On
This Week In Country Music April 30 – May 6
This Week In Country Music April 30 – May 6
30
APRIL –
On This Day in Country Music
APRIL –
On This Day in Country Music
1981 – At the 16th Academy of Country
Music Awards: Barbara Mandrell won Top Female Vocalist
Music Awards: Barbara Mandrell won Top Female Vocalist
1981 – George Jones wins
three times in the 16th Academy Of Country Music awards at Los
Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. Jones takes Top Male Vocalist, and “He
Stopped Loving Her Today”–written by Bobby Braddock and Curly
Putman–is Song and Single Record of the Year
three times in the 16th Academy Of Country Music awards at Los
Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. Jones takes Top Male Vocalist, and “He
Stopped Loving Her Today”–written by Bobby Braddock and Curly
Putman–is Song and Single Record of the Year
1994 – Faith Hill’s
remake of “Piece Of My Heart” gains the #1 spot on the
Billboard country chart. Written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns it
was originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. >> YouTube
remake of “Piece Of My Heart” gains the #1 spot on the
Billboard country chart. Written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns it
was originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. >> YouTube
1998 – The Oak Ridge Boys performed in
Washington, DC, at the 50th anniversary ceremony of the American Red
Cross’ blood services
Washington, DC, at the 50th anniversary ceremony of the American Red
Cross’ blood services
Births
Johnny
Horton (1925), born in Los Angeles.
Married to Hank Williams’ widow, Billie Jean Jones, he finds a niche
in the late-1950s and 1960 with historically based singles, including
“North To Alaska,” “Sink The Bismarck” and “The
Battle Of New Orleans.
Horton (1925), born in Los Angeles.
Married to Hank Williams’ widow, Billie Jean Jones, he finds a niche
in the late-1950s and 1960 with historically based singles, including
“North To Alaska,” “Sink The Bismarck” and “The
Battle Of New Orleans.
Willie
Nelson (1933), born in Abbott,
Texas, though some relatives insist it was the 29th. After writing
“Crazy” and “Hello Walls,” he becomes a major
figure in the ’70s outlaw movement, earning a plaque in the Country
Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
Nelson (1933), born in Abbott,
Texas, though some relatives insist it was the 29th. After writing
“Crazy” and “Hello Walls,” he becomes a major
figure in the ’70s outlaw movement, earning a plaque in the Country
Music Hall of Fame in 1993.
Robert
Reynolds (1962), born in Kansas
City, Missouri. Bass player. He’s a founding member of Miami’s The
Mavericks, who gain the Country Music Association’s vocal group of
the year honours for two years in the mid-’90s. He was married to
Trisha Yearwood for five years.
Reynolds (1962), born in Kansas
City, Missouri. Bass player. He’s a founding member of Miami’s The
Mavericks, who gain the Country Music Association’s vocal group of
the year honours for two years in the mid-’90s. He was married to
Trisha Yearwood for five years.
Carolyn
Dawn Johnson (1971), born in Grande
Prairie, Alberta. Singer-songwriter. Her 2001 debut yields a hit with
“Complicated.” She penned Chely Wright’s “Single White
Female” and Jo Dee Messina’s “Downtime”
Dawn Johnson (1971), born in Grande
Prairie, Alberta. Singer-songwriter. Her 2001 debut yields a hit with
“Complicated.” She penned Chely Wright’s “Single White
Female” and Jo Dee Messina’s “Downtime”
1
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
1967
– Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in
Las Vegas. They were together until 1973.
– Elvis Presley marries Priscilla Beaulieu at the Aladdin Hotel in
Las Vegas. They were together until 1973.
1998
– Garth Brooks announced that the 4 millionth ticket had been
purchased to his current world tour.
– Garth Brooks announced that the 4 millionth ticket had been
purchased to his current world tour.
1999
– Dixie Chick Emily Erwin marries fellow artist Charlie Robison at a
West Texas ranch. Sister Martie and Natalie Maines were both
bridesmaids. Some of their guests included: Bruce’s wife Kelly
Willis and lots of Sony executives. Fellow Dixie Chick Natalie met
her future husband Adrian Pasdar at the ceremony.
– Dixie Chick Emily Erwin marries fellow artist Charlie Robison at a
West Texas ranch. Sister Martie and Natalie Maines were both
bridesmaids. Some of their guests included: Bruce’s wife Kelly
Willis and lots of Sony executives. Fellow Dixie Chick Natalie met
her future husband Adrian Pasdar at the ceremony.
