Ed Benson Is Retiring

Ed Benson is finally retiring according to an article I read. Personally, I think that he is one of the main reasons the country music genre is so messed up. I believe that he assumed power in the CMA in 1993, and to me, everything has gone downhill since then, especially with his tendency to lean toward the blurring of pop and country lines. He has also been one of the main reasons Fan Fair is gone and replaced by this new junk festival.

Now if Pete Fisher and Steve Buchanan would follow him into the pasture, maybe we could get somebody who is bullish on real country to fight for the cause again.

August 9 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 2005, steel guitarist Hal Rugg passed away.

In 2004, songwriter Sam Hogin died in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2001, Steve Runkle, singer-songwriter-musician died in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1998, Tommy McBay, former bass player for the Texas Playboys, passed away in Texarkana.

In 1986, "Storms of Life" by Randy Travis went to Number One on the album charts. It is absolutely one of the best albums of all time.

In 1986, The Judds "Rockin' With The Rhythm Of The Rain" went to Number One on the singles chart.

In 1980, Mickey Gilley took "Stand By Me" to the top of the charts.

In 1976, Jesse Ashlock, former fiddler for the Texas Playboys, passed away in Austin, Texas.

In 1975, "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights" by Freddie Fender went to the Number One spot on the charts.

In 1969, Charlie Pride sang "All I Have To Offer You Is Me", and it was good enough to be a chart-topper.

In 1953, singer-songwriter-musician Cathy Fink was born in Baltimore, Maryland.

In 1947, Bonnie Campbell joined soon-to-be husband Buck Owen's band. She later married Buck, then Merle Haggard, and was probably as much of the Merle Haggard sound as Don Rich was of the Buck Owens sound.

In 1934, singer-songwriter-manager-entertainer-great person Merle Haggard was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma. We miss him.....

August 8 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 1987, Reba McIntyre held the top spot with "One Promise Too Late".

In 1981, Crystal Gayle went to the top of the charts with "Too Many Lovers".

In 1975, Hank Williams, Jr.'s life changed when he was critically injured in a fall from Ajax Mountain in Montana.

In 1970, Sonny James was Number One with "Don't Keep Me Hangin' On".

In 1964, The Osborne Brothers joined the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1950, Jamie O'Hara was born in Toledo, Ohio.

In 1944, Michael Johnson was born in Alamosa, Colorado.

In 1939, Phil Balsey of the Statler Brothers was born in Staunton, Virginia.

In 1935, Howard Jenkins, Conway Twitty's brother and band member, was born.

In 1934, The Sons of the Pioneers recorded for the first time.

In 1933, Joe Tex was born in Baytown, Texas. He was one of the success stories of Buddy Killen when he was a major player in Nashville.

In 1932, Mel Tillis was born in Pahokee, Florida.

In 1922, Irene Smith, Hank Williams' sister was born. She was one of his first managers, and became a collector of memorabilia with many museum pieces, and is considered one of the great country music historians. For a little more information on this intriguing lady, click here:

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8073340

In 1922, actor Rory Calhoun was born. You may remember him as Ernest Tucker in "Pure Country" starring George Strait.



In 1921, Webb Pierce, probably the most successful artist in the fifties when there was a lot of real country, was born in West Monroe, Louisiana.

A Regular Joe Is Making A Live Album At Billy Bob's

Joe Diffie is getting set to make a live album at the world's largest honky-tonk. For my money, this "Regular Joe" is one of the best honky-tonkers to come down the pike in the last twenty years.

If you went to Fan Fair at the old fair grounds in the nineties, you remember what Sony's shows were like when Joe was the resident honky-tonk artists. I sure miss those days.

Click here for more:

http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5918664_,00.html

Together Again-Marty and Travis

Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt have planned some quality time together. For more information, click here:

http://www.gactv.com/gac/nw_headlines/article/0,3034,GAC_26063_5918661_,00.html

August 7 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 2001, Billy Byrd of the Texas Troubadours died in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1992, character actor John Anderson passed away. He was on many Western movies and tv episodes including several "Gunsmoke" episodes.

In 1989, T.C. Lansford of the Texas Playboys passed away.

In 1982, Hank Williams, Jr. was on top of the charts as he was "Honky-Tonkin'".

In 1981, on his birthday, B.J.Thomas joined the Grand Ole Opry. He isn't stone cold country, but he is one of my favorite singers. He put out a great version of "Rainy Night In Georgia", as well as "Most of All", and "Brown Eyed Woman". And he has a memorable voice. He was born in Hugo, Oklahoma in 1942. Just in case you didn't know it, he had a million selling single with "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry".

