Dates of Note in Country Music, May 1-15

Category: News

Country Music Hall of Famers in bold

May 1:

Sonny James (ne James Loden) born in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1929 (now 82)
Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1944 (now 67). 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 46)
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, flooding 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, 2010. The two-day total rainfall would surpass 13 inches and kill nearly two dozen.

May 2:

R.C. Bannon born in Dallas, Texas, 1945 (now 66)
Larry Gatlin born in Seminole, Texas, 1948 (now 63)
Ty Herndon born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1962 (now 49)
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:

Jerry Chestnut born in Harlan County, Kentucky, 1931 (now 80)
Cactus Moser of Highway 101 born in Montrose, Colorado, 1957 (now 54)
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 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 62)
Robert Ellis Orrall born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 56)
Randy Travis born in Marshville, North Carolina, 1959 (now 52)
Al Dexter (ne Clarence Albert Poindexter) born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1902 (died 1984)
Bobby Austin born in Wenatchee, Washington, 1933 (died 2002)
Joe L. Frank died in Chicago, Illinois (illness), 1952 (was 52)
Leo Jackson died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide [gunshot]), 2008 (was 73)

May 5:

Ace Cannon born in Grenada, Mississippi, 1934 (now 77)
Roni Stoneman born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 73)
Glen Duncan of Lonesome Standard Time born in Columbus, Indiana, 1955 (now 56)
Tammy Wynette 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 66)
Cliff Carlisle born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)

May 7:

Lorie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 1942 (now 69)
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 bass player at WNOX, in the Stringdusters with his brother and Homer Haynes, and at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. While in the Army he was also the platoon sergeant of Roger Miller.
Eddie Rabbitt died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 1998 (was 56)

May 8:

Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1922 (now 89)
Jack Blanchard born in Buffalo, New York, 1942 (now 69)
Del Anthony Gray of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1968 (now 43)
Jimmie Tarlton of Darby & Tarlton born in Cheraw, South Carolina, 1892 (died 1979)
Benny Martin 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 died in Virginia Beach, Virginia (unknown cause), 1968 (was 72)
Eddy Arnold died in Brentwood, Tennessee (complications from a fall), 2008 (was 89)

May 9:

Richie Furay of Poco born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1944 (now 67)
Bobby Lewis born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 1946 (now 65)
Fuzzy Knight born in Fairmont, West Virginia, 1901 (died 1976). The actor appeared in several films as Tex Ritter's sidekick.
Hank Snow born in Halifax, 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 born in Nicklesville, Virginia, 1909 (died 1979)
Shel Silverstein died in Key West, Florida (heat attack), 1999 (was 68)

May 11:

Mark Herndon of Alabama born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 56)
Bob Atcher born in West Point, Kentucky, 1914 (died 1993)
Lester Flatt died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure), 1979 (was 64)

May 12:

Kix Brooks born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1955 (now 56)
The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin "Whitey" Ford, 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:

Johnnie Wright born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, 1914 (now 97)
Ray Kennedy born in Buffalo, New York, 1954 (now 57)
Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, 1965 (now 46)
Jack Anglin born in Columbia, Tennesee, 1916 (died 1963)
Gid Tanner died in Dacula, Georgia (unknown cause), 1960 (was 74)
Bob Wills died Fort Worth, Texas (pneumonia/complications of 1973 stroke), 1975 (was 70)

May 15:
K.T. Oslin born in Crossett, Arkansas, 1941 (now 70)

Eddy Arnold born in Henderson, Tennessee, 1918 (died 2008)
June Carter Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from open heart surgery), 2003 (was 73)

The Sad End of the Reign of Bluegrass Music's Queen

Category:  News/Obituary


It is with tremendous sadness that I report the passing of bluegrass music's Queen Mother, the gifted singer/songwriter Hazel Dickens.  Dickens died in her sleep today (April 22).


Hazel Dickens was the poster child for what music should be:  unpolished, uncompromising, and from the heart.  Dickens wrote and sang of the hard times in West Virginia, and she knew exactly of what she sang.  She blended the folk songwriting traditions of Woody Guthrie and the early country sounds of the Carter Family into a precious sound.  It wasn't pretty, but those songs reminded everyone that life isn't pretty.


Her influence was everywhere.  Acts lined up to record her songs.  Lynn Morris's rendition of "Mama's Hands" was the 1996 IBMA "song of the year."  The final Johnson Mountain Boys album included their rendition of Dickens' "My Better Years."  Even the Judds, the bastion of 1980s commercial country, proclaimed their main influence was Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard.  In 1993 she was given IBMA's "Distinguished Achievement Award."  


One of my most treasured memories of Hazel was at IBMA.  A late-night, post-showcase performance highlighted the female performers on Rounder Records (excepting Alison Krauss). Near the end of the show Hazel was invited onstage.  Before she sang she commented, "It's great to be up here with my children."  That was, and is, the truth.  Bluegrass music is far richer because Hazel graced the genre with her presence.


Hazel Dickens was 75.

