Category: News/Obituary
Imagine having a name like Johnny Mathis and not being a pop singer. Johnny Mathis the country singer was a star before the guy who sings "Chances Are," yet he was the one who put the qualifier in his name to make sure no one confused the two.
Country Johnny Mathis died Tuesday (9/27) of pneumonia at his home in Tennessee. He had suffered a massive stroke in 1999 and was totally incapacitated for the remainder of his life.
Born in Texas in 1930, Johnny Mathis learned gospel music from his Holiness preacher father. In the early 50s he teamed up with Jimmy Lee Fautheree for the duo Jimmy and Johnny. Their 1954 song "If You Don't, Somebody Else Will" was a top five smash and eventually was recorded by people ranging from Wanda Jackson to the Osborne Brothers to Ray Price to Carl Smith. The duo became regulars on the Louisiana Hayride but would never have another hit, despite some excellent music (all of which was released on a Bear Family CD).
One story on the Country Johnny Mathis web site is how he wrote "Am I That Easy to Forget" and, in a move reminiscent of Arthur Q. Smith, sold the rights to the song for enough money to buy himself a bottle of vodka. Mathis cleaned up his act and later concentrated on writing gospel songs.
Country Johnny Mathis died one day shy of what would have been his 81st birthday.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Walkin' Talkin' Cryin' Barely Beatin' Broken Heart
Category: News/Obituary
It takes a real man to spend most of his life known as the husband of a famous wife. That was, in many regards, Johnnie Wright's legacy: he was Mr. Kitty Wells.
Johnnie Wright passed away this morning (9/27) at his home in Madison, Tennessee. He had been in failing health for a number of years.
Johnnie Robert Wright was born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee on May 13, 1914. In 1938 he met up with another man born on May 13, Jack Anglin, and began a partnership with him as the duo Johnnie and Jack. Jack married Johnnie's sister, making them brothers-in-law as well as musical partners.
Wright made one other significant life change in 1938: he married an 18-year-old named Muriel Deason. The three performed together for years, bouncing between Nashville and Knoxville. Wright thought his wife's name wasn't a good "show biz" name, so he suggested she change her name. He mentioned the name Kitty Wells, taken from a song "Sweet Kitty Wells," and the rest is history.
Johnnie and Jack signed to RCA and began a string of hits in the early 50s. Kitty Wells was briefly on RCA (her classic song, "How Far is Heaven," was done for that label) before signing with Decca. Her first single on that label was an answer song to Hank Thompson's big hit "The Wild Side of Life." "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" put Kitty in a controversial situation: the happy wife and mother was singing a song that clearly irritated a number of men in positions of power in Nashville. (She was told point-blank to NOT sing the popular song on the Opry and was suspended when she defied that order.) She became the first woman to top the Billboard country music charts and kicked open the door for the Jean Shepards, Loretta Lynns, Tammy Wynettes, Connie Smiths, and Lynn Andersons who followed. As a result she earned the nickname "the Queen of Country Music."
Johnnie and Jack's career tragically ended in March, 1963 when Jack Anglin was killed in a single-car wreck on his way to the memorial service for Patsy Cline, who had died two days earlier in a plane crash with Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins. The tragedies began talks of an "Opry curse" (eight more Opry-related acts would die in the next two years). Johnnie continued as a solo act with the support of his wife and son Bobby, who was by that time a cast member on the series McHale's Navy.
Wright's first solo single, "Walkin' Talkin' Cryin' Barely Beatin' Broken Heart," was released on Decca in 1964. When the single came out it had Johnnie's first name misspelled as "Johnny." He later said he figured the more traditional spelling of the name was easier for people to remember, so for the rest of his life he went by the misspelling.
Wright's only #1 song as a solo artist was a song written by Tom T. Hall, "Hello Vietnam." The song came out in 1965, before the controversy surrounding the war escalated. He never had another top ten record after that, but that doesn't mean he was not in demand. The Johnny Wright/Kitty Wells Family Show toured until 2000, meaning that Wright and Wells were on the road together for 62 years.
Johnnie and Kitty would have celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary October 30th. Their daughter, Ruby Wright (who had an answer song to Roger Miller's "Dang Me" titled "Dern Ya") passed away from heart disease two years ago Friday.
Bear Family issued all of Johnnie and Jack's recordings in a six-CD set Johnnie and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys. Sadly, the box set is out of print, and only a greatest hits CD is currently available on the duo.
The great Johnnie Wright was 97.
It takes a real man to spend most of his life known as the husband of a famous wife. That was, in many regards, Johnnie Wright's legacy: he was Mr. Kitty Wells.
Johnnie Wright passed away this morning (9/27) at his home in Madison, Tennessee. He had been in failing health for a number of years.
Johnnie Robert Wright was born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee on May 13, 1914. In 1938 he met up with another man born on May 13, Jack Anglin, and began a partnership with him as the duo Johnnie and Jack. Jack married Johnnie's sister, making them brothers-in-law as well as musical partners.
Wright made one other significant life change in 1938: he married an 18-year-old named Muriel Deason. The three performed together for years, bouncing between Nashville and Knoxville. Wright thought his wife's name wasn't a good "show biz" name, so he suggested she change her name. He mentioned the name Kitty Wells, taken from a song "Sweet Kitty Wells," and the rest is history.
Johnnie and Jack signed to RCA and began a string of hits in the early 50s. Kitty Wells was briefly on RCA (her classic song, "How Far is Heaven," was done for that label) before signing with Decca. Her first single on that label was an answer song to Hank Thompson's big hit "The Wild Side of Life." "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" put Kitty in a controversial situation: the happy wife and mother was singing a song that clearly irritated a number of men in positions of power in Nashville. (She was told point-blank to NOT sing the popular song on the Opry and was suspended when she defied that order.) She became the first woman to top the Billboard country music charts and kicked open the door for the Jean Shepards, Loretta Lynns, Tammy Wynettes, Connie Smiths, and Lynn Andersons who followed. As a result she earned the nickname "the Queen of Country Music."
Johnnie and Jack's career tragically ended in March, 1963 when Jack Anglin was killed in a single-car wreck on his way to the memorial service for Patsy Cline, who had died two days earlier in a plane crash with Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins. The tragedies began talks of an "Opry curse" (eight more Opry-related acts would die in the next two years). Johnnie continued as a solo act with the support of his wife and son Bobby, who was by that time a cast member on the series McHale's Navy.
Wright's first solo single, "Walkin' Talkin' Cryin' Barely Beatin' Broken Heart," was released on Decca in 1964. When the single came out it had Johnnie's first name misspelled as "Johnny." He later said he figured the more traditional spelling of the name was easier for people to remember, so for the rest of his life he went by the misspelling.
Wright's only #1 song as a solo artist was a song written by Tom T. Hall, "Hello Vietnam." The song came out in 1965, before the controversy surrounding the war escalated. He never had another top ten record after that, but that doesn't mean he was not in demand. The Johnny Wright/Kitty Wells Family Show toured until 2000, meaning that Wright and Wells were on the road together for 62 years.
Johnnie and Kitty would have celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary October 30th. Their daughter, Ruby Wright (who had an answer song to Roger Miller's "Dang Me" titled "Dern Ya") passed away from heart disease two years ago Friday.
Bear Family issued all of Johnnie and Jack's recordings in a six-CD set Johnnie and Jack and the Tennessee Mountain Boys. Sadly, the box set is out of print, and only a greatest hits CD is currently available on the duo.
The great Johnnie Wright was 97.
Friday, September 16, 2011
A True Mountain Voice Silenced
Category: News/Obituary
A sad week for country music gets sadder. Wilma Lee Cooper passed away Tuesday afternoon (9/13).
For decades Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper took their pure mountain sound to the world, first through the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree then through the Grand Ole Opry. They scored charted hits with songs that were unapologetically country in the era of the Nashville Sound: "Come Walk With Me," "Big Midnight Special," and the Don Gibson-penned "There's a Big Wheel."
After Stoney's death from a heart attack in 1977 Wilma Lee remained at the Opry, performing, recording and touring as one of the "Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry."
In 2001 Wilma Lee suffered a debilitating stroke that ended her career. She loved her Opry family (her daughter, Carol Lee, is leader of the background singing group on the Opry) and visited often, earning a standing ovation for merely walking out on the stage in 2005. Her final appearance on the Opry was in 2010, when she participated in the reopening ceremonies for the Opry House following the May 2010 flood.
Farewell to the great Wilma Lee Cooper, who was 90.
A sad week for country music gets sadder. Wilma Lee Cooper passed away Tuesday afternoon (9/13).
For decades Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper took their pure mountain sound to the world, first through the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree then through the Grand Ole Opry. They scored charted hits with songs that were unapologetically country in the era of the Nashville Sound: "Come Walk With Me," "Big Midnight Special," and the Don Gibson-penned "There's a Big Wheel."
After Stoney's death from a heart attack in 1977 Wilma Lee remained at the Opry, performing, recording and touring as one of the "Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry."
In 2001 Wilma Lee suffered a debilitating stroke that ended her career. She loved her Opry family (her daughter, Carol Lee, is leader of the background singing group on the Opry) and visited often, earning a standing ovation for merely walking out on the stage in 2005. Her final appearance on the Opry was in 2010, when she participated in the reopening ceremonies for the Opry House following the May 2010 flood.