In 1976, George Jones and Tammy Wynette went to the top of the charts with "Golden Ring".

In 1971, Homer Haynes of Homer and Jethro passed away in Hammond, Indiana.

In 1965, Jimmy Dean topped the charts with "The First Thing Ev'ry Morning(And The Last Thing Ev'ry Night)".

In 1950, Rodney Crowell was born in Houston, Texas.

In 1948, Hank Williams joined the Louisiana Hayride.

In 1934, Steve Ihnat, actor who guested in many "Gunsmoke" episodes, was born.

In 1925, Felice Bryant was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

In 1904, Dave Kapp of Kapp Records was born in Chicago, Illinois.

I Will Do My Best!!!

Erin is headed back to law school shortly, and I have taken up a new career driving an eighteen wheeler.

Shortly we will be discontinuing the radio station, knowing you can listen to a lot of good stuff at our myspace pages.

I will try to blog daily as I have this year, and I will also let you know what I am doing when those big wheels are turning, as Merle says. For those of you who are interested, I will be driving a Peterbilt with a nice studio lounge, and a reefer behind it. Bubba is taking over my house. You all know Bubba as my nephew who is like a son to me.

I will stay in touch with all of you as much as I can.

I do ask for prayers for my family and me, and especially for our safety as we are all out of state doing our business.

I don't have to tell you but for many of you, you are like family to me, and I will keep you in my prayers also.

Take care,

John

August 6 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 1999, Colleen Carroll Brooks, recording artist and mother of Garth Brooks, passed away from cancer.

In 1989, steel guitarist Billy Bowman, who played for Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, passed away.

In 1988, George Strait was at the top of the charts with "Baby Blue".

In 1983, Earl Thomas Conley was at Number One with "Your Love's On The Line".

In 1977, Charlie Rich was "Rollin' With The Flow" to Number One on the charts.

In 1964, recording artists The Lynns, daughters of Loretta and Mooney Lynn, were born. They were christened Patsy and Peggy.

In 1959, singer-songwriter-producer-label executive Darrell Scott was born. "It's A Great Day To Be Alive" was just one of the many hits he has written.

In 1953, Mark Defresne of Confederate Railroad was born in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Rumor has it that he likes his women a little on the trashy side. The rumor is unconfirmed.

In 1935, vocalist-mandolin player Herschel Sizemore was born in Alabama.

In 1929, actess Lois Nettleton was born. Some of her best roles were in "Gunsmoke" and "In The Heat Of The Night" episodes.

In 1922, Old Joe Clark, aka Manuel D. Clark of the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, was born in Erwin, Tennessee.

In 1917, acting great Robert Mitchum was born. Favorite roles were as the drunk sheriff in El Dorado when John Wayne's character says "I'm looking at a drunk with a (pause) tin badge pinned to it." I also loved his narration of "Tombstone".

In 1892, Rodeo champion and Western actor Hoot Gibson was born

August 5 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 1998, Eldon Shamblin, Western Swing guitarist, died. He was a guitarist in Bob Wills' Texas Playboys, and was heard adding his style to "Ida Red" and "Take Me Back To Tulsa". He was also in Merle Haggard's Strangers for ten years. For more on this guitar great, click here:

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

In 1995, Alan Jackson went to the top of the charts with "I Don't Even Know Your Name".

In 1989, Dolly Parton scored a Number One with "Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That".

In 1978, Kenny Rogers went to Number One with "Love Or Something Like It".

In 1969, Nascar driver Kenny Irwin was born.

In 1968, legendary guitar player Luther Perkins of the Tennessee Two and Tennessee Three died in a house fire ignited by his cigarette.

In 1968, Terry Clark was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

In 1967, Sonny James topped the charts with "I'll Never Find Another You".

In 1962, Marilyn Monroe, actress, passed away in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California under suspicious circumstances. Though ruled a homicide, nobody knows the true circumstances.

In 1961, Mark O'Connor, fiddle firtuoso, was born in Seattle, Washington.

In 1960, W.S. Holland became drummer for Johnny Cash's Tennessee Three.

In 1957, Elvis topped the Country Charts with "Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear". I like Elvis, but I don't think that is any more country than "No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem".

In 1943, husky voiced country singer Sammi Smith was born in Orange County, California. She was best know for her rendition of Kris Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through The Night".