Charlie
caught a Dixie Chicks show at Gruene Hall, a renowned Texas dance
hall. He and Emily hooked up again at Fan Fair during the Sony Music
Nashville show, where, Charlie says, “we
were both so nervous around each other that we drank so much that I
think we didn’t have any choice but to fall in love.”
caught a Dixie Chicks show at Gruene Hall, a renowned Texas dance
hall. He and Emily hooked up again at Fan Fair during the Sony Music
Nashville show, where, Charlie says, “we
were both so nervous around each other that we drank so much that I
think we didn’t have any choice but to fall in love.”
They
had e three children: Charles Augustus, called “Gus”, born
November 11, 2002 and twins Julianna Tex and Henry Benjamin born on
April 14, 2005. Emily and Charlie divorced on August 6, 2008 after
nine years of marriage.
had e three children: Charles Augustus, called “Gus”, born
November 11, 2002 and twins Julianna Tex and Henry Benjamin born on
April 14, 2005. Emily and Charlie divorced on August 6, 2008 after
nine years of marriage.
Births
Sonny
James (1929)
born in Hackleburg, Alabama. Nicknamed the Southern Gentleman for his
amiable personality, he registers 16 straight #1 singles from
1967-1972, including “Running Bear” and “Heaven Says
Hello.” He also produces Marie Osmond’s “Paper Roses”
James (1929)
born in Hackleburg, Alabama. Nicknamed the Southern Gentleman for his
amiable personality, he registers 16 straight #1 singles from
1967-1972, including “Running Bear” and “Heaven Says
Hello.” He also produces Marie Osmond’s “Paper Roses”
Tim
McGraw (1967)
born in Delhi, Louisiana. Married to Faith Hill in 1996, his ear for
outstanding songs gains him multi-platinum albums, 15 years of hits
and a stellar record of ticket sales, plus a side career in movies
McGraw (1967)
born in Delhi, Louisiana. Married to Faith Hill in 1996, his ear for
outstanding songs gains him multi-platinum albums, 15 years of hits
and a stellar record of ticket sales, plus a side career in movies
Rita
Coolidge
(1945), Wayne
“The Train” Hancock
(1965)
Coolidge
(1945), Wayne
“The Train” Hancock
(1965)
2
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
1970
– Marty Robbins goes to the #1 position on the Billboard country
chart with “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife.” Among the
single’s supporting musicians: Charlie Daniels
– Marty Robbins goes to the #1 position on the Billboard country
chart with “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife.” Among the
single’s supporting musicians: Charlie Daniels
1985
– Columbia releases the “Highwayman” album, teaming Waylon
Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson
– Columbia releases the “Highwayman” album, teaming Waylon
Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson
1988
– Clint Black signs with RCA Records. The relationship leads to more
than 10 years of hits, including “A Better Man,” “Put
Yourself In My Shoes,” “Something That We Do” and
“Nothin’ But The Taillights 1992 – Bonnie Raitt received an
honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music during
commencement cermonies in Boston.
– Clint Black signs with RCA Records. The relationship leads to more
than 10 years of hits, including “A Better Man,” “Put
Yourself In My Shoes,” “Something That We Do” and
“Nothin’ But The Taillights 1992 – Bonnie Raitt received an
honorary Doctor of Music Degree from Berklee College of Music during
commencement cermonies in Boston.
