1941
Born on this day, in Brooklyn, New York, was Eddie Rabbitt, singer-songwriter and musician who as a songwriter in the late 1960s, wrote such hits as “Kentucky Rain” for Elvis Presley in 1970 and “Pure Love” for Ronnie Milsap. Rabbitt also had the 1976 US #1 Country hit with “Drinkin’ My Baby (Off My Mind)”. He died from lung cancer at the age of 56 on 7th May 1998.
1944
Born on this day, was Sammy Creason, American session drummer who played with many artists including Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Delbert McClinton, Rita Coolidge, Billy Swan, Hoyt Axton, Gene Clark, Jimmy Buffett, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Creason died on 21 December 1995.
1961
Decca Records released Patsy’s Cline’s second studio album Showcase which was produced by Owen Bradley. The album produced two singles that became hits on both the Billboard country and pop charts. The first, “I Fall to Pieces,” became Cline’s first #1 hit on the country chart and also reached the Top 15 on the pop Top 100 in 1961. The follow-up single, “Crazy,” was nearly as big of a hit as “I Fall to Pieces,” peaking in the top five on the Billboard country chart.
1969
Johnny Cash was at #1 on the US Country chart with At San Quentin a recording of a live concert given to the inmates of San Quentin State Prison. The album was nominated for a number of Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and won Best Male Country Vocal Performance for “A Boy Named Sue.”
1982
Special guests on this week’s syndicated US music television series The Glen Campbell Music Show included Rita Coolidge who performed “Something ‘Bout You Baby I Like” and then with Glen Campbell played “Orange Blossom Special” and “I Believe”.
1990
Clint Black released his second album Put Yourself in My Shoes which went to #1 on the US Billboard Top Country Albums. Two singles “Loving Blind” and “Where Are You Now” from the album reached #1 on the country charts.
1996
Sling Blade, set in rural Arkansas, written and directed by Billy Bob Thornton, opened in American movie theaters. The picture featured Dwight Yoakam in a prominent role, along with Billy Bob Thornton, Robert Duvall and Tex Ritter’s son, John Ritter. The movie won Billy Bob Thornton an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
2000
Alan Jackson was at #1 on the US country chart with When Somebody Loves You. His ninth studio album produced the singles: “Where I Come From”, “www.memory”, “When Somebody Loves You”, and “It’s Alright to Be a Redneck.”
2001
Reba McEntire was nominated for a People’s Choice Award for her acting in the TV series Reba. During its five seasons on the Friday night lineup, it often ranked 4th in its timeslot, with a few episodes bringing in over 5 million viewers. Reba was broadcast worldwide in over 30 different countries.
2003
During a Thanksgiving Day game at Texas Stadium in Irving, Toby Keith performed “Beer For My Horses,” “Courtesy Of The Red, White And Blue” and “How Do You Like Me Now?!”
2007
Rosanne Cash was admitted to New York’s Presbyterian Hospital for brain surgery. The surgery was successful, though recovery was slow, and in March 2008 she was forced to cancel her spring tour dates for further recuperation.