In 1934, Merle Kilgore was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. Merle worked on the Big D Jamboree before becoming a guitarist on the Louisiana Hayride, where he befriended Johnny Horton and Hank Williams. He went on to become a well known songwriter and wrote "More and More" "When You Get On The Whiskey (Let Somebody Else Drive)" "Wolverton Mountain", and co-wrote "Ring of Fire" with cousin June Carter. He also was a major force with Hank Williams Jr. and his hit making machine in the 70s and 80s, and managed Bocephus for many years.
In
1947, Bonnie Campbell joined soon-to-be husband Buck Owen's band. She
later married Buck, then Merle Haggard, and was probably as much of the
Merle Haggard sound as Don Rich was of the Buck Owens sound.
In 1969, "All I Have To Offer You Is Me" went to Number One for Charlie Pride.
In 1975, Freddy Fender went to the top of the charts with "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights".
In 1975, Asleep at the Wheel made a chart debut with "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read", which is still the only single recorded by them that has made the Top Ten.
In 1980, Mickey Gilley went to Number One with the old pop standard "Stand By Me".
In
1986, "Storms of Life" by Randy Travis went to Number One on the album
charts. It is absolutely one of the best albums of all time.
In 1986, The Judds were "Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain", and atop the charts.
In 2005, Hal Rugg,steel guitarist, passed away. Hal played on many great recordings and was a steel guitarist on the Grand Ole Opry for sixteen years. He also was the director of music on many programs including the Statler Brothers TV program.
