Dates of Note in Country Music, May 1-15

Category: News

(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; GLA=Grammy Lifetime Achievement; RR=country act also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)

May 1:

Rita Coolidge born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1944 (now 76). 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 55)
Sam McGee born in Williamson County, Tennessee, 1894 (died 1975)
Sonny James (ne James Loden) (CM 06) born in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1929 (died 2016)
Jimmy Gately born in Springfield, Missouri, 1931 (died 1985)
Ott Devine born in Gadsen, Alabama, 1910 (died 1994)
Spike Jones died in Bel Air, California (emphysema), 1965 (was 53). The novelty band leader recorded "Pal-Yat-Chee" with Homer and Jethro, and Red Ingle (of Red Ingle & Natural Seven, of "Temp-Tay-Shun" fame) was once a member of Jones' City Slickers.
Jim Hager of the Hager Twins died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2008 (was 66)
Elvis Presley married Priscilla Beaulieu in Las Vegas, Nevada, 1967
A six-inch rainstorm hit Nashville, 2010.  The massive flood damaged the Grand Ole Opry House, the Opryland Hotel, the WSM-AM studios, the basement of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Wildhorse Saloon, the instrument storage business Soundcheck, and a number of country singers' homes. Over 13 inches of rain fell over a two-day period in Music City and killed nearly two dozen.

May 2:

R.C. Bannon born in Dallas, Texas, 1945 (now 75)

Sharon Vaughn (NS 19) born in Orlando, Florida, 1947 (now 73)
Larry Gatlin born in Seminole, Texas, 1948 (now 72)
Ty Herndon born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1962 (now 58)
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)
John Starling (BG 14) died in Fredericksburg, Virginia (heart failure), 2019 (was 79)
"Slowly" by Webb Pierce hits #1 on the Billboard charts, 1954. It becomes the first #1 song to feature the pedal steel guitar.

May 3:

Cactus Moser of Highway 101 born in Montrose, Colorado, 1957 (now 63)
Bing Crosby born in Tacoma, Washington, 1903 (died 1977). The pop crooner has the distinction of being the performer of the first #1 single in Billboard magazine's "Hillbilly and Western Singles" history with his rendition of Al Dexter's "Pistol Packin' Mama." Dexter's own recording was the second #1 song.
Dave Dudley born in Spencer, Wisconsin, 1928 (died 2003)
Patsy Montana (CM 96) died in San Jancinto, California (unknown cause), 1996 (was 83)
Dollywood theme park opened in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, 1986

May 4:

Stella Parton born in Sevierville, Tennessee, 1949 (now 71)
Robert Ellis Orrall born in Winthrop, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 65)
Randy Travis (CM 16) born in Marshville, North Carolina, 1959 (now 61)
Al Dexter (ne Clarence Albert Poindexter) (NS 71) born in Jacksonville, Texas, 1902 (died 1984)
Bobby Austin born in Wenatchee, Washington, 1933 (died 2002)
Joe L. Frank (CM 67) died in Chicago, Illinois (complications of throat infection), 1952 (was 52)
Leo Jackson died in Nashville, Tennessee (suicide [gunshot]), 2008 (was 73)

May 5:

Roni Stoneman born in Washington, DC, 1938 (now 82)
Glen Duncan of Lonesome Standard Time born in Columbus, Indiana, 1955 (now 65)
J.D. Miller born in Iota, Louisiana, 1922 (died 1996)
Ace Cannon born in Grenada, Mississippi, 1934 (died 2018)
Tammy Wynette (CM 98, NS 09) born in Itawamba County, Mississippi, 1942 (died 1998)
Wayne Carson (NS 97) born in Denver, Colorado, 1942 (died 2015)
Jerry Wallace died in Corona, California (congestive heart failure), 2008 (was 79)

May 6:

Jimmie Dale Gilmore born in Austin, Texas, 1945 (now 75)
Cliff Carlisle born in Taylorsville, Kentucky, 1904 (died 1983)
Lorrie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, 1942 (died 2018)
Otis Blackwell (NS 86) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2002 (was 71)
George "Goober" Lindsey died in Nashville, Tennessee (brief illness), 2012 (was 83)
Dottie Dillard of the Anita Kerr Singers died in Springfield, Missouri (natural causes), 2015 (was 91)

May 7:
Riley Puckett born in Alpharetta, Georgia, 1894 (died 1946)
Horace "Aytchie" Burns born in Cisco, Georgia, 1918 (died 1974). Aytchie, the older brother of Jethro Burns, was a performer at the WNOX Midday Merry-Go-Round and the Renfro Valley Barn Dance. While in the Army he was also the platoon sergeant of Roger Miller.
Jerry Chesnut (NS 96) born in Loyall, Kentucky, 1931 (died 2018)
Lorrie Collins of the Collins Kids born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 1942 (died 2018)
Eddie Rabbitt (NS 98) died in Nashville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 1998 (was 56)

May 8:

