1950
During his first recording session at Jim Beck’s Studio on 1101 Ross Avenue in Dallas, Lefty Frizzell recorded “If You’ve Got The Money I’ve Got The Time,” “I Love You A Thousand Ways” and “Shine, Shave, Shower (It’s Saturday).” Beck is credited with discovering Frizzell which led to his first major recording contract.
1971
Sonny James was at #1 on the Country singles chart with “Bright Lights, Big City”, James’ fifteenth #1 hit in a row in the country chart.
1988“Set ‘Em Up Joe” by country music artist Vern Gosdin was at #1 on the Country chart. The song was a tribute song to Ernest Tubb and was Vern Gosdin’s second #1 on the country chart.
1995
Charlie Rich, singer and musician, died in his sleep aged 62. Rich who acquired the nickname The Silver Fox is best remembered for his 1973 hits, “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl”. Rich’s destructive personal behavior famously culminated at the CMA awards ceremony for 1975, when he presented the award for Entertainer of the Year, while visibly intoxicated. Instead of reading the name of the winner, who happened to be John Denver, he set fire to the envelope with a cigarette lighter.
2017
Songwriter, record producer and recording artist Billy Joe Walker Jr. died following a period of declining health. He composed singles for Eddie Rabbitt, including “I Wanna Dance with You”, “That’s Why I Fell in Love with You” and “B-B-B-Burnin’ Up with Love”.
2017
Michael Johnson, pop, country and folk singer-songwriter and guitarist died at the age of 72. He was best known for his 1978 hit song “Bluer Than Blue” and his two #1 country hits from 1986, “Give Me Wings” and “The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder”. He also co-wrote “Cain’s Blood”, the debut single of 1990s country group 4 Runner.
2018
Reba McEntire was announced as one of the recipients of the 2018 Kennedy Centre Honors. The annual honour is awarded to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.
