Bill's Country Music Calandar

"April"

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1883 - Jules Verne Allen 1883-1945, singer, songwriter, guitarist and working cowboy born in Waxahachie, Texas. Jules was nicknamed "The Singing Cowboy." Allen worked the Texas cattle drives until World War I, when he joined the Army. After the war he began a career in music which took him to radio shows from Texas to the West coast, where he was signed to Victor Records. Allen recorded under his own name as well as a few pseudonyms, his favorite being Longhorn Luke. Some of his songs include "Oh Bury Me Not on the Lone Prarie," "The Cowboy's Dream," and "Home on the Range.

1908 - Bob Nolan, "Robert Clarence Nobles," member of the "Sons of the Pioneers" was born in New Brunswick, Canada. Inducted into the CMHF in 1980 as a member of the Original Sons of the Pioneers.

1909 - Hank Warren" of The Briarhoppers" born in Mount Airy, North Carolina.

1914 - Nelson King voted America' s top country music DJ eight consecutive years, was born in Portsmouth, Ohio.

1920 - Bobby Atcheson 1920~1978, singer, fiddler was born near Dallas, Georgia. Bobby was a cast member of the WSB Barn Dance in Atlanta 1944~1946. Atcheson and wife Jane were a featured vocal duo on WATL in Atlanta, and co-owners of Atlanta's Covered Wagon country music nightclub.

1921 - Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith, was born in Clinton, South Carolina.

1922 - Jimmy Logsdon 1922~2001, a.k.a. Jimmie Lloyd, Rockabilly and Country artist, was born in Panther, Kentucky. His father was a Methodist minister.

1933 - The popular "WWVA Jamboree," moved to Wheeling' s thirty-six hundred seat Capitol Theater.

1934 - Jim Ed Brown, of The Browns, born in Sparkman, Arkansas. Jim began his solo career in 1965. Became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1965, and recorded for RCA. Jim and duet partner Helen Cornelius were honored by the CMA in 1977 as Vocal Duet of the Year.

1939 - Rachel Veach became the only female member of Roy Acuff' s Smokey Mountain Boys.

1942 - Liberty Records established in Hollywood, California. Two months later they changed their name to "Capitol Records."

1944 - Al Dexter's "So Long Pal" topped the charts.

1945 - Kenny Buttrey 1945~2004, A Team session drummer, and arranger, born in Nashville, Tennessee. Kenny began his professional music career at the age of 14. Kenny died from cancer at his Nashville home in 2004.

1950 - Carl Smith signed with Columbia Records.

1956 - Elvis Presley filmed his first Hollywood screen test 1956.

1959 - Terri Hendrix, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born at the Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, Texas.

1962 - Billy Dean singer, songwriter, and guitarist born in Quincy, Florida. Billy's first chart hit was his 1990 Capitol single "Only Here For A Little While."

1963 - Bill Anderson' s single "Still" topped the charts.

1967 - The Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum opened to the public.

1968 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' "Sweet Rosie Jones" b/w "Happy Time Are Here Again."

1970 - The Johnny Cash Show on the ABC Television Network featured Shel Silverstein, Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, the Statler Brothers, the Carter Family, and Carl Perkins.

1970 - Merle Haggard, and Linda Ronstadt were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1970 - Paul Cohen1908~1970, age 71, recording industry executive, president of the CMA, died in Bryan, Texas. Cowan was buried in College Station, Texas. Inducted into the CMHF 1976.

1972 - Connie Smith, and Tommy Ambrose were featured guests on "Hee Haw."

1979 - Mark Herndon was hired as Alabama' s drummer. As a result, Mark is now in the CMHF.

1981 - Emmylou Harris' Warner Bros. album "Roses in the Snow" was certified Gold by the RIAA

1985 - Alabama's RCA Victor album "40 Hour Week" was certified Gold & Platinum today.

1986 - Alan Jackson debuted on Ralph Emery' s "Nashville Now." At the time, Alan was working in the mailroom at TNN.