Jack Blanchard born in Buffalo, New York, 1942 (now 78)
Del Anthony Gray of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1968 (now 52)
Jimmie Tarlton of Darby & Tarlton born in Cheraw, South Carolina, 1892 (died 1979)
Homer Bailes of the Bailes Brothers born in Kanawha County, West Virginia, 1922 (died 2013)
Benny Martin (BG 05) born in Sparta, Tennessee, 1928 (died 2001)
Rick Nelson born in Teaneck, New Jersey, 1940 (died 1985)
Leon Huff of the Light Crust Doughboys died (unknown cause), 1952 (was 39)
George D. Hay (CM 66) died in Virginia Beach, Virginia (unknown cause), 1968 (was 72)
Eddy Arnold (CM 66, GLA 05) died in Brentwood, Tennessee (complications from a fall), 2008 (was 89)
Charles "Everett" Lilly (BG 02) died in Clear Creek, West Virginia (aneurysm/heart attack), 2012 (was 87)


May 9:

Richie Furay of Poco born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, 1944 (now 76)
Bobby Lewis born in Hodgenville, Kentucky, 1946 (now 74)
Fuzzy Knight born in Fairmont, West Virginia, 1901 (died 1976). The actor appeared in several films as Tex Ritter's sidekick.
Hank Snow (CM 79, NS 78) born in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, 1914 (died 1999)
Nudie Cohn died in Hollywood, California (unknown cause), 1984 (was 81)
Keith Whitley died in Nashville, Tennessee (alcohol poisoning), 1989 (was 33)
Johnny Gimble died in Dripping Springs, Texas (complications of a stroke), 2015 (was 88)
Jimmie Davis elected governor of Louisiana, 1944

May 10:

Carl T. Sprague born in Houston, Texas, 1895 (died 1979)
Mother Maybelle Carter (CM 70, BG 01, GLA 05) born in Nicklesville, Virginia, 1909 (died 1979)
Shel Silverstein (NS 02) died in Key West, Florida (heat attack), 1999 (was 68)

May 11:

Bobby Black (StG 04) born in Prescott, Arizona, 1934 (now 86)
Mark Herndon of Alabama (CM 05) born in Springfield, Massachusetts, 1955 (now 65)
Bob Atcher born in West Point, Kentucky, 1914 (died 1993)
Dick Overbey (StG 10) born in Detroit, Michigan, 1942 (died 2014)
Glen Sherley died in Salinas, California (suicide [gunshot]), 1978 (was 42)
Lester Flatt (CM 85, BG 91, NS 07) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure), 1979 (was 64)
Dottie Rambo (SG 97, NS 07) died in Mt. Vernon, Missouri (bus crash), 2008 (was 74)

May 12:

Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn (CM 19) born in Shreveport, Louisiana, 1955 (now 65)
The Duke of Paducah, Benjamin "Whitey" Ford, (CM 86) born in DeSoto, Missouri, 1901 (died 1986)
Joe Maphis born in Suffolk, Virginia, 1921 (died 1986)
Leroy Pullins born in Berea, Kentucky, 1940 (died 1984)
W. Lee "Pappy" O'Daniel died in Dallas, Texas (unknown cause), 1969 (was 79)

May 13:

Ray Kennedy born in Buffalo, New York, 1954 (now 65)
Johnnie Wright born in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, 1914 (died 2011)
Jack Anglin born in Columbia, Tennesee, 1916 (died 1963)
Lari White born in Dunedin, Florida, 1965 (died 2018)
Gid Tanner died in Dacula, Georgia (unknown cause), 1960 (was 74)
Bob Wills (CM 68, NS 70, GLA 07) died Fort Worth, Texas (pneumonia/complications of stroke), 1975 (was 70)

May 14:

Jimmy Martin (BG 95) died in Nashville, Tennessee (bladder cancer), 2005 (was 77)
Leon Rausch died in Fort Worth Texas (illness), 2019 (was 91)

May 15:
K.T. Oslin born in Crossett, Arkansas, 1941 (now 78)

Eddy Arnold (CM 66, GLA 05) born in Henderson, Tennessee, 1918 (died 2008)
June Carter Cash died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from open heart surgery), 2003 (was 73)

So Long to Ol’ Roadhog

Category:  News/Obituary

Ol’ Roadhog won’t be funnin’ us anymore.  

Harold Reid, the bass singer for the Statler Brothers, died today (4/24) after a long bout with kidney failure.  

Although known as the Statler Brothers, in truth there were only two brothers in the quartet: Harold and Don Reid.  The band’s name came from Maine’s Statler Tissue Company.  

They started in gospel music, and never forgot that, but they branched out into country music in the mid-60s.  Their massive 1965 hit, “Flowers on the Wall,” brought the quartet the first of three Grammy awards.  

From there, the Statler Brothers became legends.  They were featured on Johnny Cash’s ABC television series (and sang on Cash’s song “Daddy Sang Bass” [ironically, the woman who provided the “mama sang tenor” line in that recording, Jan Howard, died last month]) and scored hit after hit. 