1998
– Shania Twain goes to the #1 position in Billboard with “You’re
Still The One”
– Shania Twain goes to the #1 position in Billboard with “You’re
Still The One”
2003
– The Dixie Chicks appear nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly,
with words such as “boycott,” “traitors” and
“free speech” superimposed on their bodies, as they discuss
the controversy that came from an anti-Bush comment by Natalie Maines
– The Dixie Chicks appear nude on the cover of Entertainment Weekly,
with words such as “boycott,” “traitors” and
“free speech” superimposed on their bodies, as they discuss
the controversy that came from an anti-Bush comment by Natalie Maines
Births
Larry
Gatlin (1948),
born in Seminole, Texas. Joined by brothers Rudy and Steve, he writes
numerous 1970s and ’80s hits, marked by strong hits and loads of
harmony. Among their hits: “All The Gold In California” and
Grammy-winner “Broken Lady”
Gatlin (1948),
born in Seminole, Texas. Joined by brothers Rudy and Steve, he writes
numerous 1970s and ’80s hits, marked by strong hits and loads of
harmony. Among their hits: “All The Gold In California” and
Grammy-winner “Broken Lady”
Ty
Herndon
(1962), born in Butler, Alabama. He wins the male Star of Tomorrow
honour in the TNN/Music City News awards in 1996, while fashioning
such hits as “What Mattered Most,” “Living In A
Moment” and “Hands Of A Working Man”
Herndon
(1962), born in Butler, Alabama. He wins the male Star of Tomorrow
honour in the TNN/Music City News awards in 1996, while fashioning
such hits as “What Mattered Most,” “Living In A
Moment” and “Hands Of A Working Man”
3
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
1986
– Dollywood (Dolly Parton’s theme park) opened in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee.
– Dollywood (Dolly Parton’s theme park) opened in Pigeon Forge,
Tennessee.
1994
– At the 29th Academy of Country Music Awards: John Michael
Montgomery “I Swear” won Single Record of the Year & Song Of
The Year, Reba McEntire won Top Female Vocalist, Alan Jackson won Top
Male Vocalist, Chely Wright was voted Top New Female Vocalist, Tim
McGraw won Top New Male Vocalist and Garth Brooks with “The Red
Strokes” won Video of the Year and he received Jim Reeves Memorial
Award and won the top honour Entertainer of the Year He was not in
Los Angeles to receive them. His wife, Sandy, gives birth to August
Anna, their second child, that night in Nashville.
– At the 29th Academy of Country Music Awards: John Michael
Montgomery “I Swear” won Single Record of the Year & Song Of
The Year, Reba McEntire won Top Female Vocalist, Alan Jackson won Top
Male Vocalist, Chely Wright was voted Top New Female Vocalist, Tim
McGraw won Top New Male Vocalist and Garth Brooks with “The Red
Strokes” won Video of the Year and he received Jim Reeves Memorial
Award and won the top honour Entertainer of the Year He was not in
Los Angeles to receive them. His wife, Sandy, gives birth to August
Anna, their second child, that night in Nashville.
2007
– Taylor Swift picks up a gold single for her debut, “Tim McGraw
– Taylor Swift picks up a gold single for her debut, “Tim McGraw
2010
– Flood waters soak the SoundCheck storage facility in Nashville,
destroying instruments and equipment owned by Brad Paisley, Toby
Keith, Vince Gill and Keith Urban. Water from the Cumberland River
floods Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, peaking more than two feet
above the venue’s stage. The Opry moves like a nomad to other
Nashville locations for the next four months.
– Flood waters soak the SoundCheck storage facility in Nashville,
destroying instruments and equipment owned by Brad Paisley, Toby
Keith, Vince Gill and Keith Urban. Water from the Cumberland River
floods Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, peaking more than two feet
above the venue’s stage. The Opry moves like a nomad to other
Nashville locations for the next four months.
2010
– May 3 — Chely Wright becomes the first major country artist to
come out as homosexual
– May 3 — Chely Wright becomes the first major country artist to
come out as homosexual
Births
Scott
“Cactus” Moser
(1957), born in Montrose, Colorado. Drummer. He joins Highway 101,
which wins the Country Music Association vocal group award for 1988
and 1989, behind such hits as “Somewhere Tonight,” “Cry,
Cry, Cry” and “Whiskey, If You Were A Woman
“Cactus” Moser
(1957), born in Montrose, Colorado. Drummer. He joins Highway 101,
which wins the Country Music Association vocal group award for 1988
and 1989, behind such hits as “Somewhere Tonight,” “Cry,
Cry, Cry” and “Whiskey, If You Were A Woman
John
Hopkins
(1971), Bass player . A member of The Zac Brown Band, he plays on the
double-platinum album “The Foundation” and co-writes the
2009 hit “Toes”
Hopkins
(1971), Bass player . A member of The Zac Brown Band, he plays on the
double-platinum album “The Foundation” and co-writes the
2009 hit “Toes”
Eric
Church (1977),
born in Granite Falls, North Carolina. Influenced by country and
southern rock, he makes his debut in 2006, winning the Academy of
Country Music’s Top New Solo Vocalist in 2011
Church (1977),
born in Granite Falls, North Carolina. Influenced by country and
southern rock, he makes his debut in 2006, winning the Academy of
Country Music’s Top New Solo Vocalist in 2011
Shane
Allen Minor
(1968), born May 3, in Modesto, California. Signed to Mercury
Nashville Records in 1999, Minor released his self-titled album that
year, and it produced three hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country
Singles & Tracks charts. Although he was dropped from Mercury’s
roster in 2000, he has continued to write songs for other artists,
including two Number One singles in Diamond Rio’s “Beautiful
Mess” (2002) and Steve Holy’s “Brand New Girlfriend”
(2006).
