In 1937, Bonnie Brown, of the Browns, was born in Sparkman, Arkansas. The Browns were a group that had several major hits on the pop charts before the group disbanded, except for special occasions. Their biggest hit was "The Three Bells" in 1959, which became a crossover Number One hit on the pop charts as well. The Browns tight harmonies were matched by few, with the Louvins and Browns being masters of family harmony. They performed on the Louisiana Hayride and the Grand Ole Opry as well as many other shows of the day. Bonnie is now retired and lives with her physician husband.
In 1952, guitarist, producer,and musical director Steve Gibson was born in Peoria, Illinois.
In 1954, the Number One song in the land was "One By One" by Kitty Wells and Red Foley.
In 1963, professional
wrestler Chad Brock was born in Ocala, Florida. He did make a tiny
ripple in the waters of country music several years ago.
In 1964, Jim Reeves lost his life in a plane crash in Brentwood, Tennessee. Allegedly, he was trained by the same instructor who trained Randy Hughes who piloted the craft that took the lives of Hughes, Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas. Reeves was already rich from his career and his many shrewd investments, and his voice was to be familiar on the radio charts for almost two decades after his death.
In 1971, Charlie Pride was at the top of the charts with "I'm Just Me".
In 1982, "I Don't Care", a remake of an old Webb Pierce hit written by Pierce and Cindy Walker, went to Number One again, this time for Ricky Skaggs.
In 1987, Kenneth "Thumbs" Carllisle passed away from a heart attack while driving from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Decatur, Georgia. He was a great guitarist who played the lead guitar with it laying across his lap. He played many years with Little Jimmy Dickens and Roger Miller.
In 1996, Willie Lee (Jay) Webb passed away. He was Loretta Lynn's brother, and was also a country music performer.
