In 1940, singer-songwriter Johnny Russell was born in Moorhead, Mississippi. He also played the guitar and was most well known for his songwriting capabilities as captured on "Act Naturally", and for his twenty eight charted records. His most popular hit was "Rednecks, White Socks and Blue Ribbon Beer".
In 1956, one of our favorite songwriters and bluegrass musicians, Harley Allen, was born in Dayton, Ohio. He was a very successful songwriter, and he won two Grammy Awards for his work on the "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack. He passed away in 2011 from lung cancer.
In 1965, Sonny James began a four week run at the top of the charts with "You're The Only World I Know".
In 1982, Conway Twitty was enjoying a Number One record with, and on a, "Red Neckin' Love Makin' Night".
In 1988, Ronnie Milsap was at Number One with "Where Do The Nights Go".
In 1993, Randy Travis was atop the charts with my favorite of his songs, though there are many great ones to choose from, "Look Heart, No Hands".
In 1993, Wayne Raney, who worked as a harmonica player, a recording artist, an entertainer, a producer, and a record label owner, died of cancer. He charted three hits, with one of them being a Number One, "Why Don't You Haul Off And Love Me". He sold millions of harmonicas and was the major force behind the popularity of them, due to his marketing of them.
In 1993, Thomas Dorsey died of Alzheimer's disease. He wrote many gospel standards, including "Peace In The Valley" and "Take My Hand Precious Lord".
