April 2nd:
1938
Born on this day in Nashville, Tennessee, was singer-songwriter Warner Mack. Mack had many hits on the country charts from the late 1950s to the early 1970s, including the 1965 #1 hit “The Bridge Washed Out”.
1942
Born on this day in Lawton, Oklahoma, was Leon Russell, (Claude Russell Bridges), musician and songwriter. Russell played piano with “The Wrecking Crew” the top L.A. session musicians of the 1960s, as well as working with many other artists including Willie Nelson, The Byrds, and Bob Dylan.
1947
Born on this day in Birmingham, Alabama, was Emmylou Harris, singer-songwriter and musician. She has released many chart-topping albums and singles over the course of her career, winning 12 Grammy Awards. Her first Country #1 was in 1976 with her version of the Buck Owens song “Together Again.”
1956
Johnny Cash recorded his classic song, “I Walk the Line”, which became his first #1 Billboard country hit. Released in May of this year it remained on the charts for over 43 weeks, and sold over 2 million copies. The unique chord progression for the song was inspired by backwards playback of guitar runs on Cash’s tape recorder while he was in the Air Force stationed in Germany.
1961
Born on this day in Lepanto, Arkansas, was Buddy Jewell who was the first winner on the USA Network talent show Nashville Star. His self-titled Country #1 album, produced the singles “Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey’s Song)” and “Sweet Southern Comfort”.
1962
Born on this day in Quincy, Florida, was Billy Dean, Country singer, songwriter who first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search. He guested on the Kenny Rogers 2000 US #1 Country hit with Alison Krauss “Buy Me A Rose.”
1995
Trisha Yearwood was at #1 on the Country singles chart with “Thinkin’ About You”, a song written by Tom Shapiro and Bob Regan. It was released as the second single and title track from her album Thinkin’ About You. The song became Yearwood’s third #1 country hit. Lee Roy Parnell plays slide guitar on the song.
2002
Marty Stuart was arrested in Hendersonville, Tennessee, and charged with DUI. Hendersonville police said Stuart was picked up and charged with one count of DUI and one count of violation of the implied consent law. Police said a call came in to them reporting that Stuart had been seen intoxicated in a local retail store.
2014
Recordings by The Everly Brothers and Linda Ronstadt’s album (Heart Like a Wheel), were among those newly selected for induction into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry.
