Category: News
(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined. CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; RR=country act inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
June 1:
Pat Boone born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1934 (now 81). The legendary pop crooner married Red Foley's daughter Shirley.
Wayne Kemp (NS 99) born in Greenwood, Arkansas, 1941 (now 74)
Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn born in Coleman, Texas, 1953 (now 62)
Elsie McWilliams (NS 79) born in Harperville, Mississippi, 1896 (died 1985)
Lee Allen of the Allen Brothers born in Sewanee, Tennessee, 1906 (died 1981)
Johnny Bond (CM 99, NS 70) born in Enville, Oklahoma, 1915 (died 1978)
Dale Warren of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Rockford, Illinois, 1925 (died 2008)
Andy Griffith born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, 1926 (died 2012)
Hazel Dickens born in Mercer County, West Virginia, 1935 (died 2011)
Jimmy Murphy died (unknown cause), 1981 (was 55)
June 2:
Carl Butler born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 1992)
Helen Carter died in Nashville, Tennessee (gastrointestinal issues), 1998 (was 70)
Adolph Hofner died in San Antonio, Texas (illness), 2000 (was 83)
Weldon Myrick (StG 97) died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 2014 (was 76)
June 3:
Fred "Too Slim" LeBour of Riders in the Sky born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1948 (now 67)
Deke Dickerson born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1968 (now 47)
Jamie O'Neal born in Sydney, Australia, 1968 (now 47)
Curly Williams born in Cairo, Georgia, 1914 (died 1970)
Homer Louis "Boots" Randolph born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1927 (died 2007)
Wally Fowler died at Dale Hollow Lake, Tennessee (heart attack/drowned), 1994 (was 77)
Van Stoneman of the Stoneman Family died in Mufreesboro, Tennessee (Parkinson's disease), 1995 (was 54)
James Alan Shelton died in Kingsport, Tennessee (cancer), 2014 (was 51)
Graceland opens to the public, 1982
The Cincinnati radio show Midwest Hayride begins television broadcasts (on WLW-TV), 1955
June 4:
Bill Mack born in Shamrock, Texas, 1929 (now 86)
Linda Martell born in Leesville, South Carolina, 1941 (now 74). She was the first Black female artist to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.
Texas Ruby Owens born in Wise County, Texas, 1910 (died 1963)
Freddy Fender born in San Benito, Texas, 1937 (died 2006)
Herby Wallace (StG 01) born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1947 (died 2012)
Zeke Clements (NS 71) died in Nashville, Tennessee (post-operative complications), 1994 (was 82)
John Hartford (BG 10) died in Madison, Tennessee (non-Hodgkin's lymphoma), 2001 (was 63)
Alabama's annual "June Jam" concert began in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1982
June 5:
Don Reid (CM 08) born in Staunton, Virginia, 1945 (now 70)
Gail Davies born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, 1948 (now 67)
William "Hopalong Cassidy" Boyd born in Cambridge, Ohio, 1895 (died 1972)
Vaughn Horton (NS 71) born in Broad Top, Pennsylvania, 1911 (died 1988)
Hal "Lone" Pine born in Pea Cove, Maine, 1916 (died 1977)
John "Lonzo" Sullivan died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1967 (was 48)
Conway Twitty (CM 99, NS 93) died in Springfield, Missouri (abdominal aneurysm), 1993 (was 59)
Ronald Reagan died in Los Angeles, California (complications of Alzheimer's disease), 2004 (was 93). While governor of California, the former president signed a full pardon for former convict Merle Haggard.
Don Bowman died in Branson, Missouri (complications of a stroke), 2013 (was 75)
Grand Ole Opry's first performance at the Ryman auditorium, 1943
June 6:
Joe Stampley born in Springhill, Louisiana, 1943 (now 72)
Gid Tanner of the Skillet Lickers born in Thomas Bridge, Georgia, 1885 (died 1960)
Asher Sizemore born in Manchester, Kentucky, 1906 (died 1973)
Charlie Cline of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers born in Gilbert, West Virginia, 1931 (died 2004)
Claudette Orbison, wife of Roy Orbison, died in Gallatin, Tennessee (motorcycle accident), 1966 (was 24)
Grant Turner began his tenure as Grand Ole Opry announcer, 1944
June 7:
Sir Tom Jones born in Treforest, South Wales, 1940 (now 75). The legendary pop/rock singer had a hit with a cover of "Green, Green Grass of Home" in 1967 and hit the country charts with "Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow" in 1977.
Larry Boone born in Cooper City, Florida, 1956 (now 59)
Dean Martin born in Steubenville, Ohio, 1917 (died 1995). The pop crooner recorded two albums of country music on Reprise in the early 60s and sang with Ricky Nelson in the John Wayne classic Rio Bravo in 1969.
Wynn Stewart born in Morrisville, Missouri, 1934 (died 1985)
Courtney Johnson of New Grass Revival died in Glasgow, Kentucky (lung cancer), 1996 (was 56)
June 8:
Vernon Oxford born in Rogers, Arkansas, 1941 (now 74)
Tony Rice (BG 13) born in Danville, Virginia, 1951 (now 64)
Adolph Hofner born in Moulton, Texas, 1916 (died 2000)
Alton Delmore (CM 01, NS 71) died in Huntsville, Alabama (alcohol-related illness), 1964 (was 55)
Roba Stanley died in Gainesville, Florida (unknown cause), 1986 (was 76). She is credited as being the first female solo artist recorded in country music history (1924).
Tommy Perkins of the Texas Playboys died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (car accident), 2003 (was 69)
June 9:
Herb Remington (StG 79) born in Mishawaka, Indiana, 1926 (now 89)
Willard Cox of the Cox Family born in Cotton Valley, Louisiana, 1937 (now 78)
Jamie Dailey of Dailey & Vincent born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1975 (now 40)
Les Paul born in Waukesha, Wisconsin, 1915 (died 2009). In addition to his recordings with wife Mary Ford, Paul invented the solid-body electric guitar and multi-track recording. He also won a Grammy for his album with Chet Atkins, Chester and Lester, in 1976.
June 10:
Thom Schuyler (NS 11) born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1952 (now 63)
Herman Crook of the Crook Brothers died in Nashville, Tennesee (heart attack), 1988 (was 89). Crook was the last surviving member of the original Grand Ole Opry/WSM Barn Dance cast from 1925.
Steve Sanders, who replaced William Lee Golden in the Oak Ridge Boys for 15 years, died in Cape Coral, Florida (suicide), 1998 (was 45)
Ray Charles died in Beverly Hills, California (complications of liver disease), 2004 (was 73). Charles made the country charts in the 80s with duets with George Jones and Willie Nelson, and his ground-breaking 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country Music presented country songs to a wide audience.
