In 1896, William Roy Hardison was born in Maury County, Tennessee. He was the banjo picker for the Old Time Country group known as the Gully Jumpers, allegedly given that name by the Solemn Old Judge of the Grand Ole Opry, George D. Hay. They supposedly cut the first record recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.
In
1926, Sue Thompson was born in Nevada, Missouri. She was married to
both Dude Martin and Hank Penny, and among her hits are "Sad Movies
(Make Me Cry)" and "Norman".
In 1937, George Hamilton IV was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "The International Ambassador of Country Music" was known to all of our friends for his devotion not only to spreading the music that we love around the world, but he regularly contributed of his time to the Hank Williams Festivals in Georgiana, Alabama.
In 1939, country singer and dj Billy Parker was born in Okemah, Oklahoma. He won many awards for his radio shows.
In 1944, Commander Cody was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He and his Lost Planet Airmen were a cross between Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, Tex Williams, Bob Will's Playboys, and a forerunner of Asleep at the Wheel. They had most of their success on the pop charts.
In 1947, Tex Williams went to Number One with "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)". It owned the spot for sixteen weeks.
In 1952, Carl Smith's first Number One after his marriage to June Carter was "Are You Teasing Me".
In 1966, Johnny Rivers recorded "Poor
Side Of Town". It is one of my favorite crying in my beer jukebox songs
even though I don't drink....
....come to think of it I haven't seen a jukebox in a while, either.
In 1969, "I Love You More Today" took Conway Twitty back to the top of the charts.
In
1969, Kenny Rogers of Kenny Rogers and the First Edition made his first
country chart visit with "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town", written
by Mel Tillis.
In 1975, Lefty Frizzell passed away after suffering a stroke. This Texan was known for being one of the best singer-songwriters and a superb entertainer. He had several Number One hits, and will always be remembered for his style as well as his substance. His influences on real country music are apparent today in the music of George Jones, Merle Haggard, Dwight Yoakum, and in the works of the late Keith Whitley.
In 1975, Conway Twitty was again at the top of the charts with "Touch The Hand". It was the first of two weeks at the top of the charts.
In 1980, "True Love Ways" became a Number One hit for Mickey Gilley.
In 1986, a somewhat forgotten Judy Rodman was on the top of the charts with "Until I Met You". She was hot at this time in the eighties, and she was one of the nicest people off stage. She was gracious if you had the opportunity to meet her at a concert, which we did. She is still active in Nashville as a songwriter.
In 1997, George Strait was atop the charts again with "Carryin' Your Love With Me". It was not only a great song, it was one of the few videos he made, and it was a good piece, also. It carried the top spot on the charts for four weeks.
