In 1899, the "Harmonica Wizard", DeFord Bailey, was born in Smith County, Tennessee. He was the first superstar to appear on the Opry, and appeared regularly between the years of 1927 and 1941, when a song rights conflict allegedly cost him his job on the Opry. He was most well known for his "Pan American Blues".
In 1932, Charlie Rich was born in Colt, Arkansas. He was discovered by Sam Phillips of Sun Records, and went on to become one of the biggest country stars of all time, having several hits that crossed over to the pop charts in the seventies. He had nine Number Ones, with "The Most Beautiful Girl" atop the country charts for three weeks, and the pop charts for two.
In 1968, Sonny James was atop the charts with "Born To Be With You".
In 1974, Billy Swan went to the top of the charts with his monster career hit, "I Can Help".
In 1985, the underrated Earl Thomas Conley was at Number One with "Nobody Falls Like A Fool".
