This Day in Country Music History, December 28
2010
Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman have a daughter, Faith Margaret Kidman Urban, born through a surrogate mother at Nashville’s Centennial Medical Center
2009
Charlie Daniels plays a “mean fiddle” as a GEICO insurance commercial makes its debut on television
2002
It’s a happy moment for George Strait: “She’ll Leave You With A Smile” reaches #1 on the Billboard country singles chart
2000
Montgomery Gentry plays halftime during the Music City Bowl at Adelphia Coliseum in Nashville, as the West Virginia Mountaineers defeat the Ole Miss Rebels, 49-38
1993
Billy Ray Cyrus marries Leticia Finley at home in Williamson County, Tennessee. “One cannot stand at the crossroads forever,” says Cyrus, who dresses for the ceremony in blue jeans and a cut-up sweatshirt
1993
Shania Twain marries songwriter/record producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange in Northern Ontario, Canada
1985
The Judds climb to #1 on the Billboard country chart with “Have Mercy”
1960
Marty Roe is born in Lebanon, Ohio. He becomes the lead singer of Diamond Rio, whose tight harmonies, strong musicianship and hook-filled songs bring Vocal Group honors from the Country Music Association four times
1958
Joe Diffie is born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Emerging in 1990, he melds traditional country with borderline-novelties to create a string of hits that includes “Ships That Don’t Come In,” “Honky Tonk Attitude” and “Third Rock From The Sun”
1958
Mike McGuire, of Shenandoah, is born in Haleyville, Alabama. As the drummer for the group, he contributes to such hits as “The Church On Cumberland Road,” “Two Dozen Roses” and “I Want To Be Loved Like That”
