COUNTRY HISTORY

Today in 1965, Roger Miller’s “King Of The Road” hit the #1 spot on the Billboard country singles chart. Today in 1971, Conway Twitty & Loretta Lynn’s “After The Fire Is Gone” reached #1 in Billboard. Today…

Today in 1952, A Grand Ole Opry troupe featuring Hank Williams, The Carter Sisters, and Roy Acuff appeared on "The Kate Smith Show" show. Today in 1955, the single "Ballad of Davy Crockett" topped the U.S. charts.…

Today in 1939, "Billboard" magazine introduced the hillbilly chart, which has since become the country music chart. Today in 1950, Hank Williams charted what would be come the number one single "Long Gone Lonesome Blues." Today in…

Today in 1958, Private Elvis Presley was sworn into the U.S. Army. Thousands of fans wept the following day when his hair was cut by James Peterson. Elvis quipped, "Hair today, gone tomorrow." His salary…

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 1984, The Judds made their first large-venue appearance opening for the Statler Brothers at an arena in Omaha. Today in 1993, George Strait’s “Heartland” topped the Billboard charts at #1. Today in 1998, Steve Wariner gave…

Today in 1953, Tex Ritter performed the theme to “High Noon” at the Academy Awards. “Do Not Forsake Me,” became the first country title to win the Oscar for Best Original Song. Today in 1957, Elvis Presley…

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, a 13-year-old Tanya Tucker entered a studio…

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…