1991 - Reba McEntire's MCA album "Rumor Has It" was certified Gold.

1992 - Amy Grant's A & M album "Heart in Motion" was certified 3 x Platinum by the RIAA.

1992 - The Highwaymen toured Scandinavia and Europe from the 1^st through the 26^th.

1992 - "Nashville Now," Ralph Emery' s award winning show on TNN, was cut from 90 minutes to one hour. After realizing their mistake, TNN executives returned the program to its original length of 90 minutes, on June 30^th, 1992.

1996 - Alabama's RCA "Greatest Hits" album is certified 5 x Platinum by the RIAA. Alabama becomes the first country band to earn a quintuple-platinum album. The album was released in 1986.

1997 - Best April Fools joke of the year: After Trace Adkins told his booking agent that he was going to sing at his upcoming wedding, the agency sent the bride Rhonda Forlaw's family a bill for $7,000, and a contract to sign.

2001 - Ted McCarty, age 91, retired president of the Gibson Guitar Company, died in Idaho.

2002 - Arista Records released Diamond Rio's single "Beautiful Mess." The song charted twelve days later, and went to #1. This was the Grand Ole Opry stars 4^th #1 hit.

2003 - Johnny Cash, age 71, was released from Baptist Hospital in Nashville, after a three-week stay for treatment of pneumonia.

2006 - Eric Church made his first guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

2007 - Jim Ed Brown celebrated his 73^rd birthday, and on August 12^th will celebrate his 44^th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

2008 - The Grand Ole Opry's Hal Ketchum will be touring Ireland beginning today, through the 20^th.

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1908 - Buddy Ebsen was born Christian Rudolph Ebsen in Belleville, Illinois.

1911 - Mose "Moses" Rager 1911~1986, guitarist, born in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky.

1931 - Kenneth Ray "Thumbs" Carllile, 1931~1987, songwriter, guitarist born St. Louis County, Missouri.

1935 - Warner Mack, singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born "Warner MacPherson" in Nashville, Tennessee. Mack's early career included stays at the Louisiana Hayride and the Ozark Jubilee, and his self-penned Decca single "Is It Wrong (For Loving You) was a Top Ten single in 1957. Warner almost lost his life on November 29, 1964 after he was involved in a serious traffic accident, in a snowstorm in Indiana. It would be six months before Decca released another single for Warner, and it was a dandy. "The Bridge Washed Out" became his first #1 record, and 8 of Warner Mack's original 9 Decca releases were Top Ten records.

1941 - Sonny Throckmorton, singer, songwriter, born in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Other artists have recorded more than 1,000 songs written by Sonny. He was inducted into the NSHF in 1987.

1942 - Leon Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma.

1947 - Emmylou Harris was born Emmy Lou Harris in Birmingham, Alabama.

1949 - George Morgan's Candy Kisses sat atop the country charts.

1952 - Chris Frank member of the "Red Clay Ramblers" born in Omaha, Nebraska.

1955 - Cowboy Copas released "Pledging My Love."

1956 - Johnny Cash recorded "Get Rhythm" and "I Walk The Line" in Memphis, at Sun Studio. John wrote both songs, and Sam Phillips produced the session. I Walk The Line went to #1, and has been named a Grammy Hall of Fame recording. The session personnel included: John Cash~vocals & guitar; Luther Perkins~guitar; and Marshall Grant~bass. Otherwise known as Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two.

1959 - Dean Townson member of "Pirates of the Mississippi," born in Battle Creek, Michigan.

1961 - Buddy Jewell was born in Lepanto, Arkansas. The former Nashville demo singer won the first Nashville Star competition in 2003.

1962 -Billy Dean singer, songwriter, and guitarist was born in Quincy, Florida.

1964 - Lefty Frizzell topped the charts with "Saginaw Michigan."