June 11:
Jay McDowell of BR-549 born in Bedford, Indiana, 1969 (now 46)
Edwin Duhon of the Hackberry Ramblers born in Lafayette, Louisiana, 1910 (died 2006)
Brother Dave Gardner born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1983)
Jud Strunk born in Jamestown, New York, 1936 (died 1981)
Wilma Burgess born in Orlando, Florida, 1939 (died 2003)
Henry Maddox of the Maddox Brothers & Rose died aboard a mercy flight between Ashland, Oregon and Portland, Oregon (kidney disease), 1974 (was 46)
John Wayne died in Los Angeles, California (stomach cancer), 1979 (was 72). The actor has been referenced in a number of country songs.
June 12:
Junior Brown born in Kirksville, Indiana, 1952 (now 63)
Rebecca Holden born in Austin, Texas, 1958 (now 57)
Penny Jay born in Monteagle Mountain, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2006)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters died in Castalain Springs, Tennessee (heart attack), 1936 (was 61)
J.E. Mainer died (heart attack), 1971 (was 72)
Johnny Bond (CM 99, NS 70) died in Burbank, California (complications from stroke/heart attack), 1978 (was 63)
Winnie Winston (StG 10) died in New Zealand (prostate cancer), 2005 (was 64)
Danny Davis (ne George Joseph Nowlan) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure), 2008 (was 83)
June 13:
Howard Vokes born in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, 1931 (now 84)
Slim Dusty born in Kempsey, Australia, 1927 (died 2003)
Jimmy Dean (CM 10) died in Varina, Virginia (natural causes), 2010 (was 81)
Frances Preston (CM 92) died in Nashville, Tennessee (congestive heart failure), 2012 (was 83)
The Country Music Foundation Library and Media Center opened in the basement of the Country Music Hall of Fame, 1972. The CMF is now on the top floor of the new Hall of Fame building.
June 14:
Burl Ives born in Newton, Illinois, 1909 (died 1995)
Lash LaRue born in Gretna, Louisiana, 1917 (died 1996). The Western actor was the first sidekick to western singer/actor/songwriter Eddie Dean and was mentioned in the Statler Brothers' "Whatever Happened to Randolph Scott."
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman (CM 08) died in Nashville, Tennessee (illness), 1968 (was 75)
Tom Tall died in Los Angeles, California (unknown cause), 2013 (was 75)
Patsy Cline seriously injured in a car accident in Madison, Tennessee, 1961
June 15:
Terri Gibbs born in Miami, Florida, 1954 (now 61)
Blind Alfred Reed born in Floyd, Virginia, 1880 (died 1956)
Tex Owens (NS 71) born in Killeen, Texas, 1892 (died 1962)
Marvin Hughes born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1911 (died 1986)
Leon Payne (NS 70) born in Alba, Texas, 1917 (died 1969)
RCA engineer Bill Porter born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1931 (died 2010)
Bob White (StG 90) born in Jenny Lind, Arkansas, 1932 (died 2003)
Waylon Jennings (CM 01, NS 95) born in Littlefield, Texas, 1937 (died 2002)
Ruby Falls died in Nashville, Tennessee (cerebral hemorrhage), 1986 (was 40)
Hee Haw debuted on CBS as the summer replacement show for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, 1969.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Friday, May 29, 2015
Tomatoes
Category: News/Opinion
Earlier this year Sony Records executive Gary Overton caused a commotion when he told a group of radio programmers in an attempt to overemphasize the importance of commercial radio stations, "If you're not on country radio, you don't exist." He was fired a month later (the official word is it was a "mutual agreement" resignation)...probably not because of what he said but because he let a "trade secret" out. That is the way the mainstream world looks at people from Dale Watson to Wayne the Train the Sturgill Simpson: despite the sold-out concerts they aren't played on the radio so they "don't exist," meaning Nashville's "establishment" doesn't have to deal with people who are still making real, legitimate country music.
Oh, but that's nothing compared to the newest outrage. Keith Hill, a "radio consultant," made comments earlier this week that said country radio stations need to stop playing female singers.
This began in Country Aircheck magazine, where Hill, who states on his web site that he "has unparalleled knowledge of all music scheduling systems" and "brings insight into the strategic strengths and weaknesses of every station in your market," said that country radio stations lose listeners when they play female singers. His advice: "If you want to make ratings in country radio, take the females out." He then moved his foot from his mouth all the way down his throat when he added, "I play great female records, and we've got some right now. They're just not the lettuce in our salad. The lettuce is Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and artists like that. The tomatoes of our salad are the females."
Rising Americana superstar Jason Isbell was blunt in a tweet: "Country music's Idiot of the Year Award snatched away from Gary Overton by Keith Hill." Given how Overton is now in the unemployment line, Isbell added, "Keep those interviews coming!", probably in hopes that Hill will soon join Overton there.
I don't know what's more upsetting: the fact that this guy thinks women country singers are irrelevant or even detrimental to music, or that he uses sexist terminology like "tomatoes" to define women's roles in music in 2015.
Let me be clear on something: I do not call 99% of the garbage they play on country radio today "country music." Having said that, let's look at some facts regarding what is passing for "country music" today. The only million-selling album last year was by a woman who used to be called "country" (Taylor Swift). In 2014 Kacey Musgraves beat out three guys to win the "Country Album of the Year" Grammy for Same Trailer, Different Park. Kevin John Coyne points out in his Country Universe retort that the only person to sell 5 million copies or more of an album in the past 20 years who wasn't a woman was Garth Brooks.
What Keith Hill said is reprehensible, and he shouldn't get a pass for it under any circumstances (and he portrayed himself as a "victim" of "social media"-fueled "emotion" in a feeble attempt to clarify his comments in RadioInk). The bigger issue, however, is the fact that "radio consultants" have a job to begin with.
If radio stations would listen to the individuals who are actually listening to the stations and not some nationally-based numbers cruncher the stations would probably be more diverse and have more listeners. But no, all the stations want to play the same songs every hour on the hour. Most stations no longer have a request line to hear what their listeners want, basically allowing consultant firms to make that decision for them.
They get what they pay for. And what they may be paying for is boycotts of the stations and the advertisers thanks to the ridiculous comments by their high-priced "consultant" who effectively just insulted 50-70% of their listening audience.
Earlier this year Sony Records executive Gary Overton caused a commotion when he told a group of radio programmers in an attempt to overemphasize the importance of commercial radio stations, "If you're not on country radio, you don't exist." He was fired a month later (the official word is it was a "mutual agreement" resignation)...probably not because of what he said but because he let a "trade secret" out. That is the way the mainstream world looks at people from Dale Watson to Wayne the Train the Sturgill Simpson: despite the sold-out concerts they aren't played on the radio so they "don't exist," meaning Nashville's "establishment" doesn't have to deal with people who are still making real, legitimate country music.
Oh, but that's nothing compared to the newest outrage. Keith Hill, a "radio consultant," made comments earlier this week that said country radio stations need to stop playing female singers.
This began in Country Aircheck magazine, where Hill, who states on his web site that he "has unparalleled knowledge of all music scheduling systems" and "brings insight into the strategic strengths and weaknesses of every station in your market," said that country radio stations lose listeners when they play female singers. His advice: "If you want to make ratings in country radio, take the females out." He then moved his foot from his mouth all the way down his throat when he added, "I play great female records, and we've got some right now. They're just not the lettuce in our salad. The lettuce is Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and artists like that. The tomatoes of our salad are the females."
Rising Americana superstar Jason Isbell was blunt in a tweet: "Country music's Idiot of the Year Award snatched away from Gary Overton by Keith Hill." Given how Overton is now in the unemployment line, Isbell added, "Keep those interviews coming!", probably in hopes that Hill will soon join Overton there.
I don't know what's more upsetting: the fact that this guy thinks women country singers are irrelevant or even detrimental to music, or that he uses sexist terminology like "tomatoes" to define women's roles in music in 2015.
Let me be clear on something: I do not call 99% of the garbage they play on country radio today "country music." Having said that, let's look at some facts regarding what is passing for "country music" today. The only million-selling album last year was by a woman who used to be called "country" (Taylor Swift). In 2014 Kacey Musgraves beat out three guys to win the "Country Album of the Year" Grammy for Same Trailer, Different Park. Kevin John Coyne points out in his Country Universe retort that the only person to sell 5 million copies or more of an album in the past 20 years who wasn't a woman was Garth Brooks.
What Keith Hill said is reprehensible, and he shouldn't get a pass for it under any circumstances (and he portrayed himself as a "victim" of "social media"-fueled "emotion" in a feeble attempt to clarify his comments in RadioInk). The bigger issue, however, is the fact that "radio consultants" have a job to begin with.
If radio stations would listen to the individuals who are actually listening to the stations and not some nationally-based numbers cruncher the stations would probably be more diverse and have more listeners. But no, all the stations want to play the same songs every hour on the hour. Most stations no longer have a request line to hear what their listeners want, basically allowing consultant firms to make that decision for them.
They get what they pay for. And what they may be paying for is boycotts of the stations and the advertisers thanks to the ridiculous comments by their high-priced "consultant" who effectively just insulted 50-70% of their listening audience.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
The Midnite Jamboree's Return Slated for June 6
Category: News
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop's web site, which was missing in action for most of April, is back up and running. The headline on the site says that the Midnite Jamboree will resume on Saturday, June 6, with Tubb's nephew Glenn Douglas Tubb hosting.
Other hosts scheduled in the near future, per the site, include Hall of Famer Mel Tillis, Texas honky tonk great Justin Trevino, "the Survivors" (Tony Booth, Darrell McCall, and Curtis Potter), and Gail Davies.
The show will return to WSM, broadcast as usual at midnight. However, the show will be taped, with taping beginning at 10 PM. This may be an attempt to be more "family-friendly" to allow for bigger audiences than what the midnight starting time for a live show would provide.
In addition to the Midnite Jamboree, a special "Heart of Texas Records" show, featuring McCall, Norma Jean, Frankie Miller, Booth, Potter, and Bobby G. Rice, will be held at the Texas Troubadour Theater in July.
I'm thankful the 65-year-old show is coming back, and I hope it is around for another 65 years!
The Ernest Tubb Record Shop's web site, which was missing in action for most of April, is back up and running. The headline on the site says that the Midnite Jamboree will resume on Saturday, June 6, with Tubb's nephew Glenn Douglas Tubb hosting.
Other hosts scheduled in the near future, per the site, include Hall of Famer Mel Tillis, Texas honky tonk great Justin Trevino, "the Survivors" (Tony Booth, Darrell McCall, and Curtis Potter), and Gail Davies.
The show will return to WSM, broadcast as usual at midnight. However, the show will be taped, with taping beginning at 10 PM. This may be an attempt to be more "family-friendly" to allow for bigger audiences than what the midnight starting time for a live show would provide.
In addition to the Midnite Jamboree, a special "Heart of Texas Records" show, featuring McCall, Norma Jean, Frankie Miller, Booth, Potter, and Bobby G. Rice, will be held at the Texas Troubadour Theater in July.
I'm thankful the 65-year-old show is coming back, and I hope it is around for another 65 years!
Friday, May 15, 2015
Dates of Note in Country Music, May 16-31
Category: News
May 29:
Carl Story (BG 07) born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1916 (died 1995)
Danny Davis (ne George Joseph Nowlan) of the Nashville Brass born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1925 (died 2008)
Doc Watson (BG 00) died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (complications from abdominal surgery), 2012 (was 89)
Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family became members of the Grand Ole Opry, 1950
Hank and Audrey Williams divorced, 1952
May 30:
Mike Snider born in Gleason, Tennessee, 1960 (now 55)
Lewis Crook of the Crook Brothers born in Trousdale County, Tennessee, 1909 (died 1996)
Johnny Gimble born in Tyler, Texas, 1926 (died 2015)
Don Wayne (NS 78) born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1933 (died 2011)
Karl Davis of Karl & Harty died in Chicago, Illinois (cancer), 1979 (was 73)
Bobby Harden of the Harden Trio died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2006 (was 70)
May 31:
Vic Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Schulter, Oklahoma, 1922 (died 1995)
Johnny Paycheck (ne Donald Eugene Lytle) born in Greenfield, Ohio, 1938 (died 2003)
Bud Carter (StG 09) born in Sullivan, Missouri, 1931 (died 2015)
William "Red" Rector died in Knoxville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1990 (was 60)
Lloyd Perryman of the Sons of the Pioneers (CM 80) died in Burbank, California (complications of heart surgery), 1977 (was 60)
Jerry Sullivan of the Sullivan Family died in Alabama (illness), 2014 (was 80)
(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined. CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; RR=country performer also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
May 16:
Rick Trevino born in Austin, Texas, 1971 (now 44)
Laura Lee Owens, the "Queen of Western Swing," born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1920 (died 1989)
Wallace Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) died in Washington, Georgia (complications of Parkinson's disease), 2007 (was 78)
Doug Dillard of the Dillards (BG 09) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung infection), 2012 (was 75)
May 17:
Pat Flynn of the New Grass Revival born in Los Angeles, California, 1952 (now 63)
Grant Turner (CM 81) born in Abeline, Texas, 1912 (died 1991)
Paul Warren (BG 13) born in Lyles, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1978)
Arthur Lee "Red" Smiley (BG 92) born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1925 (died 1984)
Penny DeHaven born in Winchester, Virginia, 1948 (died 2014)
Wiley Walker of Wiley & Gene (NS 71) died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (cancer), 1966 (was 54)
New Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum building opened, 2001. Nearly every living Hall of Famer was present at the opening ceremonies, and the audience was treated to a tour of the new facilities for free.