Midnite Jamboree Back to Normal

Category:  News


After an interesting winter that saw 10 p.m. tapings, tape delayed broadcasts and no live shows at all for several weeks, the Midnite Jamboree is back to normal.  The show is once again airing live at midnight from the Texas Troubadour Theater next to the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Music Valley Drive in Nashville.


Last fall the show began an unprecedented switch from its format that had held since its debut in 1947.  Instead of airing live at midnight the show began taping programs.  The taped shows were held at 10 p.m. then broadcast a week later (instead of the same night).  From Christmas until the first part of March the show was completely silent for the first time ever, allowing WSM to air rebroadcasts of "classic shows."


Barbara Fairchild welcomed the show back to live status in March.  It currently runs with its longstanding format.

Dates of Note in Country Music, April 15-30

Category: News

Country Music Hall of Famers in bold

April 16:

Dusty Springfield born in London, England, 1939 (died 1999). The legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer hit the country charts in 1962 as part of the Springfields with "Silver Threads and Golden Needles."

April 17:

Craig Anderson of Heartland born in Huntsville, Alabama, 1973 (now 38)

Eddie Cochran died in Bath, England (injuries from an April 16 car wreck), 1960 (was 21). The rockabilly pioneer co-wrote "Summertime Blues," which Alan Jackson covered in country.

Dorsey Dixon died in Plant City, Florida (heart attack), 1968 (was 70)

Hank Penny died in Camarillo, California (heart failure), 1992 (was 73)

Linda McCartney died in Tuscon, Arizona (breast cancer), 1998 (was 56). Linda and husband Sir Paul McCartney's band, Wings, hit the country charts in 1974 with "Sally G."

Glenn Sutton died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2007 (was 69)

April 18:

Walt Richmond of the Tractors born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 64)

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown born in Vinton, Louisiana, 1924 (died 2005)

Your blogger born in Louisville, Kentucky, 19(??) (now taking Hadacol 'cause I'm not so young after all)

Milton Brown died in Fort Worth, Texas (pneumonia resulting from injuries in an April 13 car wreck), 1936 (was 32)

April 19:

Bill Rice born in Datto, Arkansas, 1939 (now 72)

Gary Brewer born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 46)

Bobby Russell born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1941 (died 1992)

Earl Bolick of the Blue Sky Boys died in Tucker, Georgia (unknown cause), 1998 (was 78)

The "National Barn Dance" debuted on WLS, Chicago, 1924

April 20:

Johnny Tillotson born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1939 (now 72)

Doyle Lawson of the Country Gentlemen and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver born in Ford Town, Tennessee, 1944 (now 67)

Wade Hayes born in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, 1969 (now 42)

Frank "Hylo" Brown born in River, Kentucky, 1922 (died 2003)

Benny Hill found dead in his London flat (coronary thrombosis), 1992 (was 68). The British comedian's Benny Hill Show featured Boots Randolph's "Yakety Sax" as its theme song.

April 21:

Wade Mainer born in Buncombe, North Carolina, 1907 (now 104!)

Paul Davis born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1948 (died 2008)

Ira Louvin born in Section, Alabama, 1924 (died 1965)

Carl Belew born in Salina, Oklahoma, 1931 (died 1990)

April 22:

Glen Campbell born in Delight, Arkansas, 1936 (now 75)

Ray Griff born in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1940 (now 71)

Pat Enright of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Huntington, Indiana, 1945 (now 66)

Cleve Francis born in Jennings, Louisiana, 1945 (now 66)

Larry Groce born in Dallas, Texas, 1948 (now 63). The Mountain Stage host had one charted record, 1977's "Junk Food Junkie," which was a minor country hit.

Reuben Gosfield of Asleep at the Wheel born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951 (now 60)

Heath Wright of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1967 (now 44)

Steve Sholes died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1968 (was 57)

Felice Bryant died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2003 (was 77)

Paul Davis died in Meridian, Mississippi (heart attack), 2008 (was 60)

Richard Nixon died in New York, New York (stroke), 1994 (was 81). The former president's political troubles were chronicled in Tom T. Hall's song "Watergate Blues." Nixon also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry during its first night at the Opry House in 1974.

April 23:

Roland White of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Madawaska, Maine, 1938 (now 73)

Roy Orbison born in Vernon, Texas, 1936 (died 1988)

April 24:

Shirley Boone born in Chicago, Illinois, 1934 (now 77). Pat Boone's wife is also the daughter of Red Foley.

Rebecca Lynn Howard born in Salyersville, Kentucky, 1979 (now 32)

Harry McClintock died in San Francisco, California (unknown cause), 1957 (was 74). His greatest success would come decades after his death when his recording of "Big Rock Candy Mountain" began the film O Brother, Where Art Thou.

Bonnie Owens died in Bakersfield, California (Alzheimer's disease), 2006 (was 73)

April 25:

Larry Robbins of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Dickerson, Maryland, 1945 (now 66)

Karl Farr of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Rochelle, Texas, 1909 (died 1961)

Cliff Bruner born in Texas City, Texas, 1915 (died 2000)

Vassar Clements born in Kinard, South Carolina, 1928 (died 2005)

O.B. McClinton born in Senatobia, Mississippi, 1940 (died 1987)

The musical Big River opened on Broadway, 1985. It won a "Best Musical" Tony for songwriter Roger Miller, making him, to date, the only country performer to ever win a Tony Award.

