This day in 1998, Steve Wariner gave his first public performance of “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven” onstage at the Grand Ole Opry.

“Holes in the Floor of Heaven” was co-written and recorded by Steve Wariner. It was released in April 1998 as the lead-off single from his album Burnin’ the Roadhouse Down, and was his first solo single in three years. It peaked at number 2 in both the United States and Canada. The song, written by Wariner with Billy Kirsch, won the award for Song of the Year in 1998 from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Source: Wikipedia

Today in 1984, RCA recording artists The Judds made their first stage appearance, opening for the Statler Brothers in Omaha, Nebraska.

The duo signed to RCA Records in 1983 and released six studio albums between then and 1991. The Judds were one of the most successful acts in country music history, winning five Grammy Awards for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, and eight Country Music Association awards. They also had 25 singles on the country music charts between 1983 and 2000, of which 14 went to No. 1. After eight successful years as a duet, the Judds ceased performing in 1991 after Naomi was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. Soon after, Wynonna embarked on a highly successful solo career. The two have occasionally reunited for special tours, the most recent of which began in late 2010.

In 1983, they got their big break when Naomi convinced a record producer whose child she had cared for as a nurse to come to her home and listen to the act. The producer was “charmed” and the duo was signed by RCA and Curb.

The Judds’ first release for RCA/Curb was an extended play titled Wynonna & Naomi. The release consisted of six songs, two of which were issued as singles to promote it. First was “Had a Dream (For the Heart)”, a song written by Dennis Linde and originally cut by Elvis Presley as the B-side to his 1976 single “Hurt”. The Judds’ rendition was their first entry on the Hot Country Songs charts, where it peaked at No. 17. Next was “Mama He’s Crazy”, written by Kenny O’Dell. In mid-1984, this song became the first of eight consecutive No. 1 singles for the duo on the country music charts, while also earning the duo its first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal the following year.

The Judds’ first full-length studio album, Why Not Me, was issued in 1984. Steve Huey of Allmusic wrote that the album “took its place as a classic of modern country, establishing the Judds as spokeswomen for a new generation of female country music fans.” Three singles were issued from it: the title track, which earned a second Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, followed by “Girls Night Out” and “Love Is Alive”. The album went on to sell a million copies in the United States.

Rockin’ with the Rhythm (1985) accounted for four more singles. First was “Have Mercy”, which held the No. 1 position on Hot Country Songs for two weeks, making it their only song to hold that position for more than a single week. “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Ol’ Days)” came next. Released in February 1985, the song won both a third Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal, along with Grammy Award for Best Country Song, both awarded in 1987. Following these were “Rockin’ with the Rhythm of the Rain” and “Cry Myself to Sleep”.

Source: Wikipedia

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDI8oUYWO48

Today in 2000, “How Do You Like Me Now?!” by Toby Keith began a five-week period at the top of the Billboard country singles chart.

On this day in 1972: 13-year-old Tanya Tucker entered a studio to record her first hit, “Delta Dawn.”

“Delta Dawn” is a song written by former child rockabilly star Larry Collins and songwriter Alex Harvey, best known as a 1972 top ten country hit for Tanya Tucker and a number one hit for Helen Reddy in 1973.

The first recording of “Delta Dawn” was made by Harvey for his eponymous album released in November 1971. Harvey had performed as the opening act for Helen Reddy at the Troubadour, in January 1972, but at that time Reddy (who also was signed with the Capitol Records label) made no connection with any of Harvey’s compositions.

Dianne Davidson sang backup for Harvey’s recording. She was the first singer after Harvey to record the song and chart in 1971–1972.

Tracy Nelson also sang backup on Harvey’s recording, and performed “Delta Dawn” in her live act.

After hearing Tracy Nelson sing it at the Bottom Line in New York City, Bette Midler added the song to her repertoire.

During the time Tanya Tucker’s and Helen Reddy’s recordings of the song were being produced, Bette Midler recorded “Delta Dawn” for her The Divine Miss M debut album, for which her bluesy version was planned as the lead single. Reddy’s single was released June 1973, two days before Midler’s. The preemption required a marketing change for Midler, so the original B-side “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” was shopped to radio, itself becoming a Top Ten hit.

Before Midler’s recording, Nashville-based producer Billy Sherrill heard her sing “Delta Dawn” on The Tonight Show and wanted to sign Midler to Epic Records and have her record it. Upon finding that Midler was already signed to Atlantic Records, Sherrill cut the song with Tanya Tucker, who was newly signed to Epic, and Tucker’s version was released in April 1972; it reached #6 in C&W that spring.

Today in 1974, the first performance from the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland in Nashville, Tennessee, took place. President Richard Nixon helped open the new facility by playing three songs on the piano. He also played with a yo-yo on stage like Opry star Roy Acuff.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeZHCupqwIU