In 1976, Eddie Rabbit was at Number One with "Drinkin' My Baby (Off My Mind).
In 1982, Conway Twitty was atop the charts with "The Clown".
In 1992, Western Swing Legend Hank Penny passed away. Though his career began in the Southeast, his name became synonymous with Great Western Swing, as he always surrounded himself with the best musicians he could find. His greatest hit was "Won't You Ride In My Little Red Wagon", and he also founded the Palomino Club in North Hollywood, California, which was given the distinction as being the most important Country and Western venue on the West Coast. That club was featured in a number of movies, including "Every Which Way But Loose" and "Any Which Way You Can".
In 2004, a Takinthecountryback favorite, Dave Kirby passed away from the effects of cancer. Being the nephew of Big Bill Lister, who at one time fronted Hank Williams Drifting Cowboy Band, he was a guitarist who played for some of the greatest touring acts, including Porter Wagoner and Waylon Jennings, and worked as a session guitarists for Dolly
Parton, Merle Haggard, Janie Fricke, Ringo Star, Emmylou Harris,
Don Williams, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Crystal Gayle, Wynn
Stewart, Ray Price, Moe Bandy, Ronnie Milsap, Connie Smith and
Kenny Price. He also contributed greatly to country music as a writer, having penned "Is Anybody Going To San Antone?", "What Have You Got Planned Tonight, Diana?", "There Ain't No Good Chain Gang", and "Memories To Burn", among many others. At his death, he was married to Leona Williams, a singer, songwriter, and star herself. Dave was a very nice, humble man, who didn't toot his own horn, but, having met him, and seen him in concert many times, I believe there should be a special place in the Country Music Hall of Fame for the performers and writers who really are the backbone of country music.
In 2007, heralded songwriter Glen Sutton passed away. He wrote or co-wrote many of Tammy Wynette's biggest songs including "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad", "Take Me To Your World", "I Don't Wanna Play House", "The Ways To Love A Man", and "Kids Say The Darndest Things". He also received a Grammy for his "Almost Persuaded". Also, as a producer, he produced many of Lynn Anderson's greatest hits, including "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden. He did not write "Rose Garden", but wrote several of her Number One hits. As I mentioned in the previous item, he deserves to be in a special niche of the Country Music Hall of Fame, containing songwriters, musicians, and others who have greatly added to the rich history of traditional and classic country music.