April 26:

Johnny Mosby born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1933 (now 78)

Duane Eddy born in Corning, New York, 1938 (now 73)

Fiddlin' Doc Roberts born in Richmond, Kentucky, 1897 (died 1978)

Cecil Null born in East War, West Virginia, 1927 (died 2001)

Tim Spencer of the Sons of the Pioneers died in Apple Valley, California (long illness), 1974 (was 65)

Wesley Rose died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1990 (was 72)

April 27:

Maxine Brown of the Browns born in Campti, Louisiana, 1931 (now 80)

Herb Pedersen of the Dillards and Desert Rose Band born in Berkley, California, 1944 (now 66)

Sydney Nathan, founder of King Records, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1904 (died 1968)

Jimmie Skinner born in Blue Lick, Kentucky, 1909 (died 1979)

April 28:

Dale Potter born in Puxico, Missouri, 1929 (died 1996)

Tommy Caldwell of the Marshall Tucker Band died in Spartanburg, South Carolina (injuries from an April 21 car wreck), 1980 (was 30)

Ken Curtis died in Clovis, California (heart attack), 1991 (was 74). The Gunsmoke star was also a one-time member of the Sons of the Pioneers.

April 29:

Billy Mize born in Arkansas City, Kansas, 1929 (now 82)

Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys born in Taylortown, Texas, 1943 (now 68)

Wayne Secrest of Confederate Railroad born in Alton, Illinois, 1950 (now 61)

Karen Brooks born in Dallas, Texas, 1954 (now 57)

Danny Davis (ne George Joseph Nowlan) of the Nashville Brass born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, 1925 (died 2008)

Eddie Noack born in Houston, Texas, 1930 (died 1978)
Vern Gosdin died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 2009 (was 74)

April 30:

Fuzzy Owen born in Conway, Arkansas, 1929 (now 82)

Willie Nelson born in Abbott, Texas, 1933 (now 78)

Darrell McCall born in New Jasper, Ohio, 1940 (now 71)

Robert Earl Reynolds of the Mavericks born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1962 (now 49)

Johnny Horton born in Los Angeles, California, 1930 (died 1960)

Curly Chalker died in Hendersonville, Tennessee (brain cancer), 1998 (was 66)

WLS airs the final broadcast of the National Barn Dance, 1960, after 36 years on the air.

Dates of Note in Country Music, April 1-15

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

April 1:

Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith born in Clinton, South Carolina, 1921 (now 90)

Jim Ed Brown born in Sparkman, Arkansas, 1934 (now 77)

Jules Verne Allen born in Waxahachie, Texas, 1883 (died 1945)

Jimmy Logsdon born in Panther, Kentucky, 1922 (died 2001)

CMA President Paul Cohen died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1970 (was 71)

Rachel Veach joined Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys, 1939. Her presence gave rise to Pete Kirby's nickname "Bashful Brother Oswald:" a woman traveling with a group of men was scandalous, so Kirby was billed as Veach's "bashful brother" to quell any rumors.

The original Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened, 1967

April 2:

Warner Mack born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1935 (now 76)

Sonny Throckmorton born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, 1941 (now 70)

Emmylou Harris born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1947 (now 64)

Dean Townson of Pirates of the Mississippi born in Battle Creek, Michigan, 1959 (now 52)

Billy Dean born in Quincy, Florida, 1962 (now 49)
Mose Rager born in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, 1911 (died 1986). The guitarist was a significant influence on the thumbpicking style of another guitarist from the region, Merle Travis.Cliff Carlisle died in Lexington, Kentucky(unknown cause), 1983 (was 78)
Former Country Gentleman Doyle Lawson formed Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, 1979

April 3:

Billy Joe Royal born in Valdosta, Georgia, 1942 (now 69)
Richard Thompson born in Notting Hill, London, 1949 (now 61).  The legendary folk-rock singer/songwriter and guitarist wrote and originally recorded "1952 Vincent Black Lightning," later a bluegrass hit for Del McCoury, as well as Jo-El Sonnier's biggest hit, "Tear-Stained Letter" (which was also covered by Faith Hill).

Curtis Stone of Highway 101 (and son of Cliffie Stone) born in North Hollywood, California, 1950 (now 61)

Hank Newman of the Georgia Crackers born in Cochran, Georgia, 1905 (died 1978)

Don Gibson born in Shelby, North Carolina, 1928 (died 2003)

Ella Mae Cooley murdered, 1961. Her husband, self-proclaimed "King of Western Swing" Spade Cooley, was convicted of her murder and sentenced to life in prison.

Red Allen died in Dayton, Ohio (cancer), 1993 (was 63)
Starday Records owner Don Pierce died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2005 (was 89)
The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1948. Among the artists who performed on the radio show were Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Johnny Horton, and one-time emcee Jim Reeves.

