In 1887, fiddler Eck Robertson was born in Delaney, Arkansas. He is reputed to have been the first to record country music, as he laid down his first tracks for Victor in 1922.
In 1930, Curly Putman, one of the greatest country songwriters of all time, was born in Princeton, Alabama. He is associated with "Green, Green Grass Of Home", "My Elusive Dreams", "He Stopped Loving Her Today", "D-I-V-O-R-C-E", "Do You Wanna Go To Heaven", "It's A Cheating Situation", and "Smooth Sailing", among many other hits.
In 1947, Joe Walsh was born in Wichita, Kansas. Whatever else can be said about him, he is definitely one of the best guitarists in the world.
In 1961, Jimmy Dean knocked "Walk On By" by Leroy Van Dyke off the top spot for two weeks with "Big Bad John", and then watched as Van Dyke continued what eventually ended up as a nineteen week run at the top of the charts.
In 1965, Jimmy Dickens scored his only Number One with "May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose". It stayed there for two weeks.
In 1971, "Daddy Frank(The Guitar Man) became the ninth Number One hit for Merle Haggard.
In 1975, Dierks Bentley was born in Phoenix, Arizona.
In 1977, Josh Turner was born in Hannah, South Carolina.
In 1982, T.G. Shepard went to the top of the charts with "War Is Hell (On The Homefront Too)".
In 1993, Mark Chesnutt spent a week at the top of the charts with "Almost Goodbye". Mark is definitely a true country music honky tonk hero, and was one of the most underappreciated, though best, country artists of his time.