Harold was the primary comedian in the group.  He became the focal point of one of the funniest (and sweetest) send-ups of the small-town country radio show when the Statlers recorded Lester “Roadhog” Moran and the Cadillac Cowboys.  Harold, as Roadhog the MC, was absolutely hilarious.  It’s a rare comedy recording in that you need to hear it multiple times to catch everything in it.  The jokes are subtle, too:  “I was in the Navy with ol’ Joe-nee,” Roadhog boasted about Johnny Cash (who, most people know, was in the Air Force), and would always follow up a snarky remark with, “Ol’ Roadhog was just funnin’ ya.”

The Statler Brothers retired from performing and touring in the early 2000s.  In 2008 they were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Harold Reid was 80.

Dates of Note in Country Music, April 16-30

Category: News

(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year[s] enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; LAG=Lifetime Achievement Grammy; RR=country act also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

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 47)

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 (NS 99) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2007 (was 69)
Randy Scruggs died in Nashville, Tennessee (short illness), 2018 (was 64)

April 18:

Walt Richmond of the Tractors born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1947 (now 73)

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown born in Vinton, Louisiana, 1924 (died 2005)
Curtis Potter born in Cross Plains, Texas, 1940 (died 2016)

Your blogger born in Louisville, Kentucky, 19(?!!??!) (doesn't need a rocking chair)

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

April 19:

Jody Carver (StG 04) born in Brooklyn, New York, 1929 (now 91)
Bill Rice (NS 94) born in Datto, Arkansas, 1939 (now 81)

Gary Brewer born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1965 (now 55)

Bobby Russell (NS 94) born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1941 (died 1992)

Earl Bolick of the Blue Sky Boys died in Tucker, Georgia (unknown cause), 1998 (was 78)
Levon Helm died in New York, NY (throat cancer), 2012 (was 71)
The "National Barn Dance" debuted on WLS, Chicago, 1924

April 20:

Johnny Tillitson born in Jacksonville, Florida, 1939 (now 81)

Doyle Lawson (BG 12) born in Ford Town, Tennessee, 1944 (now 76)

Wade Hayes born in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma, 1969 (now 51)

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 (died 2011)

Ira Louvin (CM 01, NS 79) born in Section, Alabama, 1924 (died 1965)

Carl Belew born in Salina, Oklahoma, 1931 (died 1990)
Paul Davis (NS 10) born in Meridian, Mississippi, 1948 (died 2008)
Neal Matthews Jr. (CM 01) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2000 (was 70)

April 22:

Pat Enright of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Huntington, Indiana, 1945 (now 75)

Cleve Francis born in Jennings, Louisiana, 1945 (now 75)

Larry Groce born in Dallas, Texas, 1948 (now 72). 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 69)

Heath Wright of Ricochet born in Vian, Oklahoma, 1967 (now 53)
Glen Campbell (CM 05, LAG 12) born in Delight, Arkansas, 1936 (died 2017)
Ray Griff born in Vancouver, British Columbia, 1940 (died 2016)

Steve Sholes (CM 67) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 1968 (was 57)

Felice Bryant (CM 91, NS 72) died in Nashville, Tennessee (cancer), 2003 (was 77)

Paul Davis (NS 10) 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.
Hazel Dickens (BG 17) died in Washington, DC (pneumonia), 2011 (was 85)

April 23:

Roland White of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Madawaska, Maine, 1938 (now 82)

Roy Orbison (NS 87, LAG 98) born in Vernon, Texas, 1936 (died 1988)
Kent Robbins (NS 98) born in Mayfield, Kentucky, 1947 (died 1997)

April 24:

Rebecca Lynn Howard born in Salyersville, Kentucky, 1979 (now 41)
Shirley Boone born in Chicago, Illinois, 1934 (died 2019). Pat Boone's wife was also the daughter of Red Foley.

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.
Bobby Garrett (StG 95) died in Tyler, Texas (cancer), 1999 (was 64)

Bonnie Owens died in Bakersfield, California (Alzheimer's disease), 2006 (was 73)
Harold Reid (CM 08) died in Staunton, Virginia (kidney failure), 2020 (was 80)

April 25:

Larry Robbins of the Johnson Mountain Boys born in Dickerson, Maryland, 1945 (now 75)

Karl Farr (CM 80) 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:

Duane Eddy born in Corning, New York, 1938 (now 82)

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

Cecil Null born in East War, West Virginia, 1927 (died 2001)
Johnny Mosby born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1933 (died 2018)

Tim Spencer (CM 80) died in Apple Valley, California (long illness), 1974 (was 65)

Wesley Rose (CM 86) died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1990 (was 72)
George Jones (CM 92, LAG 12) died in Nashville, Tennessee (respiratory failure), 2013 (was 81)

April 27:

Herb Pedersen of the Dillards and Desert Rose Band born in Berkley, California, 1944 (now 76)

Sydney Nathan (BG 06; RR 97) born in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1904 (died 1968)
Maxine Brown of the Browns (CM 15) born in Campti, Louisiana, 1931 (died 2019)

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:

Willie Nelson (CM 93, NS 73, LAG 00) born in Abbott, Texas, 1933 (now 87)
Duane Allen of the Oak Ridge Boys (CM 15) born in Taylortown, Texas, 1943 (now 76)

Karen Brooks born in Dallas, Texas, 1954 (now 65)