April 4:

Norro Wilson born in Scottsville, Kentucky, 1938 (now 73)

Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers born in Olney, Texas, 1951 (now 60)

Troy Gentry of Montgomery-Gentry born in Lexington, Kentucky, 1967 (now 44)

Cy Coben born in Jersey City, New Jersey, 1919 (died 2006)

Red Sovine died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack while driving), 1980 (was 61)

April 5:

Jack Clement born in Whitehaven, Tennessee, 1931 (now 80)

Bill Clifton (ne William August Marburg) born in Riverwood, Maryland, 1931 (now 80). In addition to being a bluegrass performer, the 2008 Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee is also credited with starting the bluegrass festival, when he organized a July 4, 1961 show in Luray, Virginia.

June Stearns born in Albany, New York, 1939 (now 72)

Tommy Cash born in Dyess, Arkansas, 1940 (now 71)

Bob McDill born in Beaumont, Texas, 1944 (now 67)
Pat Green born in San Antonio, Texas, 1972 (now 39)
Charlie Collins of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys born i Caryville, Tennessee, 1933 (died 2012)
Frenchy "Stoney" Edwards died in Oklahoma (stomach cancer), 1997 (was 67)

Gene Pitney died in Cardiff, Wales (heart disease), 2006 (was 65). In addition to his rock hits, Pitney recorded two albums of duets with George Jones.

April 6:

Merle Haggard born in Bakersfield, California, 1937 (now 74)

Vernon Dalhart (ne Marion Try Slaughter) born in Marion County, Texas, 1883 (died 1948)

Wade Ray born in Griffin, Indiana, 1913 (died 1998)

Tammy Wynette died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure attributed to blood clot), 1998 (was 55)

Grand Ole Opry shows were canceled due to rioting in the wake of Martin Luther King's assassination earlier in the week, 1968

April 7:

Cal Smith born in Gans, Oklahoma, 1932 (now 79)

Bobby Bare born in Ironton, Ohio, 1935 (now 76)

John Dittrich of Restless Heart born in New York, New York, 1951 (now 60)

Leon "Pappy" Selph born in Houston, Texas, 1914 (died 1999)

Clyde Moody died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1989 (was 73)
Steel guitarist Jeff Newman died in Watertown, Tennessee (plane crash), 2004 (was 62)

April 8:

John Schneider born in Mount Kisco, New York, 1960 (now 51)

Jimmy Osborne born in Winchester, Kentucky, 1923 (died 1957)

April 9:

Margo Smith born in Dayton, Ohio, 1942 (now 69)

Con Hunley born in Fountain City, Tennessee, 1945 (now 66)

Hal Ketchum born in Greenwich, New York, 1953 (now 58)

Mark Roberts of the Red Clay Ramblers born in Wareham, Massachusetts, 1957 (now 54)

Dave Innis of Restless Heart born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1959 (now 52)

Carl Perkins born in Tiptonville, Tennessee, 1932 (died 1998)

Darrell Glenn died in Fort Worth, Texas (cancer), 1990 (was 54)

Mae Boren Axton died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 1997 (was 82)

April 10:

Weldon Myrick born in Jayton, Texas, 1938 (now 73). The steel guitar great co-wrote the Wilburn Brothers' "Hangin' Around" and suggested the town of Big Spring, Texas to Bill Anderson for the line "If you've never been to Paris, France / Big Spring, Texas will suit you fine" in "At the Time" (a hit for Jean Shepard).

Fiddlin' Arthur Smith born in Bold Spring, Tennessee, 1898 (died 1971)

Sheb Wooley born in Enick, Oklahoma, 1921 (died 2003)

Former home of Johnny and June Cash destroyed by fire, 2007. Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees owned the house at the time of the fire.

April 11:

Jim Lauderdale born in Troutman, North Carolina, 1957 (now 54)

Harty Taylor of Karl & Harty born in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, 1905 (died 1963)

Millie Good of the Girls of the Golden West born in Mount Carmel, Illinois, 1913 (died 1993)

Eddie Miller died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1977 (was 83). In addition to writing a number of songs, including "I've Loved and Lost Again" which was recorded by Patsy Cline during her stint on Four Star, Miller co-founded the Nashville Songwriters' Association International.

Lighnin' Chance died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer/Alzheimer's), 2005 (was 79)

Jerry Byrd died in Honolulu, Hawaii (complications of Parkinson's disease), 2005 (was 85)

April 12:

Ned Miller born in Raines, Utah, 1925 (now 86)

Vince Gill born in Norman, Oklahoma, 1957 (now 54)

Ernie Lee born in Berea, Kentucky, 1916 (died 1991)

Judy Lynn born in Boise, Idaho, 1936 (died 2010)

Lewis Crook of the Crook Brothers died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 1997 (was 87)

Boxcar Willie died in Branson, Missouri (leukemia), 1999 (was 67)

April 13:

Sam Bush born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, 1952 (now 59)

Bob Nolan of the Sons of the Pioneers born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, 1908 (died 1980)