Farewell to the great Wilma Lee Cooper, who was 90.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Dates of Note in Country Music, September 16-31
Category: News
(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)
September 16:
David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida, 1950 (now 61)
Bobby Randall of Sawyer Brown born in Midland, Michigan, 1952 (now 59)
Terry McBride of McBride & the Ride born in Austin, Texas, 1958 (now 53)
Ralph Mooney born in Duncan, Oklahoma, 1928 (died 2011)
Sheb Wooley died in Nashville, Tennessee (leukemia), 2003 (was 82)
September 17:
Hank Williams born in Mount Olive, Alabama, 1923 (died 1953)
John Ritter, son of Tex Ritter, born in Burbank, California, 1948 (died 2003)
Steve Sanders (William Lee Golden's one-time replacement in the Oak Ridge Boys) born in Richland, Georgia, 1952 (died 1998)
Bill Black born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1965)
RCA's 33 1/3 RPM "long-playing" (LP) record born, 1931
September 18:
Priscilla Mitchell born in Marietta, Georgia, 1941 (now 70). In addition to her own singing career, she was married to Jerry Reed from 1959 until his death in 2008.
Carl Jackson born in Louisville, Mississippi, 1953 (now 58)
Ervin T. Rouse born in Craven County, North Carolina, 1917 (died 1981)
September 19:
Trisha Yearwood born in Monticello, Georgia, 1964 (now 47)
Clyde Moody born in Cherokee, North Carolina, 1915 (died 1989)
Danny Dill born in Carroll County, Tennessee, 1924 (died 2008)
Clyde "Sonny' Burns born in Lufkin, Texas, 1930 (died 1992)
Red Foley died in Fort Wayne, Indiana (heart attack), 1968 (was 58)
Gram Parsons died in Joshua Tree, California (drug overdose), 1973 (was 26)
Skeeter Davis died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2004 (was 72)
Slim Dusty ("Australian king of country music") died in St. Ives, New South Wales (cancer), 2003 (was 76)
Carl Smith married singer Goldie Hill, 1957
September 20:
Pearl Butler born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 1988)
Karl Farr died in West Springfield, Massachusetts (heart attack), 1961 (was 52)
Jim Croce died in Natchitoches, Louisiana (plane crash), 1973 (was 30). The folk singer/songwriter's pop hit "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" made the country charts a year after his death.
Steve Goodman died in Seattle, Washington (liver and kidney failure/leukemia), 1984 (was 36)
Hank Williams re-joined the Louisiana Hayride after being fired from the Grand Ole Opry, 1952
September 21:
Dickey Lee born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1936 (now 75)
Don Felder, former guitarist/steel guitarist for the Eagles, born in Gainesville, Florida, 1947 (now 64)
Kenny Starr born in Topeka, Kansas, 1952 (now 59)
Ted Daffan born in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, 1912 (died 1996)
Walter Brennan died in Oxnard, California (emphysema), 1974 (was 80). Among the actor's charted hits were "Old Rivers" and a version of Bill Anderson's "Mama Sang a Song."
September 22:
June Forester of the Forester Sisters born in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, 1952 (now 59)
Debby Boone born in Hackensack, New Jersey, 1956 (now 54). The "You Light Up My Life" singer is Red Foley's granddaughter.
Roy "Pop" Lewis Sr. of the Lewis Family, born in Pickens, South Carolina, 1905 (died 2004)
September 23:
Don Herron Jr. of BR5-49 born in Steubenville, Ohio, 1962 (now 49)
Roy Drusky died in Nashville, Tennessee (emphysema), 2004 (was 74)
Bradley Kincaid died in Springfield, Ohio (natural causes), 1989 (was 94)
O.B. McClinton died in Nashville, Tennessee (abdominal cancer), 1987 (was 45)
Jimmy Wakely died in Mission Hills, California (emphysema), 1982 (was 68)
Roy Horton died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2003 (was 88)
Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys make their first recording session, 1935
September 24:
Rosalie Allen died in Palmdale, California (congestive heart failure), 2003 (was 79)
Jim Denny fired as Opry manager, 1956
September 25:
Ian Tyson born in Victoria, British Columbia, 1933 (now 78)
Larry Sparks born in Lebanon, Ohio, 1947 (now 64)
Royce Kendall born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1934 (died 1998)
Little Jimmy Dickens became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, 1948. He is celebrating 63 years as an Opry member, which is one of the longest tenures in the history of the show.
September 26:
David Frizzell born in El Dorado, Arkansas, 1941 (now 70)
Lynn Anderson born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1947 (now 64)
Carlene Carter born in Madison, Tennessee, 1955 (now 56)
Doug Supernaw born in Bryan, Texas, 1960 (now 51)
Marty Robbins born in Glendale, Arizona, 1925 (died 1982)
The Beverly Hillbillies debuted on CBS, 1962. The program featured appearances by Roy Clark as Cousin Roy and Flatt and Scruggs as friends of the Clampetts, and the show was frequently sponsored by Kellogg's Corn Flakes with ads featuring Homer and Jethro.
September 27:
Uncle Josh Graves born in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2006)
Charlie Monroe died in Reidsville, North Carolina (cancer), 1975 (was 72)
September 28:
Johnny Mathis born in Maud, Texas, 1930 (died 2011). Because of the rise of a pop singer by the same name, Mathis became known as "Country Johnny Mathis."
Ronnie Reno born in Buffalo, South Carolina, 1947 (now 64)
Laurie Lewis born in Long Beach, California, 1950 (now 61)
Mandy Barnett born in Crossville, Tennessee, 1975 (now 36)
Jerry Clower born in Liberty, Mississippi, 1926 (died 1998)
Tommy Collins (ne Leonard Sipes) born in Bethany, Oklahoma, 1930 (died 2000)
Joseph Falcon born in Rayne, Louisiana, 1900 (died 1965). Falcon is credited with the first Cajun recording, "Allons a Lafayette," in 1928.
Jim Boyd (of Bill Boyd and the Cowboy Ramblers) born in Fannin County, Texas, 1914 (died 1993)
Johnny Horton married Billie Jean Williams (widow of Hank Williams), 1953
September 29:
Jerry Lee Lewis born in Ferriday, Louisiana, 1935 (now 76)
Gene Autry born in Tioga Springs, Texas, 1907 (died 1998)
Bill Boyd born in Fannin County, Texas, 1910 (died 1977)
Tillman Franks born in Stamps, Arkansas, 1920 (died 2006)
Wesley Tuttle died in San Fernando, California (natural causes), 2003 (was 85)
Mickey Newbury died in Springfield, Oregon (lung disease), 2002 (was 62)
September 30:
Richard Bowden born in Linden, Texas, 1945 (now 66)
Johnny Burns born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1948 (now 63). The son of Jethro Burns is a singer/songwriter/guitarist on his own, and worked for many years with country-folk icon John Prine.
Deborah Allen born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1953 (now 58)
Marty Stuart born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, 1958 (now 53)
Mary Ford died in Arcadia, California (diabetes complications), 1977 (was 53)
Ruby Wright died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart disease), 2009 (was 69)
Billboard magazine changed the name of the "Hillbilly and Western" chart to the "Folk Country and Western" chart, 1950. Ernest Tubb is considered by many to be one of the people responsible for this, as he claimed that "hillbilly" was a derogatory term.
(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)
September 16:
David Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers born in Darby, Florida, 1950 (now 61)
Bobby Randall of Sawyer Brown born in Midland, Michigan, 1952 (now 59)
Terry McBride of McBride & the Ride born in Austin, Texas, 1958 (now 53)
Ralph Mooney born in Duncan, Oklahoma, 1928 (died 2011)
Sheb Wooley died in Nashville, Tennessee (leukemia), 2003 (was 82)
September 17:
Hank Williams born in Mount Olive, Alabama, 1923 (died 1953)
John Ritter, son of Tex Ritter, born in Burbank, California, 1948 (died 2003)
Steve Sanders (William Lee Golden's one-time replacement in the Oak Ridge Boys) born in Richland, Georgia, 1952 (died 1998)
Bill Black born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1926 (died 1965)
RCA's 33 1/3 RPM "long-playing" (LP) record born, 1931
September 18:
Priscilla Mitchell born in Marietta, Georgia, 1941 (now 70). In addition to her own singing career, she was married to Jerry Reed from 1959 until his death in 2008.
Carl Jackson born in Louisville, Mississippi, 1953 (now 58)
Ervin T. Rouse born in Craven County, North Carolina, 1917 (died 1981)
September 19:
Trisha Yearwood born in Monticello, Georgia, 1964 (now 47)
Clyde Moody born in Cherokee, North Carolina, 1915 (died 1989)
Danny Dill born in Carroll County, Tennessee, 1924 (died 2008)
Clyde "Sonny' Burns born in Lufkin, Texas, 1930 (died 1992)
Red Foley died in Fort Wayne, Indiana (heart attack), 1968 (was 58)
Gram Parsons died in Joshua Tree, California (drug overdose), 1973 (was 26)
Skeeter Davis died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2004 (was 72)
Slim Dusty ("Australian king of country music") died in St. Ives, New South Wales (cancer), 2003 (was 76)
Carl Smith married singer Goldie Hill, 1957
September 20:
Pearl Butler born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 1988)
Karl Farr died in West Springfield, Massachusetts (heart attack), 1961 (was 52)
Jim Croce died in Natchitoches, Louisiana (plane crash), 1973 (was 30). The folk singer/songwriter's pop hit "I'll Have to Say I Love You in a Song" made the country charts a year after his death.
