July 2 in Country Music History

In 1916, Ken Curtis, also known as Festus on "Gunsmoke", was born Curtis Wain Gates in Lamar Colorado. Many forget that Ken was also a featured singer in the Sons of the Pioneers, and actually took Frank Sinatra's place in the Tommy Dorsey Band, and was a great actor in movies prior to landing his "Gunsmoke" role. In fact, he was a guest star in "Gunsmoke" several times before he was cast as Festus, and he worked in several John Wayne movies. How we miss him and Ruth.

In 1919, Fred Maddox of Maddox Brothers and Rose was born in Boaz, Alabama. 

In 1923, Janette Carter, daughter of A.P. and Sara Carter and member of the Carter Family, was born in Maces Springs, Virginia. She was the last of the second generation of the Carter to pass on from this life. She was also known for establishing the Carter Fold entertainment theater. It was our pleasure to enjoy a night of entertainment, and to meet her just shortly before her death.

In 1925, Marvin Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas. He is known for his 1957 hit "Gonna Find Me A Bluebird" which went to Number Three on the charts.

In 1966, "Think of Me" went to Number One. It was the eleventh Number one for Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr., also known as Buck.

In 1977, Donna Fargo was at the top of the charts with "That Was Yesterday".

In 1982, Deford Bailey, first superstar of the Grand Ole Opry, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. Though known as the "Harmonica Wizard", he was also proficient on guitar, banjo, and mandolin, and was also known to play the fiddle, but not as well as the other instruments. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In 1983, Don Williams was on a roll with "Love Is On a Roll". It was his fourteenth chart topper, and he certainly deserved induction into the Hall of Fame. Those Williams boys still mean a lot to me, Both Hanks, Don, and Tennessee.

In 1988, Tanya Tucker hit the Number One spot with "If It Don't Come Easy". At this time in her career, things were coming easy for Tanya as she was near the top with everything she sang, solo or otherwise.