June 6 in Country Music History

In 1885, Gid Tanner of the Skillet Lickers was born in Thomas Bridge, Georgia.

In 1943, Joe Stampley was born in Springhill, Louisiana.  He has charted sixty two times, with four of them going to the Number One spot on the charts.  He also has credit for fourteen additional Top Ten records.  His biggest hits were "Soul Song", "All These Things", a duet with Moe Bandy, "Just Good Ol' Boys", and "Roll On Big Mama". 

In 1944, D-Day, Grant Turner debuted as Grand Ole Opry announcer.

In 1953, after his death, Hank Williams scored a Number One again with "Take These Chains From My Heart".   This hit occupied the top spot for four weeks. 

In 1955, singer-songwriter Curtis Wright was born. 

In 1964, Buck Owens added another Number One to his collection with "Together Again".  It owned the spot for two weeks. 

In 1970, "Hello, Darlin'" became a Number One and a fan favorite for Conway Twitty.  This signature tune stayed at the top of the charts for four weeks. 

In 1973, Lisa Brokop was born in Canada. Though she charted six times, this talented performer never received the break she needed.

In 1981, Razzy Bailey scored a chart-topper with "Friends", one of his five chart toppers. 

In 1987, Dan Seals went to Number One on the charts with "I Will Be There". 

In 1984, Lorrie Morgan, daughter of George Morgan, joined the Grand Ole Opry. 

June 5 in Country Music History

In 1943, The Grand Ole Opry moved from War Memorial Auditorium to the Ryman Auditorium, where it would stay until 1974. 

In 1945, Don Reid of the Statler Brothers was born in Staunton, Virginia. That's what the book says. I was just wondering how he got to be a member of the Class of '57 at age twelve. (I always thought Harold was the smart one).

In 1948, Patricia Gail Dickerson, aka Gail Davies, was born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. A major part of the "Caught In The Webb" tribute, she is one of the unsung greats in our industry. She put over twenty hits on the charts, with many of them being Top Ten hits.  Not only is she a major talent, she is a very nice lady who always has time for the fans

In 1948, Eddie Arnold went to the top spot on the charts with "Bouquet of Roses". He owned this spot from November 1,1947 until January 22, 1949, with "I'll Hold You In My Heart (Till I Can Hold You In My Arms", "Anytime", "Bouquet of Roses", "Texarkana Baby", "Just A Little Lovin" (Will Go A Long Way", and "A Heart Full Of Love(For A Handful Of Kisses)", with Jimmy Wakely being the only other artist to hold the position with "One Has My Name(The Other Has My Heart)" for eleven weeks.  By the way, on other charts, his "Texarkana Baby" was Number One on this date. 

In 1965, The Tennessee Plowboy, Eddy Arnold, scored a Number One with "What's He Doing In My World". 

In 1967, Lonzo Sullivan of Lonzo and Oscar passed away.

In 1971, Lynn Anderson began a two week stint at the top of the charts with "You're My Man".  With sixty charted hits, five of which were Number Ones, and thirteen more Top Tens, she certainly deserves respect as a country music artist.  

In 1972, Big John graduated from Milton High School, despite the fact that he rarely showed up for classes.  He has sung on TV, sponsored concerts, worked as a promoter, worked in artist management, and worked with his daughter in Takingthecountryback.com.  

In 1980, "Urban Cowboy" premiered in Houston, Texas. 

In 1982, T.G. Sheppard had a Number One, "Finally". Actually it was one of fourteen chart toppers for this star who peaked in the 80s.

In 1993, Toby Keith hit Number One with "Should've Been A Cowboy". Sometimes I wish he had been. 

In 1993, Country Music Hall of Famer Conway Twitty died in Missouri from an aneurysm.  Conway had an astounding forty Number One country hits, and another thirty five Top Ten hist, from a total of ninety seven charted country hits.  No wonder he was called "The Best Friend A Song Ever Had". 

June 4 in Country Music History

In 1910, Ruby Owens, aka Texas Ruby, was born in Wise County, Texas.