Billy Mize born in Arkansas City, Kansas, 1929 (died 2017)

Eddie Noack born in Houston, Texas, 1930 (died 1978)
Wayne Secrest of Confederate Railroad born in Alton, Illinois, 1950 (died 2018)

Vern Gosdin died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 2009 (was 74)
Kenny Roberts died in Alton, Massachusetts (natural causes), 2012 (was 85)

April 30:

Fuzzy Owen born in Conway, Arkansas, 1929 (now 91)

Darrell McCall born in New Jasper, Ohio, 1940 (now 80)

Johnny Farina (StG 02) born in Brooklyn, New York, 1941 (now 79)

Robert Earl Reynolds of the Mavericks born in Kansas City, Missouri, 1962 (now 58)

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

Curly Chalker (StG 85) 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.  On May 1 the radio station switched to an all rock and roll format, becoming the first major radio station in the Midwest to do so.

"When I Die Let My Ashes Float Down the Green River"

Category: News/Obituary


Words cannot even begin to express how saddened I am to post this. 

John Prine has died.  

Prine, a legend in rock, folk, and country circles and one of the greatest songwriters of the past half-century, died today (4/7) from complications of COVID-19.  His family reported on March 29 that Prine was in the hospital with the virus, in critical condition and intubated. 

John Prine was born in Maywood, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, on October 10, 1946.  He grew up with a love of country music instilled in him by his parents.  

After a stint in the Army, Prine got a job as a letter carrier.  He would sing as he walked his route, and later was coerced into trying out at an open mic night in a folk club.  Roger Ebert (the famed movie critic) praised his work, as did his friend, Steve Goodman, who, according to Clay Eals' biography, gave up his own shot at success to make sure Prine got signed to a record deal.

Hailed as "the next Dylan" (a kiss of death for many a songwriter), Prine's first album was a masterpiece.  It included folk, country, and rock elements....and the song "Paradise."  The song, about the now-defunct town in western Kentucky where his parents hailed from, has become a classic in bluegrass, folk, and country. 

The album also contained what may always stand as Prine's most poignant song, "Sam Stone."  The lyrics, on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame, show the song was originally titled "The Great Society Conflict Veteran's Blues," but later changed to the protagonist's name to make it more universal (given that veterans from all wars suffered the same fate).  Prine once said that not a concert went by where some veteran didn't come up to him to say "thank you" for "Sam Stone."

Prine's career combined the heartbreak songs ("Bruised Orange (Chain of Sorrow)," about an actual event Prine witnessed as a young man in Chicago, where an altar boy was run over by a commuter train) and the comical ("Dear Abby") for a career that spanned six decades.  Over the years he recorded with a number of country acts, including an album of duets with bluegrass legend Mac Wiseman. 

His accolades including two Grammy awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association.  He was also nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

I've been on a "Paradise" road trip, stopping at the various sites mentioned in the song.  Sitting by the Rochester Dam I could hear Prine's voice, clear as ever, singing those memorable lines:

When I die let my ashes float down the Green River
Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester Dam
I'll be halfway to heaven, with Paradise waiting
Just five miles away from wherever I am.

John Prine was 73.

Dates of Note in Country Music, April 1-15

Category: News


(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year[s] enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; GLA= Grammy Lifetime Achievement recipient; PMF= Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient; RR=country performer also in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)

April 1:

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

Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith born in Clinton, South Carolina, 1921 (died 2014)

Jimmy Logsdon born in Panther, Kentucky, 1922 (died 2001)
Jim Ed Brown (CM 15) born in Sparkman, Arkansas, 1934 (died 2015)

Paul Cohen (CM 76) 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, 1938 (now 82)

Sonny Throckmorton (NS 87) born in Carlsbad, New Mexico, 1941 (now 79)

Emmylou Harris (CM 08) born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1947 (now 73)

Dean Townson of Pirates of the Mississippi born in Battle Creek, Michigan, 1959 (now 61)

Billy Dean born in Quincy, Florida, 1962 (now 58)
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:

Richard Thompson born in Notting Hill, London, 1949 (now 71).  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 70)

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

Don Gibson (CM 01, NS 73) born in Shelby, North Carolina, 1928 (died 2003)
Billy Joe Royal born in Valdosta, Georgia, 1942 (died 2015)

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.
David Keli'i (StG 90) died in Honolulu, Hawaii (unknown cause), 1983 (was 68)
Harley "Red" Allen (BG 05) died in Dayton, Ohio (cancer), 1993 (was 63)

Starday Records owner Don Pierce died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart attack), 2005 (was 89)
Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith died in Charlotte, North Carolina (natural causes), 2014 (was 93)
The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1948. Among the artists who performed on the radio show were Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Claude King, Johnny Horton, and one-time emcee Jim Reeves.

April 4:

Steve Gatlin of the Gatlin Brothers born in Olney, Texas, 1951 (now 68)

Cy Coben (ne Cohen)  born in Jersey City, New Jersey, 1919 (died 2006)
Norro Wilson (NS 96) born in Scottsville, Kentucky, 1938 (died 2017)
Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry born in Lexington, Kentucky, 1967 (died 2017)

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

April 5:

Bill Clifton (BG 08) (ne William August Marburg) born in Riverwood, Maryland, 1931 (now 89). In addition to being a bluegrass performer, Clifton is also credited with starting the bluegrass festival, when he organized a July 4, 1961 show in Luray, Virginia.

