April 3 in Country Music History

In 1928, Country Music Hall of Fame legend Don Gibson was born in Shelby, North Carolina.  He is a legend for both his singing, and songwriting ability. 

In 1942, Billy Joe Royal was born in Valdosta, Georgia.

In 1948, The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. Among the stars on the first show were The Bailes Brothers, Johnny and Jack, Kitty Wells, Shot Jackson, and Horace Logan. The price of admission was 60 cents for adults, 30 cents for children, and it stayed the same for eleven years. The Grand Ole Opry certainly has had the stars, but in its era, the Louisiana Hayride made most of them stars before they set foot on the Opry stage. 

Also in 1948, Eddie Arnold's "Anytime" went to Number One, where it stayed for nine weeks on one edition of the charts.   It was the first totally new hit for the year, as Eddy had also held the top spot for twenty one weeks with his last hit, "I'll Hold You In My Heart(Till I Can Hold You In My Arms".  for most of the time between November of 1947, and the debut of this hit at Number One.

In 1950, Curtis Stone, son of Cliffie Stone, was born in North Hollywood, California. Curtis was bass player for Highway 101. 

In 1961, Spade Cooley murdered his wife, ending for the most part a brilliant career for the band leader who was probably as famous as Bob Wills.

In 1975, EmmyLou Harris' band, The Hot Band, debuted in San Francisco, California.

In 1976, Freddy Fender scored a Number One with "You'll Lose A Good Thing".

In 1982, The Oak Ridge Boys went to Number One with "Bobbie Sue".