This Week At The Grand Ole Opry

This week's line-up for the Grand Ole Opry. You know what to do, just click on the link:

http://www.opry.com/TicketsAndInformation/ThisWeek.aspx

April 24 in Country Music History

In 2006, one of the sweetest and most talented ladies in country music, Bonnie Owens, died in a Bakersfield hospice from Alzheimer's disease. In my talks with her, I found her to be fully committed to furthering the career of her second husband, Merle Haggard, and found her to be one of the friendliest people I have met. She had her own harmony style that gave Hag's records a sound all their own. She also was married to Buck, and her ashes are interred in the Owens Family Mausoleum in Bakersfield, California.

In 1993, Sammy Kershaw hit Number One with "She Don't Know She's Beautiful".

In 1981, Mickey Gilley had a Number One trying to decide between "A Headache Tomorrow (Or A Heartache Tonight).

In 1943, Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge boys was born in Camden, New Jersey. Giddy-up, oompa mow mow.......

Paul Davis Dies

Paul Davis has always been one of my favorite singer-songwriters. He passed away in his home state of Mississippi. For more on this story, click here:

http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1586135/singer-songwriter-paul-davis-dies.jhtml

Marty Stuart's Late Night Jam

It is now a part of FanFair or what used to be FanFair. Read more here:

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080423/TUNEIN02/304230001/1005/ENTERTAINMENT

More for you George Strait Fans

Read this about George Straits string of number one country hits:

http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5853579_,00.html

April 23 in Country Music History

In 1988, K.T.Oslin went to Number One with "I'll Always Come Back".

In 1983, the Oak Ridge Boys went to Number One with "American Made".

In 1977, Loretta Lynn took "She's Got You" to the Number One spot.

In 1968, songwriter Aaron Barker was born. All of you George Strait fans take notice....

In 1961, "Don't Worry" by the late, great Marty Robbins went to the Number One spot.

In 1938, the great clothes designer Manuel was born. He actually married Nudie's daughter in 1960.

Peter Cooper sez-

Every once in a while, Peter Cooper shoots himself in the foot. But as a general rule, I agree with him on most things. I like this little article about the state of the art:

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=ff52cfe035434267889d53b0cd240a1f&plckController=PersonaBlog&plckScript=personaScript&plckElementId=personaDest&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckPostId=Blog%3aff52cfe035434267889d53b0cd240a1fPost%3adebc4202-1e5e-47e2-9b1c-558e5568d7b9&sid=sitelife.tennessean.com

For King George's Fans

I thought you would like to read this article on King George:

http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5852839_,00.html

April 22 in Country Music

In 2003, Felice Bryant of Boudleaux and Bryant passed away in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. For more about this great songwriting team, click on the link:

http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/bryant.html

In 1989, Clint Black debuted at the Opry. Though Clint seems to have gotten away from the great music that took him to stardom, he is still one of the most underrated talents in the world. If you get the chance to see him unplugged, he is awesome, and is a great entertainer.

In 1984, "The Yellow Rose Of Texas", by Johnny Lee and Lane Brody was at Number One on the charts. It was the theme song of a television series by the same name that starred Sam Elliot, Cybil Shepherd, Edward Albert, Ken Curtis, and Noah Beery, Jr. that lasted only one season, even though this writer thinks it was one of the best shows on tv.

In 1978, "Every Time Two Fools Collide" by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West went to Number One.

In 1976, "Drinkin' My Baby" by Eddie Rabbit was at Number One. This was a true Honky-tonk song that propelled Rabbit's career into outer space.

In 1950, Hank Williams was at Number One with "Long Gone Lonesome Blues".

In 1945, Cleve Francis, one of my favorite cardiologists, and singers, was born.

In 1936, Glen Campbell was born in Delight, Arkansas.

Statler Brothers Harold and Don Are Happy!!

With their induction ceremony into the Hall of Fame on the Horizon, these Statler Brothers are ecstatic.

Check out this link to see why the Statlers are all smiles:

http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1585969/statler-brothers-harold-and-don-reid-delight-in-upcoming-hall-of-fame-induction.jhtml

Kitty Wells News

For information on Kitty Wells upcoming exhibit at the Hall of Fame, click on the link:

http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1585976/kitty-wells-honored-in-country-music-hall-of-fame-exhibit.jhtml

Nobody deserves it more.