June Stearns born in Alpha, Kentucky, 1939 (now 82)

Tommy Cash born in Dyess, Arkansas, 1940 (now 80)

Bob McDill (NS 85) born in Beaumont, Texas, 1944 (now 76)
Pat Green born in San Antonio, Texas, 1972 (now 48)
Lewis Phillips of the Lewis Family (BG 06) born in Washington, GA, 1972 (now 48)
Laura Rogers of the Secret Sisters born in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, 1986 (now 34)
Jack Clement (CM 13, NS 73) born in Whitehaven, Tennessee, 1931 (died 2013)
Charlie Collins of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys born in Caryville, Tennessee, 1933 (died 2012)
Frenchy "Stoney" Edwards died in Oklahoma (stomach cancer), 1997 (was 67)

Gene Pitney (RR 02) 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:

Vernon Dalhart (CM 81, NS 70) (ne Marion Try Slaughter) born in Marion County, Texas, 1883 (died 1948)

Dick Kaihue McIntire (StG 82) born in Honolulu, Hawaii, 1902 (died 1951)

Wade Ray born in Griffin, Indiana, 1913 (died 1998)
Merle Haggard (CM 94, NS 77, GLA 06) born in Bakersfield, California, 1937 (died 2016)
Tammy Wynette (CM 98, NS 09) died in Nashville, Tennessee (heart failure attributed to blood clot), 1998 (was 55)
Merle Haggard (CM 94, NS 77, GLA 06) died in Palo Cedro, California (pneumonia), 2016 (79th birthday) 

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:

Bobby Bare (CM 13) born in Ironton, Ohio, 1935 (now 85)

John Dittrich of Restless Heart born in New York, New York, 1951 (now 69)

Leon "Pappy" Selph born in Houston, Texas, 1914 (died 1999)
Cal Smith born in Gans, Oklahoma, 1932 (died 2013)

Clyde Moody died in Nashville, Tennessee (unknown cause), 1989 (was 73)
Henry Glover died in St. Albans, New York (heart attack), 1991 (was 69)
Jeff Newman (StG 99) died in Watertown, Tennessee (plane crash), 2004 (was 62)
George Shuffler (BG 11) died in Valdese, North Carolina (long illness), 2014 (was 88)
John Prine (NS 03) died in Nashville, Tennessee (COVID-19), 2020 (was 73)

April 8:

John Schneider born in Mount Kisco, New York, 1960 (now 60)

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

April 9:

Margo Smith born in Dayton, Ohio, 1942 (now 78)

Con Hunley born in Fountain City, Tennessee, 1945 (now 75)

Hal Ketchum born in Greenwich, New York, 1953 (now 67)

Mark Roberts of the Red Clay Ramblers born in Wareham, Massachusetts, 1957 (now 63)

Dave Innis of Restless Heart born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, 1959 (now 61)

Carl Perkins (NS 85, RR 87) 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)
Tut Taylor died in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina (natural causes), 2015 (was 91)

April 10:

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

Sheb Wooley born in Enick, Oklahoma, 1921 (died 2003)
DeWitt "Scotty" Scott (StG 92) born in Amarillo, Texas, 1932 (died 2015)
Weldon Myrick (StG 97) born in Jayton, Texas, 1938 (died 2014)

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.  In 2010 the Gatlin Brothers referenced the fire in a song titled "Johnny Cash is Dead and His House Burned Down."

April 11:

Jim Lauderdale born in Troutman, North Carolina, 1957 (now 63)

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)
George Shuffler (BG 11) born in Valdese, North Carolina, 1925 (died 2014)
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 (StG 78) died in Honolulu, Hawaii (complications of Parkinson's disease), 2005 (was 85)

April 12:

Ron Elliott (StG 09) born in Salisbury, Maryland, 1936 (now 84)

Vince Gill (CM 07, NS 05) born in Norman, Oklahoma, 1957 (now 63)

Ernie Lee born in Berea, Kentucky, 1916 (died 1991)
Ned Miller born in Raines, Utah, 1925 (died 2016)

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 68)

Bob Nolan (CM 80, NS 71) 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 (CM 88, NS 83, GLA 10, PMF 13) born in Butcher Holler, Kentucky, 1932 (now 88)

Stuart Duncan of the Nashville Bluegrass Band born in Quantico, Virginia, 1964 (now 55)

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:

Chris Stapleton born in Lexington, Kentucky, 1978 (now 42)

J.L. Frank (CM 67) born in Limestone County, Alabama, 1900 (died 1952)
Roy Clark (CM 09) born in Meherrin, Virginia, 1933 (died 2018)

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). Kitsinger was the historian and writer for CMT's Opry Backstage.

Joe Diffie Dies

Category: News/Obituary 

The COVID-19 virus has been ravaging the world, showing no interest in the wealth or popularity of victims.  This was evident today (3/29) with the death of country singer Joe Diffie. 