In 1940, Bobby Braddock, songwriter extraordinaire, was born in Lakeland, Florida. His songwriting hits include George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today", and Johnny Duncan's "Thinking Of A Rendezvous", among many others. He also wrote "I'm Over You", that George sang about the view from the deceased man in "He Stopped Loving Her Today", which I think is awesome, and I think he did a song called "Oh Bones and Me" based on "Oh, Lonesome Me" which is about a man and his dog lost in a cave, that is super funny. For more on Bobby Braddock, click here:

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

IN 1934, VERN GOSDIN, 'THE VOICE', WAS BORN IN WOODLAND, ALABAMA. PROBABLY THE BEST PURE VOICE IN COUNTRY MUSIC, VERN HAS HAD A NUMBER OF HITS IN THE LAST THIRTY YEARS. MOST OF HIS GREATEST WORK WAS DONE ON COMPLEAT RECORDS IN THE LATE SEVENTIES AND THE EARLY EIGHTIES. HE WAS 53 YEARS OF AGE BEFORE HE EVER HAD A MAJOR LABEL CONTRACT, AND STARTED HAVING PHYSICAL DIFFICULTIES AT THE HEIGHT OF HIS CAREER. "THERE IS A SEASON", "TIME STOOD STILL", AND "CHISELED IN STONE" ALL HAVE TO BE CONSIDERED AS SOME OF THE GREATEST ALBUMS EVER PRODUCED. MY PERSONAL FAVORITE TWO SONGS OF VERNS ARE "DEAD FROM THE HEART ON DOWN" AND "FOR A MINUTE THERE", BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD A VERN GOSDIN SONG I DON'T LIKE. FOR MORE ON THIS GREAT SINGER, CLICK HERE:

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

In 1931, Hal Durham, music executive of WSM, was born in McMinnville, Tennesee.

August 4 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 2007, singer-songwriter-producer Lee Hazelwood died in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In 2004, The Notorious Cherry Bombs debuted on the Tonight Show. They were made up of Rodney Crowell, Tony Brown, Vince Gill, Hank Devito, and Richard Bennett. "It's Hard to Kiss The Lips At Night (That Chew Your A__ Out All Day Long)" was their first single and video.

In 1997, Roy Carter, bassist of the Chuck Wagon Gang, passed away.

In 1990, "Good Times" by Dan Seals was at Number One on the charts.

In 1987, country singer Kenny Price of Hee Haw fame died of a heart attack.

In 1984, "Mama He's Crazy" became the first Number One for the Judds.

In 1982, noted fiddler Tex Atchison died in Collinsville, Illinois. For more information on this great who enjoyed a lot of success, click here:

http://www.rocky-52.net/chanteurs/atchison_tex.htm

In 1981, Ricky Skaggs and Sharon White were joined in matrimony. For you real country folks, that means they were married.

In 1978, old time fiddlin' great Fiddlin' Doc Roberts passed away in Madison County, Kentucky.

In 1973, in the middle of the first gas crisis, Jerry Reed went to the top of the charts as he asked, "Lord Mr. Ford" (What have you done?).

In 1962, Jack Taylor, star of the same Prairie Ramblers that included Tex Atchison and Patsy Montana, passed away.

In 1959, Skeeter Davis debuted on the Grand Ole Opry. I never realized how big a star she really was until I went to her estate sale, and met some of her friends and heard some of their stories. I did purchase some great memorabilia from her estate, including her autograph blanket from the "Country Homecoming" video and her Christmas stocking among a few other small things.

In 1956, Jimmy C. Newman joined the Grand Ole Opry. I went to work in New Orleans in 1987, and spent a lot of time in the bayous west of their that included Lafayette, Breaux Bridge, and places between, including Houma and Thibodaux. I have never seen an area so crazy about one artist, but they really do worship Jimmy C. Newman.

In 1956, George (The Possum) Jones joined the Grand Ole Opry. What is there to tell about this legend that most of you don't know?

In 1950, Vickie Hackerman of Dave and Sugar was born in Louisville, Kentucky. As I grow older, I like to watch videos of this entertaining trio, which had several different women as Sugar, but always showcased Dave Rowland. Dave was a real showman. They debuted on the charts with "The Queen Of The Silver Dollar", and then enjoyed ten top tens, including three Number Ones. Dave and Sugar also worked as backup for Charlie Pride.

In 1932, Scotty Stoneman of the Stoneman Family was born. He was simply awesome on the fiddle, and was known by everybody from Grandpa Jones to Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead. He lived hard, and died young.

In 1927, Jimmie Rogers cut his first songs for Ralph Peer and RCA at the Bristol Sessions.