1969 - Wendell Hall 1896~1969, 1920' s recording artist "It Ain' t Gonna Rain No Mo' ," died at the age of 72.

1969 - Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Flip Wilson, and the Vogues were featured guests on The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour. Joining the guests were regular cast members John Hartford, Pat Paulson, and of course The Rhinestone Cowboy.

1977 - Grand Ole Opry stage manager Vito Pellettieri worked his last Opry show. Vito suffered a stroke and died on April 14^th. He was the only stage manager the Grand Ole Opry ever had. Vito was 87 years old.

1979 - Doyle Lawson formed the bluegrass group "Quicksilver." The group played their first performance today.

1983 - Cliff Carlisle 1904~1983, age 79, singer, guitarist died in Lexington, Kentucky.

1983 - Andy Griffith and wife Cindi were married today.

1984 - Dan Fogelberg's Epic album "Windows and Walls" was certified Gold.

1984 - Alabama's RCA Victor album "Roll On" was certified Gold & Platinum by the RIAA.

1987 - Patsy Cline's MCA "Sweet Dreams" Soundtrack album was certified Gold.

1988 - Reba McEntire topped the charts with "Love Will Find Its Way To You."

1991 - Garth Brooks' Capitol album "No Fences" was certified 3 x Platinum.

1996 - Capitol Records released Rosanne Cash' s album "10 Song Demo."

2003 - PBS' s All-Star Bluegrass Celebration II was taped at the Opry House.

2005 - Jammin' to Beat the Blues with Vince Gill and Amy Grant was featured at the Ryman Auditorium this evening.

2006 - Buck Owens funeral was held at 2:00 p.m. Bakersfield, California, time at Buck's church The Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield. Buck's good friend Mayf Nutter, who was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame along with Buck at the Crystal Palace a year or so ago, is also a member of Valley Baptist and was present at his friend's funeral. " Brad Paisley had flown to Bakersfield from Memphis where he performed last night, arriving just in time for the service at the church. He was the first entertainer to sing during the funeral service, after giving a wonderful heart-felt testimony to Bucks influence and friendship to him. Buck Owens was laid to rest in the Owens family mausoleum in Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary and Cemetery, in Bakersfield, California. One month later Buck and Bonnie Owens were "Together Again" as Bonnie's ashes were placed next to Buck in the mausoleum. Bonnie died on April 25, 2006.

2006 - The Grascals were featured at the Kennedy Center's Celebration of America's Music. A 2006 Grammy nominee, this acclaimed Nashville bluegrass sextet is a continual crowd-pleaser, whether offering original songs, reworking the classic "Teardrops In My Eyes," breathing new life into the Osborne Brothers' "Leavin's Heavy on My Mind" or interpreting Harley Allen's "Me And John And Paul." The show was presented from the Millennium Stage.

2007 - Emmylou Harris celebrated her 60^th birthday today.

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1905 - Hank Newman 1905~1978, singer, guitar, and bass, member of "The Georgia Crackers," and the "Newman Brothers.," born in Cochran, Georgia.

1920 - Al Gannaway producer of music films was born today.

1926 - Marshall Claiborne a one armed fiddle player made his first appearance on the WSM Barn Dance. He was invited to come back for two more broadcasts that same month.

1928 - Don Gibson 1928~2003, singer, songwriter and guitarist born in Shelby, North Carolina. Don was inducted into the NSHF in 1973, and the CMHF in 2001.

1942 - Billy Joe Royal was born in Valdosta, Georgia.

1948 - The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Bailes Brothers headlined this debut performance, and Shot Jackson was their steel guitar player. Also appearing on the show was Curly Kinsey and the Four Deacons, Johnny and Jack and the Tennessee Boys featuring Miss Kitty Wells, the Tennessee Ridge Runners, Harmie Smith and his Ozark Mountaineers, the Mercer Brothers and Tex Grimsley and the Texas Playboys. The master of ceremonies was Horace Logan. Admission to the show was 60 cents for adults, and 30 cents for children. The price remained the same for eleven years, when on March 28, 1959, the price of admission rose to $1 for adults and 50 cents for children. Shot Jackson met Johnnie & Jack at the Hayride, and the following year went with them to Atlanta to record. Shot Jackson played on Kitty Wells first #1 hit "It Wasn' t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," and Johnny & Jacks first #1 "Oh Baby Mine," in the early 1950' s.

