In 1999, Guy Mitchell passed away. You may remember that he had hits on many songs, both country and pop, and even novelty songs, including "Singing the Blues" and "Heartaches By The Number". He actually was more of a country singer to start with, and then made the switch to pop to keep his career going, which it did.
In 1997, Robert Mitchum who had that great big unmistakeable voice, passed away. He was a great actor, with my favorite of his westerns being "El Dorado" with the Duke and Walter Brennan. I also loved his narrative of "Tombstone". Among his vocal efforts are "There Is A River", "The Ballad of Thunder Road", and his country top ten hit, "Little Old Wine Drinker Me".
In 1995, John Michael Montgomery made it to number one singing about one of my favorite things in the world-a livestock auction. The song-"Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident".
In 1991, Western actor Michael Landon passed away from pancreatic cancer. From Little Joe on "Bonanza" to Charles Ingalls on "Little House On The Prairie", he was one of the most well-received tv actors in history.
In 1989, Kathy Mattea went to Number One with "Come From The Heart".
In 1978, Margo Smith went to the top of the charts with "It Only Hurts For A Little While".
In 1972, Hank Williams, Jr. went to Number One with one of his best, "Eleven Roses". I noticed on a new release he gave credit as a co-writer to his former brother-in-law and Bama Band guitarist, Lamar Morris.
In 1961, Michelle Wright was born in Chatham, Ontario, Canada.
In 1955, Keith Whitley was born in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. If I had to name the three best true country acts to come out of the eighties, it would be Randy Travis, Ricky Skaggs, and Keith Whitley. Keith was a true country artist who died way too soon. As I have said before, had he not died, I wonder if there would be anyone that would have a body of work to compare with him. I think everyone should have "The Essential Keith Whitley" that has about twenty of the best things that he ever recorded, but certainly not all. I still mourn this country music great when I think what might have been.
In 1933, Eddie Bond was born in Memphis, Tennessee, where he was a contemporary of Elvis Presley. He has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his work in the era of Elvis, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and even Conway Twitty(even as Harold Jenkins).
In 1924, Charles Everett Lilly of the Lilly Brothers was born in Clear Creek, West Virginia. The Lilly Brothers were an old time bluegrass act that was from the Northeast Region, frequently playing in Boston. For more on them, click here:
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/lilly_brothers_the/bio.jhtmlIn 1899, Thomas "Georgia Tom" Dorsey was born in Villa Rica, Georgia. He is known as the Father of Gospel Music. This African-American is probably the ultimate gospel superstar, having laid the basis for all gospel music from his blues and jazz roots. He is known for many compositions that are still some of the most well known, including "Peace In The Valley", "Take My Hand, Precious Lord", and "Old Ship of Zion".
In 1894, John Lee Lair, entertainer and founder of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, was born in Renfro Valley Kentucky. The Renfro Valley Barn Dance is still active today, and has been going for close to seventy years.
In 1887, notorious gunman Clay Allison died in Texas. He once said, "I never killed a man that did not need killing". He once killed a man for snoring. He tried in his later years to live down his reputation. I don't think he has....
