COUNTRY HISTORY

Today in 1975, B.J. Thomas found his way to the top of the Billboard country chart with one of country music's longest song titles: "(Hey Won't You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song." Today…

Today in 1960, Loretta Lynn debuted on the charts with "Honky Tonk Girl." Today in 1970, Johnny Cash graced the cover of “TV Guide.” Today in 1972, the original Country Music Foundation Library and Media Center was dedicated…

Today in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" entered the national country chart. By the next week it will have made its debut on the national pop chart. It eventually sold six million…

Today in 1949, Hank Williams, Sr. made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry. He sang “Lovesick Blues” and got an unprecedented six encores. Ironically, Opry bigwigs had been reluctant to book him at first,…

Today in 1966, Roy Orbison's first wife, Claudette, was killed in a motorcycle crash near Nashville. As a result, he stopped writing songs for years. His shutdown was complicated by the fact that two of their three…

Today in 1964, Buck Owens’ “Together Again” took him to #1 again on the Billboard country chart. Today in 1970, Conway Twitty rose to #1 on the Billboard Country chart with “Hello Darlin.” Today in 1980, the…

Today in 1980, The John Travolta movie “Urban Cowboy” premiered. It includes music by Kenny Rogers, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Anne Murray, The Eagles, The Charlie Daniels Band, Jimmy Buffet, Bonnie Raitt, Linda Ronstadt, and J.D.…

Today in 1982, Alabama held their first ever June Jam in their hometown of Fort Payne, Alabama. More than 30,000 attended the charity concert near the high school, where the hometown band shares the stage…

Today in 1949, an eighth grader named Elvis Presley got his report card – he scored an "A" in language, but only a "C" in music. Today in 1972, Donna Fargo topped the country music charts with…

Today in 1973, Tanya Tucker's “What's Your Mama's Name?” album was released. Today in 1984, Willie Nelson & Julio Iglesias' duet, "To All The Girls I've Loved Before," was certified gold. Today in 1986, "Whoever's In New England"…