In 1924, bluegrass fiddler Benny Sims was born.

In 1919, James Blackwood of the original Blackwood Brothers Quartet was born in Choctaw County, Mississippi.

In 1899, legendary recording artist and performer Frank Luther was born in Larkin, Kansas. For a little information on this contemporary of Vernon Dalhart and Carson Robison, click here:

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

In 1890, Carson Robison was born in Oswego, Kansas. He recorded with Frank Luther (mentioned above). He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. For more on him, click here:

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

August 3 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 2004, Lacy Van Zant, considered to be "The Father Of Southern Rock", passed away in Jacksonville, Florida. He was the father of Ronnie Van Zant of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Donnie Van Zant of .38 Special, and Johnny Van Zant who fronts the current day Lynyrd Skynyrd, and both Donnie and Johnny perform as Van Zant, a 'country' act.

In 1999, steel guitarist Little Roy Wiggins died in Sevierville, Tennessee.

In 1996, Rhett Akins was at Number One with "Don't Get Me Started".

In 1991, Trisha Yearwood scored her first Number One with "She's In Love With The Boy". I don't think she is such a country act, but I know that she has one of the greatest voices.

In 1991, Johnny Lee debuted on the Grand Ole Opry. For more information on this real American country singer, click here:

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

In 1985, Alabama was still on a roll with "40 Hour Week (For A Livin')" as they continued their onslaught of the Number One position on the charts.

In 1974, Crash Craddock was at Number One with "Rub It In". I don't know if that is country either.....

In 1953, Randy Scruggs was born in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 1924, Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires was born in Gleason, Tennessee.

In 1923, Dottie Dillard of the Anita Kerr Singers was born in Springfield, Missouri.

August 2 In Takinthecountryback.com History

In 2003, Redd Stewart passed away in Louisville, Kentucky. For more information on this country music giant, click here:

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

In 2002, Joe Allison, country music executive, passed away in Nashville.

In 1986, George Strait was at Number One with "Nobody In His Right Mind Would've Left Her".

In 1980, "Dancin' Cowboys" the Bellamy Brothers were at Number One on the charts.

In 1975, Johnny Rodriguez was at Number One with "Just Get Up And Close The Door".

In 1953, Betty Jack Davis of the Davis Sisters passed away in an auto accident.

In 1944, Blake Emmons was born in Toronto, Canada.

In 1935, songwriter and performer Hank Cochran was born in Isola, Mississippi. We hope you are doing well, Hank.

In 1932, John Cohen of the New Lost City Ramblers, known for their folk songs, was born in New York City.

In 1876, Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back of the head by Jack McCall in Deadwood, South Dakota. He is buried there with Calamity Jane at his side.

August 1 in Takinthecountryback.com History

In 1992, Brooks and Dunn broke through to the top with "Boot Scootin' Boogie".

In 1987, Ronnie Milsap went to Number One with "Snap Your Fingers".

In 1987, Howdy Forrester of Roy Acuff's Smoky Mountain Boys passed away. He was a fiddle virtuoso, and spent 38 of his years performing at the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1981, Hank, Jr. was atop the charts with "Dixie On My Mind".

In 1980, character actor Strother Martin passed away. Among his many roles were included those in John Wayne Westerns, and many "Gunsmoke" episodes.

In 1966, George Ducas was born in Texas City, Texas. He is best remembered for his top ten hit, "Lipstick Promises".

In 1953, Hank Thompson was at the top of the charts with "Rub-A-Dub-Dub".

In 1931, American folk performer Ramblin' Jack Elliot was born in Brooklyn, New York.

In 1927, The Carter Family, A.P., Sara, and Maybelle, made their first recordings for Ralph Peer and RCA at the Bristol Sessions.

In 1909, Horace Leon Chappelear was born. He was known as "The Lone Star Cowboy", and at one time worked closely with Jimmie Davis.

In 1903, American folk figure and Western heroine Martha Jane Canary was born in Princeton, Missouri. She is remembered as Calamity Jane, and is buried next to Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood, South Dakota.

A Good Night In Lexington

This is a little bit about a good concert show in Kentucky starring Alan Jackson and Lee Ann Womack:

http://www.cmt.com/news/country-music/1592021/alan-jackson-covers-all-the-bases-at-kentucky-concert.jhtml

Allison Krauss Works With Dr. Ralph Stanley

I like good bluegrass, and here's a little tidbit about happenings at the Ryman:

http://www.cmt.com/news/news-in-brief/1592015/alison-krauss-sings-with-ralph-stanley-at-the-ryman.jhtml