In 1909, songwriter Arthur Q. Smith was born in Griffin, Georgia. He was one of the greatest of songwriters, but also an alcoholic, and sold his songs for little or nothing to fund his habit. I hope one day we find out how many people "wrote" songs that really were written by Smith.
In 1919, Cousin Jody Summey was born in Sevierville, Tennessee. He was a comedy accomplice of the team of Lonzo and Oscar, and appeared many times on the Grand Ole Opry with his dobro.
In 1935, Tom Brumley was born to singer, composer, and publisher Albert Brumley in Stella, Missouri. He was best known as a great steel guitar player, who was a member of the Buckaroos in the heyday of that band's days as a backing group to Buck Owens. Not only did he work with Owens, but he also did a decade with Rick Nelson, and worked with the Desert Rose Band. He did work on many albums, also.
In 1944, Little Miss Dynamite, Brenda Lee, was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the Country Music Hall Of Fame.
In 1946, Tony Brown, pianist and producer, was born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He started out in the gospel field, moved to join J.D. Sumner and the Stamps, and as they became Elvis male backing group, he became pianist. Later he moved to EmmyLou Harris's Hot band, then on to Nashville with Rodney Crowell, and his Cherry Bombs. When he became the label head at MCA, he produced one of the finest rosters of talent ever assembled, including George Strait, Mark Chesnutt, Vince Gill, Keith Harling, and Gary Allan.
In 1949, Fiddlin' John Carson, one of the earliest, if not the earliest, recorded country musicians, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia. He was one of the best fiddlers of all times, and was one of the links between roots music and country music.
In 1976, Johnny Duncan was "Thinkin' Of A Rendevous" at the top of the charts, with a little assistance by background vocalist, Jane Fricke.
In 1982, The Bellamy Brothers hit the top spot singing about a "Redneck Girl".
In 1993, Tracy Lawrence was at Number One with "My Second Home".
