This Day in Country Music History, January 18
2016
Singer/songwriter Glenn Frey dies in New York with multiple ailments, including colitis. His band The Eagles earned a country hit with “Lyin’ Eyes,” while Frey co-wrote such hits as “Desperado,” “Take It To The Limit” and “Heartache Tonight”
2013
George Strait launches the Cowboy Rides Away Tour, his last official concert trek, at the United Spirit Arena in Lubbock, Texas, with opener Martina McBride. Strait’s set includes “Here For A Good Time,” “The Chair” and “Folsom Prison Blues”
2009
Garth Brooks sings “We Shall Be Free” on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during an inaugural event for president-elect Barack Obama in Washington, D.C. Also appearing: James Taylor, Jennifer Nettles, Bono, Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Sheryl Crow
2007
Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby tape a new edition of “CMT Crossroads” in Nashville. The set list includes “Mandolin Rain” and “Don’t Get Above Your Raising.” They’re also joined by John Anderson for a surprise rendition of “Super Freak”
2006
Keith Urban’s album “Be Here” goes triple-platinum
2001
Inaugural celebrations for president George W. Bush in Washington, D.C., include performances by Lorrie Morgan, Sammy Kershaw, Lee Ann Womack and Brooks & Dunn, who sing “Only In America”
1989
Lee Greenwood sings “God Bless The U.S.A.” at the opening inaugural ceremonies for president George Bush
1986
Dan Seals’ nostalgic “Bop” goes to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
1956
Mark Collie is born in Waynesboro, Tennessee. He scores two Top 10 singles, “Even The Man In The Moon Is Crying” and “Born To Love You,” during the 1990s and becomes a spokesman for diabetes. In 2015, Collie takes a recurring role as a bar owner on the ABC drama “Nashville”
1941
Bobby Goldsboro is born in Marianna, Florida. His sentimental “Honey” sells a million copies in 1968. He also earns a Top 10 country hit with his 1971 single “Watching Scotty Grow” and writes Johnny Darrell’s “With Pen In Hand” and Brenda Lee’s “The Cowgirl And The Dandy”