Allen Minor
(1968), born May 3, in Modesto, California. Signed to Mercury
Nashville Records in 1999, Minor released his self-titled album that
year, and it produced three hit singles on the Billboard Hot Country
Singles & Tracks charts. Although he was dropped from Mercury’s
roster in 2000, he has continued to write songs for other artists,
including two Number One singles in Diamond Rio’s “Beautiful
Mess” (2002) and Steve Holy’s “Brand New Girlfriend”
(2006).
4
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
1991
– Travis Tritt makes his Grand Ole Opry debut
– Travis Tritt makes his Grand Ole Opry debut
1993
– Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” becomes the first country album
certified for shipments of 10 million units
– Garth Brooks’ “No Fences” becomes the first country album
certified for shipments of 10 million units
1996
– Shania Twain races to #1 on the Billboard country chart with “You
Win My Love”
– Shania Twain races to #1 on the Billboard country chart with “You
Win My Love”
2010
– Flooding on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee causes
damage to the Grand Ole Opry House and Gaylord Opryland Resort &
Convention Center, with several feet of water. The common areas of
the Gaylord Opryland Hotel were destroyed, and parts of the hotel are
under 10 feet of water.
– Flooding on the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee causes
damage to the Grand Ole Opry House and Gaylord Opryland Resort &
Convention Center, with several feet of water. The common areas of
the Gaylord Opryland Hotel were destroyed, and parts of the hotel are
under 10 feet of water.
2010
– Random House publishes Chely Wright’s autobiography, “Like Me:
Confessions Of A Heartland Country Singer.” In the process, she
becomes the first-ever openly gay commercial country artist
– Random House publishes Chely Wright’s autobiography, “Like Me:
Confessions Of A Heartland Country Singer.” In the process, she
becomes the first-ever openly gay commercial country artist
Births
Randy
Traywick
(1959), born at Memorial Hospital in Monroe, North Carolina. Under
the name Randy Travis, his rich baritone and hardcore country stance
are a guiding light in the rise of the New Traditionalists in the
late-1980s
Traywick
(1959), born at Memorial Hospital in Monroe, North Carolina. Under
the name Randy Travis, his rich baritone and hardcore country stance
are a guiding light in the rise of the New Traditionalists in the
late-1980s
Stella
Parton (1949),
sixth of twelve children born to father, Robert Lee Parton Sr. and
mother, Avie Lee Caroline Owens. She is a younger sister of country
music icon Dolly Parton. Stella became a mildly successful country
singer in the 1970s, and though having nowhere near the success of
her elder sister, she sold her fair share of records. Her biggest hit
was the 1975 song “I Want to Hold You In My Dreams Tonight”.
Parton (1949),
sixth of twelve children born to father, Robert Lee Parton Sr. and
mother, Avie Lee Caroline Owens. She is a younger sister of country
music icon Dolly Parton. Stella became a mildly successful country
singer in the 1970s, and though having nowhere near the success of
her elder sister, she sold her fair share of records. Her biggest hit
was the 1975 song “I Want to Hold You In My Dreams Tonight”.
