September 18th:
1941
Born on this day in Marietta, Georgia, was country singer Priscilla Mitchell. In the 1960s, with country singer Roy Drusky, she recorded a series of hits, their best-selling recordings being country music “cheating songs”, including their biggest hit together, “Yes Mr. Peters”, released in 1965, becoming #1 on the country charts.
1949
Born on this day in Buffalo, NY, was Greg Leisz, songwriter who plays guitar, dobro, mandolin, lap steel and pedal steel guitar. Leisz has worked with many artists including Dwight Yoakam, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris and John Fogerty.
1953
Born on this day in Louisville, Mississippi, was Carl Jackson, country and bluegrass musician who played in Glen Campbell’s band for 12 years. Jackson’s first Grammywas awarded in 1992 for his duet album with John Starling titled Spring Training. In 2003 Jackson produced the Grammy Award-winning CD titled Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’: Songs of the Louvin Brothers – a tribute to Ira and Charlie Louvin. He also recorded one of the songs on the CD, a collection of duets featuring such artists as James Taylor, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, and others.
1980
Johnny Lee was at #1 on the US Country charts with “Lookin’ for Love”. The song was part of the soundtrack to one of the years biggest movies, Urban Cowboy.
1994
The seventh Farm Aid benefit concert took place at the Louisiana Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana. Held to raise money for family farmers in the US, the concerts were organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Artists who appeared included: Neville Brothers, Spin Doctors, Gin Blossoms, John Conlee, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Deana Carter.
2004
The Farm Aid 04, benefit concert took place at the White River Amphitheater, Auburn, Washington. Held to raise money for family farmers in the US, the concerts were organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Artists who appeared included: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, Jerry Lee Lewis, Trick Pony, Tony Coleman, Blue Merle, Tegan and Sara, Kate Voegele, Kitty Jerry, and Marc Broussard.
2005
The Farm Aid 2005: 20th Anniversary, benefit concert took place at the First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre, Tinley Park, Illinois. Artists who appeared included: Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Arlo Guthrie, Buddy Guy, Congressman Collin Peterson and the Second Amendments, Drew Davis Band, Elizabeth Rainey, Emmylou Harris, James McMurtry, Jimmy Sturr & His Orchestra, John Mayer, Kate Voegele, Kathleen Edwards, Kenny Chesney, Los Lonely Boys, Shannon Brown, Supersuckers, Susan Tedeschi, Widespread Panic, and Wilco.
2006
Willie Nelson and several of his band members were charged with misdemeanor drug possession in Louisiana after state police had pulled Nelson’s tour bus over for a routine commercial inspection. Smelling a suspicious odor inside, police searched the bus and found marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms.
2012
Dwight Yoakam released the album 3 Pears. By the end of 2012, the album was named on annual best of lists by NPR, Rolling Stone, American Songwriter, AOL’s The Boot, Entertainment Weekly, The Village Voice, and Rhapsody, and has been included in more critic’s “best of 2012” lists than any other artist in the country genre.
2013
Dwight Yoakam was granted the Artist of the Year award from the Americana Music Association at the 12th Annual Americana Music Honors and Awards held in Nashville.
