SEPTEMBER 16
1911: Paul Henning was born in Independence, MO. He created the series “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Petticoat Junction” and wrote their theme songs, performed by Flatt & Scruggs. He was also involved in “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Green Acres.”
1925: Blues guitarist B.B. King was born in Indianola, MS. He joined George Jones to record “Patches” for the 1994 album “Rhythm Country & Blues,” which gained a nomination for a Country Music Association award.
1928: Steel guitarist Ralph Mooney was born in Duncan, OK. He co-wrote the Ray Price classic “Crazy Arms” and played on hits by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Wynn Stewart and Buck Owens, among others.
1946: Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs recorded for the first time with Bill Monroe in Columbia Records’ Chicago studio. The day yielded the original version of “Blue Moon Of Kentucky” and the chart hit “Toy Heart.”
1946: Songwriter Wood Newton was born in Hampton, AR. Among his credits: Steve Wariner’s “What I Didn’t Do,” David Ball’s “Riding With Private Malone” and The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Bobbie Sue.”
1950: David Bellamy was born in Darby, FL. With sibling Howard, he formed The Bellamy Brothers, developing a mix of hits built on wordplay or social commentary. They have been nominated for Country Music Association’s duo or group of the year 17 times…but have never won.
1958: Terry McBride was born in Taylor, TX. He became the lead singer of McBride & The Ride, which had a series of hits from 1991-1993. As a songwriter, he penned the Brooks & Dunn singles “I Am That Man,” “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” and “Play Something Country.”
1967: Jeannie Seely joined the Grand Ole Opry.
1967: David Houston & Tammy Wynette shared the #1 slot on the Billboard country chart with “My Elusive Dreams.”
1974: Merle Haggard recorded the Dolly Parton-penned “Kentucky Gambler” in a late-night session at the Columbia Studios in Nashville with Parton providing harmony.
1983: Capitol released the Anne Murray album “A Little Good News.”
1985: RCA released the “Alabama Christmas” album.
1987: Conway Twitty recorded “Goodbye Time” at Sound Stage in Nashville.
1988: Columbia released Ricky Van Shelton’s “Loving Proof” album.
1991: Capitol released the “Billy Dean” album.
1995: Tim McGraw began a five-week stay at the top of the Billboard country chart with “I Like It, I Love It.”
2000: Trisha Yearwood was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
2005: The Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton single, “Islands in the Stream,” topped the list with the debut of “CMT 100 Greatest Debuts.”
2016: Trisha Yearwood introduced a signature perfume and body mist, available exclusively at Walmart stores.
