COUNTRY HISTORY

Dixie Chicks were at #1 on the country charts with Home, their sixth studio album. The group was promoting this album when lead singer Natalie Maines made controversial comments about US President George W. Bush. The album's…

Today in 1955, Johnny Cash auditioned for Sam Philips at Sun Records in Memphis. Philips liked “Hey, Porter,” and asked Cash to come back and record the next day, despite passing on most of his other…

Today in 1985, Kris Kristofferson was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in New York. Today in 1989, Ricky Van Shelton hit the top of the Billboard country singles chart with his remake of “From A…

Today in 1956, Elvis Presley got a number one Billboard country single with “Heartbreak Hotel.” Today in 1969, Glen Campbell released both the album and the single “Galveston.” Today in 1972, both hippies and traditional country fans flocked…

Today in 1922, WSB radio in Atlanta was the first radio station to feature country music. Today in 1951, Hank Williams recorded “Hey, Good Lookin’,” “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You),”…

Today in 1966, the late Roger Miller took home six GRAMMY Awards, topping the record he set the year before. Today in 1969, Glen Campbell’s single, "Galveston," entered the Top 40 chart. Today in 1987, Barbara Mandrell was…

Today in 1970, Merle Haggard’s “The Fightin’ Side Of Me” reached #1 on the Billboard country chart. Today in 1972, California Governor Ronald Reagan pardoned Merle Haggard for a 1975 attempted robbery that landed the singer in…

Today in 1969, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs split up after 25 years as a bluegrass duo. Today in 1989, Ronnie Milsap topped the country charts with "Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me?" Today in…

Today in 1973, Tammy Wynette’s “Till I Get It Right” topped the Billboard country singles chart. Today in 1977, “The Best Of The Statler Brothers” album by Statler Brothers was certified gold. Today in 1979, invited by Porter…

Today in 1948, the Nitty Gritty’s drummer and singer Jimmie Fadden was born in Long Beach, California. Today in 1964, the Statler Brothers open for Johnny Cash’s show in Canton, Ohio, when the Man in Black was…