1953
Born on this day was record producer and guitarist John Jennings. He was best known for his work with Mary Chapin Carpenter as well as working with Indigo Girls, the Rankin Family, Cheryl Wheeler, Iris DeMent, and George Jones. Jennings died of kidney cancer on October 16, 2015 aged 62.
1965Little Jimmy Dickens was at #1 on the Country chart with the novelty song, “May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.” Neal Merritt, who wrote the song, said it was inspired by one of the many comic putdowns uttered by host Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show.
1975
John Denver was at #1 on the US Country chart with Windsong his ninth album which contained the songs “I’m Sorry” and “Calypso,” which comprised a two-sided hit for Denver in the fall of 1975.
1989
Alabama released “Southern Star” which went to #1 on the Country chart the fourth and final single and title track from the album Southern Star. It became the groups twenty-seventh #1 Country hit.
1999
Toby Keith released “How Do You Like Me Now?!”, the second single from the album How Do You Like Me Now?!. The song spent five weeks at #1 on the Billboard US Hot Country Songs chart.
2008
Tim McGraw made his first appearance on the American late-night live television sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.
2009
Taylor Swift won five trophies, including Artist of the Year, during the American Music Awards, telecast on ABC from Los Angeles.
2011
Keith Urban successfully underwent surgery for the removal of a vocal cord growth called a polyp. As a result of the surgery, Urban was told not to speak for the next three weeks.
