COUNTRY HISTORY

Today in 1967, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened for business. Today in 1978, Crystal Gayle's "Ready For The Times To Get Better" hit #1 on the country charts. Today in 1979, drummer Mark…

Today in 1960, Tootsie's Orchid Lounge opened in Nashville. The lounge became a nightclub for Grand Ole Opry members during the Opry's Ryman Auditorium years. Today in 1968, Glen Campbell got a big break. CBS announced that…

Today in 1981, Hank Williams Jr.’s “Texas Women” hit #1 on the Billboard country chart. Today in 1992, Reba McEntire hit the top of the Billboard charts with “Is There Life Out There.” Today in 2001, the “O…

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 1956, Carl Perkins got into a car accident, breaking his collarbone. Today in 1958, 8-year-old Hank Williams Jr. made his stage debut in Swainsboro, Georgia. His father, the late country singer Hank Williams, passed…

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…