July 8 in Country Music History

In 1924, legend has it that Uncle Dave Macon cut his first record.

In 1926, electric guitar pioneer and Western swing guitarist Bill Carson was born in Meridian, Oklahoma. He is credited with designing the Fender Stratocaster, and worked for Fender Guitars for many years.

In 1958, Fred Young of the Kentucky Headhunters was born in Glasgow, Kentucky.

In 1961, Toby Keith was born as Toby Keith Covel in Clinton, Ohio. 

In 1978, Mel Tillis went to Number One on the charts with "I Believe In You".

In 1989, Ricky Skaggs was on top of the charts with "Lovin' Only Me".

In 1997, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith were married on an Indian reservation in North Dakota. Marty had first predicted that he would marry Connie Smith as a youngster.