1948 - Eddy Arnold's single "Anytime" topped the charts for 9 weeks.

1950 - Curtis Stone bassist for "Highway 101," was born in North Hollywood, California. Curtis is the son of Cliffie Stone.

1956 - Elvis Presley appeared on "The Milton Berle Show."

1959 - Earl Taylor and his Stoney Mountain Boys became the first Bluegrass group to perform at New York City's Carnegie Hall.

1960 - The Everly Brothers played the first concert of their debut British tour.

1961 - Spade Cooley murdered his wife Ella Mae. He was sentenced to life in California' s Vacaville Prison, and died from a heart attach on November 23, 1969, two months prior to being released on parole.

1961 - Patsy Cline' s "I Fall To Pieces," hit the charts today.

1962 - Steve Grossman, of "The Gibson/Miller Band," was born in West Ipswich, New York.

1964 - The Statler Brothers debuted their first single "The Wreck of the Old �97."

1969 - Tom T. Hall recorded "Margie' s At The Lincoln Park Inn" b/w "Flat-Footin' It.

1972 - Jack Drake, session bass player died in Nashville today.

1972 - Capitol Records released Buck Owens' # 1 single "Made In Japan."

1975 - Emmylou Harris' s "Hot Band," debuted in San Francisco, California.

1976 - Crystal Gayle' s first #1, "I' ll Get Over You," charted.

1983 - The Oak Ridge Boys MCA album "American Made" was certified Gold.

1992 - Billy Ray Cyrus made his first appearance on Ralph Emery' s Nashville Now.

1993 - Harley "Red" Allen 1930~1993, a highly regarded bluegrass singer, songwriter, and guitarist, died from cancer at age 63. Red began his recording career with Kentucky Records in 1954. He partnered with the Osborne Brothers two years later, and they joined the cast of the Wheeling Jamboree. The group signed with MGM Records and toured and recorded at a steady pace. In 1959 in partnership with Frank Wakefield, Allen formed the Kentuckians in Washington D.C. In the mid-sixties they released their classic album "Bluegrass" on the Smithsonian Folkways label. Allen replaced Lester Flatt in Flatt & Scruggs in 1967, while Lester recovered from health problems. Harley "Red" Allen was on of the finest singers to ever sing a bluegrass song. Eight years after his death, Smithsonian Folkways released "The Folkways Years: 1964~1983." By today's standards this is a compilation album, containing 28 of Red's finest recordings from half a dozen albums, and 6 songs that had never been released before.

2003 - Johnny Cash, recovering from a three week bout with pneumonia, learned that his older sister, Louise, age 79, had died earlier in the day at her home in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

2004 - Dolly Parton presided at the 19^th season opening ceremony at "Dollywood."

2005 - The Canadian Juno Awards were presented in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

2006 - Country Songwriters in the Round was held at the Kennedy Center. From writing lyrics to performing them, country music songwriters Guy Clark, Matraca Berg, Shawn Camp, and Jeff Hanna lead a master class of local songwriters.

2008 - The Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest will hold their Jam & Dance at the Clarion Hotel DFW Airport South. April 3^rd~April 5^th.

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1915 - Dorothy Southworth Ritter, wife of Tex Ritter, was born in Prescott, Arizona.

1919 - Cy Coben, songwriter, born in Jersey City, New Jersey.

1938 - Norro Wilson songwriter, producer was born in Scottsville, Kentucky. Norro was inducted into the NSHF in 1996.

1940 - Ernest Tubb' s first recording session for Decca was held today.