Joe Diffie Releases New Old Music

Here's another good story. We all know that Joe Diffie can honky-tonk with the best of them, ala "Honky-Tonk Attitude", and sing those country ballads. Joe is releasing a lot of other stuff that we probably don't remember. I find that a lot of the best of albums is not released. So I guess we better check it out. You know what to do at the link for more on this story:

http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5852222_,00.html

Ten Years on the Opry for Diamond Rio

And they are still some of the best performers to be found.

For a little more about how they feel being a fixture on the Opry for ten years, click here:http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5852217_,00.html

Walk of Fame Happenings

Check these Walk of Fame happenings out. It's been a while but you can still just click on the link:

http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5852203_,00.html

This Week At The Grand Ole Opry

For this weekend's activities, click on the link:

http://www.opry.com/TicketsAndInformation/ThisWeek.aspx

April 15

Today is tax day. There is plenty of reason to write a good country music song.

Today is Roy Clark's 75th birthday.

April 9 in Country Music History

In 1997, Mae Boren Axton, 82 year old songwriter, author, mother of Hoyt Axton, and very nice person, passed away in Nashville.

In 1988, George Strait scored another Number One record with "Famous Last Words Of A Fool".

In 1945, Gus Hardin was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She died in a car wreck in 1996. Also, on this date, singer, songwriter, and pianist Con Hunley was born in Tennessee.

In 1942, yodeler Margo Smith was born in Dayton, Ohio.

In 1932, Carl Perkins was born in Tiptonville, Tennessee.

April 8 in Country Music History

In 1989, Keith Whitley went to Number One on the charts with "I'm No Stranger To The Rain". I still wonder what the country music scene would be like today had he lived longer.

In 1978, Charlie Pride was at Number One with "Someone Loves You Honey".

In 1961, Faron Young went to Number One on the charts with "Hello Walls".

In 1960, John Schneider, singer and actor was born in Mount Kisco, New York. Of his seventeen charted country hits, four of them were Number Ones.

In 1936, Western Swing pioneer Milton Brown was injured in a horrific auto accident. For more on this great, click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Brown

April 7 in Country Music History

In 1984, Earl Thomas Conley went to Number One with "Don't Make It Easy For Me".

In 1956, Carl Perkins went to Number One with "Blue Suede Shoes".

In 1950, Slim Whitman joined the Louisiana Hayride.

In 1935, Bobby Bare was born.

In 1932, Cal Smith was born.

April 6 in Country Music History

In 1998, Tammy Wynette, one of the true female song stylists, passed away at her Nashville home.

In 1991, Garth Brooks hit Number One with "Two of a Kind, Workin' on a Full House".

In 1985, John Schneider hit Number One with "Country Girls".

In 1974, Charlie Rich went to Number One with "A Very Special Love Song".

In 1959, one of the biggest stars who is not in the Hall of Fame, Johnny Horton, went to Number One with "When It's Springtime In Alaska(It's Forty Below).

In 1937, country music legend Merle Haggard was born in Bakersfield, California. And as they say, the rest is country music history.

In 1883, Vernon Dalhart was born in Texas. He recorded the first million-selling record.

April 5 in Country Music History

In 1980, the Bellamy Brothers scored a number one with "Sugar Daddy".

In 1975, Johnny Rodriguez went to the top spot with "I Just Can't Get Her Out Of My Mind".

In 1944, songwriter Bob McDill was born in Beaumont, Texas. Bob has written many of the best songs in country music, and possibly the best one, "Amanda".

In 1940, Tommy Cash was born in Dyess, Arkansas.