Steve Goodman died in Seattle, Washington (liver and kidney failure/leukemia), 1984 (was 36)
Hank Williams re-joined the Louisiana Hayride after being fired from the Grand Ole Opry, 1952
September 21:
Dickey Lee born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1936 (now 75)
Don Felder, former guitarist/steel guitarist for the Eagles, born in Gainesville, Florida, 1947 (now 64)
Kenny Starr born in Topeka, Kansas, 1952 (now 59)
Daryl Mosley of New Tradition born in Waverly, Tennessee, 1964 (now 47)
Ronna Reeves born in Big Spring, Texas, 1966 (now 45)Ted Daffan born in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, 1912 (died 1996)
Walter Brennan died in Oxnard, California (emphysema), 1974 (was 80). Among the actor's charted hits were "Old Rivers" and a version of Bill Anderson's "Mama Sang a Song."
September 22:
June Forester of the Forester Sisters born in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, 1952 (now 59)
Debby Boone born in Hackensack, New Jersey, 1956 (now 54). The "You Light Up My Life" singer is Red Foley's granddaughter.
Roy "Pop" Lewis Sr. of the Lewis Family, born in Pickens, South Carolina, 1905 (died 2004)
September 23:
Don Herron Jr. of BR5-49 born in Steubenville, Ohio, 1962 (now 49)
Roy Drusky died in Nashville, Tennessee (emphysema), 2004 (was 74)
Bradley Kincaid died in Springfield, Ohio (natural causes), 1989 (was 94)
O.B. McClinton died in Nashville, Tennessee (abdominal cancer), 1987 (was 45)
Jimmy Wakely died in Mission Hills, California (emphysema), 1982 (was 68)
Roy Horton died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 2003 (was 88)
Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys make their first recording session, 1935
September 24:
Rosalie Allen died in Palmdale, California (congestive heart failure), 2003 (was 79)
Jim Denny fired as Opry manager, 1956
September 25:
Ian Tyson born in Victoria, British Columbia, 1933 (now 78)
Larry Sparks born in Lebanon, Ohio, 1947 (now 64)
Royce Kendall born in St. Louis, Missouri, 1934 (died 1998)
Little Jimmy Dickens became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, 1948. He is celebrating 63 years as an Opry member, which is one of the longest tenures in the history of the show.
September 26:
David Frizzell born in El Dorado, Arkansas, 1941 (now 70)
Lynn Anderson born in Grand Forks, North Dakota, 1947 (now 64)
Carlene Carter born in Madison, Tennessee, 1955 (now 56)
Doug Supernaw born in Bryan, Texas, 1960 (now 51)
Marty Robbins born in Glendale, Arizona, 1925 (died 1982)
The Beverly Hillbillies debuted on CBS, 1962. The program featured appearances by Roy Clark as Cousin Roy and Flatt and Scruggs as friends of the Clampetts, and the show was frequently sponsored by Kellogg's Corn Flakes with ads featuring Homer and Jethro.
September 27:
Uncle Josh Graves born in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2006)
Charlie Monroe died in Reidsville, North Carolina (cancer), 1975 (was 72)
September 28:
Johnny Mathis born in Maud, Texas, 1930 (died 2011). Because of the rise of a pop singer by the same name, Mathis became known as "Country Johnny Mathis."
Ronnie Reno born in Buffalo, South Carolina, 1947 (now 64)
Laurie Lewis born in Long Beach, California, 1950 (now 61)
Mandy Barnett born in Crossville, Tennessee, 1975 (now 36)
Jerry Clower born in Liberty, Mississippi, 1926 (died 1998)
Tommy Collins (ne Leonard Sipes) born in Bethany, Oklahoma, 1930 (died 2000)
Joseph Falcon born in Rayne, Louisiana, 1900 (died 1965). Falcon is credited with the first Cajun recording, "Allons a Lafayette," in 1928.
Jim Boyd (of Bill Boyd and the Cowboy Ramblers) born in Fannin County, Texas, 1914 (died 1993)
Johnny Horton married Billie Jean Williams (widow of Hank Williams), 1953
September 29:
Jerry Lee Lewis born in Ferriday, Louisiana, 1935 (now 76)
Gene Autry born in Tioga Springs, Texas, 1907 (died 1998)
Bill Boyd born in Fannin County, Texas, 1910 (died 1977)
Tillman Franks born in Stamps, Arkansas, 1920 (died 2006)
Wesley Tuttle died in San Fernando, California (natural causes), 2003 (was 85)
Mickey Newbury died in Springfield, Oregon (lung disease), 2002 (was 62)
September 30:
Richard Bowden born in Linden, Texas, 1945 (now 66)
Johnny Burns born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1948 (now 63). The son of Jethro Burns is a singer/songwriter/guitarist on his own, and worked for many years with country-folk icon John Prine.
Deborah Allen born in Memphis, Tennessee, 1953 (now 58)
Marty Stuart born in Philadelphia, Mississippi, 1958 (now 53)
Mary Ford died in Arcadia, California (diabetes complications), 1977 (was 53)
Ruby Wright died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart disease), 2009 (was 69)
Billboard magazine changed the name of the "Hillbilly and Western" chart to the "Folk Country and Western" chart, 1950. Ernest Tubb is considered by many to be one of the people responsible for this, as he claimed that "hillbilly" was a derogatory term.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
A Double Whammy in Country Music
Category: News/Obituary
The world of country music has lost two giants on September 12.
Don Wayne. Don Wayne was a superb songwriter, author of such songs as "Country Bumpkin," "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" (both hits by Cal Smith), "The Belles of Southern Bell," and "Saginaw, Michigan," which he "co-wrote" with Bill Anderson. In Anderson's autobiography Whisperin' Bill he explained how he came to be listed as Wayne's co-author: Wayne was stuck on how to end the song, and Anderson suggested that he have the song's protagonist tell the greedy, snooty father of his love that there was gold to be had in Alaska. Wayne took Anderson's suggestion and finished the song -- then insisted that Anderson be credited as co-writer. Wayne was elected to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1978.
Although no cause of death has yet been released, Wayne was hospitalized for some time and last week was placed in Hospice care. He was 78.
Wade Mainer. In a 1984 interview Jethro Burns called Wade Mainer a true pioneer of country music and suggested that Mainer belonged in the Hall of Fame. Mainer and his Mountaineers go back to the 1930s. He recorded with Zeke Morris, with his brother J.E. Mainer, and on his own. In 2007 a biography, Banjo on the Mountain: Wade Mainer's First Hundred Years (written by Dick Spottswood with Stephen Wade), was published by the University of Mississippi Press. He was considered the longest-living country performer ever. He passed away from congestive heart failure at his home in North Carolina.
Farewell to these two legendary gentlemen of country music.
The world of country music has lost two giants on September 12.
Don Wayne. Don Wayne was a superb songwriter, author of such songs as "Country Bumpkin," "It's Time to Pay the Fiddler" (both hits by Cal Smith), "The Belles of Southern Bell," and "Saginaw, Michigan," which he "co-wrote" with Bill Anderson. In Anderson's autobiography Whisperin' Bill he explained how he came to be listed as Wayne's co-author: Wayne was stuck on how to end the song, and Anderson suggested that he have the song's protagonist tell the greedy, snooty father of his love that there was gold to be had in Alaska. Wayne took Anderson's suggestion and finished the song -- then insisted that Anderson be credited as co-writer. Wayne was elected to the Songwriter's Hall of Fame in 1978.
Although no cause of death has yet been released, Wayne was hospitalized for some time and last week was placed in Hospice care. He was 78.
Wade Mainer. In a 1984 interview Jethro Burns called Wade Mainer a true pioneer of country music and suggested that Mainer belonged in the Hall of Fame. Mainer and his Mountaineers go back to the 1930s. He recorded with Zeke Morris, with his brother J.E. Mainer, and on his own. In 2007 a biography, Banjo on the Mountain: Wade Mainer's First Hundred Years (written by Dick Spottswood with Stephen Wade), was published by the University of Mississippi Press. He was considered the longest-living country performer ever. He passed away from congestive heart failure at his home in North Carolina.
Farewell to these two legendary gentlemen of country music.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Dates of Note in Country Music, September 1-15
Category: News
(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)
September 1
Steve Goetzman of Exile born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1950 (now 61)
Boxcar Willie (ne Lecil Travis Martin) born in Sterratt, Texas, 1931 (died 1999)
Johnny Mack Brown born in Dothan, Alabama, 1904 (died 1974). The western actor was the namesake of Lester "Roadhog" Moran and the Cadillac Cowboy's Live at the Johnny Mack Brown High School album.
Conway Twitty born in Friars Point, Mississippi, 1933 (died 1993)
Delia "Mom" Upchurch, the "Den Mother to the Stars," died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1967 (was 85)
Jerry Reed died in Nashville, Tennessee (emphysema), 2008 (was 71)
September 2
Paul Wylie Deakin of the Mavericks born in Miami, Florida, 1959 (now 52)
Johnny Lee Wills born in Jewell, Texas, 1912 (died 1984)
Charline Authur born in Henrietta, Texas, 1929 (died 1987)
Grady Nutt born in Amarillo, Texas, 1934 (died 1982)
Fabor Robinson, founder of Fabor Records, died in Minden, Louisiana (unknown cause), 1986 (was 74)
September 3
Tompall Glaser born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1933 (now 78)
Jimmy Riddle born in Dyersburg, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1981)
Hank Thompson born in Waco, Texas, 1925 (died 2007)
September 4
Shot Jackson born in Wilmington, North Carolina, 1920 (died 1991)
Dottie West died in Nashville, Tennessee (injuries from a car wreck), 1991 (was 58)
Carl Butler died in Franklin, Tennessee (heart attack), 1992 (was 65)
September 5
Curley Williams died in Montgomery, Alabama (unknown cause), 1970 (was 66)
The Country Music Association was founded, 1958
The Lewis Family's final concert, 2009. The bluegrass and gospel band began performing in 1951.
