Today in 1978, Barbara Mandrell had her first #1 hit on the country charts with “Sleeping Single In A Double Bed.”

Written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, it was the first single from her album Moods. “Sleeping Single In a Double Bed” was Barbara Mandrell’s twenty-sixth chart hit on Billboard magazine’s Hot Country Singles, the first of her six #1 singles on that chart. The single stayed at the top for three weeks (November 1978) and spent a total of eleven weeks in the top 40. In early 1980, the song won an American Music Award for Favorite Country Single.

Today in 2012, Blake Shelton won three trophies during the 46th annual Country Music Association awards, broadcast on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. He takes Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist and shares Song of the Year with Miranda Lambert, for “Over You.”

Today in 1982, Alabama made their first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

Alabama was founded by Randy Owen (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and his cousin Teddy Gentry (bass, backing vocals). They were soon joined by their other cousin, Jeff Cook (lead guitar, fiddle, and keyboards). First operating under the name Wildcountry, the group toured the Southeast bar circuit in the early 1970s, and began writing original songs. They changed their name to Alabama in 1977 and following the chart success of two singles, were approached by RCA Records for a record deal.

Alabama’s biggest success came in the 1980s, where the band had over 27 number one hits, seven multi-platinum albums and received numerous awards. Alabama’s first single on RCA Records, “Tennessee River”, began a streak of 21 number one singles, including “Love in the First Degree” (1981), “Mountain Music” (1982), “Dixieland Delight” (1983), “If You’re Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)” (1984) and “Song of the South” (1988). The band’s popularity waned slightly in the 1990s although they continued to produce hit singles and multi-platinum album sales. Alabama disbanded in 2003 following a farewell tour and two albums of inspirational music but reunited in 2010 and have continued to record and tour worldwide.

The band’s blend of traditional country music and Southern rock combined with elements of bluegrass, folk, gospel and pop music gave it a crossover appeal that helped lead to their success. They also toured extensively and incorporated production elements such as lighting and “sets” inspired by rock concerts into their shows. The band has over 41 number one country records on the Billboard charts to their credit and have sold over 75 million records, making them the most successful band in country music history. AllMusic credited the band with popularizing the idea of a country band and wrote that “It’s unlikely that any other country group will be able to surpass the success of Alabama.”

Today in 1968, Johnny Cash’s “comeback” was complete when his album, “At Folsom Prison,” was certified gold.

‘At Folsom Prison’ is a live album released on Columbia Records in May 1968. After his 1955 song “Folsom Prison Blues”, Cash had been interested in recording a performance at a prison. His idea was put on hold until 1967, when personnel changes at Columbia Records put Bob Johnston in charge of producing Cash’s material. Cash had recently controlled his drug abuse problems, and was looking to turn his career around after several years of limited commercial success. Backed by June Carter, Carl Perkins and the Tennessee Three, Cash performed two shows at Folsom State Prison in California on January 13, 1968. The album consists of fifteen tracks from the first show and two tracks from the second.

Despite little initial investment by Columbia, At Folsom Prison was a hit in the United States, reaching number one on the country charts and the top 15 of the national album chart. The lead single, a live version of “Folsom Prison Blues”, was a top 40 hit, Cash’s first since 1964’s “Understand Your Man”. At Folsom Prison received positive reviews and revitalized Cash’s career, becoming the first in a series of live albums recorded at prisons that includes “At San Quentin” (1969), “På Österåker” (1973), and “A Concert Behind Prison Walls” (1976). The album was re-released with additional tracks in 1999, a three-disc set in 2008, and a five LP box set with bonus rehearsals in 2018 for Record Store Day. It was certified triple platinum in 2003 for US sales exceeding three million.

Today in 1976, Elvis Presley recorded his last hit record, “Way Down,” at his studio in the Graceland Mansion. The raw, unedited version can be found on the album, “Our Memories of Elvis, Vol. II.”

Listen to “Way Down” here