May 18:
Rodney Dillard of the Dillards (BG 09) born in East St. Louis, Illinois, 1942 (now 73)
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1948 (now 67). The Oak Ridge Boys are one of the "class of 2015" Country Music Hall of Fame inductees.
Gary Scruggs born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 66)
Tom Shapiro (NS 08) born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1950 (now 65)
George Strait (CM 06) born in Poteet, Texas, 1952 (now 63)
Leon Ashley born in Newton County, Georgia, 1936 (died 2013)
May 19:
Martha Carson born in Neon, Kentucky, 1921 (died 2004)
Rex Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama, 1938 (died 1983)
Mickey Newberry (NS 80) born in Houston, Texas, 1940 (died 2002)
May 20:
"Lonesome George" Gobel born in Chicago, Illinois, 1919 (died 1991). Although many may remember him as a comedian and regular on Hollywood Squares, one of Gobel's earliest jobs in entertainment was on the WLS National Barn Dance when he was a teenager in the 1930s.
Jack Cash, brother of Johnny Cash, died in Dyess, Arkansas (injuries from accident with table saw), 1944 (was 15)
May 21:
Henry Glover born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1921 (died 1991). The R&B songwriter and pioneering black record company executive co-wrote "Blues, Stay Away From Me" with the Delmore Brothers and Wayne Raney in 1949.
Charlie Poole died in Spray, North Carolina (alcohol-related heart failure), 1931 (was 39)
Billy Walker died in Fort Deposit, Alabama (car wreck), 2006 (was 77)
Vaughn Monroe died in Stuart, Florida (post-operative complications), 1973 (was 61). Among the pop singer's many hits was "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky."
May 22:
Miggie Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) born in Richmond County, Georgia, 1926 (now 89)
May 16:
Rick Trevino born in Austin, Texas, 1971 (now 44)
Laura Lee Owens, the "Queen of Western Swing," born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1920 (died 1989)
Wallace Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) died in Washington, Georgia (complications of Parkinson's disease), 2007 (was 78)
Doug Dillard of the Dillards (BG 09) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung infection), 2012 (was 75)
May 17:
Pat Flynn of the New Grass Revival born in Los Angeles, California, 1952 (now 63)
Grant Turner (CM 81) born in Abeline, Texas, 1912 (died 1991)
Paul Warren (BG 13) born in Lyles, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1978)
Arthur Lee "Red" Smiley (BG 92) born in Marshall, North Carolina, 1925 (died 1984)
Penny DeHaven born in Winchester, Virginia, 1948 (died 2014)
Wiley Walker of Wiley & Gene (NS 71) died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (cancer), 1966 (was 54)
New Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum building opened, 2001. Nearly every living Hall of Famer was present at the opening ceremonies, and the audience was treated to a tour of the new facilities for free.
May 18:
Rodney Dillard of the Dillards (BG 09) born in East St. Louis, Illinois, 1942 (now 73)
Joe Bonsall of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1948 (now 67). The Oak Ridge Boys are one of the "class of 2015" Country Music Hall of Fame inductees.
Gary Scruggs born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 66)
Tom Shapiro (NS 08) born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1950 (now 65)
George Strait (CM 06) born in Poteet, Texas, 1952 (now 63)
Leon Ashley born in Newton County, Georgia, 1936 (died 2013)
May 19:
Martha Carson born in Neon, Kentucky, 1921 (died 2004)
Rex Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama, 1938 (died 1983)
Mickey Newberry (NS 80) born in Houston, Texas, 1940 (died 2002)
May 20:
"Lonesome George" Gobel born in Chicago, Illinois, 1919 (died 1991). Although many may remember him as a comedian and regular on Hollywood Squares, one of Gobel's earliest jobs in entertainment was on the WLS National Barn Dance when he was a teenager in the 1930s.
Jack Cash, brother of Johnny Cash, died in Dyess, Arkansas (injuries from accident with table saw), 1944 (was 15)
May 21:
Henry Glover born in Hot Springs, Arkansas, 1921 (died 1991). The R&B songwriter and pioneering black record company executive co-wrote "Blues, Stay Away From Me" with the Delmore Brothers and Wayne Raney in 1949.
Charlie Poole died in Spray, North Carolina (alcohol-related heart failure), 1931 (was 39)
Billy Walker died in Fort Deposit, Alabama (car wreck), 2006 (was 77)
Vaughn Monroe died in Stuart, Florida (post-operative complications), 1973 (was 61). Among the pop singer's many hits was "(Ghost) Riders in the Sky."
May 22:
Miggie Lewis of the Lewis Family (BG 06) born in Richmond County, Georgia, 1926 (now 89)
Buddy Alan born in Mega, Arizona, 1948 (now 67)
Rich Alves of Pirates of the Mississippi born in Pleasanton, California, 1953 (now 62)
Dana Williams of Diamond Rio born in Dayton, Ohio, 1961 (now 54)
Ralph S. Peer (CM 84) born in Independence, Missouri, 1892 (died 1960)
Royce Kendall died in LaCrosse, Wisconsin (stroke), 1988 (was 63)
May 23:
Mac Wiseman (CM 14, BG 93) born in Crimora, Virginia, 1925 (now 90)
Ken Irwin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in New York, New York, 1944 (now 71)
Misty Morgan born in Buffalo, New York, 1945 (now 70)
Shelley West born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1958 (now 57)
Leroy Troy born in Goodlettesville, Tennessee, 1966 (now 49)
Rosemary Clooney born in Maysville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 2002). The legendary pop singer recorded a number of country songs, including covering Carl Smith's hit "If Teardrops Were Pennies."
Rex Gosdin died (heart attack), 1983 (was 45)
May 24:
Mike Reid (NS 05) born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 68)
Rosanne Cash born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1955 (now 60)
Billy Gilman born in Westerly, Rhode Island, 1988 (now 27). Gilman's "One Voice" hit #1 when he was 12, making him the youngest person in Billboard country chart history to have a #1 song.
Gene Clark of the Byrds and Dillard & Clark died in Sherman Oaks, California (bleeding ulcer), 1991 (was 46)
Vivian Liberto died in Ventura, California (cancer), 2005 (was 71). Vivian was Johnny Cash's first wife and Rosanne Cash's mother.
Jimmie Rodgers recorded "Old Love Letters (Bring Memories of You)," "Mississippi Delta Blues," "Somewhere Down Below the Dixon Line," and "Years Ago" in New York City, 1933. Ravaged with tuberculosis, they would be the final recordings of the Father of Country Music.
