SEPTEMBER 5
1923: Songwriter Chuck Seals was born in AR. A cousin of Dan Seals, he co-wrote the Ray Price hit “Crazy Arms.”
1947: Songwriter/producer Louis “Chip” Davis was born in Hamler, OH. The founder of Mannheim Steamroller, he co-wrote the million-seller “Convoy” and produced C.W. McCall.
1955: Tennessee Ernie Ford sang “Sixteen Tons” on his daytime variety show. Fan mail poured in, and Ford recorded it two weeks later.
1957: Elvis Presley recorded “Blue Christmas” to begin three days of sessions for his first holiday album. Elvis also cut “Treat Me Nice.” The sessions are held at Radio Recorders in Hollywood.
1957: Jerry Lee Lewis recorded “You Win Again.”
1958: The Country Music Association was chartered in Nashville. The CMA became a major marketing force for country music, best known for its annual awards show.
1967: Dolly Parton made her first appearance on TV’s “The Porter Wagoner Show.”
1974: Ronnie Milsap recorded “(I’d Be) A Legend In My Time” during an evening session in Nashville. He also cut “I’ll Leave This World Loving You,” destined to become a hit for Ricky Van Shelton.
1980: Johnny Cash recorded “The Baron” at Nashville’s Columbia Recording Studios.
1984: Alabama recorded “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down.”
1992: Vince Gill earned his first #1 single in Billboard with “I Still Believe In You.”
1997: A Nashville judge ruled the William Morris Agency and agent Joe Harris tampered with Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, convincing them to break a contract with Buddy Lee Attractions. The judge levied $450,000 in damages. Harris died the previous year.
1997: The Warner Bros. picture “Fire Down Below,” starring Steven Seagal, debuted in theaters. Among those who appear on screen: Travis Tritt, Marty Stuart, The Lynns, Mark Collie, Randy Travis, Kris Kristofferson, Ed Bruce and songwriter Alex Harvey.
2001: Reba McEntire began shooting the WB sitcom “Reba” in Los Angeles.
2012: Singer/songwriter Joe South died in Atlanta, GA. Best known for his pop hits “Games People Play” and “Walk A Mile In My Shoes,” he also wrote Lynn Anderson’s million-selling country hit “Rose Garden.”
