SEPTEMBER 27
1903: The #97 mail train crashed on the Southern Railway outside Danville, VA, inspiring Vernon Dalhart’s early country hit “The Wreck Of The Old ’97.”
1925: Dobro player Josh Graves was born in Tellico Plains, TN. He recorded with Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs for nearly 15 years, becoming a major influence on the development of his chosen instrument.
1966: Bill Anderson and Jan Howard recorded “For Loving You.”
1971: Merle Haggard arranged a reunion of Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys at Haggard’s home in Bakersfield, CA.
1972: Conway Twitty recorded “She Needs Someone To Hold Her (When She Cries)” during an evening session at Bradley’s Barn in Mt. Juliet, TN.
1974: Waylon Jennings recorded “Bob Wills Is Still The King“–namechecking Tommy Duncan, The Texas Playboys and Willie Nelson–and “Good Hearted Woman” during a concert in Austin’s Western Place. Nelson’s voice was later added to “Good Hearted Woman” to create a duet for the album “Wanted: The Outlaws.”
1975: Guitarist/vocalist Charlie Monroe died of cancer in Reidsville, NC. He joined Bill Monroe in The Monroe Brothers, a mountain duo that became a strong-selling act in the 1930s, prior to Bill’s emergence as a bluegrass pioneer.
1976: Johnny Cash played an ex-convict and June Carter is his wife in an episode of the NBC series “Little House On The Prairie.”
1983: Ray Charles and George Jones recorded “We Didn’t See A Thing” with Chet Atkins sitting in on guitar.
1987: “Dolly!” made its prime-time debut on ABC, ranking in Nielsen’s Top 5. Host Dolly Parton’s first song is “Coat Of Many Colors.” She also sang “I Will Always Love You,” and guests included Pee Wee Herman, Oprah Winfrey and Hulk Hogan.
1992: The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame added Max D. Barnes, who authored “Chiseled In Stone” and “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes“; and Wayland Holyfield, who penned “Could I Have This Dance” and “You’re My Best Friend.”
1993: The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame inducted Don Schlitz, who authored “The Gambler” and “On The Other Hand“; Red Lane, known for “My Own Kind Of Hat” and “‘Til I Get It Right“; and Conway Twitty.
1994: Arista releases Brooks & Dunn’s “Waitin’ On Sundown” album.
1994: Warner Bros. released Little Texas’ “Kick A Little” album.
1994: Giant released Clay Walker’s “If I Could Make A Living” album.
1994: BNA released “Keith Whitley: A Tribute Album,” with Alan Jackson, Diamond Rio, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, Lorrie Morgan, Alison Krauss, Tracy Lawrence and Ricky Skaggs & Shenandoah. The liner notes include the lyrics to Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” partially inspired by Whitley.
1995: George Strait recorded “Blue Clear Sky” at Emerald Sound Studios in Nashville.
2005: Wynonna’s autobiography, “Coming Home To Myself,” appeared on bookshelves.
2008: A “CMT Crossroads” episode featuring Trace Adkins and 38 Special debuts. The set list included “Hold On Loosely,” “Caught Up In You,” “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “Ladies Love Country Boys.”
2011: Johnny Wright died at his home in Nashville. The husband and manager of Kitty Wells, he enjoyed hits as a member of the duo Johnnie & Jack and earned a solo #1 hit with “Hello Vietnam.”
2012: The Gibson Brothers won Entertainer of the Year during the International Bluegrass Music Association Awards at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
