In 1910, Western Swing bandleader and performer Spade Cooley was born in Pack Saddle Creek, Oklahoma. He was probably best known for his recordings of "Shame On You", and "Detour", and the fact that he murdered his wife, served time, and died of a heart attack while on Furlough, after performing a show.
In 1931, country singer Frankie Miller was born in Victoria, Texas. His biggest hits were "Blackland Farmer" and "Family Man". He was a performer on both the Louisiana Hayride AND the Grand Ole Opry. My family and I were privileged to meet him at the Last Ride On The Hayride in 2001, where he performed with many other former members of the Hayride.
In 1933, singer/songwriter Nat Stuckey was born in Cass County, Texas. As a writer, he is remembered for his songwriting skills on "Waitin' In Your Welfare Line", "Sweet Thang", "Pop A Top", and "Diggin' Up Bones", not to mention the many commercial ads that he did on radio and tv for the biggest, most well known brands. As a singer, he charted many times, but is remembered most for his success with his own song, "Sweet Thang".
In 1953, Sharon White, member of the Whites, and wife of Ricky Skaggs, was born in Wichita Falls, Texas. The Whites are famous for their diverse musical sounds, including roots music, boogie woogie, gospel, old time pop, and country. Though they have placed several albums and singles on the charts, the Whites are mostly known for their contributions to the soundtrack of "O Brother, Where Art Thou", and the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1955, Tennessee Ernie Ford began a ten week run at the top of the charts with "Sixteen Tons".
In 1956, bassist and session musician Roy Huskey, Jr. was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He was the son of another great bassist, and is one of the most influential bass players, AND one of the most naturally talented of musicians in the history of country music. He also is remembered for his eccentric personality.
In 1966, Tracy Byrd was born in Vidor, Texas. He is one of the many country performers of the nineties that became expendable when the powers of country music decided to take country's name to a new genre, which is nothing more than bad bubblegum pop. Tracy is not stranger to the country music charts, having taken many hits there in his time, with many of them being in the Top Ten, and "Holdin' Heaven", and "Ten Rounds With Jose Cuervo" both holding the top spot.
In 1983, John Anderson was atop the charts with his comedy hit, "Black Sheep".
In 1988, Restless Heart was enjoying success at the top of the charts with "A Tender Lie".
In 1994, Joe Diffie began a four week run at the top of the charts with "Pickup Man", which insured that he will always be remembered as one of the best honky-tonk singers of country music.
In 1999, cowboy, actor, singer, songwriter, and all around performer Rex Allen died in Tucson, Arizona after a massive heart attack and the added trauma of accidentally being run over by an automobile, after the heart attack. As a country and western singer he was best known for his two hits, "Crying in the Chapel" and "Don't Go Near The Indians".