Diffie announced on Friday (3/27) that he had been diagnosed with the virus and was "under the care of medical professionals and currently receiving treatment."  Other than the request for "privacy for my family," there was no indication how serious his condition was.

Joe Diffie was born in Tulsa in 1958.  He went to Nashville in the mid-80s, taking a job at Gibson Guitars and pitching songs he was writing.  His break came when Hank Thompson recorded one of his songs, followed soon by Holly Dunn scoring a hit with Diffie's "There Goes My Heart Again." 

Diffie began recording on his own, and the hits came quickly.  Thanks to his traditional-sounding voice that impressed fans and fellow performers alike, the "neo-traditional" fans embraced him as well as the "new country" lovers.  His debut single, "Home," topped the charts; in fact, his first four singles (the aforementioned hit, "If You Want Me To," "If the Devil Danced (In Empty Pockets)," and "New Way (To Light Up an Old Flame)") were top two hits.

Although his popularity weaned Diffie was still well-loved among his fans and the Grand Ole Opry, where he was a member for 25 years.

This is the second Opry loss in a day: "Grand Lady of the Grand Ole Opry" Jan Howard passed away on March 28th.

Joe Diffie was just 61.

Look Me In the Eye!

Category: News/Obituary

The news is breaking today (3/28) that Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard has died. 

Jan Howard had one of the most memorable lines in country music history:  it was her, not June Carter, singing, "Mama sang tenor" on Johnny Cash's classic hit "Daddy Sang Bass." 

Born Lula Grace Johnson in West Plains, Missouri in 1930, Howard, as she said, became a singer "almost by accident."  A survivor of sexual assault as a child and an abusive first marriage, she found herself in California, where she met and married then-struggling songwriter Harlan Howard.  Harlan heard her singing and decided she had the voice he wanted to be heard on demos of the songs he was writing.  

From there, her career took off.  She began performing duets with Bakersfield legend Wynn Stewart (such as "Wrong Company" and "How the Other Half Lives."  The Howards soon returned to Nashville, where Harlan's song "I Fall to Pieces" (co-written with Hank Cochran) became one of the classics in the career of Patsy Cline.  Harlan also wrote a number of songs that Jan recorded, including her biggest hit "Evil on Your Mind." 

Following their divorce Jan Howard began a professional partnership with another well-known songwriter: Bill Anderson.  They scored a number of hits, such as "Someday We'll Be Together," "For Loving You," and "Dis-Satisfied." 

Anderson later recounted a comical moment about their duet partnership in his first autobiography Whisperin' Bill.  He said that when they sang "For Loving You," a very tender ballad, together, Anderson refused to look Howard directly in the eye.  She protested backstage, telling him to look her in the eye.  Anderson would only look at her forehead.  So, according to Anderson, one night she painted a bloodshot eye on her forehead, and when they faced each other on stage that night, she brushed her hair back to reveal the gag and told Anderson, "I said look me in the eye!"  Anderson broke up laughing. 

Howard's autobiography, Sunshine and Shadow, was published in 1987.  She detailed the agonies in her life, including the death of her son Jimmy in Vietnam in 1968, shortly after she had recorded the song "My Son," a recitation about a mother hoping her son would return safely from the war.  

Howard's hometown of West Plains honored her by naming a street after her.  The street intersects with the street named after West Plains' other famous country music great, Porter Wagoner.

Howard was, at the time of her passing, the oldest member of the Grand Ole Opry.  That distinction now falls to Bobby Osborne, who is 90.

Jan Howard had just turned 91 on March 13.

In My Song You’ll Live Again

Category: News/Obituary

Country Music Hall of Fame member Kenny Rogers has died.  

The legendary performer passed away yesterday (3/20) at his home in Georgia, surrounded by family.  He was rumored to have been suffering from cancer (although he had denied that) and died, per reports, “of natural causes under hospice care.” 

Kenny Rogers’ career was interesting, to say the least.  In the 60s he rose to prominence as the bass player and lead singer of a rock band by the name of The First Edition.  What was peculiar about this: they scored country hits with the Mel Tillis-penned “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town” and the Barry Etris/Alex Harvey composition “Reuben James.” 

During that time Rogers served as “executive producer,” per the album credits, for the first and only album by a Texas band called Shiloh.  The members of the band included future MCA Nashville president Jim Ed Norman and future Eagles drummer/singer Don Henley.

In the 70s Rogers’ solo career took off with “story songs” like “Lucille” and “The Gambler.”  He also went into acting, dong movies based on the latter song.

Rogers retired from performing in 2018, citing health reasons.  Tabloid papers reported Rogers was dying from bladder cancer last year, which Rogers took to social media to refute. 

Most people will be remembering the death of the titular character in “The Gambler” to remember Rogers, but I chose the opening line of his 1970 First Edition hit “Reuben James”:  “In my song you’ll live again.” 

Kenny Rogers was 81.

The Night the Lights Went Out at the Ryman

Category: News/History

Almost nothing stops the Grand Ole Opry.  Since 1925, the legendary WSM radio program has been on the air, despite snow storms, world wars, 9/11, and even last week's tornadoes.  

