In 1914, popular WLS radio announcer and talented musician Donald "Red" Blanchard was born in Pittsville, Wisconsin.
In 1922, singer-songwriter Lawton Williams was born in Troy, Tennessee. He is best known for writing the hits "Fraulein", a Number One for Bobby Helms, "Farewell Party", a hit for Gene Watson, "Geisha Girl", a hit for Hank Locklin, "Color of the Blues", a hit for George Jones, and "Shame on Me", Bobby Bare's first charted country hit.
In 1926, Marion Garner, country music entertainer and bass player, was born in Arkansas. In his day, bass players had to be entertainers, usually comedians, and he was one of the best, touring with the likes of Hank Williams, Sr., Patsy Cline, and Red Foley. He was a very popular member of the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Texas.
In 1926, The Crook Brothers started appearing on what was to become known as the Grand Ole Opry. That night on the WSM Barn Dance started a sixty two year run on the Opry for these talented and beloved performers on the show that would become the premier radio show in the world.
In 1936, song writing legend Max D. Barnes was born. He wrote "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes", a hit for George Jones, "Drinkin' and Dreamin'" performed by Waylon Jennings, "If You're Gonna Do Me Wrong (Do It Right)" for Vern Gosdin, as well as "Way Down Deep", "Chiseled in Stone", "Look At Us", "Don't Take
It Away", "Thank God For The Radio", "Drinkin' and Dreamin", "Joe Knows
How To Live", "Ten Feet Away", "Do You Believe Me Now", "I Won't Need You Anymore", "Let Go Of The Stone",
and "Storms Of Life".. He was born in Hardscratch, Iows, grew up in Nebraska, and had a forty year career as a tunesmith. I believe he definitely earned that word, "legend".
In 1957, Pam Tillis, singer, songwriter, and member of the Grand Ole Opry, was born in Plant City, Florida. Tillis was a major force on the charts in the nineties, but she also is a great songwriter, having written songs recorded by many major stars.
In 1971, "Bright Lights, Big City" became a chart topper for the Southern Gentleman, Sonny James. He had twenty three Number Ones, forty three Top Tens, and over sixty Top Forty country hits.
In 1982, Alabama was at Number One on the Country charts with "Take Me Down".