1941 - Cliff Waldron Bluegrass legend, was born in Jolo, West Virginia. He was inducted into the SPBGMA Preservation Hall of Greats in 2004.

1950 - Hank Williams topped the charts with "Long Gone Lonesome Blues."

1951 - Steve Gatlin, of the "Gatlin Brothers" born in Olney, Texas.

1955 - Faron Young released "Live Fast, Love Hard, Die Young."

1959 - Bill Anderson made his first guest appearance on The Grand Ole Opry.

1960 - Mel Tillis released "Loco Weed."

1960 - The Everly Brothers released "Cathy' s Clown."

1964 - The Man In Black's single "Understand Your Man" went to #1, and held the spot for 6 weeks.

1964 - Buck Owens' self-penned Capitol single "Together Again" charted today and eventually went to #1.

1968 - Bobby Goldsboro's United Artists single "Honey" was certified Gold by the RIAA.

1971 - Jason Sellers singer, songwriter was born in Gilmer, Texas. Jason recorded for BNA from 1997~2000. He was married to Lee Ann Womack 1991~1997.

1973 - Conway Twitty 1933~1993, recorded "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" and "You've Never Been This Far Before" for MCA. You've never been this far was released first, and went to #1. I'm not through, charted the following year and topped out at #3. Conway Twitty charted 39 #1 hits on the country charts from 1968~1986. The only awards Nashville's CMA saw fit to present to Conway during this time, were for his duet releases with Loretta Lynn. He did not receive one award from the CMA during his entire career for any of his solo recordings, including his Gold and Platinum albums. Conway let his music speak for its self. He refused to engage in any of the political goings on that has always dictated who gets the politically motivated recognition, from the $$$ motivated Country Music Association and the Country Music Foundation. The organization has never been about anything other than business, and in Music City that means someone needs to keep an eye on them. In the past, some of the local reporters who have assumed the role of watchdog over the organization, have reported that they were threatened by the attorneys representing the organization with lawsuits for harassment. Many fans have believed over the years that the CMA was an organization that existed for the benefit of the fans, and that's just not the case. Everything they do is aimed at promoting the music produced in Nashville, even if it's no long possible for an honest person to describe that music as being Country. Now there is absolutely nothing wrong with that�unless you attempt to represent yourself as something else from time to time. But don't you dare ask them to account for the money that comes into, or goes out of their bank account. It is true that Conway was inducted into the CMHF six years after he died. But he never received one award for any single, or album he released unless Loretta Lynn was singing with him. Welcome to Music City�what's your dream?

1974 - Tanya Tucker' s single "Would You Lay With Me" was #1.

1980 - Red Sovine 1918 ~1980, age 61, died of a heart attack while driving in Nashville. Red was laid to rest in Woodlawn Memorial Park, Nashville, Tennessee. Red's wife Norma is buried next to her husband. Norma died in 1976.

1981 - Sylvia' s first #1 RCA single "Drifter" charted today.

1981 - The Oak Ridge Boys MCA single "Elvira" charted today.

1985 - The Judds' RCA/Curb album "Why Not Me" was certified Gold. This was their first Gold, but certainly would not be their last.

1987 - Diane Adams 1962~1987, died today as the result of a car wreck at age 24. She recorded "I'm Little (But I'm Loud)' in 1978 when she was 16 years old. Diane was a cast member of the Bootheel Jamboree. As her recording stated "I'm countrified and I don't care who knows it." Diane Adams was laid to rest in Morgan Memorial Park Cemetery, in Advance, Missouri.

1988 - Buck Owens & Dwight Yoakam recorded "Streets Of Bakersfield" at Capitol Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. Homer Joy wrote the song, and Pete Anderson produced the session. Studio personnel included: Buck Owens~vocal; Dwight Yoakam~vocal & guitar; Pete Anderson~lead guitar; Don Reed~fiddle; Flaco Jimenez~accordian; Skip Edwards~piano; Taras Prodaniuk~bass; and Jeff Donovan~drums. The Reprise single was released in June and went to #1. The song also appeared on Dwight's Reprise LP/CD "Buenas Noches From A Lonely Room." The album was released in August and went to #1, with four of the cuts making the country charts as singles. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA.