In 1924, actor Dennis Weaver was born. Known especially for his appearances as Chester on Gunsmoke, and "McCloud", he was also passionate about his country music, having appeared in a Trio along with Amanda Blake and Milburn Stone that broke attendance records, and also was host of the syndicated show, "Country Top Twenty" which also featured Frizzell and West at the very first of their career as solo and duet stars.

In 1929, The Midnight Cowboy, Bill Mack, was born in Shamrock, Texas.  He also was a talented singer and songwriter, as well as a tv host, who probably is most famous for hosting Buck Owen's syndicated show.  He wrote several big hits, including "Drinking Champagne", "Blue", and the great gospel standard, "Clinging To A Saving Hand". 

In 1937, Pee Wee King debuted on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1937, Baldemar O. Huerta, aka Freddy Fender, was born in San Benito, Texas. He charted twenty one hits in his career, which also was filled with acting and stints as a member of major bands, including the Texas Tornadoes and Los Super Seven.  Among his hits were four of the most well known hits in country music, all Number Ones:  "Before The Next Teardrop Falls", "Wasted Days And Wasted Nights", "Secret Love", and "You'll Lose A Good Thing".  Having met this fantastic entertainer, I remember him as a very gracious, and appreciative person.  We once watched two shows, and he mingled with the crowds, signed autographs, posed for pictures, and even danced with many of the ladies.  He was much like Gene Watson in this respect. 

In 1974, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner performed as a regular act for the last time on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1982, the first Alabama Jam debuted in Fort Payne, Alabama.

In 1983, Waylon Jennings scored a Number One with "Lucille (You Won't Do Your Daddy's Will)".

In 1988, Earl Thomas Conley clinched the top spot on the charts with "What She Is (Is A Woman In Love).

In 1994, early Grand Ole Opry star Zeke Clement passed away in Nashville.

In 2001, the talented John Hartford passed away.  He was a singer, songwriter, TV star, and musician, who could play many instruments, although he was most famous for his ability as a guitarist and banjo player.  He wrote "Gentle On My Mind", which gave him the financial independence to enjoy his life in the entertainment business.  I can still remember him walking around at Fan Fair at the old State Fairgrounds.  He was quiet, and unassuming, even though he was one of the most talented people in the world. 

June 3 in Country Music History

In 1914, Curly Williams was born in Cairo, Georgia. He wrote "Half As Much", made famous by Hank Williams. 

In 1927, Boots Randolph was born in Paducah, Kentucky.  He is famous for his "Yakety Sax". 

In 1948, Too Slim of Riders in the Sky was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Riders in the Sky is known for writing, scoring movies, and their two Grammy awards. 

In 1949, Hank Williams said good bye to the Louisiana Hayride audience before moving up to the Grand Ole Opry. 

In 1967, Bakersfield Sound pioneer and Missouri Country Music Hall of Famer Wynn Stewart went to Number One on the charts with the top song of his career: "It's Such A Pretty World Today".  It held the position for two weeks. 

In 1972, the sunshine shined on Donna Fargo and her Number One hit "The Happiest Girl In The Whole USA". It stayed there for three weeks.

In 1989, Steve Wariner went to Number One with "Where Did I Go Wrong".

In 1994, Grand Ole Opry member Wally Fowler passed away. 

In 1995, Van Stoneman of the Stoneman Family passed away.

In 2000, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw were arrested in Buffalo, New York. The charges should have been conspiring to be impersonating COUNTRY singers.  However, looking back, they are both more talented than most of the current crop of "country" singers. 

June 2 in Country Music History

In 1927, Carl Butler of Carl and Pearl Butler was born in Knoxville, Tennessee.

In 1958, The Everly Brothers went to Number One on the charts with "All I Have To Do Is Dream".  It stayed there for three weeks.  I wonder how many times Ira Louvin had to rebuild his mandolin listening to them perform this on the Opry? 

In 1984, Ricky Skaggs added a Number One to his collection with "Honey (Open That Door)".

In 1990, Ricky Shelton scored a Number One with "I've Cried My Last Tear For You". 

In 1998, Helen Carter, of the Carter Sisters, and daughter of Mother Maybelle Carter, passed away.