Cookie
Rankin (Rankin
Family) – (1965), Tim
Dubois (1948)
Rankin (Rankin
Family) – (1965), Tim
Dubois (1948)
5
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
1977
– Loretta Lynn hits the cover of Rolling Stone, noting: “It’s a
strange deal. I’m supposed to be a country singer, writing songs
about marriage and family and the way normal folks live. But mostly
I’m living in motel rooms and traveling on my special bus”
– Loretta Lynn hits the cover of Rolling Stone, noting: “It’s a
strange deal. I’m supposed to be a country singer, writing songs
about marriage and family and the way normal folks live. But mostly
I’m living in motel rooms and traveling on my special bus”
1982
– Vince and Janis Gill have a daughter, Jenny, in Los Angeles
– Vince and Janis Gill have a daughter, Jenny, in Los Angeles
1992
– Country singer Tammy Wynette hospitalized with bile duct infection
– Country singer Tammy Wynette hospitalized with bile duct infection
1997
– Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have their first baby, Gracie Katherine
McGraw. At age nine, she becomes part of the children’s chorus at the
close of Dad’s hit “Last Dollar (Fly Away)”
– Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have their first baby, Gracie Katherine
McGraw. At age nine, she becomes part of the children’s chorus at the
close of Dad’s hit “Last Dollar (Fly Away)”
1999
– Faith Hill takes four trophies in the 34th annual Academy of
Country Music awards on CBS from Los Angeles: Single Record and Video
of the Year (“This Kiss”), Top Female Vocalist and Vocal
Event (“Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me” with Tim
McGraw)
– Faith Hill takes four trophies in the 34th annual Academy of
Country Music awards on CBS from Los Angeles: Single Record and Video
of the Year (“This Kiss”), Top Female Vocalist and Vocal
Event (“Just To Hear You Say That You Love Me” with Tim
McGraw)
1999
– Garth Brooks was named artist of the decade at the 34 annual
Academy of Country Music Awards.
– Garth Brooks was named artist of the decade at the 34 annual
Academy of Country Music Awards.
Births
Virginia
Wynette Pugh–alias Tammy Wynette
(1942) –born in Itawamba County, Mississippi. The Country Music Hall
of Fame inductee is noted for her pain-soaked vocal style,
exemplified in “Stand By Your Man,” gaining the nickname
the “First Lady of Country Music”
Wynette Pugh–alias Tammy Wynette
(1942) –born in Itawamba County, Mississippi. The Country Music Hall
of Fame inductee is noted for her pain-soaked vocal style,
exemplified in “Stand By Your Man,” gaining the nickname
the “First Lady of Country Music”
6
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
MAY –
On This Day in Country Music
1977
– Dolly Parton made her New York singing
debut.
– Dolly Parton made her New York singing
debut.
1985
– Alabama wins Entertainer of the Year; Top Vocal Group; and Album of
the Year, for “Roll On”; in the 20th annual Academy Of
Country Music awards, aired on NBC from the Goodtime Theater at
Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
– Alabama wins Entertainer of the Year; Top Vocal Group; and Album of
the Year, for “Roll On”; in the 20th annual Academy Of
Country Music awards, aired on NBC from the Goodtime Theater at
Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California
1989
-Keith Whitley performs in Brazoria County, Texas, in what turns out
to be his final concert
-Keith Whitley performs in Brazoria County, Texas, in what turns out
to be his final concert
1989
– Naomi Judd marries (second marriage) Larry Strickland at Christ
Church in Nashville. Ashley and Wynonna Judd serve as bridesmaids,
and Wynonna performs with band member Don Potter
– Naomi Judd marries (second marriage) Larry Strickland at Christ
Church in Nashville. Ashley and Wynonna Judd serve as bridesmaids,
and Wynonna performs with band member Don Potter
1998
– Shania Twain’s single “You’re Still The One” is certified
platinum
– Shania Twain’s single “You’re Still The One” is certified
platinum
2004
– Charley Pride checks into a hospital in the Dallas area, where he
undergoes surgery two days later for a subdural hematoma–a blood
clot in the brain. Doctors indicate he’ll need 4-6 weeks to recover
– Charley Pride checks into a hospital in the Dallas area, where he
undergoes surgery two days later for a subdural hematoma–a blood
clot in the brain. Doctors indicate he’ll need 4-6 weeks to recover
2006
– Carrie Underwood graduates from North Eastern State University in
Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as she receives her bachelor of arts degree
– Carrie Underwood graduates from North Eastern State University in
Tahlequah, Oklahoma, as she receives her bachelor of arts degree
2006
– Rockers Bon Jovi reside at #1 on the Billboard country chart with
the Jennifer Nettles collaboration “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”
– Rockers Bon Jovi reside at #1 on the Billboard country chart with
the Jennifer Nettles collaboration “Who Says You Can’t Go Home”
Births
Jimmie
Dale Gilmore
(1945)
Dale Gilmore
(1945)
Livewire