July 5 in Country Music History

In 1915, Guy Willis of the Willis Brothers was born in Alex, Arkansas. The Brothers were to become a popular recording act and stars of many of the ensemble music productions of their day, and as the Oklahoma Wranglers were on the Grand Ole Opry and the Ozark Jubilee among others. Their biggest hit was "Give Me Forty Acres And I'll Turn This Rig Around". Having driven Peterbilts with 53 foot Utility reefer trailers, I can certainly relate to this.

In 1939, around this date, the Grand Ole Opry moved to the War Memorial Auditorium, where it stayed for about four years.

In 1954, Elvis cut his first two-sided disc for Sun and Sam Phillips, with Scotty Moore on lead, and Bill Black on bass. Those first two cuts were "That's Alright, Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". Bill Monroe loved his rendition of "Blue Moon Of Kentucky". 

In 1969, "Statue of a Fool" became a Number One hit for the Jolly Greene Giant, Jack Greene. 

In 1975, Tanya Tucker scored another chart topper with "Lizzie and the Rainman".

In 1980, George Jones went to Number One with what many consider the best Country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today". It was written by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock. This song is from the perspective of a friend of someone who never got over a love for a lady that never came back again. Often overlooked is a song from the deceased's point of view written by Bobby Braddock, and entitled "Over You". I do know that if you play them back to back, you get a great picture of a "'til death do us part" kind of love. 

In 1980, John Conlee debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1986, "Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)" by Dan Seals turns out to be a golden record. Written by Dan Seals and Bob McDill, it was Seals' third straight Number One record. He would go on to have nine straight Number Ones, and eleven total chart toppers.

In 2003, Loretta Lynn hosted the opening of her new museum at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. If you haven't seen it, you need to do so. I think it is one of the best.