May 25:
Tom T. Hall (CM 08, NS 78) born in Olive Hill, Kentucky, 1936 (now 79)
Jessi Colter born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1947 (now 68)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters born in Castallian Springs, Tennessee, 1875 (died 1936)
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman (CM 08) born in Monarat, Virginia, 1893 (died 1968)
Hal David (NS 84) born in New York, New York, 1921 (died 2012)
Dick Curless died in Bangor, Maine (stomach cancer), 1995 (was 63)
May 26:
Lance LeRoy (BG 00) born in Tingall, Georgia, 1930 (now 85)
Randall Hank Williams Jr. (NS 07) born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1949 (now 66)
Richard Leigh (NS 94) born in Washington, DC, 1951 (now 64)
Levon Helm born in Marvell, Arkansas, 1940 (died 2012). The actor and drummer/singer for the Band made his acting debut in Coal Miner's Daughter.
Jimmie Rodgers (CM 61, NS 70, RR 86) died in New York, New York (tuberculosis), 1933 (was 35)
Onie Wheeler died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1984 (was 62). He died on the Grand Ole Opry stage during a performance of the post-Friday Night Opry show, Grand Ole Gospel.
Dana Williams of Diamond Rio born in Dayton, Ohio, 1961 (now 54)
Ralph S. Peer (CM 84) born in Independence, Missouri, 1892 (died 1960)
Royce Kendall died in LaCrosse, Wisconsin (stroke), 1988 (was 63)
May 23:
Mac Wiseman (CM 14, BG 93) born in Crimora, Virginia, 1925 (now 90)
Ken Irwin, co-founder of Rounder Records, born in New York, New York, 1944 (now 71)
Misty Morgan born in Buffalo, New York, 1945 (now 70)
Shelley West born in Cleveland, Ohio, 1958 (now 57)
Leroy Troy born in Goodlettesville, Tennessee, 1966 (now 49)
Rosemary Clooney born in Maysville, Kentucky, 1928 (died 2002). The legendary pop singer recorded a number of country songs, including covering Carl Smith's hit "If Teardrops Were Pennies."
Rex Gosdin died (heart attack), 1983 (was 45)
May 24:
Mike Reid (NS 05) born in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, 1947 (now 68)
Rosanne Cash born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1955 (now 60)
Billy Gilman born in Westerly, Rhode Island, 1988 (now 27). Gilman's "One Voice" hit #1 when he was 12, making him the youngest person in Billboard country chart history to have a #1 song.
Gene Clark of the Byrds and Dillard & Clark died in Sherman Oaks, California (bleeding ulcer), 1991 (was 46)
Vivian Liberto died in Ventura, California (cancer), 2005 (was 71). Vivian was Johnny Cash's first wife and Rosanne Cash's mother.
Jimmie Rodgers recorded "Old Love Letters (Bring Memories of You)," "Mississippi Delta Blues," "Somewhere Down Below the Dixon Line," and "Years Ago" in New York City, 1933. Ravaged with tuberculosis, they would be the final recordings of the Father of Country Music.
May 25:
Tom T. Hall (CM 08, NS 78) born in Olive Hill, Kentucky, 1936 (now 79)
Jessi Colter born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1947 (now 68)
Dr. Humphrey Bate of the Possum Hunters born in Castallian Springs, Tennessee, 1875 (died 1936)
Ernest V. "Pop" Stoneman (CM 08) born in Monarat, Virginia, 1893 (died 1968)
Hal David (NS 84) born in New York, New York, 1921 (died 2012)
Dick Curless died in Bangor, Maine (stomach cancer), 1995 (was 63)
May 26:
Lance LeRoy (BG 00) born in Tingall, Georgia, 1930 (now 85)
Randall Hank Williams Jr. (NS 07) born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1949 (now 66)
Richard Leigh (NS 94) born in Washington, DC, 1951 (now 64)
Levon Helm born in Marvell, Arkansas, 1940 (died 2012). The actor and drummer/singer for the Band made his acting debut in Coal Miner's Daughter.
Jimmie Rodgers (CM 61, NS 70, RR 86) died in New York, New York (tuberculosis), 1933 (was 35)
Onie Wheeler died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1984 (was 62). He died on the Grand Ole Opry stage during a performance of the post-Friday Night Opry show, Grand Ole Gospel.
Judy Lynn died in New Albany, Indiana (congestive heart failure), 2010 (was 74)
The first International Country Music Conference held in Meridian, Mississippi, 1983. The three-day event began as a memorial to Jimmie Rodgers and coincides with the anniversary of his death.
May 27:
Don Williams (CM 10) born in Floydada, Texas, 1939 (now 76)
Redd Stewart (NS 70) born in Ashland City, Tennessee, 1921 (died 2003)
Kenny Price born in Florence, Kentucky, 1931 (died 1987)
The first International Country Music Conference held in Meridian, Mississippi, 1983. The three-day event began as a memorial to Jimmie Rodgers and coincides with the anniversary of his death.
May 27:
Don Williams (CM 10) born in Floydada, Texas, 1939 (now 76)
Redd Stewart (NS 70) born in Ashland City, Tennessee, 1921 (died 2003)
Kenny Price born in Florence, Kentucky, 1931 (died 1987)
Slim Bryant died in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania (long-term illness), 2010 (was 101)
Opryland opened, 1972 (closed 1997)
May 28:
John Fogerty born in Berkeley, California, 1945 (now 70). The leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded an album of country songs under the pseudonym Blue Ridge Rangers in 1973, hitting the country chart with his rendition of "Jambalaya," and several songs Fogerty has written have been recorded by country singers.
Jerry Douglas born in Warren, Ohio, 1956 (now 59)
Phil Vassar born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1965 (now 50)
Gary Stewart born in Jenkins, Kentucky, 1945 (died 2003)
Opryland opened, 1972 (closed 1997)
May 28:
John Fogerty born in Berkeley, California, 1945 (now 70). The leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival recorded an album of country songs under the pseudonym Blue Ridge Rangers in 1973, hitting the country chart with his rendition of "Jambalaya," and several songs Fogerty has written have been recorded by country singers.