September 6
David Allan Coe born in Akron, Ohio, 1939 (now 72)
Jeff Foxworthy born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1958 (now 53)
Mark Chesnutt born in Beaumont, Texas, 1963 (now 48)
Zeke Clements born in Warrior, Alabama, 1911 (died 1994)
Paul Yandell born in Mayfield, Kentucky, 1935 (died 2011)
Mel McDaniel born in Checotah, Oklahoma, 1942 (died 2011)
Ernest Tubb died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from emphysema), 1984 (was 70)
Autry Inman died (unknown cause), 1988 (was 59)
Roy Huskey Jr. died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1997 (was 41)
September 7
Ronnie Dove born in Herndon, Virginia, 1940 (now 71)
Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas, 1936 (died 1959). The rock and roll pioneer began in country music, and among his band members was Waylon Jennings.
Hubert Long died in Nashville, Tennessee (brain tumor), 1972 (was 48)
Warren Zevon died in Los Angeles, California (mesothelioma), 2003 (was 56). The folk-rock singer wrote "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," which made the country charts by both Linda Ronstadt and Terri Clark, and Dwight Yoakam recorded Zevon's "Carmelita" and sang on two of Zevon's albums. Zevon also appeared in the movie South of Heaven, West of Hell with Yoakam.
September 8
Jimmie Rodgers born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1897 (died 1933)
Milton Brown born in Stephenville, Texas, 1903 (died 1936)
Patsy Cline born in Winchester, Virginia, 1932 (died 1963)
Harlan Howard born in Detroit, Michigan, 1929 (died 2002)
September 9
Freddy Weller born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1947 (now 64)
Charline Arthur born in Henrietta, Texas, 1929 (died 1987)
Rodger Dale Tubb died in Fredericksburg, Texas (car wreck), 1938 (was 7 weeks old)
Tex Owens died in New Baden, Texas (unknown cause), 1962 (was 70)
Bill Monroe died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1996 (was 84)
September 10
Tommy Overstreet born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1937 (now 74)
Rosie Flores born in San Antonio, Texas, 1956 (now 55)
Luke Wills born in Memphis, Texas, 1920 (died 2000)
Joe (ne Walter) Callahan of the Callahan Brothers died in Asheville, North Carolina (cancer), 1971 (was 61)
September 11
Jimmie Davis born in Beech Springs, Louisiana, 1899 (died 2000)
Randy Hughes born in Gum, Tennessee, 1928 (died 1963)
Lorne Greene died in Santa Monica, California (pneumonia), 1987 (was 72). The actor's recitation "Ringo" was a top 25 country hit in 1964.
Leon Payne died in San Antonio, Texas (heart attack), 1969 (was 52)
Bill (ne Homer) Callahan of the Callahan Brothers died in Dallas, Texas (congestive heart failure), 2002 (was 90)
Terrorists crash planes into the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, 2001. The attack spawned several country songs including Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" and Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)."
September 12
George Jones born in Saratoga, Texas, 1931 (now 80)
Leona Johnson Atkins born in Jackson Township, Ohio, 1924 (died 2009). One of WLW's "Johnson Twins," she married Chet Atkins in 1946.
Lois Johnson Burns born in Jackson Township, Ohio, 1924 (died 1989). One of WLW's "Johnson Twins," she married Jethro Burns of Homer & Jethro in 1946.
Helen Carter born in Maces Springs, Virginia, 1927 (died 1998)
Rod Brasfield died in Martin, Tennessee (heart failure), 1958 (was 48)
Johnny Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee (Shy-Drager syndrome complications, diabetes, lung disease), 2003 (was 71)
John Ritter died in Los Angeles, California (heart ailment), 2003 (was 54). The actor was the son of Western legend Tex Ritter.
Charlie Walker died in Nashville, Tennessee (colon cancer), 2008 (was 81)
September 13
Bobbie Cryner born in Woodland, California, 1961 (now 50)
Bill Monroe born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1911 (died 1996)
U.S. Postal Service issues a Roy Acuff postage stamp, 2003
September 14
John Berry born in Aiken, South Carolina, 1959 (now 52)
Mae Boren Axton born in Bardwell, Texas, 1914 (died 1997)
Don Walser born in Brownfield, Texas, 1934 (died 2006)
Vernon Dalhart died in Bridgeport, Connecticut (heart attack), 1948 (was 65)
Hank Williams arrived in Nashville and met with Fred Rose to discuss a record or publishing deal, 1946
September 15
Roy Acuff born in Maynardsville, Tennesssee, 1903 (died 1992)
Patsy Cline married Charlie Dick, 1957
(Country Music Hall of Famers in bold)
September 1
Steve Goetzman of Exile born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1950 (now 61)
Boxcar Willie (ne Lecil Travis Martin) born in Sterratt, Texas, 1931 (died 1999)
Johnny Mack Brown born in Dothan, Alabama, 1904 (died 1974). The western actor was the namesake of Lester "Roadhog" Moran and the Cadillac Cowboy's Live at the Johnny Mack Brown High School album.
Conway Twitty born in Friars Point, Mississippi, 1933 (died 1993)
Delia "Mom" Upchurch, the "Den Mother to the Stars," died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1967 (was 85)
Jerry Reed died in Nashville, Tennessee (emphysema), 2008 (was 71)
September 2
Paul Wylie Deakin of the Mavericks born in Miami, Florida, 1959 (now 52)
Johnny Lee Wills born in Jewell, Texas, 1912 (died 1984)
Charline Authur born in Henrietta, Texas, 1929 (died 1987)
Grady Nutt born in Amarillo, Texas, 1934 (died 1982)
Fabor Robinson, founder of Fabor Records, died in Minden, Louisiana (unknown cause), 1986 (was 74)
September 3
Tompall Glaser born in Spalding, Nebraska, 1933 (now 78)
Jimmy Riddle born in Dyersburg, Tennessee, 1918 (died 1981)
Hank Thompson born in Waco, Texas, 1925 (died 2007)
September 4
Shot Jackson born in Wilmington, North Carolina, 1920 (died 1991)
Dottie West died in Nashville, Tennessee (injuries from a car wreck), 1991 (was 58)
Carl Butler died in Franklin, Tennessee (heart attack), 1992 (was 65)
September 5
Curley Williams died in Montgomery, Alabama (unknown cause), 1970 (was 66)
The Country Music Association was founded, 1958
The Lewis Family's final concert, 2009. The bluegrass and gospel band began performing in 1951.
September 6
David Allan Coe born in Akron, Ohio, 1939 (now 72)
Jeff Foxworthy born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1958 (now 53)
Mark Chesnutt born in Beaumont, Texas, 1963 (now 48)
Zeke Clements born in Warrior, Alabama, 1911 (died 1994)
Paul Yandell born in Mayfield, Kentucky, 1935 (died 2011)
Mel McDaniel born in Checotah, Oklahoma, 1942 (died 2011)
Ernest Tubb died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from emphysema), 1984 (was 70)
Autry Inman died (unknown cause), 1988 (was 59)
Roy Huskey Jr. died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1997 (was 41)
September 7
Ronnie Dove born in Herndon, Virginia, 1940 (now 71)
Buddy Holly born in Lubbock, Texas, 1936 (died 1959). The rock and roll pioneer began in country music, and among his band members was Waylon Jennings.
Hubert Long died in Nashville, Tennessee (brain tumor), 1972 (was 48)
Warren Zevon died in Los Angeles, California (mesothelioma), 2003 (was 56). The folk-rock singer wrote "Poor Poor Pitiful Me," which made the country charts by both Linda Ronstadt and Terri Clark, and Dwight Yoakam recorded Zevon's "Carmelita" and sang on two of Zevon's albums. Zevon also appeared in the movie South of Heaven, West of Hell with Yoakam.
September 8
Jimmie Rodgers born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1897 (died 1933)
Milton Brown born in Stephenville, Texas, 1903 (died 1936)
Patsy Cline born in Winchester, Virginia, 1932 (died 1963)
Harlan Howard born in Detroit, Michigan, 1929 (died 2002)
September 9
Freddy Weller born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1947 (now 64)
Charline Arthur born in Henrietta, Texas, 1929 (died 1987)
Rodger Dale Tubb died in Fredericksburg, Texas (car wreck), 1938 (was 7 weeks old)
Tex Owens died in New Baden, Texas (unknown cause), 1962 (was 70)
Bill Monroe died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1996 (was 84)
September 10
Tommy Overstreet born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1937 (now 74)
Rosie Flores born in San Antonio, Texas, 1956 (now 55)
Luke Wills born in Memphis, Texas, 1920 (died 2000)
Joe (ne Walter) Callahan of the Callahan Brothers died in Asheville, North Carolina (cancer), 1971 (was 61)
September 11
Jimmie Davis born in Beech Springs, Louisiana, 1899 (died 2000)
Randy Hughes born in Gum, Tennessee, 1928 (died 1963)
Lorne Greene died in Santa Monica, California (pneumonia), 1987 (was 72). The actor's recitation "Ringo" was a top 25 country hit in 1964.
