May 12 in Country Music History

In 1901, The Duke of Paducah, Whitey Ford, was born.

In 1921, Joe Maphis was born in Suffolk, Virginia.  The King Of Strings was known for his abilities on almost anything that had strings, but he is remembered for his big double necked Mosrite guitar that now rests in the Country Music Hall of Fame.  All of the Cash and Carter family adored him and his status as a virtuoso on his Mosrite guitar, and actually picked out his grave site, and helped cover his grave.  Quite a tribute, I would say.

In 1937, producer Bob Montgomery was born in Lampasas, Texas.  He did some of his best work as the producer for some of Vern Gosdin's albums.

In 1942, Billy Swan was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.  He is known for being multi-talented, playing drums, guitar, bass, and keyboards, and for his work as a singer, songwriter, producer, and backing musician.  He will  be remembered for all the work he did with some of the biggest names in music, including Bill Black, Kris Krisofferson, Randy Meisner, and  Elvis Presley, but the biggest memory will always be his Number One hit, "I Can Help", which he made in two takes, and played the organ which Kris Kristofferson and his then wife, Rita Coolidge, had given him as a wedding gift.  He also will be remembered as the producer of the Tony Joe White classic, "Polk Salad Annie".

In 1951, Hank Williams took "Cold, Cold Heart" to Number One on the charts.  

In 1955, Kix Brooks was born in Shreveport, Louisiana.

In 1965, Eddie Kilgallon of Ricochet was born in New York.

In 1973, Roy Clark scored a Number One with "Come Live With Me".  

In 1979, Conway Twitty went to the top spot on the charts by begging and singing "Don't Take It Away".

In 1984, Julio Iglesias and Willie Nelson went to Number One with "To All The Girls I've Loved Before".  It was atop the charts for two weeks. 

In 1990, Travis Tritt went to Number One on the charts with "Help Me Hold On".