Jerry Douglas born in Warren, Ohio, 1956 (now 59)
Phil Vassar born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1965 (now 50)
Gary Stewart born in Jenkins, Kentucky, 1945 (died 2003)
May 29:
Carl Story (BG 07) born in Lenoir, North Carolina, 1916 (died 1995)
Danny Davis (ne George Joseph Nowlan) of the Nashville Brass born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1925 (died 2008)
Doc Watson (BG 00) died in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (complications from abdominal surgery), 2012 (was 89)
Mother Maybelle and the Carter Family became members of the Grand Ole Opry, 1950
Hank and Audrey Williams divorced, 1952
May 30:
Mike Snider born in Gleason, Tennessee, 1960 (now 55)
Lewis Crook of the Crook Brothers born in Trousdale County, Tennessee, 1909 (died 1996)
Johnny Gimble born in Tyler, Texas, 1926 (died 2015)
Don Wayne (NS 78) born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1933 (died 2011)
Karl Davis of Karl & Harty died in Chicago, Illinois (cancer), 1979 (was 73)
Bobby Harden of the Harden Trio died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2006 (was 70)
May 31:
Vic Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Schulter, Oklahoma, 1922 (died 1995)
Johnny Paycheck (ne Donald Eugene Lytle) born in Greenfield, Ohio, 1938 (died 2003)
Bud Carter (StG 09) born in Sullivan, Missouri, 1931 (died 2015)
William "Red" Rector died in Knoxville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1990 (was 60)
Lloyd Perryman of the Sons of the Pioneers (CM 80) died in Burbank, California (complications of heart surgery), 1977 (was 60)
Jerry Sullivan of the Sullivan Family died in Alabama (illness), 2014 (was 80)
Update on Bill Anderson
Category: News
Whisperin' Bill Anderson recently reported on his Facebook page that he had surgery for skin cancer (original post here), and that the surgery went very well. Yesterday (5/14) he posted that his doctor is amazed with how rapidly the 77-year-old is healing following removal of basal cell carcinoma from his nose.
"Be assured," Anderson wrote, "your prayers were both heard and answered."
Anderson said he hopes to be back on the Grand Ole Opry the weekend of May 30-31.
Prayers and best wishes for continued recovery and no complications to this great Hall of Famer!
Whisperin' Bill Anderson recently reported on his Facebook page that he had surgery for skin cancer (original post here), and that the surgery went very well. Yesterday (5/14) he posted that his doctor is amazed with how rapidly the 77-year-old is healing following removal of basal cell carcinoma from his nose.
"Be assured," Anderson wrote, "your prayers were both heard and answered."
Anderson said he hopes to be back on the Grand Ole Opry the weekend of May 30-31.
Prayers and best wishes for continued recovery and no complications to this great Hall of Famer!
Sunday, May 10, 2015
Legendary Fiddler Johnny Gimble Dies
Category: News/Obituary
Johnny Gimble, the one-time member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys who went on to work numerous sessions in country music, has died.
Gimble passed away Saturday (5/9) in Marble Falls, Texas. He had been in poor health for years after a series of strokes.
John Paul Gimble was born in Tyler, Texas in 1926. He was on the radio playing music before he got out of high school. After high school he joined the Shelton Brothers' band before the Army took him to Germany during World War II.
Once out of the Army Gimble became a member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, where he worked for over a decade. Following his stint in the Texas Playboys Gimble became an in-demand session fiddler for two generations of country music performers, from Marty Robbins and Connie Smith to a large majority of George Strait's 1980's albums. He also was part of the Hee Haw "Million Dollar Band."
His son, Dick, told the Waco Tribune, "He's free of that worn-out body of his. And what a life he had."
What a life, indeed.
Johnny Gimble was 88.
Johnny Gimble, the one-time member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys who went on to work numerous sessions in country music, has died.
Gimble passed away Saturday (5/9) in Marble Falls, Texas. He had been in poor health for years after a series of strokes.
John Paul Gimble was born in Tyler, Texas in 1926. He was on the radio playing music before he got out of high school. After high school he joined the Shelton Brothers' band before the Army took him to Germany during World War II.
Once out of the Army Gimble became a member of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, where he worked for over a decade. Following his stint in the Texas Playboys Gimble became an in-demand session fiddler for two generations of country music performers, from Marty Robbins and Connie Smith to a large majority of George Strait's 1980's albums. He also was part of the Hee Haw "Million Dollar Band."
His son, Dick, told the Waco Tribune, "He's free of that worn-out body of his. And what a life he had."
What a life, indeed.
Johnny Gimble was 88.
Thursday, May 07, 2015
Sick Call: Bill Anderson
Category: News
Country Music Hall of Fame singer/songwriter "Whisperin'" Bill Anderson is recovering following surgery for removal of skin cancer.
Anderson reported on his Facebook wall that he underwent facial surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma on Wednesday (5/6). "It was not as deeply rooted as first feared," Anderson wrote. The doctors have ordered him to take it easy for the next two weeks ("read, watch TV, and rest" as Bill put it).
The 77-year-old country music legend hopes he can return to the Opry by the end of the month.
Here's wishing Whisperin' Bill a speedy and complete recovery!
Country Music Hall of Fame singer/songwriter "Whisperin'" Bill Anderson is recovering following surgery for removal of skin cancer.
Anderson reported on his Facebook wall that he underwent facial surgery to remove basal cell carcinoma on Wednesday (5/6). "It was not as deeply rooted as first feared," Anderson wrote. The doctors have ordered him to take it easy for the next two weeks ("read, watch TV, and rest" as Bill put it).
The 77-year-old country music legend hopes he can return to the Opry by the end of the month.
Here's wishing Whisperin' Bill a speedy and complete recovery!
Friday, May 01, 2015
Dates of Note in Country Music, May 1-15
Category: News
(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined. CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; RR=country act also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)
May 1:
Sonny James (ne James Loden) (CM 06) born in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1929 (now 86)
Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1944 (now 71). Although primarily a pop singer, Coolidge had a dozen songs chart in country. She is also the former wife of Kris Kristofferson.
Wayne Hancock born in Dallas, Texas, 1965 (now 50)
Sam McGee born in Williamson County, Tennessee, 1894 (died 1975)
Jimmy Gately born in Springfield, Missouri, 1931 (died 1985)
Ott Devine born in Gadsen, Alabama, 1910 (died 1994)
Spike Jones died in Bel Air, California (emphysema), 1965 (was 53). The novelty band leader recorded "Pal-Yat-Chee" with Homer and Jethro, and Red Ingle (of Red Ingle & Natural Seven, of "Temp-Tay-Shun" fame) was once a member of Jones' City Slickers.
Jim Hager of the Hager Twins died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2008 (was 66)
Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1967
A six-inch rainstorm hit Nashville, 2010. The massive flood damaged the Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel, the WSM-AM studios, the basement of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Wildhorse Saloon, the instrument storage business Soundcheck, and a number of country singers' homes. Over 13 inches of rain fell in two days and killed nearly two dozen.
May 2:
R.C. Bannon born in Dallas, Texas, 1945 (now 70)
Larry Gatlin born in Seminole, Texas, 1948 (now 67)
Ty Herndon born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1962 (now 53)
Roy Lee Centers of the Clinch Mountain Boys died in Jackson, Kentucky (shot to death -- details disputed between a fight, "road rage" or murder), 1974 (was 29)
"Slowly" by Webb Pierce hits #1 on the Billboard charts, 1954. It becomes the first #1 song to feature the pedal steel guitar.