Leon Payne died in San Antonio, Texas (heart attack), 1969 (was 52)
Bill (ne Homer) Callahan of the Callahan Brothers died in Dallas, Texas (congestive heart failure), 2002 (was 90)
Terrorists crash planes into the World Trade Center's twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, 2001. The attack spawned several country songs including Alan Jackson's "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" and Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)."
September 12
George Jones born in Saratoga, Texas, 1931 (now 80)
Leona Johnson Atkins born in Jackson Township, Ohio, 1924 (died 2009). One of WLW's "Johnson Twins," she married Chet Atkins in 1946.
Lois Johnson Burns born in Jackson Township, Ohio, 1924 (died 1989). One of WLW's "Johnson Twins," she married Jethro Burns of Homer & Jethro in 1946.
Helen Carter born in Maces Springs, Virginia, 1927 (died 1998)
Rod Brasfield died in Martin, Tennessee (heart failure), 1958 (was 48)
Johnny Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee (Shy-Drager syndrome complications, diabetes, lung disease), 2003 (was 71)
John Ritter died in Los Angeles, California (heart ailment), 2003 (was 54). The actor was the son of Western legend Tex Ritter.
Charlie Walker died in Nashville, Tennessee (colon cancer), 2008 (was 81)
September 13
Bobbie Cryner born in Woodland, California, 1961 (now 50)
Bill Monroe born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1911 (died 1996)
U.S. Postal Service issues a Roy Acuff postage stamp, 2003
September 14
John Berry born in Aiken, South Carolina, 1959 (now 52)
Mae Boren Axton born in Bardwell, Texas, 1914 (died 1997)
Don Walser born in Brownfield, Texas, 1934 (died 2006)
Vernon Dalhart died in Bridgeport, Connecticut (heart attack), 1948 (was 65)
Hank Williams arrived in Nashville and met with Fred Rose to discuss a record or publishing deal, 1946
September 15
Roy Acuff born in Maynardsville, Tennesssee, 1903 (died 1992)
Patsy Cline married Charlie Dick, 1957
Monday, August 15, 2011
Dates of Note in Country Music, August 16-31
Category: News
Country Music Hall of Famers in bold
August 16:
Billy Joe Shaver born in Corsica, Texas, 1939 (now 72)
Kathie Lee Gifford born in Paris, France, 1953 (now 58). Gifford began her career as one of the "Hee Haw honeys."
Emory Martin born in Hickman County, Tennessee, 1889 (died 2006). Martin was the one-armed banjo player at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.
Elvis Presley died at Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee (heart failure), 1977 (was 42)
Vassar Clements died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 2005 (was 77)
Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," 1935. The song would become country music's first million-seller by a female.
August 17:
E.W. "Bud" Wendell born in Akron, Ohio, 1927 (now 84)
Wayne Raney born in Wolf Bayou, Arkansas, 1920 (died 1993)
August 18:
Hank Penny born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1918 (died 1992)
Molly Bee born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 1939 (died 2009)
Johnny Preston born in Port Arthur, Texas, 1939 (died 2011). Preston is best known for "Running Bear," the 1959 hit which featured guitar work and backing vocals by George Jones.
Charlie Waller died in Gordonsville, Virginia (heart attack), 2004 (was 69)
The Louvin Brothers play their last official show as a duo (opening for Ray Price) in Watseka, Illinois, 1963. According to Charles Wolfe's biography, the duo that once commanded over $1,100 per show as headliners received $250 for the performance.
August 19:
Eddy Raven born in Lafayette, Louisiana, 1944 (now 67)
Lee Ann Womack born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1966 (now 45)
Clay Walker born in Beaumont, Texas, 1969 (now 42)
Curly Ray Cline died in Rockhouse, Kentucky (illness), 1997 (was 74)
August 20:
Rudy Gatlin born in Olney, Texas, 1952 (now 59)
Ralph Stanley II born in Coeburn, Virginia, 1958 (now 53)
Jim Reeves born in Galloway, Texas, 1923 (died 1964)
Justin Tubb born in San Antonio, Texas, 1935 (died 1998)
Louis Innis died (heart attack), 1982 (was 63)
Leon McAuliffe died in Tulsa, Oklahoma (illness), 1988 (was 71)
August 21:
Harold Reid born in Staunton, Virginia, 1939 (now 72)
Nick Kane of the Mavericks born in Jerusalem, Georgia, 1954 (now 57)
Teea Goans born in Lowry City, Missouri, year unknown
Sam McGee died in Williamson County, Tennessee (tractor accident on his farm), 1975 (was 81)
Murray "Buddy" Harman died in Nashville, Tennessee (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 79)
August 22:
Rounder Records co-owner Marian Leighton-Levy born in Harrington, Maine, 1948 (now 63)
Holly Dunn born in San Antonio, Texas, 1957 (now 54)
Collin Raye born in DeQueen, Arkansas, 1959 (now 52)
Rod Brasfield born in Smithville, Arkansas, 1910 (died 1958)
Connie B. Gay born in Lizard Lick, North Carolina, 1914 (died 1989)
Horace "Aytchie" Burns died in Knoxville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1974 (was 56). Aytchie was a bass player at Knoxville's WNOX and on the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. He was also the older brother of Jethro Burns.
Elizabeth Haynes born in Greenville, Kentucky, 1920 (died 1976)
Elizabeth Haynes died in Hammond, Indiana (kidney disease), 1976 (56th birthday). The one-time bass player and "red-headed yodeling gal" on the Renfro Valley Barn Dance was the wife of Homer Haynes.
Leon Chappelear died in Gladewater, Texas (suicide [gunshot]), 1962 (was 53)
Mooney Lynn, the husband of Loretta Lynn, died in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee (heart failure/diabetes), 1996 (was 69)
Floyd Tillman died in Houston, Texas (leukemia), 2003 (was 88)
August 23:
Rex Allen, Jr. born in Chicago, Illinois, 1947 (now 64)
Woody Paul of Riders in the Sky born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 62)
Tex Williams born in Anvil, Illinois, 1917 (died 1985)
Leslie York of the York Brothers born in Louisa, Kentucky, 1917 (died 1984)
"It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" hit #1 on the Billboard charts, 1952. The song, the first #1 hit for a female singer, was very controversial in its day, with many country stations refusing to play the song and the Grand Ole Opry management prohibiting Kitty Wells from performing the tune on the Opry.
August 24:
Fred Rose born in Evansville, Indiana, 1897 (died 1954)
Jerry Clower died in Jackson, Mississippi (complications from heart surgery), 1998 (was 71)
Nat Stuckey died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 1988 (was 54)
August 25:
Elvis Costello born in London, England, 1954 (now 57). The punk pioneer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member is a die-hard country music fan who recorded an album of old country songs, Almost Blue, and has performed with numerous country legends including George Jones, Ricky Skaggs, Emmylou Harris, and Charlie Louvin. Johnny Cash recorded Costello's song "The Big Light" on Johnny Cash is Coming to Town.
Billy Ray Cyrus born in Flatwoods, Kentucky, 1961 (now 50)
Jo Dee Messina born in Holliston, Massachusetts, 1970 (now 41)
Jerry Rivers born in Miami, Florida, 1928 (died 1996)
Cliff Bruner died in Texas City, Texas (cancer), 2000 (was 85)
August 26:
Don Bowman born in Lubbock, Texas, 1937 (now 74)
Jimmy Olander of Diamond Rio born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1961 (now 50)
Wilma Burgess died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2003 (was 64)
August 27:
Jimmy C. Newman born in Big Mamou, Louisiana, 1927 (now 84)
J.D. Crowe born in Lexington, Kentucky, 1937 (now 74)
Frances Preston born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1934 (now 76)
Jeff Cook of Alabama born in Fort Payne, Alabama, 1949 (now 62)
Carter Stanley born in Dickenson County, Virginia, 1925 (died 1966)
Oliver "Mooney" Lynn, husband of Loretta Lynn, born in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, 1926 (died 1996)
David "Bunny" Biggs of Jamup & Honey died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown causes), 1948 (was 52)
Jim Denny died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 1963 (was 52). For his Hall of Fame career, Denny may be most infamous for telling a guest artist after an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, "You ain't goin' nowhere, son. You ought to go back to driving a truck." The person on the receiving end of Denny's criticism was Elvis Presley.
August 28:
LeAnn Rimes born in Jackson, Mississippi, 1982 (now 28)
Billy Grammer born in Benton, Illinois, 1925 (died 2011)
August 29:
Dan Truman of Diamond Rio born in St. George, Utah, 1956 (now 55)
Grady Cole born in Lafayette, Georgia, 1909 (died 1981). He and wife Hazel wrote the country gospel classic "Tramp on the Street."
Archie Campbell died in Knoxville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1987 (was 67)
August 30:
Kitty Wells born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1919 (now 92)
Jon Hagar born in Chicago, Illinois, 1946 (died 2009)
Jim Hagar born in Chicago, Illinois, 1946 (died 2008)
Mr. Guitar
Category: News
For many, Chet Atkins defined guitar playing in country music. He began as a shy, sickly youngster in eastern Tennessee, listening to the likes of country great Merle Travis and French gypsy jazz master Django Reinhardt and rose to the top of the music world. His work as guitarist, producer, guitarist, music executive, and oh yes did I mention guitarist earned him one of the earliest inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame (in 1973, when he was just 49) in history -- and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has opened an exhibit dedicated to Chet Atkins. Titled "Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Picker," the exhibit includes a detailed replica of Chet's famous workshop in the basement of his home, many guitars (including the first one he ever owned), and Chet's famous guitar instruction book (which was advertised in countless country music magazines in the 1950s).
