COUNTRY HISTORY

Today in 1962, the single, "Can't Help Falling In Love," by Elvis Presley was certified gold. Today in 1967, Barbara Mandrell and Navy pilot, Ken Dudney, were engaged. Today in 1974, "Sunshine On My Shoulders" by…

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 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 1926, country instrumentalist great "Mother" Maybelle Addington joined the Carter Family when she married Ezra Carter. Today in 1956, Singer/songwriter Harley Allen was born in Dayton, Ohio. He wrote Alan Jackson’s “Between The Devil…

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,…

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…