In 1934, one of the best songwriters in country music, Sanger "Whitey" Shafer, was born in Whitney, Texas. He has written or co-written many familiar songs, including "Tell Me My Lying Eyes Are Wrong", "That's The Way Love Goes", "I Never Go Around Mirrors", "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind", "All My Exes Live In Texas", and "Lefty's Gone".
In 1952, one of my favorite singer/songwriters, Mark Gray, was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi. As a songwriter, he wrote "Take Me Down", "The Closer You Get", "It Ain't Easy Being Easy", and "Second Hand Heart". As a singer he worked with Exile, before starting on a journey as a soloist, and had a great album called "Magic", which contained many great performances including "It Ain't Real (If It Aint' You), "Wounded Hearts", "Left Side Of The Bed", and "If All The Magic Is Gone".
In 1970, Tammy Wynette was atop the charts with "Run, Woman, Run".
In 1981, Country Charlie Pride was at Number One on the charts with "I've Never Been So Loved (In All My Life)".
In 1983, Kirk McGee, of the McGee Brothers, passed away. The McGee Brothers were one of the most respected and most enduring acts on the Grand Ole Opry, with Kirk's performances lasting for well over sixty years. He and his brother, Sam, were both proficient instrumentalists on anything that had strings.
In 1987, Eddy Raven took some Cajun flavor to the top of the charts with "Shine, Shine, Shine".
Friday, October 19, 2012
October 23 in Country Music History
In 1956, Dwight Yoakum was born in Pikeville, Kentucky.
In 1968, Junior Bryant, fiddler, mandolin player, and vocalist, and also one of the two founding members of Ricochet, was born in Pecos, Texas.
In 1965, Johnny Wright took "Hello, Vietnam" to the top of the charts.
In 1978, country music lost one of the members of the Carter family, and perhaps the most influential performer in country music's past, as it transformed from folk and mountain music to what we know as country music. Mother Maybelle Carter will forever be remembered for her contributions with the Carter Family, both with A.P. and Sara, and then with her daughters, Helen, June, and Anita.
In 1982, Ronnie Milsap was atop the charts with "He Got You".
In 1993, George Strait took "Easy Come, Easy Go" to the top of the charts for a two week stay.
In 2001, Rusty Kershaw, guitarist, fiddler, and vocalist and former member of the Kershaw Brothers, AND Doug and Rusty, passed away from a heart attack.
In 1968, Junior Bryant, fiddler, mandolin player, and vocalist, and also one of the two founding members of Ricochet, was born in Pecos, Texas.
In 1965, Johnny Wright took "Hello, Vietnam" to the top of the charts.
In 1978, country music lost one of the members of the Carter family, and perhaps the most influential performer in country music's past, as it transformed from folk and mountain music to what we know as country music. Mother Maybelle Carter will forever be remembered for her contributions with the Carter Family, both with A.P. and Sara, and then with her daughters, Helen, June, and Anita.
In 1982, Ronnie Milsap was atop the charts with "He Got You".
In 1993, George Strait took "Easy Come, Easy Go" to the top of the charts for a two week stay.
In 2001, Rusty Kershaw, guitarist, fiddler, and vocalist and former member of the Kershaw Brothers, AND Doug and Rusty, passed away from a heart attack.
October 22 in Country Music History
In 1955, depending on the reporting agency, Webb Pierce and Eddy Arnold were both at the top of the charts with their hits, "Love Love Love", and "That Do Make It Nice", respectively.
In 1966, Buck Owens was atop the charts with "Open Up Your Heart".
In 1977, "Heaven's Just A Sin Away", by the Kendalls, was in the middle of a four week run at the top of the charts.
In 1983, supergroup Alabama was at the top of the charts with "Lady Down On Love", one of their best ballads.
In 1988, Tanya Tucker went to the top of the charts with "Strong Enough To Bend".
In 1966, Buck Owens was atop the charts with "Open Up Your Heart".
In 1977, "Heaven's Just A Sin Away", by the Kendalls, was in the middle of a four week run at the top of the charts.
In 1983, supergroup Alabama was at the top of the charts with "Lady Down On Love", one of their best ballads.
