In 1924, WLS aired the National Barn Dance for the first time. At that time the station was owned by Sears, and the announcers included George D. Hay, who became a legend at The Grand Ole Opry on WSM.
In 1939, Bill Rice was born in Datto, Arkansas. Although he charted six songs on the country charts, he became famous as a songwriter, and is connected with many major country hits, including "Here Comes The Hurt Again", "Someone To Give My Love To", "Lonely Too Long", "I'll Think Of Something", "I'm Not That Lonely Yet", "Would You Take Another Chance On Me", "The Easy Part's Over", "The Day The World Stood Still", "Ain't She Something Else", and "Wonder Could I Live There Anymore". He is often associated with his songwriting partner Jerry Foster, as most times Foster would write the lyrics while Rice would do the music and arrangement.
In 1940, songwriter Bobby Russell was born in Nashville, Tennessee. Though he was a singer, too, he is most famous for his songwriting credits, having written "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia", for his then wife, Vickie Lawrence, "Little Green Apples", and "Honey".
In 1963, banjo phenom Wendy Holcombe, who was on the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree at age twelve, and then the Grand Ole Opry a week later, was born in Alabaster, Alabama.
In 1969, "Galveston", by Glen Campbell, began a three week run at the top of the charts.
In 1980, Crystal Gayle was atop the charts with "It's Like We Never Said Goodbye".
In 1986, Ricky Skaggs took "Cajun Moon" to the top of the charts.