The current COVID-19 scare is no exception; however, the Opry is having to make some modifications.  In the wake of the requests from medical and government officials to "practice social distancing," some cities and states have banned large gatherings outright, forcing the cancellation of a number of concerts.  Broadway shows have been shut down, as have all major sports leagues.

The Opry announced on its website that it will "pause" having a live audience for the Opry performances until April 4 (subject to change, based on the progress of containing the pandemic).  This takes the 94-year-old program back to its roots: radio studio performances that were broadcast live over the air.  

The "audience" for the Opry began when people would show up at the studio to watch the performances, leading WSM to begin a series of moves to accommodate the people who wanted to see the show.  This culminated with the current home, the 4,400-seat Opry House where Opryland once stood.  

I did say "almost nothing" stops the Opry.  It's ironic that the scheduled resumption of audience shows will occur on the anniversary of the only thing that has ever forced cancelation of the Grand Ole Opry.

On April 4, 1968, Baptist minister and Civil Rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated in Memphis.  The rioting that ensued was awful.  Over 40 people were killed in the rioting, and major cities were patrolled by National Guardsmen.  The tensions, in fact, were so bad that a natural gas explosion in Richmond, Indiana (which killed 41 people) had to be quickly reported as not related to the rioting. 

In the wake of the rioting, many cities imposed a curfew.  Nashville was no exception.  Beverly Briley, the city's mayor, issued an order for a 7 PM - 5 AM curfew in Nashville.  That forced the Ryman Auditorium to shut its doors on the Grand Ole Opry for the first, and to date only, time in history.

According to the Nashville Tennessean, WSM re-aired older programs (many of the Opry programs were recorded and sent to Armed Forces Radio for broadcast).  Most of the people who had tickets for that weekend received refunds.  

As for the few who didn't know the lights were off at the Mother Church of Country Music, they didn't leave totally disappointed.  According to the paper, Roy Acuff performed a free show at a nearby club called Mr. Ed's for those who showed up, unaware of the curfew.

That's the night that the lights went out at the Ryman, to paraphrase the song.  May it be the only time in history.

Dates of Note in Country Music, March 16-31

Category: News

(Hall of Fame members in bold on birth/death date, followed by hall[s] of fame in which they are enshrined and the year enshrined.  CM=Country Music; BG=Bluegrass; NS=Nashville Songwriter; RB=Rockabilly; SG=Southern Gospel; StG=Steel Guitar; WMA=Western Music Association; WS=Western Swing; GLA=Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award; RR=country performer also inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.)

March 16:

Ray Walker of the Jordanaires (CM 01) born in Centerville, Mississippi, 1934 (now 86)
Jerry Jeff Walker (ne Ronald Clyde Crosby) born in Oneonta, New York, 1942 (now 78)
Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel (WS 94) born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1951 (now 69)
Tim O'Brien born in Wheeling, West Virginia, 1954 (now 66)
Stan Thorn of Shenandoah born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, 1959 (now 61)
Ronnie McCoury born in York County, Pennsylvania, 1967 (now 53)
Robert Whitstein born in Colfax, Louisiana, 1944 (died 2001)
Carlton Haney (BG 98) died in Greensboro, North Carolina (stroke), 2011 (was 82)
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 (NS 06) born in Pontotoc, Mississippi, 1943 (now 77)
Paul Overstreet (NS 03) born in Newton, Mississippi, 1955 (now 65)
Dick Curless born in Fort Fairfield, Maine, 1932 (died 1995)
Hugh Farr (CM 80) 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 (CM 02) died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2003 (was 94)
Ferlin Husky (CM 10) died in Nashville, Tennessee (congestive heart failure/colon cancer), 2011 (was 85)
Steve Young died in Nashville, Tennessee (complications from a fall), 2016 (was 73)
Chuck Berry (NS 82, RR 86) died in Wentzville, Missouri (heart attack), 2017 (was 90)

March 18:

Billy Armstrong born in Streator, Illinois, 1930 (now 90)
Charley Pride (CM 00, GLA 17) born in Sledge, Mississippi, 1934 (now 86)
Margie Bowes born in Roxboro, North Carolina, 1941 (now 79)
James McMurty born in Fort Worth, Texas, 1962 (now 58)
Smiley Burnette (NS 71) born in Summum, Illinois, 1911 (died 1967)
Dennis Linde (NS 05) born in Abilene, Texas, 1943 (died 2006)
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.
Ned Miller died in Medford, Oregon (natural causes), 2016 (was 90)
Dave Rich (RB) died in Loanview, Texas (unknown cause), 2020 (was 84)

March 19:

Henry "Friendly Henry" Maddox born in Boaz, Alabama, 1928 (died 1974)

Bob Kingsley (DJ 98) born, 1939 (died 2019)
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 83)

