In 1908, Paul Howard, leader of the Arkansas Cotton Pickers, was born in Midland, Arkansas.
In 1938, singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Kirby was born in Brady, Texas. He wrote many hit songs, with "Is Anybody Going To San Antone" being one of the biggest. He also wrote "What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana?" recorded by Merle Haggard and Charlie Louvin. He played as a session guitarist and regular touring guitarist for many of the best acts in Country Music. He had a pure country pedigree, his uncle being Big Bill Lister who played with Hank Williams.
In 1958, Bela Fleck, banjo virtuoso, was born in New York City, New York. He is one of the most technically proficient banjo players in the business.
In 1960, "Hawk" Shaw of BR-549 was born in Topeka, Kansas. The drummer is one of the original members of this "retro" group, that has often been spotted at Roberts on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1961, Queen of Country Music Kitty Wells was at Number One with "Heartbreak U.S.A". This was the third and last Number One for the lady also known for being the wife of Johnny Wright, but she had 35 Top Ten, and 61 Top Forty records. This Hall of Fame member broke through with her recording of "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" in 1952.
In 1965, Ken Mellons was born in Kingsport, Tennessee. He had one major hit, but, in the minds of Takinthecountryback.com staffers, was one of the most underrated of all Country artists in the last twenty years. He wrote and recorded many great country songs. Any one of his first three albums is worthy of a listen if you like stone cold country mixed with a little "Joe Diffy" type honky-tonk thrown in. George Strait recorded his "Honk If You Honky-Tonk".
In 1976, "The Door Is Always Open" went to Number One for Dave and Sugar. Dave Rowland was a member of the Stamps Quartet, known for backing Elvis, and always with two ladies as a backing group, Sugar, this combination was one of the most talented acts in the late 70s having three Number Ones and many more charted hits. They were part of an all RCA tour that consisted of Charlie Pride and Ronnie Milsap that was one of the biggest draws of its time, playing to sell out crowds everywhere.
In
1980, Burt Hutcherson, guitarist for the Gully Jumpers, an early
traditional music group that played the Opry, passed away at the tender
age of 86.
In 1982, Janie Fricke went to Number One with "Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby". It was the second of nine Number Ones for this talented lady that, with EmmyLou Harris, this writer feels is one of the two most talented females to perform during the seventies and eighties.
In 1993, John Anderson knew that a Number One hit was like "Money in the Bank".
In 2001, Marizona Robinson, widow of Marty Robbins, died in Brentwood, Tennessee. Marty used to proudly introduce her as "My Woman,
My Woman, My Wife".
