In 1925, Lightnin' Chance, a very talented bass player, both on stage and in the recording studio, was born in Cuomo, Mississippi. He is credited with introducing the Nashville Numbering System to the recording studio.
In 1926, Freddie Hart was born in Loachapoke, Alabama. This talented singer, songwriter, and musician was one of the hottest recording artists in the sixties and seventies, having several monster hits, including "Easy Loving", "My Hang-Up Is You", and "Trip To Heaven". He charted almost fifty hits, performed well into his 80s. He also was a musician with Lefty's Frizzell's band, that earned him his first major recording deal. He is a country music treasure.
In 1943, Albert Lee, one of the best guitarists in music, was born in Leominster, England. He has played with the biggest names in music, including as lead guitarist with Eric Clapton's band. That should speak volumes about his talent.
In 1956, recording artist and slide guitarist Lee Roy Parnell was born in Stephenville, Texas. Though he has never occupied the top spot on the charts, he was a regular visitor to the Top Ten in the prime of his career, and is as talented a slide guitarist as one will ever see. His parents were friends of Bob Wills, and he began his musical career on Will's local radio show at age six.
In 1959, Marty Robbins began a seven week run at Number One with one of his many "career" records, "El Paso".
In 1962, Christy Forester, of the Forester Sisters, was born in Oglethorpe, Georgia. Their heyday was at the time when musical groups were becoming a common thing on country music radio, after several decades of mostly soloists. The Foresters charted twenty times, with fifteen of those being Top Tens, and five of those made it to Number One on the charts.
In 1968, "Wichita Lineman" became a Number One for Glen Campbell. It retained that spot for two weeks.
In 1985, George Strait was atop the charts with "The Chair".
In 1989, John Jacob Bailes, of the Bailes Brothers, passed away.
In 1990, Brooks and Dunn began two weeks at the top of the charts with "My Next Broken Heart".
In 1993, multi-talented musician, singer, songwriter, and comedian Harold Morrison passed away in Springfield, Missouri.
In 2004, songwriter, singer, and performer Mack Vickery died of a heart attack in Nashville, Tennessee. Probably his most well known hit was "The Fireman" as recorded by George Strait, but he wrote, or co-wrote many great songs, and worked with some more of the best writers in country music including Red Lane, Hank Cochran, and Vern Gosdin.