The exhibit, sponsored by Gretsch Guitars, will run through June, 2012.
For many, Chet Atkins defined guitar playing in country music. He began as a shy, sickly youngster in eastern Tennessee, listening to the likes of country great Merle Travis and French gypsy jazz master Django Reinhardt and rose to the top of the music world. His work as guitarist, producer, guitarist, music executive, and oh yes did I mention guitarist earned him one of the earliest inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame (in 1973, when he was just 49) in history -- and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has opened an exhibit dedicated to Chet Atkins. Titled "Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Picker," the exhibit includes a detailed replica of Chet's famous workshop in the basement of his home, many guitars (including the first one he ever owned), and Chet's famous guitar instruction book (which was advertised in countless country music magazines in the 1950s).
The exhibit, sponsored by Gretsch Guitars, will run through June, 2012.
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| The poster for the new Chet Atkins exhibit Courtesy of Gretsch Guitars |
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Gotta Travel On to Hillbilly Heaven
Category: Obituary/News
The 1959 smash hit "Gotta Travel On" was one of many country songs that year that found a home on the pop "top 40" charts as well as country radio. The man who performed that song, Billy Grammer, passed away Wednesday (8/10) in a hospital in his hometown of Benton, Illinois.
Although the song is easily Grammer's best-known work, he was not a one-hit wonder. He had a top 20 hit in 1963 with a song called "I Wanna Go Home." That same year Bobby Bare recorded the tune with a different title: "Detroit City."
In addition to his own recordings, Grammer was known as a superlative guitarist. He worked on recordings by Marty Robbins, George Hamilton IV, Ernest Tubb, and Charley Pride -- and on recordings with the legendary Louis Armstrong. In the early 1960s he opened his own guitar company, Grammer Guitars. Although the company didn't last long the guitars made a lasting impression on many country guitarists, including Vince Gill.
Despite his world-wide acclaim Grammer chose to live in his hometown. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ruth.
Billy (ne Billie) Grammer was 85.
The 1959 smash hit "Gotta Travel On" was one of many country songs that year that found a home on the pop "top 40" charts as well as country radio. The man who performed that song, Billy Grammer, passed away Wednesday (8/10) in a hospital in his hometown of Benton, Illinois.
Although the song is easily Grammer's best-known work, he was not a one-hit wonder. He had a top 20 hit in 1963 with a song called "I Wanna Go Home." That same year Bobby Bare recorded the tune with a different title: "Detroit City."
In addition to his own recordings, Grammer was known as a superlative guitarist. He worked on recordings by Marty Robbins, George Hamilton IV, Ernest Tubb, and Charley Pride -- and on recordings with the legendary Louis Armstrong. In the early 1960s he opened his own guitar company, Grammer Guitars. Although the company didn't last long the guitars made a lasting impression on many country guitarists, including Vince Gill.
Despite his world-wide acclaim Grammer chose to live in his hometown. Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Ruth.
Billy (ne Billie) Grammer was 85.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
A Piece of Country Music History Now Open
Category: News
A number of the presentations at the International Country Music Conference have pointed out that the residents of Winchester, Virginia were less than impressed with their wild child neighbor, Virginia Patterson Hensley, who was struggling to become a country music singer. Even after she gained success as Patsy Cline her reputation overshadowed any positive spotlight she could bring to the community. Her death did nothing to improve her status in the town.
At long last the town is acknowledging their most famous musical native. The house Patsy Cline lived in from 1948 until 1953 has been restored and is now open seasonally for fans to visit.
More information
A number of the presentations at the International Country Music Conference have pointed out that the residents of Winchester, Virginia were less than impressed with their wild child neighbor, Virginia Patterson Hensley, who was struggling to become a country music singer. Even after she gained success as Patsy Cline her reputation overshadowed any positive spotlight she could bring to the community. Her death did nothing to improve her status in the town.
At long last the town is acknowledging their most famous musical native. The house Patsy Cline lived in from 1948 until 1953 has been restored and is now open seasonally for fans to visit.
More information
Boom-Chicka-Boom
Category: Obituary/News
It was a new sound, perfect for the era of rockabilly. People then and since used "boom-chicka-boom" to imitate/describe the sound of Johnny Cash and his Tennessee Two.
Marshall Grant, the bass player in Johnny Cash's groundbreaking band, died Saturday (8/6), two days after suffering a brain aneurysm. Grant had been in Jonesboro, Arkansas for a concert at Arkansas State University to raise money for a project to restore Cash's boyhood home, which had been acquired by the college, when he was stricken.
Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins backed the young Air Force veteran Johnny Cash as he skyrocketed to fame in the early 50s. The sound Cash and the Tennessee Two created found favor with both fans of country music and the new music dubbed "rock and roll." Over the years Cash hit the Billboard pop charts over four dozen times in addition to his over 130 country entries. The 1993 edition of Joel Whitburn's Billboard Top Country Singles book lists Cash as the #3 country chart artist of all time, behind only George Jones and #1 Eddy Arnold. Cash was the first performer inducted into both the country and rock halls of fame as a performer (unlike other country acts such as Bob Wills and Jimmie Rodgers, who were inducted in Cleveland for their "early influence on rock and roll").
In addition to his work with Cash, Grant was also the manager of the Statler Brothers. He played bass on their breakthrough hit "Flowers on the Wall."
Grant wrote an autobiography of his time with Cash, titled I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash, published in 2006.
In Tweeting news of Grant's death Rosanne Cash said:
Marshall Grant was 83.
It was a new sound, perfect for the era of rockabilly. People then and since used "boom-chicka-boom" to imitate/describe the sound of Johnny Cash and his Tennessee Two.
Marshall Grant, the bass player in Johnny Cash's groundbreaking band, died Saturday (8/6), two days after suffering a brain aneurysm. Grant had been in Jonesboro, Arkansas for a concert at Arkansas State University to raise money for a project to restore Cash's boyhood home, which had been acquired by the college, when he was stricken.
Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins backed the young Air Force veteran Johnny Cash as he skyrocketed to fame in the early 50s. The sound Cash and the Tennessee Two created found favor with both fans of country music and the new music dubbed "rock and roll." Over the years Cash hit the Billboard pop charts over four dozen times in addition to his over 130 country entries. The 1993 edition of Joel Whitburn's Billboard Top Country Singles book lists Cash as the #3 country chart artist of all time, behind only George Jones and #1 Eddy Arnold. Cash was the first performer inducted into both the country and rock halls of fame as a performer (unlike other country acts such as Bob Wills and Jimmie Rodgers, who were inducted in Cleveland for their "early influence on rock and roll").
In addition to his work with Cash, Grant was also the manager of the Statler Brothers. He played bass on their breakthrough hit "Flowers on the Wall."
Grant wrote an autobiography of his time with Cash, titled I Was There When It Happened: My Life With Johnny Cash, published in 2006.
In Tweeting news of Grant's death Rosanne Cash said:
"Marshall Grant, original of Johnny Cash & The Tennessee Two, died lst nt. Grateful I was w/ him last 2 days. Boom Chicka Boom, old friend."
Marshall Grant was 83.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Dates of Note in Country Music, August 1-15
Category: News
Country Music Hall of Famers in bold
Country Music Hall of Famers in bold
August 1:
Leon Chappelear born in Tyler, Texas, 1909 (died 1962)Howard "Howdy" Forrester of the Smoky Mountain Boys died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1987 (was 65)
The AFM called a strike against record companies, 1942. The strike, combined with the shortage of shellac because of World War II, severely limited the record companies' output for two years.
August 2:
Hank Cochran born in Isola, Mississippi, 1935 (died 2010)
Betty Jack Davis died in Cincinnati, Ohio (car wreck), 1953 (was 21)
Joe Allison died in Nashville, Tennessee (illness), 2002 (was 77)
Redd Stewart died in Louisville, Kentucky (complications from a head injury), 2003 (was 82)The wreckage of Jim Reeves' plane discovered, 1964. The two-day search of wooded areas in and around Nashville for the plane included many country music performers. Eddy Arnold
was among those in the party that found Reeves' body.
August 3:
Dorothy Dillard of the Anita Kerr Singers born in Springfield, Missouri, 1923 (now 88)
Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires born in Gleason, Tennessee, 1924 (now 87)
Randy Scruggs born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1953 (now 58)
Dean Sams of Lonestar born in Garland, Texas, 1966 (now 45)
Little Roy Wiggins died in Sevierville, Tennessee (heart disease and diabetes complications), 1999 (was 73)
August 4:
Vicki Hackerman of Dave & Sugar born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1950 (now 61)
Louis Armstrong born in New Orleans, 1901 (died 1971). The legendary jazz trumpet player and singer recorded with Jimmie Rodgers.
