May 25 in Country Music History

In 1893, Pop Stoneman was born in Monorat, Virginia.  His Stoneman Family would become one of the pioneering acts in recorded country music, courtesy of the Bristol Sessions, even though he had been recorded by Ralph Peer prior to these history making moments. 

In 1936, Tom T. Hall was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. Though a songwriter first, he charted fifty four hits as a singer, with seven of them being Number One hits.  His biggest hit was "The Year That Clayton Delaney Died". 

In 1947, Jessi Colter was born in Phoenix, Arizona.  The First Lady of Outlaw is a singer, songwriter, and pianist who has been on the singles charts thirteen times, with her biggest hit being "I'm Not Lisa", a Number One.  She also was one of the artists on the first platinum album in country music, "The Outlaw", that featured Waylon (her husband) Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Tompall Glaser, as well as herself.

In 1949, producer Don Cook was born in San Antonio, Texas.  He has written several top songs, and has produced many hits, since going to Nashville to sign with Acuff-Rose Music as a songwriter.  His first Number One was "Lady Lay Down", by John Conlee.  He co-wrote "Brand New Man" for Brooks and Dunn, and produced thirteen of their Number One hits.  

In 1968, "Honey" by Bobby Goldsboro went to Number One on the charts.  It held the spot for three weeks. 

In 1974, singer-songwriter Melba Montgomery went to Number One with "No Charge".  It was her only Number One hit, but she certainly was a great singer and songwriter. 

In 1985, Charly McClain went to Number One with "Radio Heart". It would be her last of three Number One records, but she charted many more hits.  In fact, she charted almost forty times in her career. 

In 1991, Doug Stone went to Number One with "In A Different Light".

In 1995, Dick Curless, The Baron of Country Music died. He was a beloved singer of trucking songs, who performed with an eyepatch.  He charted twenty two times, with his biggest hit being the legendary "A Tombstone Every Mile".

In 2005, tunesmith Ben Peters passed away in Nashville, Tennessee.  Charley Pride recorded forty or more of his compositions, with several of them being Number One hits.  He is known for "Before The Next Teardrop Falls", "Turn The World Around", "Kiss An Angel Good Mornin'", "It's Gonna Take A Little Bit Longer", "Love Put A Song In My Heart", "More To Me", "Daytime Friends", and "You're So Good When You're Bad", among many, many others.