1936
Born on this day in Brownsville, Texas, was Kris Kristofferson, musician, actor, and writer, known for such hits as “Me and Bobby McGee”, “For the Good Times”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, and “Help Me Make It Through the Night”. In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup “The Highwaymen”. In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1974
Charlie Rich was at #1 on the US Country chart with Behind Closed Doors. The album received three Country Music Association awards: Best Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, and Single of the Year, for the title song written by Kenny O’Dell. Rich won the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, and he took home four Academy of Country Music awards.
1999
George Jones released his 56th studio album Cold Hard Truth which peaked at #5 on the Country album charts. The track “Choices” from the album won Jones the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
2001New York City observes Reba McEntire Day as the singer ended her five-month run on Broadway in a production of Annie Get Your Gun. Crystal Bernard took over McEntire’s role in the production.
2019
American drummer and record producer Jerry Carrigan died age 75. He first achieved widespread recognition by being part of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He recorded with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens, Kenny Rogers, George Jones and many others.
