In 1908, Country Music Hall Of Fame member Bill Carlisle was born in Wakefield, Kentucky. He is probably remembered best for his Grand Ole Opry appearances, which were filled with great music and a lot of humor. As the leader of the family group he helped found, the Carlisles, he had a good career on the charts with a Number One, "No Help Wanted", and several Top Tens, including "Rainbow at Midnight", "Too Old To Cut The Mustard", "Knothole", and three others.
In 1920, Little Jimmy Dickens was born in Bolt, West Virginia. Though he had a Number One hit, and several Top Tens in his career, it was his skill as an entertainer, combining his music with comedy, that has made him an enduring favorite of country music fans. He always tried to help, in the manner of Ernest Tubb, newer acts to attain stardom. He has been a member of the Hall of Fame since 1982, and was a longtime member of the Grand Ole Opry, starting in 1948.
In 1945, John McEuen, American folk musician and entertainer, was born in Oakland, California. Although he is best known for his part in the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, he is a solo artist, with many recorded works, and has performed with many, many other big stars in his career.
In 1947, one of the most versatile female artists, and perhaps THE best female artist to record in country music was born in South Whitley, Indiana. Janie Fricke began her career as a jingle and commercial ad singer, then became a background vocalist for many of the top acts in Nashville. When she recorded a string of hits as a backup to Johnny Duncan, she became the female singer that everybody wanted to have on their recordings. In addition to Duncan, she sang on great recordings with Charlie Rich, Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, and others, then became a star after Billy Sherrill started producing her records. Among our favorites are "You Don't Know Love" , "Don't Worry 'bout Me Baby", and "It Ain't Easy Bein' Easy'", though she has many chart toppers and Top Tens that are worthy of mention.
In 1952, Hank Williams played his last SCHEDULED appearance at the Skyline Club in Austin, Texas. Reportedly 800 people showed up to see his act in a venue that normally seated 250, and he put on a three hour show, that was a crowd pleaser. Less than two weeks later, Hank would be found dead in the back seat of his Cadillac in Oak Hill, Virginia.
In 1953, TakinTheCountryBack hero and friend Hank Locklin was amidst a three week run at the top of the charts with "Let Me Be The One".
In 1970, "Coal Miner's Daughter", the signature song of Loretta Lynn, and an autobiographic song about her life, became a Number One hit. Later, she wrote a book, and there was a successful movie of the same name.
In 1981, Steve Wariner was atop the charts with "All Roads Lead To You".
In 1985, Johnny Paycheck shot and injured a man in a Hillsboro, Ohio lounge. He served twenty two months as a result of his conviction.
In 1987, K.T.Oslin celebrated her first career Number One record with "Do Ya'".
In 1992, Alan Jackson again was atop the charts with "She's Got The Rhythm (And I Got The Blues".
In 1999, Grand Ole Opry member Marion Worth died in Nashville, Tennessee from the effects of emphysema. She charted several times, had a charting record with George Morgan, and had a great career as an entertainer.