Carson J. Robison born in Oswego, Kansas, 1890 (died 1957)
James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers born in Ackerman, Mississippi, 1919 (died 2002)Scotty Stoneman born in Galax, Virginia, 1932 (died 1973)Fiddlin' Doc Roberts died in Richmond, Kentucky (unknown cause), 1978 (was 81)
Kenny Price died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1987 (was 56)
August 5:
Bobby Braddock born in Lakeland, Florida, 1940 (now 71)
Tim Wilson born in Columbus, Georgia, 1961 (now 50)
Terri Clark born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 1968 (now 43)
Hal Durham born in McMinnville, Tennessee, 1931 (died 2009)Vern "The Voice" Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama, 1934 (died 2009)
Hal Durham born in McMinnville, Tennessee, 1931 (died 2009)Vern "The Voice" Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama, 1934 (died 2009)
Sammi Smith born in Orange, California, 1943 (died 2005)
Luther Perkins died in Nashville, Tennessee (injuries from a house fire), 1968 (was 40)
August 6:
Patsy and Peggy Lynn born in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, 1964 (now 47)
Lisa Stewart born in Louisville, Mississippi, 1968 (now 43)
Old Joe Clark (Manuel Clark), longtime Renfro Valley performer, born in Erwin, Tennessee, 1922 (died 1998)
Colleen Carroll Brooks died in Yukon, Oklahoma (throat cancer), 1999 (was 70). The former Ozark Mountain Jubilee singer was the mother of Garth Brooks.
August 7:
B.J. Thomas born in Hugo, Oklahoma, 1942 (now 69)
Rodney Crowell born in Houston, Texas, 1950 (now 61)
Raul Malo of the Mavericks born in Miami, Florida, 1965 (now 46)
Felice Bryant born in Milwaukee, Wisconcin, 1925 (died 2003)
Henry "Homer" Haynes died in Hammond, Indiana (heart attack), 1971 (was 51)
Billy Byrd died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2001 (was 81)
Billy Byrd died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2001 (was 81)
August 8:
Mel Tillis born in Tampa, Florida, 1932 (now 79)
Phil Balsley of the Statler Brothers born in Staunton, Virginia, 1939 (now 72)
Jamie O'Hara born in Toledo, Ohio, 1950 (now 61)
Webb Pierce born in West Monroe, Louisiana, 1926 (died 1991)
Hank Williams Jr. critically inured in a fall while mountain climbing on Ajax Mountain in Montana, 1975. Williams' head was split open, his face was shattered, and he lost an eye in the 500-foot fall.
August 9:
Merle Kilgore born in Chickasha, Oklahoma, 1934 (died 2005)
August 10:
Jerry Kennedy born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1940 (now 71)
Jonie Mosby born in Van Nuys, California, 1940 (now 71)
Gene Johnson of Diamond Rio born in Jamestown, New York, 1949 (now 62)
Delia Upchurch born in Gainesboro, Tennessee, 1891 (died 1976). Upchurch was known as "the Den Mother of Nashville Stars" because she ran a boarding house where struggling musicians and songwriters could stay and pay what they could afford.
Jimmy Martin born in Sneedville, Tennessee, 1927 (died 2005)
Jimmy Dean born in Plainview, Texas, 1928 (died 2010)
Alvin "Junior" Samples born in Buena Park, California, 1926 (died 1983)
August 11:
John Conlee born in Versailles, Kentucky, 1946 (now 65)Don Helms died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2008 (was 81)
Hank Williams fired from the Grand Ole Opry, 1952
August 12:
Mark Knopfler born in Glasgow, Scotland, 1949 (now 62). Knopfler, best known as guitarist and lead singer of Dire Straits, won a "Best Country Vocal Collaboration" Grammy with Chet Atkins in 1990 for the song "Poor Boy Blues."
Rex Griffin born in Gadsden, Alabama, 1912 (died 1958)
Porter Wagoner born in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, 1927 (died 2007)
Buck Owens born in Sherman, Texas, 1929 (died 2006)
Linda Parker of the WLS National Barn Dance died in Mishawaka, Indiana (peritonitis), 1935 (was 23)
August 13:
Dan Fogelberg born in Peoria, Illinois, 1951 (died 2007)
Les Paul died (pneumonia), 2009 (was 94). The legendary guitarist won a Grammy for his work with Chet Atkins on the album Chester and Lester.
Les Paul died (pneumonia), 2009 (was 94). The legendary guitarist won a Grammy for his work with Chet Atkins on the album Chester and Lester.
Vernon Dalhart recorded "The Prisoner's Song," 1924. The song would sell three million copies as country's first million-selling song.
August 14:
Connie Smith born in Elkhart, Indiana, 1941 (now 70)
Charles K. Wolfe born in Sedalia, Missouri, 1943 (died 2006)
Johnny Duncan died in Fort Worth, Texas (heart attack), 2006 (was 67)
August 15:
Rose Maddox born in Boaz, Alabama, 1925 (died 1998)
Bobby Helms born in Bloomington, Indiana, 1933 (died 1997)
Don Rich born in Olympia, Washington, 1941 (died 1974)Lew DeWitt died in Waynesboro, Virginia (complications from Chron's disease), 1990 (was 52)
Bobby Helms born in Bloomington, Indiana, 1933 (died 1997)
Don Rich born in Olympia, Washington, 1941 (died 1974)Lew DeWitt died in Waynesboro, Virginia (complications from Chron's disease), 1990 (was 52)
Will Rogers died near Port Barrow, Alaska (plane crash with Wiley Post), 1935 (was 55)
Friday, July 15, 2011
Dates of Note in Country Music, July 16-31
Category: News
Country Music Hall of Famers in bold
July 16:
Country Music Hall of Famers in bold
July 16:
Ronny Robbins born in Phoenix, Arizona, 1949 (now 62)
Harry Chapin died in East Meadow, New York (heart attack resulting in car wreck), 1981 (was 38). Chapin, a folk music icon, wrote "Cat's in the Cradle," which scored Ricky Skaggs one of his last country hits.
Jo Stafford died in Century City, California (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 90). The pop singer also did country, including appearing on Red Ingle & Natural Seven's hit "Tem-Tay-Shun."
July 17:
Woodrow Wilson "Red" Sovine born in Charleston, West Virginia, 1918 (died 1980)
Harry Choates died in Austin, Texas (head injury, possibly self-inflicted), 1951 (was 29)
Dizzy Dean died in Reno, Nevada (heart attack), 1974 (was 63). Dizzy was credited with giving Roy Acuff the nickname "King of Country Music."
Don Rich died in Bakersfield, California (motorcycle accident), 1974 (was 32)
Wynn Stewart died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1985 (was 51)
Ozark Jubilee debuts on KWTO radio, 1954
July 18:
Ricky Skaggs born in Cordell, Kentucky, 1954 (now 57)
Mark Jones of Exile born in Harlan, Kentucky, 1954 (now 57)
Woodrow Wilson "Red" Sovine born in Charleston, West Virginia, 1918 (died 1980)
Harry Choates died in Austin, Texas (head injury, possibly self-inflicted), 1951 (was 29)
Dizzy Dean died in Reno, Nevada (heart attack), 1974 (was 63). Dizzy was credited with giving Roy Acuff the nickname "King of Country Music."
Don Rich died in Bakersfield, California (motorcycle accident), 1974 (was 32)
Wynn Stewart died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1985 (was 51)
Ozark Jubilee debuts on KWTO radio, 1954
July 18:
Ricky Skaggs born in Cordell, Kentucky, 1954 (now 57)
Mark Jones of Exile born in Harlan, Kentucky, 1954 (now 57)
July 19:
Sue Thompson born in Nevada, Missouri, 1926 (now 85)
George Hamilton IV born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 1937 (now 74)
Bernie Leadon of the Eagles, Flying Burrito Brothers, and Run C&W born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1947 (now 64)
William "Lefty" Frizzell died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1975 (was 47)
July 20:
Thomas "Sleepy" LaBeef born in Smackover, Arkansas, 1935 (now 76)
T.G. Sheppard born in Humbolt, Tennessee, 1942 (now 69)
William "Lefty" Frizzell died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1975 (was 47)
July 20:
Thomas "Sleepy" LaBeef born in Smackover, Arkansas, 1935 (now 76)
T.G. Sheppard born in Humbolt, Tennessee, 1942 (now 69)
Radney Foster born in Del Rio, Texas, 1959 (now 52)
Joseph Emmett "J.E." Mainer born in Weaverville, North Carolina, 1898 (died 1971)
Cindy Walker born near Mart, Texas, 1918 (died 2006)
July 21:
Sara Carter of the Carter Family born in Wise County, Virginia, 1899 (died 1979)
Eddie Hill born in Delano, Tennessee, 1921 (died 1994)
Cindy Walker born near Mart, Texas, 1918 (died 2006)
July 21:
Sara Carter of the Carter Family born in Wise County, Virginia, 1899 (died 1979)
Eddie Hill born in Delano, Tennessee, 1921 (died 1994)
July 22:
Don Henley of the Eagles born in Gilmer, Texas, 1947 (now 64). In addition to the Eagles, Henley was in a band, Shiloh, in the late 60s with Richard Bowden (later of Pinkard and Bowden) and Jim Ed Norman.
Margaret Whiting born in Detroit, Michigan, 1924 (died 2011). Although primarily a pop singer, Whiting had a series of duets with Jimmy Wakely in the 40s and 50s.
