June 1 in Country Music History

In 1886, Elsie McWilliams, sister-in-law of Jimmie Rogers, and cowriter of many of his songs, was born in Mississippi.

In 1915, Country Music Hall of Fame member Johnny Bond was born in Enville, Oklahoma. He was very popular in the forties, and had seven Top Ten hits.  He wrote "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight" which may be the best song ever written that did not go to Number One. In fact, I don't think it ever made the charts. Somebody give this song the ride it deserves.

In 1920, Esmereldy, The Streamlined Hillbilly aka Verna Sherrill, and mother of Amy Holland(wife of Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers), was born in Middleton, Tennessee.

In 1925, Jimmie Dale Warren of the Sons of the Pioneers was born in Kentucky.

In 1926, Andy Griffith, talented actor, singer, and musician, was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina. I happened to catch his Opry performance at the Ryman Auditorium, and he was awesome.

In 1935, Hazel Dickens, bluegrass pioneer, was born in West Virginia.

In 1941, talented singer-songwriter-guitarist Wayne Kemp was born in Greenwood, Arkansas.

In 1953, The Lonestar State welcomed the birth of Ronnie Dunn.

In 1974, Ronnie Milsap scored a Number One with "Pure Love".

In 1985, Conway Twitty took "Don't Call Him A Cowboy" to Number One on the Billboard Charts.

In 1991, Alan Jackson released the four million selling "Don't Rock The Jukebox".

In 1991, Diamond Rio took "Meet In The Middle" to Number One on the charts.  It stayed there for two weeks. 

May 31 in Country Music History

In 1922, Vic Willis of the Willis Brothers was born in Oklahoma.  The Willis Brothers were most famous for "Give Me Forty Acres(To Turn This Rig Around" in 1964, a Top Ten hit. 

In 1938, Donald Eugene Lytle, aka Donnie Young, aka Johnny Paycheck, was born in Greenfield, Ohio.  Paycheck charted sixty hits, with "Take This Job And Shove It" being his only Number One hit, but he had ten more Top Ten hits, and many Top Forty hits.  His name was synonymous with Country Music, as he played with some of the most famous performers in Country Music, including George Jones, Ray Price, Faron Young, and Porter Wagoner.  His life's story also read like a great country song.  Ms. Liz, Miss Erin, and I saw his last performance at Fan Fair in 1997, when they had to tote him out on stage sitting on a stool, and he had to phrase his words, then gulp oxygen, in order to sing.  He still did a great job.  I still get choked up when I hear "Old Violin". 

In 1954, Paul Franklin, steel guitarist of note, was born in Detroit, Michigan. He has played on a lot of hits. 

In 1969, Tammy Wynette took "Singing My Song" to Number One on the charts.  It stayed there for two weeks. 

In 1975, John Denver took "Thank God I'm A Country Boy" to Number One on the charts.

In 1977, Lloyd Perryman of the Sons fo the Pioneers died in Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

In 1980, Ronnie Milsap took "My Heart" to the top of the charts.  It occupied the top spot for three weeks. 

In 1986, Reba McIntyre went to the top spot on the charts with "Whoever's in New England".

In 1991, Lib Hatcher, Randy Travis' manager, became his wife, as well.  They are now divorced. 

May 30 in Country Music History

In 1909, Lewis Crook, of the Crook Brothers, was born in Castalian Springs, Tennessee.  They were major Grand Ole Opry stars. 

In 1926, fiddle virtuoso and legend Johnny Gimble was born near Tyler, Texas.  He has been the CMA musician of the year many times, and is a legend in Texas Swing music, having even played with The Texas Playboys of Bob Wills. 

In 1942, publishing and producing great Tom Collins was born in Lenoir, Tennessee.

In 1960, Grand Ole Opry member Mike Snider was born in Gleason, Tennessee. He is one of the finest comedians and instrumentalists to hit the Opry stage.

In 1964, Wynonna Judd, nee Christina Claire Ciminella, was born in Ashland , Kentucky.

In 1966, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean were married in Georgia.

In 1981, the  Oak Ridge Boys went to Number one with "Elvira". Did you know that Kenny Rogers and the First Edition had this same number on their "Tell It All, Brother" album. There were some great cuts on that First Edition album, but this wasn't one of them.

In 1987, The Oak Ridge Boys went to Number One with "It Takes A Little Rain(To Make Love Grow)".

May 29 in Country Music History

In 1965, "This Is It", by Jim Reeves, reclaimed the Number One spot on the charts.  It stayed there a total of three weeks.

In 1971, "I Won't Mention It Again", by Ray Price, began its last of three weeks at the top of the charts.  

In 1976, Johnny Cash had a Number One Hit and apparently a new car. He got it "One Piece At A Time". It stayed there for two weeks.  There really was a car built for this song, and the accompanying video.  It used to sit at the House of Cash. 

In 1982, Waylon and Willie were at the top of the charts with "Just To Satisfy You", for the second week. 

In 1993, John Michael Montgomery began his third, and last, week at the top of the charts with "I LoveThe Way You Love Me". 

May 28 in Country Music History

In 1945, Honky-tonk singer Gary Stewart was born in Letcher County, Kentucky.  He charted thirty hits, with his biggest hits being "She's Actin' Single(I'm Drinkin' Doubles)", "Out Of Hand", and "Drinkin' Thing", all three of which are classic honky tonk songs. 

In 1956, Jerry Douglas, renown dobro, resonator, and lap steel player, was born in Warren, Ohio. 

In 1956, Brent Rowan, probably the most popular guitar session player of the last twenty years, was born in Waxahachie, Texas. 

In 1983, Merle Haggard was atop the charts with "You Take Me For Granted". 

In 1994, Tim McGraw went to the top of the charts with "Don't Take The Girl".  It stayed there for two weeks.