil Martin is born in Sterratt, Texas. As Boxcar Willie, he establishes a hobo personality and sings traditional country music, gaining large sales through TV marketing and landing a spot on the Grand Ole Opry
Sep 1, 1933
Harold Jenkins is born in Friars Point, Mississippi. As Conway Twitty, he leaves a pop/rock career in 1965 to pursue country music, racking up hits consistently for more than 20 years. He joins the Country Music Hall of Fame posthumously in 1999
Sep 1, 1947
Barry Gibb is born in Manchester, England. With two brothers, he founds the pop act The Bee Gees. They write Olivia Newton-John’s “Come On Over,” Conway Twitty’s “Rest Your Love On Me” and Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton’s “Islands In The Stream”
Sep 1, 1950
Drummer Steve Goetzman is born in Louisville, Kentucky. He joins Exile, whose mix of country, rock and gospel nets hook-filled 1980s hits such as “Woke Up In Love,” “She’s A Miracle” and “Crazy For Your Love”
Sep 1, 1951
Lefty Frizzell’s “Always Late (With Your Kisses)” ascends to #1 in Billboard magazine
Sep 1, 1962
Marty Robbins’ “Devil Woman” begins a sinful eight-week run at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
Sep 1, 1970
Mickey Lamantia is born in Cranston, Rhode Island.
Sep 1, 1971
Waylon Jennings records the original, solo version of “Good Hearted Woman” and “Sweet Dream Woman” at RCA Studio B in Nashville
Sep 1, 1972
Dolly Parton records “My Tennessee Mountain Home” in a 10 a.m. session at Nashville’s RCA Studio B
Sep 1, 1976
Angaleena Presley is born in Beauty, Kentucky. She joins Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe to create Pistol Annies, releasing their first album in 2011. Presley also co-writes Lambert’s hit “Fastest Girl In Town”
Sep 1, 1979
Willie Nelson & Leon Russell share the top spot on the Billboard country chart with their remake of “Heartbreak Hotel”
Sep 1, 1980
Willie Nelson and family–his wife, Connie, and daughters Paula and Amy–make the cover of People magazine
Sep 1, 1983
Six months after marrying the former Nancy Sepulveda, George Jones tells “20/20” reporter Bob Brown he’s a “changed and happy man”
Sep 1, 1983
Gaylord Broadcasting officially takes over control of Opryland, including WSM Radio, the Grand Ole Opry and TNN
Sep 1, 1983
The Soviet Union downs Korean Air Lines flight 007, killing 269 people, including a U.S. congressman. The event inspires Lee Greenwood to write “God Bless The U.S.A.” Johnny Cash also cancels a Soviet tour in protest
Sep 1, 1983
Trisha Yearwood holds her first recording session in a trailer that uses mattresses for sound baffling in Monticello, Georgia. The material for the day includes a number of Linda Ronstadt songs and “Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight”
Sep 1, 1992
MCA releases Vince Gill’s “I Still Believe In You” album
Sep 1, 1992
MCA releases Trisha Yearwood’s “Hearts In Armor” album
Sep 1, 1994
In a special edition saluting country music, Life magazine puts Hank Williams at the top of the list of “The 100 Most Important People” in country music history. At #100 is Hank Williams Jr.
Sep 1, 1998
Arista releases Alan Jackson’s “High Mileage” album
Sep 1, 2006
Dwight Yoakam plays a crooked doctor in the drug-addled movie “Crank,” which debuts in theaters
Sep 1, 2008
Jerry Reed dies of emphysema at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee. Best known for the singles “When You’re Hot, You’re Hot” and “East Bound And Down,” the singer, songwriter and guitarist extended his music career with a series of acting roles