Bob Ferguson died in Jackson, Mississippi (cancer), 2001 (was 73)
Jack Lynn, son of Loretta Lynn, died in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee (drowned), 1984 (was 34)
Ralph S. Peer arrived in Bristol to make recordings for RCA, 1927
July 23:
Alison Krauss born in Decatur, Illinois, 1971 (now 40)
Johnny Darrell born in Hopewell, Alabama, 1940 (died 1997)
July 24:
Donald "Red" Blanchard of the WLS National Barn Dance born in Pittsville, Wisconsin, 1914 (died 1980)
Lawton Williams born in Troy, Tennessee, 1922 (died 2007)
Max D. Barnes born in Hardscratch, Iowa, 1936 (died 2004)
July 25:
Roy Acuff Jr. born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1943 (now 68)
Marty Brown born in Maceo, Kentucky, 1965 (now 46)
Walter Brennan born in Swmapscott, Massachusetts, 1894 (died 1974). The actor scored a major country hit with "Old Rivers" in 1962.
Steve Goodman born in Chicago, Illinois, 1948 (died 1984)
Tommy Duncan died in San Diego, California (heart attack), 1967 (was 56)
Charlie Rich died in Hammond, Louisiana (blood clot in lung), 1995 (was 62)
July 26:
Jim Foglesong born in Lundale, West Virginia, 1922 (now 89)
Fred Foster born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, 1931 (now 80)
July 27:
Bill Engvall born in Galveston, Texas, 1957 (now 54)
Bobbie Gentry born in Chickasaw, Mississippi, 1944 (now 67)
Henry "Homer" Haynes born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1920 (died 1971)
July 28:
Frank Loesser died in New York, New York (lung cancer), 1969 (was 59). The composer was the "victim" of Homer and Jethro's first major hit, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," in 1949 (which featured a young June Carter singing the female part). Although RCA officials worried about Loesser's reaction, Loesser loved the parody and only asked that the songwriter credit read, "With apologies to Frank Loesser."
July 29:
Martina McBride born in Sharon, Kansas, 1966 (now 45)
Pete Drake died in Brentwood, Tennessee (lung disease), 1988 (was 55)
Anita Carter died in Goodlettesville, Tennessee (illness), 1999 (was 66)
July 30:
Sam Phillips died in Memphis, Tennessee (respiratory failure), 2003 (was 80)
July 31:
Bonnie Brown of the Browns born in Sparkman, Arkansas, 1937 (now 74)
Jim Reeves died in Nashville, Tennessee (plane crash), 1964 (was 40)
Dean Manuel died in Nashville, Tennessee (plane crash), 1964 (was 30)
Ralph S. Peer arrived in Bristol to make recordings for RCA, 1927
July 23:
Alison Krauss born in Decatur, Illinois, 1971 (now 40)
Johnny Darrell born in Hopewell, Alabama, 1940 (died 1997)
July 24:
Donald "Red" Blanchard of the WLS National Barn Dance born in Pittsville, Wisconsin, 1914 (died 1980)
Lawton Williams born in Troy, Tennessee, 1922 (died 2007)
Max D. Barnes born in Hardscratch, Iowa, 1936 (died 2004)
July 25:
Roy Acuff Jr. born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1943 (now 68)
Marty Brown born in Maceo, Kentucky, 1965 (now 46)
Walter Brennan born in Swmapscott, Massachusetts, 1894 (died 1974). The actor scored a major country hit with "Old Rivers" in 1962.
Steve Goodman born in Chicago, Illinois, 1948 (died 1984)
Tommy Duncan died in San Diego, California (heart attack), 1967 (was 56)
Charlie Rich died in Hammond, Louisiana (blood clot in lung), 1995 (was 62)
July 26:
Jim Foglesong born in Lundale, West Virginia, 1922 (now 89)
Fred Foster born in Rutherford County, North Carolina, 1931 (now 80)
July 27:
Bill Engvall born in Galveston, Texas, 1957 (now 54)
Bobbie Gentry born in Chickasaw, Mississippi, 1944 (now 67)
Henry "Homer" Haynes born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1920 (died 1971)
July 28:
Frank Loesser died in New York, New York (lung cancer), 1969 (was 59). The composer was the "victim" of Homer and Jethro's first major hit, "Baby, It's Cold Outside," in 1949 (which featured a young June Carter singing the female part). Although RCA officials worried about Loesser's reaction, Loesser loved the parody and only asked that the songwriter credit read, "With apologies to Frank Loesser."
July 29:
Martina McBride born in Sharon, Kansas, 1966 (now 45)
Pete Drake died in Brentwood, Tennessee (lung disease), 1988 (was 55)
Anita Carter died in Goodlettesville, Tennessee (illness), 1999 (was 66)
July 30:
Sam Phillips died in Memphis, Tennessee (respiratory failure), 2003 (was 80)
July 31:
Bonnie Brown of the Browns born in Sparkman, Arkansas, 1937 (now 74)
Jim Reeves died in Nashville, Tennessee (plane crash), 1964 (was 40)
Dean Manuel died in Nashville, Tennessee (plane crash), 1964 (was 30)
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Dates of Note in Country Music, July 1-15
CATEGORY: News
Country Music Hall of Famers in bold
July 1:
John Lair born in Livingston, Kentucky, 1894 (died 1985). Lair, a one-time announcer on the WLS National Barn Dance, founded the Renfro Valley Barn Dance in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky in 1939.
Keith Whitley born in Sandy Hook, Kentucky, 1955 (died 1989)
July 2:
Marvin Rainwater born in Wichita, Kansas, 1925 (now 86)
Fred Maddox of the Maddox Brothers born in Boaz, Alabama, 1919 (died 1992)
Ken Curtis (one-time member of Sons of the Pioneers as well as Gunsmoke actor) born in Lamar, Colorado, 1916 (died 1991)
DeFord Bailey died in Nashville, Tennessee (kidney and heart failure), 1982 (was 82)
Jim Reeves' final RCA recording session, 1964
July 3:
Johnny Lee born in Texas City, Texas, 1946 (now 65)
Aaron Tippin born in Pensacola, Florida, 1958 (now 53)
Johnny Russell died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications of diabetes), 2001 (was 61)
Homer L. "Boots" Randolph died in Nashville, Tennessee (subdural hematoma), 2007 (was 80)
July 4:
Ray Pillow born in Lynchburg, Virginia, 1937 (now 74)
Charlie Monroe born in Rosine, Kentucky, 1903 (died 1975)
Marion Worth born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1930 (died 1999)
Big Al Downing died in Leicester, Massachusetts (leukemia), 2005 (was 65)
July 5:
James "Guy" Willis of the Willis Brothers born in Alex, Arkansas, 1915 (died 1981)
The Grand Ole Opry's first show at the War Memorial Auditorium, 1939
July 6:
Jeannie Seely born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, 1940 (now 71)
Nancy Griffith born in Austin, Texas, 1953 (now 58)
Roy Rogers died in Apple Valley, California (heart failure), 1998 (was 86)
July 7:
Charlie Louvin born in Rainsville, Alabama, 1927 (died 2011)
John "Lonzo" Sullivan born in Edmonton, Kentucky, 1917 (died 1967)
Doyle Wilburn born in Hardy, Arkansas, 1930 (died 1982)
George Morgan died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications of heart bypass surgery), 1975 (was 50)
Bill Porter died in St. Louis, Missouri (Alzheimer's disease), 2011 (was 79)
July 8:
Toby Keith born in Clinton, Oklahoma, 1961 (now 50)
Louis Jordan (a jazz artist who had two country #1 hits in 1944) born in Brinkley, Arkansas, 1908 (died 1975)
Ervin Rouse died (complications from diabetes), 1981 (was 64)
Marty Stuart and Connie Smith married, 1997
July 9:
Jesse McReynolds born in Coeburn, Virginia, 1929 (now 83)
David Ball born in Rock Hill, South Carolina, 1953 (now 58)
Eddie Dean born in Posey, Texas, 1907 (died 1999)
Molly O'Day born in Pike County, Kentucky, 1923 (died 1987)
The Country Music Association announced the largest Country Music Hall of Fame induction class ever -- a total of 12 inductees (Bill Anderson, Delmore Brothers, Everly Brothers, Don Gibson, Homer & Jethro, Waylon Jennings, Jordanaires, Don Law, Louvin Brothers, Ken Nelson, Webb Pierce, and Sam Phillips) -- to coincide with the opening of the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, 2001
July 10:
Randall E. "Hawk" Shaw Wilson of BR5-49 born in Topeka, Kansas, 1960 (now 51)
July 11:
Jeff Hanna of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band born in Detroit, Michigan, 1947 (now 64)
July 12:
Steve Young born in Newman, Georgia, 1942 (now 69)
Jimmie Driftwood died in Fayetteville, Arkansas (heart attack), 1998 (was 91)
July 13:
Louise Mandrell of the Mandrell Sisters born in Corpus Christi, Texas, 1954 (now 57)
Rhonda Vincent born in Kirksville, Missouri, 1962 (now 49)
Bradley Kincaid born in Level, Kentucky, 1895 (died 1989)
Tim Spencer born in Webb City, Missouri, 1908 (died 1974)
Riley Puckett died in East Point, Georgia (blood poisoning), 1946 (was 62)
July 14:
Woody Guthrie born in Okemah, Oklahoma, 1912 (died 1967)
Marijohn Wilkin born in Kemp, Texas, 1920 (died 2006)
Del Reeves born in Sparta, North Carolina, 1933 (died 2007)
July 15:
Johnny Sea born in Gulfport, Mississippi, 1940 (now 70)
Linda Ronstadt born in Tucson, Arizona, 1946 (now 65)
Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas born in Adams County, Ohio, 1913 (died 1963)
Hank Cochran died in Nashville, Tennessee (pancreatic cancer), 2010 (was 74)
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