July 6 in Country Music History

In 1940, Jeannie Seely was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania. She is known as "Miss Country Soul", and had a Number One hit, "Don't Touch Me" penned by the late Hank Cochran. She also wrote Faron Young's Number One hit,"Leavin' and Sayin' Goodbye". Well known for her unique singing voice, she was the first female to host a portion of the Grand Ole Opry, and is still known today for her membership on the Opry, and for being the beautiful lady she is, heart, body, and soul.

In 1974, Anne Murray went to the top of the charts with her version of "He Thinks I Still Care".

In 1985,Exile was at Number One with "She's A Miracle".

In 1985, Johnny Russell joined the Grand Ole Opry. He was one of the most popular members of the Opry, known for writing "Act Naturally", singing "Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer", and doing a comedy routine in which his 300 pound person wears a bright shirt and asks the audience, "Can You See Me Now?"

In 1991, Alan Jackson claimed the top spot on the charts with "Don't Rock The Jukebox".

In 1998, Roy Rogers, King of the Cowboys, died in Apple Valley, California. Roy Rogers was inducted into the Hall of Fame as both a solo artist, and as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers. Born Leonard Slye, he was a movie star, TV star, singing star, and songwriter. Even as late as 1991, he had a hit album of duets entitled "Tribute".

In 2001,Johnny Russell, Opry member, was buried in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The Pallbearers were Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Jim Ed Brown, Billy Walker, Porter Wagoner, Jack Greene and Little Jimmy Dickens. He is entombed next to his card playing buddy, Sheb Wooley.

In 2003, Skip Battin, member of the Byrds and also the Flying Burrito Brothers passed away in Silverton, Oregon from Alzheimers disease.

July 5 in Country Music History

In 1915, Guy Willis of the Willis Brothers was born in Alex, Arkansas. The Brothers were to become a popular recording act and stars of many of the ensemble music productions of their day, and as the Oklahoma Wranglers were on the Grand Ole Opry and the Ozark Jubilee among others. Their biggest hit was "Give Me Forty Acres And I'll Turn This Rig Around". Having driven Peterbilts with 53 foot Utility reefer trailers, I can certainly relate to this.

In 1939, around this date, the Grand Ole Opry moved to the War Memorial Auditorium, where it stayed for about four years.

In 1954, Elvis cut his first two-sided disc for Sun and Sam Phillips, with Scotty Moore on lead, and Bill Black on bass. Those first two cuts were "That's Alright, Mama" and "Blue Moon of Kentucky". Bill Monroe loved his rendition of "Blue Moon Of Kentucky". 

In 1969, "Statue of a Fool" became a Number One hit for the Jolly Greene Giant, Jack Greene. 

In 1975, Tanya Tucker scored another chart topper with "Lizzie and the Rainman".

In 1980, George Jones went to Number One with what many consider the best Country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today". It was written by Curly Putman and Bobby Braddock. This song is from the perspective of a friend of someone who never got over a love for a lady that never came back again. Often overlooked is a song from the deceased's point of view written by Bobby Braddock, and entitled "Over You". I do know that if you play them back to back, you get a great picture of a "'til death do us part" kind of love. 

In 1980, John Conlee debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1986, "Everything That Glitters (Is Not Gold)" by Dan Seals turns out to be a golden record. Written by Dan Seals and Bob McDill, it was Seals' third straight Number One record. He would go on to have nine straight Number Ones, and eleven total chart toppers.

In 2003, Loretta Lynn hosted the opening of her new museum at Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. If you haven't seen it, you need to do so. I think it is one of the best.

July 3 in Country Music History

In 1946, Johnny Lee was born in Texas City, Texas. Through his appearance in Urban Cowboy, he was to have a recording career that netted him five Number One records. "Lookin' For Love" was a crossover pop hit as well as Number One country hit, and, though some "critics" deny it, this song and all of his hit records have become classic country hits. He, in real life, performed at Gilley's, the setting for "Urban Cowboy" for many years. Having met him several times, I think he is one of the most underrated performers in country music. 

In 1958, Aaron Tippin was born in Pensacola, Florida, with Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden's grandfather being the attending physician. Aaron has always sung about the middle class guy, and the patriotic people among us.

In 1968, John Maddox of Maddox Brothers and Sister Rose passed away.

In 1993, Allison Kraus joined the Grand Ole Opry.

