COUNTRY HISTORY

Today in 1944, Eddy Arnold held his first recording session at the WSM radio studios in Nashville. He recorded his first hit, “Each Minute Seems A Million Years,” and his first version of “The Cattle Call.”…

Today in 1977, the “Elvis Country” album by Elvis Presley was certified gold. Today in 1987, George Strait's “Ocean Front Property” album was certified platinum. Today in 1992, Brooks & Dunn’s “Brand New Man” album…

Today in 1963, Dottie West debuted on the charts with the single, "Let Me Off at the Corner." Today in 1978, Kenny Rogers' album, "The Gambler," was certified gold. Today in 1982, the album, "Heaven's Just A Sin…

Today in 1959, "The Battle Of New Orleans" won Song of the Year for composer Jimmy Driftwood and Best Country & Western Performance for Johnny Horton during the second annual GRAMMY Awards. Today in 1960, "Are…

Today in 1925, WSM first broadcast the radio show "Barn Dance," the program that eventually became the Grand Ole Opry. Today in 1964, Connie Smith's debut single, "Once A Day," landed at #1 position on the Billboard…

Today in 1973, Charlie Rich earned his first gold album with, “Behind Closed Doors.” Today in 1980, William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys stopped trimming his beard. Today in 1993, Joe Diffie joined the Grand Ole…

Today in 1972, the "Garden Party" single by Ricky Nelson was certified gold. Today in 1973, Charlie Rich’s single, “Behind Closed Doors,” topped the country singles chart – it was also his first top 20 pop chart…

Today in 1984, Suzy Bogguss moved to Nashville from Illinois. Today in 1986, Lorrie Morgan married Keith Whitley. Today in 1990, Garth Brooks and Patty Loveless road floats down Broadway in New York during the…

Today in 1955, in a deal engineered by Colonel Tom Parker, RCA Records bought Elvis Presley's contract and master tapes from Sam Phillips' Sun Records for $35,000. The papers were signed at the Sun Recording Studio…

Today in 1961, “Big Bad John” took Jimmy Dean to #1 on the Billboard country chart. Today in 1974, Dierks Bentley was born in Phoenix, Arizona. His career debuted in 2003. Today in 1986, ex-smoker Chet Atkins was…