Guy Willis of the Willis Brothers died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1981 (was 65)

Johnny Dollar died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide), 1986 (was 53)

April 14:

Loretta Lynn born in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, 1935 (now 76)

Stuart Duncan of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Quantico, Virginia, 1964 (now 47)

Vito Pelletteri died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from a stroke), 1977 (was 87)

Burl Ives died in Anacortes, Washington (throat cancer), 1995 (was 85)

April 15:

Roy Clark born in Meherrin, Virginia, 1933 (now 78)

J.L. Frank born in Limestone County, Alabama, 1900 (died 1952)

Bob Luman born in Nacogdoches, Texas, 1937 (died 1978)

Junior Barnard of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys died (car wreck), 1951 (was 30)

Rose Maddox died in Ashland, Oregon (kidney failure), 1998 (was 72)

Otto Kitsinger died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1998 (was 54). Otto was the historian and writer for CMT's Opry Backstage.

What I'd Give for the Lifetime I've Wasted

Category:  News/Obituary

If you look at the lyrics of the song "Gone" there's not much on the page.  In total, just seventy-one words.  What made those words come to life, and etched them eternally in the minds of country music fans, was the gut-wrenching emotion Ferlin Husky poured into every syllable of that song.

Ferlin Husky died today (March 17), two days after being released from a Hendersonville hospital into hospice care.

Husky's career began inauspiciously.  Record company executives thought the name "Ferlin Husky" was too hokey and artificial, so he first recorded "Gone" under the pseudonym Terry Preston.  The recording went nowhere.  Meanwhile, Husky made a name for himself as a first-rate impressionist of country singers.  He recorded a song, "Hank's Song," featuring lyrics comprised of Hank Williams song titles while doing an impersonation of Williams that was so good it was scary.

Husky's career took off when Capitol teamed him with a female newcomer, Jean Shepard, on a lost-love song that was quite topical at the time (during the Korean War):  "A Dear John Letter."  The hit put both on the road to success that would eventually end at the Country Music Hall of Fame (Shepard this year, Husky last year).

After the massive success of "Gone" Husky allowed his "good friend" Simon Crum to enter the studio for an album (The Unpredictable Simon Crum).  The tracks included "My Gallina" (which included a pronunciation guide ["pronounced 'Guy-EE-na'"] on the 45 label), a Mel Tillis composition "Stand Up, Sit Down, Shut Your Mouth," and the hilarious "Little Red Webb," which featured Husky Crum impersonating Red Sovine and Webb Pierce while skewering the horridly smarmy "Little Rosa."

Husky gave the country music world one other classic, the 1960 crossover gospel number "Wings of a Dove."  The song was one of only four tunes to hit #1 on the country charts in 1960 (the others being "El Paso," "He'll Have to Go," and "Please Help Me, I'm Falling") while also making a successful stay on the pop charts.

Husky dealt with heart problems for decades.  According to one Nashville obituary, he endured seven heart bypass operations.  In recent years he had been frequently in and out of hospitals because of congestive heart failure, pneumonia and infections.  He was recently diagnosed with colon cancer as well.

Oh, what I'd give for the lifetime I've wasted

The love that I tasted

I was wrong

Now you've gone

Ferlin Husky was 85.

Sick Call: Ferlin Husky

Category:  News


Country Music Hall of Famer Ferlin Husky has left a Nashville-area hospital and has been placed in hospice care.


According to Nashville station WSMV's web site, Husky has, among other things, colon cancer and congestive heart failure.   Husky has been hospitalized numerous times over the past two years for pneumonia, infections, and other problems related to his congestive heart failure.


Last year the Country Music Association inducted Husky into the Hall of Fame along with Jimmy Dean (who passed away before his official induction ceremony), Don Williams, and Billy Sherrill.


Keep this legendary performer in your prayers.


Ferlin Husky Placed in Hospice Care

Dates of Note in Country Music, March 16-31

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

March 16:

Jerry Jeff Walker (ne Ronald Clyde Crosby) born in Oneonta, New York, 1942 (now 69)
Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951 (now 60)
Tim O'Brien born in Wheeling, West Virginia, 1954 (now 57)
Stan Thorn of Shenandoah born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 1959 (now 52)
Ronnie McCoury born in York County, Pennsylvania, 1967 (now 44)
Robert Whitstein born in Colfax, Louisiana, 1944 (died 2001)
Plane crash at Otay Mountain near San Diego, California kills Reba McEntire band members Chris Austin, Kirk Capello, Joey Cigainero, Paula Kaye Evans, Terry Jackson, Michael Thomas, and Tony Saputo 1991

March 17:

Jim Weatherly born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, 1943 (now 68)
Paul Overstreet born in Newton, Mississippi, 1955 (now 56)
Dick Curless born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, 1932 (died 1995)
Hugh Farr died in Casper, Wyoming (unknown causes), 1980 (was 77)
Jimmy Gately died in Madison, Tennessee (unknown causes), 1985 (was 53)
Sammy Pruett died in Birmingham, Alabama (unknown causes), 1988 (was 61)
Terry Stafford died in Amarillo, Texas (liver failure), 1996 (was 55)
Bill Carlisle died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2003 (was 94)

March 18:

Billy Armstrong born in Streator, Illinois, 1930 (now 81)
Charley Pride born in Sledge, Mississippi, 1938 (now 73)
Margie Bowes born in Roxboro, North Carolina, 1941 (now 70)
James McMurty born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1962 (now 49)
Smiley Burnette born in Summum, Illinois, 1911 (died 1967)
John Phillips of the Mamas and Papas died in Los Angeles, California (heart failure), 2001 (was 65). His solo hit, "Mississippi," was a country hit in 1971.

