1933
Born on this day in Abbott, Texas, was Willie Nelson, country music singer, songwriter, author, poet, actor, and activist. (He was born on April 29, 1933, but his birth was recorded by doctor F. D. Sims on April 30). Nelson was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed at the end of the 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. Along with Neil Young and John Mellencamp, he set up Farm Aid in 1985 to assist and increase awareness of the importance of family farms.
1977
Born on this day in Danville, Kentucky, was Ashley Gorley, singer, songwriter who has written hits for Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” Darius Rucker’s “It Won’t Be Like This For Long” and Brad Paisley’s “Then.”
1991
Alan Jackson released “Don’t Rock the Jukebox” his second consecutive #1 single on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. The song also received an ASCAP award for Country Song of the Year in 1992.
1992
Dan Seals was at the top of the country charts with “Love on Arrival”. The first single from his 1990 album On Arrival, the song spent three weeks at #1, making it the longest-running chart-topper of his career.
1992
Billy Dean was one of seven double-winners at the 27th annual Academy Of Country Music awards, aired by NBC from Los Angeles’ Universal Amphitheatre. Dean was named Top New Male Vocalist as well as winning Song of the Year for “Somewhere In My Broken Heart.”
2002
Alison Krauss & Union Station started a two-night run at the Palace Theater in Louisville, Kentucky. The shows were recorded for a concert album, Alison Krauss & Union Station – Live.
