August 20th:
1923
Born on this day in Galloway, Texas was American country music singer-songwriter James Travis Reeves who became known as Jim Reeves, (Gentleman Jim). With records charting from the 1950s to the 1980s, he became well known as a practitioner of the Nashville sound. Reeves who scored over ten Country music #1’s died in a plane crash on 31st July 1964 aged 40. He is a member of both the Country Music and Texas Country Music Halls of Fame.
1934
Born on this day was ‘Sneaky’ Pete Kleinow, US country-rock steel guitar player. He was one of the original members of the Flying Burrito Brothers with the Byrds’ Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons and also worked with John Lennon and Joni Mitchell. He died 6th Jan 2007 aged 72.
1935
Born on this day in San Antonio, Texas was Justin Tubb, the oldest son of legendary country singer Ernest Tubb. He scored two duets with Goldie Hill, (“Looking Back to See” and “Sure Fire Kisses”). A year later, at the age of 20, he was made a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He penned many hit songs for other performers, including “Keeping Up with the Joneses”, “Love Is No Excuse”, and “Lonesome 7-7203”, a hit for Hawkshaw Hawkins.
1977
Born on this day in in Amarillo, Texas was country singer Aaron Watson. In February 2015, Watson made history when he released The Underdog making him the first solo male artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with a self-released and independently distributed and promoted album.
2008
The daughter of late country star Johnny Cash called the use of her father’s name to endorse a US presidential candidate ‘appalling’. Country star John Rich implied Mr Cash would have backed Republican hopeful John McCain while appearing at a rally in Florida, according to media reports. Writing on her website, Roseanne Cash called the remarks ‘presumptuous’. ‘Even I would not presume to say publicly what I ‘know’ he thought or felt,’ she added.
2008
Singer, songwriter Will Hoge was involved in a scooter accident on after leaving a studio session for what would be his next album, The Wreckage. He was traveling north on Main Street in East Nashville when a van traveling southbound failed to yield while turning, Hoge’s motor scooter collided with the passenger side of the van. He was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition. Hoge has since made a full recovery.