March 19:

Henry "Friendly Henry" Maddox born in Boaz, Alabama, 1928 (died 1974)
Speck Rhodes died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2000 (was 84)
Randall Hylton died in Nashville, Tennessee (brain aneurysm), 2001 (was 55)
Tootsie's Orchid Lounge opened in Nashville, 1960

March 20:

Tommy Hunter born in London, Ontario, 1937 (now 74)
Douglas B. Green (Ranger Doug) of Riders in the Sky born in Great Lakes, Illinois, 1946 (now 65)
Jim Seales of Shenandoah born in Hamilton, Alabama, 1954 (now 57)Jerry Reed born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1937 (died 2008)

March 21:

Carol Lee Cooper born in West Virginia, 1942 (now 71)
Tommy Hill died in Nashville, Tennessee (liver and heart ailments), 2002 (was 72)

March 22:

Charlie Poole born in Randolph County, North Carolina, 1892 (died 1931)
Hoyle Nix of the West Texas Cowboys born in Azel, Texas, 1918 (died 1985)
Uncle Dave Macon died in Murfreesboro, Tennessee (illness), 1952 (was 81)
Stoney Cooper died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1977 (was 59)
Carl Perkins injured in automobile accident near Wilmington, Delaware, 1956

March 23:
David Grisman born in Passaic, New Jersey, 1945 (now 66)

Fiddlin' John Carson born in Fannin County, Georgia, 1868 (died 1949)
Jim Anglin born in Franklin, Tennessee, 1913 (died 1987)
Smokey Rogers born in McMinnville, Tennessee, 1917 (died 1993)
J.D. Miller died in Crowley, Louisiana (complications from heart bypass surgery), 1996 (was 73)
James Roy "Pop" Lewis of the Lewis Family died in Lincoln County, Georgia (natural causes), 2004 (was 98)
Cindy Walker died in Mexia, Texas (natural causes), 2006 (was 88)

March 24:

Peggy Sue Webb born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, 1947 (now 64)
Carson Robison died in Poughkeepsie, New York (unknown causes), 1957 (was 66)
Howard Dixon died in East Rockingham, North Carolina (unknown - possible work accident), 1961 (was 57)
Henson Cargill died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (complications from surgery), 2007 (was 66)

March 25:

Bonnie Guitar born in Seattle, Washington, 1923 (now 88)
Robbie Fulks born in York, Pennsylvania, 1963 (now 48)
Natchee the Indian (ne Lester Vernon Storer) born in Peebles, Ohio, 1916 (died 1970)
Hoyt Axton born in Duncan, Oklahoma, 1938 (died 1999)
Jack Kapp died in New York, New York (cerebral hemorrhage), 1949 (was 47)
Buck Owens died in Bakersfield, California (heart attack), 2006 (was 76)

March 26:

Bud Isaacs born in Bedford, Indiana, 1928 (now 83)
Vicki Lawrence born in Inglewood, California, 1949 (now 62). The Carol Burnett Show actress had one hit, "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia," which made both the pop and country charts.
Ronnie McDowell born in Fountain Head, Tennessee, 1950 (now 61)
Michael Bonagura of Baillie & the Boys born in Newark, New Jersey, 1953 (now 58)
Dean Dillon born in Lake City, Tennessee, 1955 (now 56)
Charly McClain born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1956 (now 55)
Kenny Chesney born in Lutrell, Tennessee, 1968 (now 43)

March 27:

Bill Callahan of the Callahan Brothers born in Madison County, North Carolina, 1912 (died 2002)
David Rogers born in Houston, Texas, 1936 (died 1993)

March 28:

Roy Dean Webb of the Dillards born in Independence, Missouri, 1937 (now 74)
Charlie McCoy born in Oak Hill, West Virginia, 1941 (now 70)
Reba McEntire born in Chockie, Oklahoma, 1955 (now 56)Jay Livingston born in McDonald, Pennsylvania, 1915 (died 2001). The pop songwriter's many hits include "Silver Bells," which has been recorded by many country performers.

