1908
Born on this day in Kellyville, Texas was Stuart Hamblen who was one of American radio’s first singing cowboys wrote “This Ole House”, which has been covered by many artists including Rosemary Clooney, Jimmy Dean, Boxcar Willie, Bill Black, and UK singer Shakin’ Stevens. Hamblen died in Santa Monica, California on March 8th 1989 of brain cancer.
1913
Born on this day in Henderson County, Kentucky, was Grandpa Jones an American banjo player and “old time” country and gospel music singer. He is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. Jones died on 19 Feb 1998 aged 84.
1937
Born on this day in Maud, Oklahoma was Wanda Lavonne Jackson, singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 60s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers and a pioneering rock and roll artist. She is known to many as the Queen (or First Lady) of Rockabilly. Jackson moved to a successful career in mainstream country music with a string of hits between 1966 and 1973, including “Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine”, “A Woman Lives for Love” and “Fancy Satin Pillows”.
1971
Born on this day was Jimi Westbrook from Little Big Town. All of their albums have accounted for over 20 singles on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, including the No. 1 singles “Pontoon”, “Girl Crush”, and “Better Man.”
1983
Merle Travis died a heart attack. The American country and Western singer, songwriter who was best known for his hit “Sixteen Tons”, often discussed the life and exploitation of coal miners in the lyrics. Travis was was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1970 and elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1977.
1991
Clint Black married actress, singer Lisa Hartman who played a major role in the primetime soap Knots Landing, as rock singer Ciji Dunne.
1999
Johnny Cash was admitted to Baptist Hospital in Nashville suffering from pneumonia, the second time this year. Doctors suspected that the medication Cash was taking for Shy-Drager’s Syndrome has made him more susceptible to infection.
2006
Flicka, an adaptation of the 1941 children’s novel, opened in US movie theaters. Tim McGraw played the leading adult male role as Wyoming rancher Rob McGlaughlin.
2009
Tim McGraw released Southern Voice, which was led by the single “It’s A Business Doing Pleasure With You”.
2009
Carrie Underwood released “Temporary Home”, the second single from her third studio album, Play On. The song became her ninth #1 single on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
