1941
Born on this day in Robards, Kentucky was singer-songwriter Jim Owen. Several artists had chart hits with his songs. These included “Too Lonely Too Long” and “One More Drink” (both Mel Tillis), “Little Boy’s Prayer” (Porter Wagoner), “Sweet Baby On My Mind” (June Stearns), “Southern Loving” and “Broad Minded Man” (both Jim Ed Brown), “The Telephone” (Jerry Reed) and arguably the best-known of all, “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” (Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn). Charlie Daniels once called Jim Owen country music’s least known country superstar. He died on March 7 2020.
1947
Hank Williams recorded “Move It On Over” at Castle Studio, Nashville. The song was Williams’ first major hit, reaching #4 on the Billboard Singles chart and is considered one of the earliest examples of rock and roll music. Many others have recorded and performed the song a notably hit version was by Travis Tritt in the 1990s.
1949
Roy Rogers had his handprints embedded in concrete in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California. His horse, Trigger, also had its hoof prints cast for posterity.
1958
US country music singer Marvin Rainwater was at #1 on the UK singles chart with “Whole Lotta Woman”. Rainwater was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian, known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage.
1986Randy Travis re-released his debut single, a cover of the Paul Overstreet and Don Schmitz song “On the Other Hand” which became his first #1 hit on the Country chart. (The song was first released in July 1985 when it became a minor hit).
1998
Faith Hill released her third studio album, Faith, which produced the worldwide hit, “This Kiss”, as well as the singles “Let Me Let Go”, “Love Ain’t Like That”, and a duet with her husband Tim McGraw “Just to Hear You Say That You Love Me.” As of 2003, sales for Faith were certified at six million.
2006
The Soul2Soul II Tour 2006 a co-headlining tour between country music singers, and husband and wife, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill kicked off at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus ending after 73 shows on September 3, 2006 in Las Vegas. The tour became the highest grossing country music tour ever with a gross of $90 million.
2008
Alan Jackson released “Good Time” the second single from his album Good Time which went to #1 on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. The song became Jackson’s twenty-fourth US Country #1 hit.
2009
Keith Urban was at #1 on the country chart with Defying Gravity, his fifth studio album. The album’s lead-off single “Sweet Thing”, topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts in March of this year. The album became Urban’s first #1 album on the Billboard 200.
2011
John Denver became the first inductee into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. A benefit concert was held at Broomfield’s 1st Bank Center and hosted by Olivia Newton-John. Other performers participating in the event included Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Lee Ann Womack and John Oates.
