March 15 in Country Music History

1927: Carl “Mister Country” Smith is born in Maynardville. Smith was the husband of June Carter (later June Carter Cash) and the father of Carlene Carter.

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

1982: Alabama are at #1 on the Country Album Chart with Mountain Music, their award-winning third studio album.

2008: Randy Travis surprises Carrie Underwood on stage of the Grand Ole Opry with an invitation to become the newest member.

2011: Lady Antebellum sit at #1 on the Country Chart with Need You Now, their second studio album.