COUNTRY HISTORY

Today in 1956, Elvis’ first single, "Heartbreak Hotel" was released. Today in 1979, Johnny Horton recorded “The Battle of New Orleans.” Today in 1973, Tom Hall reached #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with “(Old Dogs-Children And)…

Today in 1947, Hank Williams wrote the song “I Saw The Light.” Today in 1979, "The Dukes Of Hazzard,” starring Tom Wopat, John Schneider and Catherine Bach, debuted on CBS. Waylon Jennings narrated the show and…

Today in 1982, Kenny Rogers won three trophies in pop and country at the American Music Awards. Willie Nelson, Barbara Mandrell, Anne Murray, and The Oak Ridge Boys also won country awards. Today in 1988, Randy Travis…

Today in 1953, Hank Williams’ “I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive” was #1 on the charts, several weeks after his death. Today in 1981, Dolly Parton’s “9 To 5” reached the top of the…

Today in 1969, Elvis Presley recorded the song “Suspicious Minds” at the American Studios in Memphis. Today in 1987, “Whoever’s in New England” by Reba McEntire became a gold album. Today in 1990, the album “Killin’ Time” by…

Today in 1971, Jerry Lee Lewis makes his Grand Ole Opry debut – and broke two promises: that he wouldn’t sing rock & roll, and wouldn’t swear. The set list included "Another Place, Another Time,"…

Today in 1974, Tom T. Hall tops the Billboard country singles list with his own list of favorite things, "I Love.” Today in 1990, Reba McEntire's first movie, the sci-fi picture "Tremors," debuts, with Kevin Bacon in…

Today in 1986, Dan Seals' nostalgic "Bop" goes to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart. Today in 2001, inaugural celebrations for President George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., included performances by Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Lee…

Today in 1972, a section of Memphis' Highway 51 South was renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard. The road passes in front of Graceland. Today in 1973, Epic released Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors” Today in 1976, "Country Boy…

Today in 1953, Bill Monroe suffered 19 broken bones in a head-on collision on Highway 31 near White House, Tennessee. He still managed to get out of the car and pull another passenger, Bessie Lee Mauldin,…