In 2001, Johnny Russell, singer, songwriter, and comedian, passed away after a long battle with diabetes. As a singer he was best known for "Rednecks, White Socks, and Blue Ribbon Beer". As a songwriter, he had his first success on the flip side of Jim Reeves' "He'll Have To Go", and when on to write the ever popular "Act Naturally", which is a story of its own, and "Let's Fall To Pieces Together" recorded by George Strait. He also was the first one to record probably the greatest song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today".

In 2001, Roy Nichols, all-time great guitarist, passed away. Aside from being a well known television personality in Bakersfield, Roy played with the Maddox Brothers and Rose, Buck Owens, Wynn Stewart, and for around twenty years with Merle Haggard as the first member of the Strangers. He is probably the most influential guitarist in Country Music.

In 1982, "Any Day Now" by Ronnie Milsap was the Number One Country song in the US.

In 1993, Garth Brooks was atop the charts with "That Summer".

In 2007, saxophonist Boots Randolph passed away. He was most famous for "Yakety Sax", which he wrote, but worked on many recordings, and made forty or more albums of his own. His sax can be heard on Elvis Presley's "Return to Sender", Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman", and the great Brenda Lee hits, "I'm Sorry" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree". Here at Takinthecountryback.com we still remember his night club in Nashville, Tennessee.

July 2 in Country Music History

In 1916, Ken Curtis, also known as Festus on "Gunsmoke", was born Curtis Wain Gates in Lamar Colorado. Many forget that Ken was also a featured singer in the Sons of the Pioneers, and actually took Frank Sinatra's place in the Tommy Dorsey Band, and was a great actor in movies prior to landing his "Gunsmoke" role. In fact, he was a guest star in "Gunsmoke" several times before he was cast as Festus, and he worked in several John Wayne movies. How we miss him and Ruth.

In 1919, Fred Maddox of Maddox Brothers and Rose was born in Boaz, Alabama. 

In 1923, Janette Carter, daughter of A.P. and Sara Carter and member of the Carter Family, was born in Maces Springs, Virginia. She was the last of the second generation of the Carter to pass on from this life. She was also known for establishing the Carter Fold entertainment theater. It was our pleasure to enjoy a night of entertainment, and to meet her just shortly before her death.

In 1925, Marvin Rainwater was born in Wichita, Kansas. He is known for his 1957 hit "Gonna Find Me A Bluebird" which went to Number Three on the charts.

In 1966, "Think of Me" went to Number One. It was the eleventh Number one for Alvis Edgar Owens, Jr., also known as Buck.

In 1977, Donna Fargo was at the top of the charts with "That Was Yesterday".

In 1982, Deford Bailey, first superstar of the Grand Ole Opry, passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. Though known as the "Harmonica Wizard", he was also proficient on guitar, banjo, and mandolin, and was also known to play the fiddle, but not as well as the other instruments. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

In 1983, Don Williams was on a roll with "Love Is On a Roll". It was his fourteenth chart topper, and he certainly deserved induction into the Hall of Fame. Those Williams boys still mean a lot to me, Both Hanks, Don, and Tennessee.

In 1988, Tanya Tucker hit the Number One spot with "If It Don't Come Easy". At this time in her career, things were coming easy for Tanya as she was near the top with everything she sang, solo or otherwise.

July 4 in Country Music History

In 1826, Stephen Foster was born in Lawrenceville, Pennsylvania. (Lawrenceville is now a part of Pittsburgh. He wrote many songs that have survived the test of time. "Oh, Susanna", "Camptown Races", "My Old Kentucky Home", "Beautiful Dreamer", and my favorite Foster song, "Old Folks At Home" also known as "Swannee River".

In 1903, Charlie Monroe, older brother of Bill Monroe and pioneering bluegrass singer and musician, was born in Rosine, Kentucky.

In 1933, Baker Knight, songwriter, was born in Birmingham, Alabama. Two of his biggest hits were "The Wonder of You" made most famous by Elvis Presley, and "Don't The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time" by Mickey Gilley.

In 1937, Grand Ole Opry member Ray Pillow was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. He is one of the best pure country singers in the country today, though he gets very little credit for his singing ability. One of the reasons I still love the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1970, Tammy Wynette was at Number One with "He Loves Me All The Way".

In 1976, "All These Things" was a Number One for Joe Stampley.

In 1981, Barbara Mandrell has a career Number One single, "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" with a little of George Jones help.

In 1987, Earl Thomas sat atop the charts with "That Was A Close One".

In 1992, Wynonna sat atop the charts with "I Saw The Light".

In 1996, Arlie Duff, best known as the writer of "Ya'll Come" passed away while playing golf.