May 3:
Cactus Moser of Highway 101 born in Montrose, Colorado, 1957 (now 58)
Bing Crosby born in Tacoma, Washington, 1903 (died 1977). The pop crooner has the distinction of being the performer of the first #1 single in Billboard magazine's "Hillbilly and Western Singles" history with his rendition of Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama." Dexter's own recording was the second #1 song.
Dave Dudley born in Spencer, Wisconsin, 1928 (died 2003)
Patsy Montana (CM 96) died in San Jancinto, California (unknown cause), 1996 (was 83)
Dollywood theme park opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 1986
May 4:
Stella Parton born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 65)
Robert Ellis Orrall born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 59)
Randy Travis born in Marshville, North Carolina, 1959 (now 55)
Al Dexter (ne Clarence Albert Poindexter) (NS 71) born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1902 (died 1984)
Bobby Austin born in Wenatchee, Washington, 1933 (died 2002)
Joe L. Frank (CM 67) died in Chicago, Illinois (complications of throat infection), 1952 (was 52)
Leo Jackson died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide [gunshot]), 2008 (was 73)
May 5:
Ace Cannon born in Grenada, Mississippi, 1934 (now 81)
Roni Stoneman born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 77)
Wayne Carson (NS 97) born in Denver, Colorado, 1942 (now 73)
Glen Duncan of Lonesome Standard Time born in Columbus, Indiana, 1955 (now 60)
Tammy Wynette (CM 98, NS 09) born in Itawamba County, Mississippi, 1942 (died 1998)
J.D. Miller born in Iota, Louisiana, 1922 (died 1996)
Jerry Wallace died in Corona, California (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 79)
May 6:
Jimmie Dale Gilmore born in Austin, Texas, 1945 (now 70)
Cliff Carlisle born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)
Otis Blackwell (NS 86) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2002 (was 71)
George "Goober" Lindsey died in Nashville, Tennessee (brief illness), 2012 (was 83)
May 7:
Jerry Chesnut (NS 96) born in Loyall, Kentucky, 1931 (now 84)
Lorie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 1942 (now 73)
Riley Puckett born in Alpharetta, Georgia, 1894 (died 1946)
Horace "Aytchie" Burns born in Cisco, Georgia, 1918 (died 1974). Aytchie, the older brother of Jethro Burns, was a performer at the WNOX Midday Merry-Go-Round and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. While in the Army he was also the platoon sergeant of Roger Miller.
Eddie Rabbitt (NS 98) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 1998 (was 56)
May 8:
Jack Blanchard born in Buffalo, New York, 1942 (now 73)
Del Anthony Gray of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1968 (now 47)
Jimmie Tarlton of Darby & Tarlton born in Cheraw, South Carolina, 1892 (died 1979)
Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1922 (died 2013)
Benny Martin (BG 05) born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2001)
Rick Nelson born in Teaneck, New Jersey, 1940 (died 1985)
Leon Huff of the Light Crust Doughboys died (unknown cause), 1952 (was 39)
George D. Hay (CM 66) died in Virginia Beach, Virginia (unknown cause), 1968 (was 72)
Eddy Arnold (CM 66) died in Brentwood, Tennessee (complications from a fall), 2008 (was 89)
Charles "Everett" Lilly (BG 02) died in Clear Creek, West Virginia (aneurysm/heart attack), 2012 (was 87)
May 9:
Richie Furay of Poco born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1944 (now 71)
Bobby Lewis born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 1946 (now 69)
Fuzzy Knight born in Fairmont, West Virginia, 1901 (died 1976). The actor appeared in several films as Tex Ritter's sidekick.
Hank Snow (CM 79, NS 78) born in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, 1914 (died 1999)
Nudie Cohn died in Hollywood, California (unknown cause), 1984 (was 81)
Keith Whitley died in Nashville, Tennessee (alcohol poisoning), 1989 (was 33)
Jimmie Davis elected governor of Louisiana, 1944
May 10:
Carl T. Sprague born in Houston, Texas, 1895 (died 1979)
Mother Maybelle Carter (CM 70, BG 01) born in Nicklesville, Virginia, 1909 (died 1979)
Shel Silverstein (NS 02) died in Key West, Florida (heat attack), 1999 (was 68)
May 11:
Bobby Black (StG 04) born in Prescott, Arizona, 1934 (now 81)
Mark Herndon of Alabama (CM 05) born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 60)
Bob Atcher born in West Point, Kentucky, 1914 (died 1993)
Dick Overbey (StG 10) born in Detroit, Michigan, 1942 (died 2014)
Glen Sherley died in Salinas, California (suicide [gunshot]), 1978 (was 42)
Lester Flatt (CM 85, BG 91, NS 07) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure), 1979 (was 64)
Dottie Rambo (SG 97, NS 07) died in Mt. Vernon, Missouri (bus crash), 2008 (was 74)
May 12:
Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1955 (now 60)
The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin "Whitey" Ford, (CM 86) born in DeSoto, Missouri, 1901 (died 1986)
Joe Maphis born in Suffolk, Virginia, 1921 (died 1986)
Leroy Pullins born in Berea, Kentucky, 1940 (died 1984)
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel died in Dallas, Texas (unknown cause), 1969 (was 79)
May 13:
Ray Kennedy born in Buffalo, New York, 1954 (now 60)
Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, 1965 (now 49)
Jack Anglin born in Columbia, Tennesee, 1916 (died 1963)
Johnnie Wright born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, 1914 (died 2011)
Gid Tanner died in Dacula, Georgia (unknown cause), 1960 (was 74)
Bob Wills (CM 68, NS 70) died Fort Worth, Texas (pneumonia/complications of stroke), 1975 (was 70)
May 14:
Jimmy Martin (BG 95) died in Nashville, Tennessee (bladder cancer), 2005 (was 77)
May 15:
K.T. Oslin born in Crossett, Arkansas, 1941 (now 74)
(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined. CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; RR=country act also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)
May 1:
Sonny James (ne James Loden) (CM 06) born in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1929 (now 86)
Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1944 (now 71). Although primarily a pop singer, Coolidge had a dozen songs chart in country. She is also the former wife of Kris Kristofferson.
Wayne Hancock born in Dallas, Texas, 1965 (now 50)
Sam McGee born in Williamson County, Tennessee, 1894 (died 1975)
Jimmy Gately born in Springfield, Missouri, 1931 (died 1985)
Ott Devine born in Gadsen, Alabama, 1910 (died 1994)
Spike Jones died in Bel Air, California (emphysema), 1965 (was 53). The novelty band leader recorded "Pal-Yat-Chee" with Homer and Jethro, and Red Ingle (of Red Ingle & Natural Seven, of "Temp-Tay-Shun" fame) was once a member of Jones' City Slickers.
