Today in Country Music History

Today is Teddy Gentry's birthday. He is 56. He was the bass player for Alabama.

Today is J.P. Pennington's birthday. He is 59. He was one of the founders of Exile.

In 2006, our friend Janette Carter passed away. She was the last of J.P. and Sara Carter's children, and performed at the Carter Fold in the Hiltons in Virginia up until right before her death. She was 82. If you ever met her, you know that she was one of the sweetest people, who really did her best to preserve our country roots.

In 1955, Porter Wagoner debuted on the Grand Ole Opry, at the Ryman Auditorium. The folks here at Takinthecountryback.com were fortunate enough to see Porter, Marty Stuart, the Fabulous Superlatives, and Eddie Stubbs perform on that same Ryman stage just a few short months before cancer claimed his life.

On this date in 1977, Conway Twitty was at Number One with "I Can't Believe She Gives It All To Me".

In 1975, Merle Haggard was Number One with "Kentucky Gambler".

And for you Tom T. Hall fans, in 1974, he had a huge hit with "I Love".