Don Edwards (WMA 05) born in Boonton, New Jersey, 1939 (now 81)
Douglas B. Green (Ranger Doug) of Riders in the Sky and the Time Jumpers born in Great Lakes, Illinois, 1946 (now 74)
Jim Seales of Shenandoah born in Hamilton, Alabama, 1954 (now 66)
Jerry Reed (CM 17, NS 05) born in Atlanta, Georgia, 1937 (died 2008)
Ralph Mooney (StG 83) died in Kennedale, Texas (kidney cancer), 2011 (was 82)
Kenny Rogers (CM 13) died in Sandy Springs, Georgia (cancer), 2020 (was 81)

March 21:

Carol Lee Cooper born in West Virginia, 1942 (now 78)
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)
Jimmy Work born in Akron, Ohio, 1924 (died 2018)
Bobby Garrett (Steel Guitar 95) born in Dallas, Texas, 1935 (died 1999)
Uncle Dave Macon (CM 66) 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 75)

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 (BG 06) of the Lewis Family died in Lincoln County, Georgia (natural causes), 2004 (was 98)
Cindy Walker (CM 97, NS 70) died in Mexia, Texas (natural causes), 2006 (was 88)

March 24:

Peggy Sue Webb born in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky, 1947 (now 73)
Carson Robison (NS 71) 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)
Maggie Cavender (NS 89) died in Nashville, Tennessee (stroke), 1996 (was 77)
Henson Cargill died in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (complications from surgery), 2007 (was 66)

March 25:

Robbie Fulks born in York, Pennsylvania, 1963 (now 57)
Shad Cobb born in Hazel Dale, Washington, 1973 (now 47)
Natchee the Indian (ne Lester Vernon Storer) born in Peebles, Ohio, 1916 (died 1970)
Bonnie Guitar born in Seattle, Washington, 1923 (died 2019)
Hoyt Axton born in Duncan, Oklahoma, 1938 (died 1999)
Jack Kapp died in New York, New York (cerebral hemorrhage), 1949 (was 47)
Buck Owens (CM 96, NS 96) died in Bakersfield, California (heart attack), 2006 (was 76)

March 26:

Vicki Lawrence born in Inglewood, California, 1949 (now 71). 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 70)
Michael Bonagura of Baillie & the Boys born in Newark, New Jersey, 1953 (now 67)
Dean Dillon (NS 02) born in Lake City, Tennessee, 1955 (now 65)
Charly McClain born in Jackson, Tennessee, 1956 (now 64)
Bud Isaacs (StG 84) born in Bedford, Indiana, 1928 (died 2016)
John Starling of the Seldom Scene (BG 14) born in Durham, North Carolina, 1940 (died 2019)
Julian Tharpe (StG 08) born in Skipperville, Alabama, 1937 (died 1994)

March 27:

Bill Callahan of the Callahan Brothers born in Madison County, North Carolina, 1912 (died 2002)
Don Warden (StG 08) born in Mountain Grove, Missouri, 1929 (died 2017)
David Rogers born in Houston, Texas, 1936 (died 1993)

March 28:

Charlie McCoy (CM 09) born in Oak Hill, West Virginia, 1941 (now 78)
Reba McEntire (CM 11) born in Chockie, Oklahoma, 1955 (now 64)
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.
Dean Webb (BG 09) of the Dillards born in Independence, Missouri, 1937 (died 2018)
W.C. Handy (NS 83) died in New York, New York (bronchial pneumonia), 1958 (was 84)

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)
Earl Scruggs (CM 85, BG 91, NS 07) died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2012 (was 88)
Jan Howard died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2020 (was 90)

March 29:

Paul Humphrey (BG 09) of the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers born in Wytheville, Virginia, 1935 (now 85)
Brady Seals of Little Texas born in Hamilton, Ohio, 1969 (now 51)
Moon Mullican (NS 76) born in Corrigan, Texas, 1909 (died 1967)
Jerry Byrd (StG 78) 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)
Kenny O'Dell (NS 96) died in Nashville, Tennessee (natural causes), 2018 (was 73)
Joe Diffie died in Nashville, Tennessee (COVID-19), 2020 (was 61)

March 30:

Bobby Wright born in Charleston, West Virginia, 1942 (now 78)
Connie Cato born in Carlinville, Illinois, 1955 (now 65)

March 31:

Greg Martin of the Kentucky Headhunters born in Louisville, Kentucky, 1954 (now 66)
Phil Leadbetter born in Knoxville, Tennessee, 1962 (now 58)
Howdy Forrester born in Vernon, Tennessee, 1922 (died 1987)
Tommy Jackson born in Birmingham, Alabama, 1926 (died 1979)
Hoyt Hawkins (CM 01) of the Jordanaires born in Paducah, Kentucky, 1927 (died 1982)
William O. "Lefty" Frizzell (CM 82, NS 72) born in Corsicana, Texas, 1928 (died 1975)
Anita Carter born in Maces Springs, Virginia, 1933 (died 1999)
John D. Loudermilk (NS 76) born in Durham, North Carolina, 1934 (died 2016)
Skeets McDonald died in Inglewood, California (heart attack), 1968 (was 52)
Carl Story (BG 07) died in Greer, South Carolina (complications from heart bypass surgery), 1995 (was 78)
Mel McDaniel died in Hendersonville, Tennessee (lung cancer), 2011 (was 68)