Jim Hager of the Hager Twins died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2008 (was 66)
Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1967
A six-inch rainstorm hit Nashville, 2010. The massive flood damaged the Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel, the WSM-AM studios, the basement of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Wildhorse Saloon, the instrument storage business Soundcheck, and a number of country singers' homes. Over 13 inches of rain fell in two days and killed nearly two dozen.
May 2:
R.C. Bannon born in Dallas, Texas, 1945 (now 70)
Larry Gatlin born in Seminole, Texas, 1948 (now 67)
Ty Herndon born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1962 (now 53)
Roy Lee Centers of the Clinch Mountain Boys died in Jackson, Kentucky (shot to death -- details disputed between a fight, "road rage" or murder), 1974 (was 29)
"Slowly" by Webb Pierce hits #1 on the Billboard charts, 1954. It becomes the first #1 song to feature the pedal steel guitar.
May 3:
Cactus Moser of Highway 101 born in Montrose, Colorado, 1957 (now 58)
Bing Crosby born in Tacoma, Washington, 1903 (died 1977). The pop crooner has the distinction of being the performer of the first #1 single in Billboard magazine's "Hillbilly and Western Singles" history with his rendition of Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama." Dexter's own recording was the second #1 song.
Dave Dudley born in Spencer, Wisconsin, 1928 (died 2003)
Patsy Montana (CM 96) died in San Jancinto, California (unknown cause), 1996 (was 83)
Dollywood theme park opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 1986
May 4:
Stella Parton born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 65)
Robert Ellis Orrall born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 59)
Randy Travis born in Marshville, North Carolina, 1959 (now 55)
Al Dexter (ne Clarence Albert Poindexter) (NS 71) born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1902 (died 1984)
Bobby Austin born in Wenatchee, Washington, 1933 (died 2002)
Joe L. Frank (CM 67) died in Chicago, Illinois (complications of throat infection), 1952 (was 52)
Leo Jackson died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide [gunshot]), 2008 (was 73)
May 5:
Ace Cannon born in Grenada, Mississippi, 1934 (now 81)
Roni Stoneman born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 77)
Wayne Carson (NS 97) born in Denver, Colorado, 1942 (now 73)
Glen Duncan of Lonesome Standard Time born in Columbus, Indiana, 1955 (now 60)
Tammy Wynette (CM 98, NS 09) born in Itawamba County, Mississippi, 1942 (died 1998)
J.D. Miller born in Iota, Louisiana, 1922 (died 1996)
Jerry Wallace died in Corona, California (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 79)
May 6:
Jimmie Dale Gilmore born in Austin, Texas, 1945 (now 70)
Cliff Carlisle born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)
Otis Blackwell (NS 86) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2002 (was 71)
George "Goober" Lindsey died in Nashville, Tennessee (brief illness), 2012 (was 83)
May 7:
Jerry Chesnut (NS 96) born in Loyall, Kentucky, 1931 (now 84)
Lorie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 1942 (now 73)
Riley Puckett born in Alpharetta, Georgia, 1894 (died 1946)
Horace "Aytchie" Burns born in Cisco, Georgia, 1918 (died 1974). Aytchie, the older brother of Jethro Burns, was a performer at the WNOX Midday Merry-Go-Round and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. While in the Army he was also the platoon sergeant of Roger Miller.
Eddie Rabbitt (NS 98) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 1998 (was 56)
May 8:
Jack Blanchard born in Buffalo, New York, 1942 (now 73)
Del Anthony Gray of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1968 (now 47)
Jimmie Tarlton of Darby & Tarlton born in Cheraw, South Carolina, 1892 (died 1979)
Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1922 (died 2013)
Benny Martin (BG 05) born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2001)
Rick Nelson born in Teaneck, New Jersey, 1940 (died 1985)
Leon Huff of the Light Crust Doughboys died (unknown cause), 1952 (was 39)
George D. Hay (CM 66) died in Virginia Beach, Virginia (unknown cause), 1968 (was 72)
Eddy Arnold (CM 66) died in Brentwood, Tennessee (complications from a fall), 2008 (was 89)
Charles "Everett" Lilly (BG 02) died in Clear Creek, West Virginia (aneurysm/heart attack), 2012 (was 87)
May 9:
Richie Furay of Poco born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1944 (now 71)
Bobby Lewis born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 1946 (now 69)
Fuzzy Knight born in Fairmont, West Virginia, 1901 (died 1976). The actor appeared in several films as Tex Ritter's sidekick.
Hank Snow (CM 79, NS 78) born in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, 1914 (died 1999)
Nudie Cohn died in Hollywood, California (unknown cause), 1984 (was 81)
Keith Whitley died in Nashville, Tennessee (alcohol poisoning), 1989 (was 33)
Jimmie Davis elected governor of Louisiana, 1944
May 10:
Carl T. Sprague born in Houston, Texas, 1895 (died 1979)
Mother Maybelle Carter (CM 70, BG 01) born in Nicklesville, Virginia, 1909 (died 1979)
Shel Silverstein (NS 02) died in Key West, Florida (heat attack), 1999 (was 68)
May 11:
Bobby Black (StG 04) born in Prescott, Arizona, 1934 (now 81)
Mark Herndon of Alabama (CM 05) born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 60)
Bob Atcher born in West Point, Kentucky, 1914 (died 1993)
Dick Overbey (StG 10) born in Detroit, Michigan, 1942 (died 2014)
Glen Sherley died in Salinas, California (suicide [gunshot]), 1978 (was 42)
Lester Flatt (CM 85, BG 91, NS 07) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure), 1979 (was 64)
Dottie Rambo (SG 97, NS 07) died in Mt. Vernon, Missouri (bus crash), 2008 (was 74)
May 12:
Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1955 (now 60)
The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin "Whitey" Ford, (CM 86) born in DeSoto, Missouri, 1901 (died 1986)
Joe Maphis born in Suffolk, Virginia, 1921 (died 1986)
Leroy Pullins born in Berea, Kentucky, 1940 (died 1984)
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel died in Dallas, Texas (unknown cause), 1969 (was 79)
May 13:
Ray Kennedy born in Buffalo, New York, 1954 (now 60)
Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, 1965 (now 49)
Jack Anglin born in Columbia, Tennesee, 1916 (died 1963)
Johnnie Wright born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, 1914 (died 2011)
Gid Tanner died in Dacula, Georgia (unknown cause), 1960 (was 74)
Bob Wills (CM 68, NS 70) died Fort Worth, Texas (pneumonia/complications of stroke), 1975 (was 70)
May 14:
Jimmy Martin (BG 95) died in Nashville, Tennessee (bladder cancer), 2005 (was 77)
May 15:
K.T. Oslin born in Crossett, Arkansas, 1941 (now 74)
Eddy Arnold (CM 66) born in Henderson, Tennessee, 1918 (died 2008)
June Carter Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from open heart surgery), 2003 (was 73)
June Carter Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from open heart surgery), 2003 (was 73)
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