Farrell "Rusty" Draper died in Bellevue, Washington (heart disease/throat cancer), 2003 (was 80)
Glenn Barber died in Gallatin, Tennessee (heart ailment), 2008 (was 73)

March 29:

Brady Seals of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1969 (now 42)
Moon Mullican born in Corrigan, Texas, 1909 (died 1967)
Jerry Byrd born in Lima, Ohio, 1920 (died 2005)
Texas Ruby died in Nashville, Tennessee (house fire), 1963 (was 54)
Opry announcer Hal Durham died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2009 (was 77)

March 30:

Bobby Wright born in Charleston, West Virginia, 1942 (now 69)
Connie Cato born in Carlinville, Illinois, 1955 (now 56)

March 31:

John D. Loudermilk born in Durham, North Carolina, 1934 (now 77)
Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1954 (now 57)
Howdy Forrester born in Vernon, Tennessee, 1922 (died 1987)
Tommy Jackson born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1926 (died 1979)
William O. "Lefty" Frizzell born in Corsicana, Texas, 1928 (died 1975)
Anita Carter born in Maces Springs, Virginia, 1933 (died 1999)
Skeets McDonald died in Inglewood, California (heart attack), 1968 (was 52)Carl Story died in Greer, South Carolina (complications from heart bypass surgery), 1995 (was 78)

I'm Tellin' Ya, Country Music is DEAD

Category:  News


http://www.opry.com/news/2011/02-18.html

The Doobie Brothers play the Opry.


But Stonewall Jackson has to sue them to get on a program he's been a member of for 54 years.


Am I the only person who sees something horribly wrong with this picture?

Answering the Call From the Hall

Category:  News


The Country Music Hall of Fame class of 2011 was announced today via live webcast hosted by Kix Brooks.  The three new inductees will be:


Reba McEntire (modern):  One of the most popular female artists in country music history, Reba was discovered singing at a rodeo by Red Steagall.  She hasn't looked back since.


Jean Shepard (classic):  How fitting, just days before the 48th anniversary of the death of her husband Hawkshaw Hawkins, the grandest "grand lady of the Grand Ole Opry" is told she will be inducted this year.  Proudly, unashamedly country, her career spans nearly 60 years, going all the way back to a duet with last year's inductee Ferlin Husky, "A Dear John Letter."


Bobby Braddock (songwriter):  He began as Marty Robbins' piano player.  He ended up on the short list of people termed "songwriters' songwriter," thanks to songs ranging from the funny "Bleep You" by Cal Smith or "I Wanna Talk About Me" by Toby Keith to the heartbreaking "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones or "Time Marches On" by Tracy Lawrence to the sobering, frightening "Revelation" by Waylon Jennings.


Congratulations to the Hall of Fame class of 2011!

Dates of Note in Country Music, March 1-15

Category: News

(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)

March 1:
Janis Oliver of Sweethearts of the Rodeo born in Manhattan Beach, California, 1954 (now 57)
Sara Hickman born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, 1963 (now 48)
Clinton Gregory born in Martinsville, Virginia, 1966 (now 45)
Cliffie Stone born in Stockton, California, 1917 (died 1998)
Pearl Butler died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1988 (was 61)
RCA Victor debuts a new format -- the 45 RPM record, 1949
Johnny Cash wed June Carter Smith Nix in Franklin, Kentucky, 1968
California governor Ronald Reagan issues a full pardon to Merle Haggard, 1972


March 2:
Doc Watson born in Deep Gap, North Carolina, 1923 (now 88)
Larry Stewart born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1959 (now 52)
Lonnie Glosson died in Searcy, Arkansas (natural causes), 2001 (was 93)

March 3:
John Carter Cash born in Madison, Tennessee, 1970 (now 41)

Jimmy Heap born in Taylor, Texas, 1922 (died 1977)
Kyle Bailes died (unknown cause), 1996 (was 80)
Harlan Howard died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2002 (was 74)
Ernie Ashworth died in Hartsville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2009 (was 80)
Benefit concert for the family of DJ "Cactus" Jack Call held in Kansas City, Missouri, 1963. Among those performing: Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Cowboy Copas, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, George Jones, and Billy Walker.

March 4:
Betty Jack Davis born in Corbin, Kentucky, 1932 (died 1953)
John Duffey of the Country Gentlemen and Seldom Scene born in Washington, DC, 1934 (died 1996)
Scotty Stoneman died in Nashville, Tennessee (overdose of prescription medication), 1973 (was 40)
Minnie Pearl died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from stroke), 1996 (was 83)
Eddie Dean died in Los Angeles, California (emphysema), 1999 (was 91)

March 5:
Raymond Fairchild born in Cherokee, North Carolina, 1939 (now 72)
Jimmy Bryant born in Moultrie, Georgia, 1925 (died 1980)
Patsy Cline died near Camden, Tennessee (plane crash), 1963 (was 30)
Cowboy Copas died near Camden, Tennessee (plane crash), 1963 (was 59)

Hawkshaw Hawkins died near Camden, Tennessee (plane crash), 1963 (was 41)

Randy Hughes died near Camden, Tennessee (plane crash), 1963 (was 34). Hughes was Patsy Cline's manager and Cowboy Copas' son-in-law as well as the pilot of the ill-fated plane.

