April 13th:
1908
Born on this day in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was Bob Nolan, singer, songwriter, and actor. He was a founding member of the Sons of the Pioneers, and composer of numerous Country music and Western music songs, including the standards “Cool Water” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds.”
1952
Born on this day in Bowling Green, Kentucky, was Sam Bush, an American bluegrass mandolin player who has worked with many artists including: Leon Russell, Doc Watson, Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea and Garth Brooks.
1965
Roger Miller won five trophies at the seventh annual Grammy Awards, taking away, Best New Country & Western Artist; C&W Album, for Dang Me/Chug-A-Lug and C&W Single, Song and Male Vocal, for “Dang Me”, his novelty song whose “jazzy instrumental section” helped make it “the quintessential example of Miller’s lighthearted humor”. Best Country & Western Vocal Performance – Female went to Dottie West for “Here Comes My Baby.”
1970
Marty Robbins received the Man of the Decade Award from the Academy of Country Music. The Grammy Award winner had suffered a major heart attack earlier in the year.
1970
Winners at the 5th Academy of Country Music Awards hosted by Buddy Ebson included: Bob Wills who won the Pioneer Award, The Jim Reeves Memorial Award went to Joe Allison, Tammy Wynette won Top Female Vocalist of the Year, Merle Haggard won Top Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year went to Merle Haggard for “Okie From Muskogee”.
1983
CBS-TV celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Country Music Association. Among those appearing on the special: Alabama, Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys, Anne Murray, Ricky Skaggs, Roy Acuff, Tammy Wynette, Janie Fricke, Mickey Gilley and The Gatlin Brothers.
2010
Lady Antebellum were at #1 on the Country chart with their second studio albumNeed You Now. The album won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album and was nominated for Album of the Year, whereas the single “Need You Now” won four awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
