March 23 in Country Music History

1870: Fiddler John Carson is born on this day in Fannin County, Georgia. Carson would later become the first “hillbilly” artist to play on the radio.

1970: Merle Haggard is #1 on the US Country Chart with The Fightin’ Side of Me.

1981: Dolly Parton is at #1 on the Country Charts with 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs.

1986: American country singer Brett Eldredge signs to Atlantic Records Nashville.

1990: Ricky Van Shelton is at #1 on the Country Charts with his third album RVS III.

2006: American singer/songwriter Cindy Walker dies at the age of 87.