In 1988, Tanya Tucker went to the top of the charts with "Strong Enough To Bend".
Monday, October 15, 2012
October 21 in Country Music History
In 1915, one of the premier producers in Nashville for many years, Owen Bradley, who produced Patsy Cline, Jan Howard, Loretta Lynn, and Mandy Barnett among many others, was born in Westmoreland, Tennessee.
In 1932, Roy Nichols, one of the best guitarists in the world, was born in Chandler, Arizona. He was lead guitarist for Merle Haggard for more than two decades.
In 1935, Malachi King Street, better known as Mel Street, was born in Grundy, Virginia. Mel, who took his own life, was a major influence on George Jones and George Strait, as well as many others. He is one of the best country performers who never had a Number One Hit, even though he had an impressive collection of great songs.
In 1978, Mel Street committed suicide on his forty third birthday. We lost one hell of a great country singer.
In 1978, Dave and Sugar went to the top of the charts with "Tear Time".
In 1989, Ricky Van Shelton sat atop the charts with "Living Proof".
In 1995, Garth Brooks was on the top of the charts with "She's Every Woman". Country music had certainly taken a fall from the great songs of the past.
In 1932, Roy Nichols, one of the best guitarists in the world, was born in Chandler, Arizona. He was lead guitarist for Merle Haggard for more than two decades.
In 1935, Malachi King Street, better known as Mel Street, was born in Grundy, Virginia. Mel, who took his own life, was a major influence on George Jones and George Strait, as well as many others. He is one of the best country performers who never had a Number One Hit, even though he had an impressive collection of great songs.
In 1978, Mel Street committed suicide on his forty third birthday. We lost one hell of a great country singer.
In 1978, Dave and Sugar went to the top of the charts with "Tear Time".
In 1989, Ricky Van Shelton sat atop the charts with "Living Proof".
In 1995, Garth Brooks was on the top of the charts with "She's Every Woman". Country music had certainly taken a fall from the great songs of the past.
October 20 in Country Music History
In 1908, singer/songwriter/actor Stuart Hamblen was born in Kellyville, Texas. Among the great hits that he wrote are included "It Is No Secret (What God Can Do)", which was inspired by a John Wayne comment on his spiritual conversion, and "This Ole House", both standards in the gospel field.
In 1913, Louis Marshall, known better as Grandpa Jones, was born in Niagara, Kentucky.
In 1925, Carolina Cotton, also known as the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell, was born in Cash, Arkansas. Not only was she an actress in many Westerns, but she performed with greats like Hank Penny, Eddy Arnold, Bob Wills, the Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Acuff, Spade Cooley and many others.
In 1937, Wanda Jackson was born in Maud, Oklahoma. She still performs on a regular basis as she is remembered as one of the pioneers of rock and roll, and also has done country with such greats as Buck Owens.
In 1979, "All The Gold In California" started a two week run at the top of the charts for Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.
In 1983, Merle Travis died at his home from a heart attack. He was one of the finest singers, songwriters, and super guitarists of all times. He is credited with writing "Sixteen Tons" as well as many other popular hits.
In 1984, "I Don't Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)" went to the top of the charts for Conway Twitty.
In 1913, Louis Marshall, known better as Grandpa Jones, was born in Niagara, Kentucky.
In 1925, Carolina Cotton, also known as the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell, was born in Cash, Arkansas. Not only was she an actress in many Westerns, but she performed with greats like Hank Penny, Eddy Arnold, Bob Wills, the Sons of the Pioneers, Roy Acuff, Spade Cooley and many others.
In 1937, Wanda Jackson was born in Maud, Oklahoma. She still performs on a regular basis as she is remembered as one of the pioneers of rock and roll, and also has done country with such greats as Buck Owens.
In 1979, "All The Gold In California" started a two week run at the top of the charts for Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.
In 1983, Merle Travis died at his home from a heart attack. He was one of the finest singers, songwriters, and super guitarists of all times. He is credited with writing "Sixteen Tons" as well as many other popular hits.
In 1984, "I Don't Know A Thing About Love (The Moon Song)" went to the top of the charts for Conway Twitty.
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