Syd Nathan died in Miami, Florida (heart disease/pneumonia), 1968 (was 63). The Cincinnati record store owner founded King Records in 1943, making it the first all-country music record label in history.
Anna Carter Davis, original member of the Chuck Wagon Gang and widow of Jimmie Davis, died in Fort Worth, Texas (complications following a fall), 2004 (was 87)
Elvis Presley honorably discharged from the Army, 1960

March 6:
Red Simpson born in Higley, Arizona, 1934 (now 77)
Ray Walker of the Jordanaires born in Centerville, Mississippi, 1934 (now 77)
Doug Dillard of the Dillards born in East St. Louis, Missouri, 1937 (now 74)
Skip Ewing born in Red Lands, California, 1964 (now 47)

Cliff Carlisle born in Mount Eden, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)
Bob Wills born in Turkey, Texas, 1905 (died 1975)
Jean Chapel of the Coon Creek Girls born in Neon, Kentucky, 1925 (died 1995)

George Jones critically injured in single-vehicle accident, 1999
The siege of the Alamo ended, 1836. Davy Crockett, subject of legendary song, was among those who died during the battle. Johnny Cash would memorialize the fight in his song "Remember the Alamo."

March 7:
Townes Van Zandt born in Fort Worth Texas, 1944 (died 1997)
Jack Anglin died in Nashville, Tennessee (car wreck), 1963 (was 46). Anglin was on his way to Patsy Cline's memorial service at the time of his accident.
Pee Wee King died in Louisville, Kentucky (heart attack), 2000 (was 86)

March 8:
Jimmy Dormire of Confederate Railroad born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1960 (now 51)
Randy Meisner of Poco and the Eagles born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, 1946 (now 65)
Johnny Dollar born in Kilgore, Texas, 1933 (died 1986)
Jimmy Stoneman of the Stoneman Family born in Washington, DC, 1937 (died 2002)
Lew DeWitt of the Statler Brothers born in Roanoke, Virginia, 1939 (died 1990)
Stuart Hamblen died in Santa Monica, California (brain tumor), 1989 (was 80)
Hank Locklin died in Brewton, Alabama (natural causes), 2009 (was 90)

March 9:
Mickey Gilley born in Natchez, Mississippi, 1936 (now 75)
Jimmy Fadden of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Long Beach, California, 1948 (now 63)
Ralph Sloan of the Ralph Sloan Dancers born in Wilson County, Tennessee, 1925 (died 1980)
George Burns died in Beverly Hills, California (cardiac arrest), 1996 (was 100). The legendary actor had a country hit with "I Wish I Was Eighteen Again."
Chris LeDoux died in Casper, Wyoming (bile duct cancer), 2005 (was 56)
Final Saturday night Opry at the Ryman before the opening of the new Opry House, 1974

March 10:
Ralph Emery born in McEwen, Tennessee, 1933 (now 78)
Norman Blake born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, 1938 (now 73)

Johnnie Allan born in Rayne, Louisiana, 1938 (now 73)

Daryl Singletary born in Wigham, Georgia, 1971 (now 40)
Kenneth "Jethro" Burns born in Conasauga, Tennessee, 1920 (died 1989)
Soul singer James Brown guests on the Grand Ole Opry at the request of Porter Wagoner, 1979

March 11:
Jimmy Fortune of the Statler Brothers born in Williamsburg, Virginia, 1955 (now 56)
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel of the Light Crust Doughboys born in Malta, Ohio, 1890 (died 1969)
Jim Boyd of the Cowboy Ramblers died (unknown cause), 1993 (was 78)

March 12:
Marshall Wilborn of the Johnson Mountain Boys and the Lynn Morris Band born in Austin, Texas, 1952 (now 59)
James Taylor born in Belmont, Massachusetts, 1948 (now 63). The legendary pop/folk superstar wrote "Bartender's Blues" and sang with George Jones on Jones' recording of the tune.
Ralph Sloan died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown illness), 1980 (was 55)

March 13:
Liz Anderson born in Roseau, Minnesota, 1930 (now 81)
Jan Howard born in West Plains, Missouri, 1930 (now 81)
Benny Martin died in Nashville, Tennessee (nerve disorder/illness), 2001 (was 72)
Ezra Carter marries Maybelle Addington, 1926

March 14:
Michael Martin Murphy born in Oak Cliff, Texas, 1945 (now 66)
Doc Pomus died in New York, New York (lung cancer), 1991 (was 65)
Dale Potter died in Puxaco, Missouri (cancer), 1996 (was 66)
Tommy Collins died in Ashland City, Tennessee (emphysema), 2000 (was 69)
Jimmy Martin died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2005 (was 77)
Bill Bolick of the Blue Sky Boys died in Hickory, North Carolina (natural causes), 2008 (was 90)

March 15:
D.J. Fontana born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1931 (now 80)
Gunilla Hutton of Hee Haw born in Goteborg, Sweden, 1946 (now 65)
Ry Cooder born in Los Angeles, California, 1947 (now 64)

Carl Smith born in Maynardville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2010)

The final Friday night Opry at the Ryman, 1974. The final song was the Opry cast singing "Will the Circle Be Unbroken."