In 1931, one of the most talented all around men in country music, Cowboy Jack Clement was born in Whitehaven, Tennessee. For more on this legend, click here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Clement

Billy Yates Announces His Guests for the Countriest of the Country

Check out Billy's tentative line up for this years fan appreciation concert:

BILLY YATES ANNOUNCES GUESTS FOR ANNUAL COUNTRIEST of the COUNTRY SHOWNashville, TN -- T Graham Brown, Sunny Sweeney, Chris Young, Tammy Cochran, Michael Peterson, the Broussard’s, Billy Ryan and David Kroll are among the artists slated to appear on Billy Yates’ COUNTRIEST of the COUNTRY show scheduled for Wednesday, June 4th at the Ernest Tubb Texas Troubadour Theater in Nashville.The annual event which is sponsored by the Billy Yates International Fan Club began only four years ago and has now evolved into what is considered by many to be the best Country Music show during the CMA Music Festival. With so many guests, it is by far one of the best entertainment values in Nashville that week.This year’s show will once again include "hit songwriters in the round" featuring Byron Hill ("Nothin’ On But The Radio" - Gary Allan, "Size Matters" - Joe Nichols, "Fool Hearted Memory" - George Strait plus many more hits), Leslie Satcher ("Cadillac Tears" - Kevin Denney, "Politically Uncorrect" - Gretchen Wilson, "When God Fearin’ Women Get the Blues" - Martina McBride plus many, many more), and Wil Nance ("She’s Everything" - Brad Paisley, "Round About Way", "If Heartaches Were Horses" - George Strait, "Cool To Be A Fool" - Joe Nichols plus more).To order tickets send $25.00 (check or money order) per ticket to:Billy Yates International Fan ClubP.O. Box 864White House, TN 37188USADoors will open at 5:30PM and the show will start at 6:00PM.All profits from the show will be donated to CHRISTMAS for the CHILDREN, a non-profit organization that raises money throughout the year to take local underprivileged children Christmas shopping. The organization is located in White House, Tennessee.

This Weekend At The Grand Ole Opry

Check the schedule out:

http://www.opry.com/TicketsAndInformation/ThisWeek.aspx

April 4 in Country Music History

Today is Ms. Liz's Birthday. She is Big John's wife, and Erin's mother. Her good country cookin' keeps us all good lookin'.

In 1987, George Strait went to Number One with "Ocean Front Property".

In 1981, Sylvia was at Number One with "Drifter".

In 1980, Red Sovine passed away while driving in Nashville.

In 1959, Bill Anderson made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1948, Gail Davies was born in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.

In 1938, Norro Wilson, songwriter and producer, was born in Scottsville, Kentucky.

April 3 in Country Music History

In 1982, The Oak Ridge Boys went to Number One with "Bobbie Sue".

In 1976, Freddy Fender scored a Number One with "You'll Lose A Good Thing".

In 1975, EmmyLou Harris' band, The Hot Band, debuted in San Francisco, California. For more information about EmmyLou, and her Hot Band, click on the link:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmylou_Harris

In 1961, Spade Cooley murdered his wife, ending for the most part a brilliant career for the band leader who was probably as famous as Bob Wills. For more information about Spade Cooley, you know what to do:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spade_Cooley

In 1950, Curtis Stone, son of Cliffie Stone, was born in North Hollywood, California. Curtis was bass player for Highway 101.

In 1948, The Louisiana Hayride debuted on KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana. Among the stars on the first show were The Bailes Brothers, Johnny and Jack, Kitty Wells, Shot Jackson, and Horace Logan. The price of admission was 60 cents for adults, 30 cents for children, and it stayed the same for eleven years. The Grand Ole Opry certainly has had the stars, but in its era, the Louisiana Hayride made most of them stars before they set foot on the Opry stage.

Also in 1948, Eddie Arnold's "Anytime" went to Number One, where it stayed for nine weeks on one edition of the charts.

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

In 1928, Country Music Hall of Fame legend Don Gibson was born in Shelby, North Carolina.

March 2 in Country Music History

In 1994, a country pop group, Little Texas had a number one with "My Love".

In 1983, the Bellamy Brothers scored a Number One with "When I'm Away From You".

In 1977, Kenny Rogers hit Number One with "Lucille", produced by Larry Butler.

In 1947, Emmy Lou Harris was born in Birmingham, Alabama.

In 1942, Leon Russell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma.

In 1941, Sonny Throckmorton was born in Carlsbad, New Mexico. For more on this songwriting great, click here:

http://www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com/fame/throck.html

In 1936, singer-songwriter Warner Mack (MacPherson) was born in Nashville, Tennessee. He wrote "Is It Wrong For Loving You" at the age of 13, and "The Bridge Washed Out" was his first number one, and it happened after he was almost killed in a tragic accident. for more on Warner Mack, click on the link:

http://www.warnermack.com/bio.htm