1989 - Alabama's RCA album "Southern Star" was certified Gold.

1994 - Tracy Lawrence was arrested in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, after he followed a car transporting three teenagers, off I-40 to a residence. Tracy fired two shots from a .357 magnum revolver, and was charged with two counts of aggravated assault, and carrying a weapon without a permit. Lawrence was placed on probation for one year, and the felony chargers were later dropped.

2000 - Renaissance released Jim Ed Brown & Helen Cornelius' "Anthology."

2000 - Buddha Records released Chet Atkins' album "Guitar Legend: The RCA Years".

2003 - June Carter Cash was hospitalized for six days at Nashville' s Baptist Hospital.

2004 - Shania Twain won her 12^th Juno award for her album "UP." The CD was named Country Recording of the year in Canada.

2005 - The Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival was held at various locations in Nashville, the 4^th~9^th.

2006 - String Masters All-star stringed instrument players�including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Stuart Duncan, Bela Fleck, Mark Schatz, and Bryan Sutton�performed in an evening that explored country music's roots and progressive trends at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater.

2006 - Delene Duesler 1957~2006, age 49, star of the Delene Show in Branson, Missouri, died today at the Boswell Memorial Hospital in Sun City, Arizona, as the result of a brain tumor. Delene's stage name was Delene Andre, and she was in Sun City for a performance. Delene was cremated.

2006 - Sandy Brooks, ex-wife of Garth Brooks was kidnapped at gunpoint from her home today near Tulsa, Oklahoma by a man she employed to work on her farm. Sandy permitted a bail bondsman to come on her property for the purpose of arresting her employee on an outstanding warrant. When he approached the man the employee drew a gun and forced Sandy into a car, and instructed her to drive away. Sandy drove several miles and then stopped the car and ran inside a convenience store. Quintine Cornelius Harper, age 24, was later arrested and charged with kidnapping and weapons charges.

2008 - Martina McBride will appear in concert at the Tulsa Convention Center Arena, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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1909 - A. V. Bamford, concert promoter was born in Havana, Cuba. Bamford was the promoter who booked the show in Canton, Ohio, where Hank Williams was headed when he died.

1931 - Jack Clement, record producer, label owner, songwriter, and studio engineer was born in Whitehaven, Tennessee. Cowboy Jack Clement is one of the most talented men in the history of American music. Jack was inducted into the NSHF in 1973, and will inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame someday. Jack left Sun Records in 1959, moved to Nashville and went to work at RCA Victor as Chet Atkins assistant. Jack was one of the first independent producers to work for a major label in Music City. During his career Cowboy Jack Clement has worn just about every hat there is in the country music industry, I will just mention a few of the work products created by Jack when he was wearing his songwriters cap: Ballad of a Teenage Queen; Guess Things Happen That Way; Miller's Cave; Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger; I Know One; Just Between You and Me; Everybody Loves a Nut' Lets All Help the Cowboys (Sing the Blues); Dirty Old Egg Sucking Dog: Flushed From the Bathroom of Your Heart; and many more. Jack discovered and recorded Jerry Lee Lewis when Sam Phillips of Sun Records was on vacation in Florida, and he produced the sessions of Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Charley Pride. Jack Clement is a giant of a man in terms of his contributions to country, and rockabilly music.

1931 - Bill Clifton, Bluegrass vocals, and guitarist was born "William August Marburg," Riverwood, Maryland. Bill organized the first ever Bluegrass festival on July 4, 1961, at Oak Leaf Park, in Luray, Virginia.

1939 - Agnes "June" Stearns Columbia and Decca recording artist, born in Albany New York.