1931
Born on this day in Sterrett, Texas, was American country music singer Boxcar Willie. “Boxcar Willie” was originally a character in a ballad he wrote, but he later adopted it as his own stage name. He died on April 12, 1999, interstate 35E and Farm to Market Road 664 in Red Oak, Texas was renamed Boxcar Willie Memorial Overpass.
1933
Born on this day in Friars Point, Mississippi, was Conway Twitty (born Harold Lloyd Jenkins). Twitty held the record for the most #1 singles of any act with 55 #1 Billboard country hits until George Strait broke the record in 2006. Twitty who scored his first #1 in 1958 with “It’s Only Make Believe” died on June 5, 1993 in Springfield, Missouri, at Cox South Hospital two months before the release of what would be his final studio album, Final Touches.
1992MCA released Hearts in Armor, the second studio album by Trisha Yearwood. Four of its tracks became hits in the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1992 and 1993: “Wrong Side of Memphis”, “Walkaway Joe”, “You Say You Will” and “Down on My Knees”. The album was released immediately following Yearwood’s divorce with her first husband, and is considered one of her greatest albums.
1992
Alabama released “I’m in a Hurry (And Don’t Know Why)” the second single from their album American Pride which went to #1 on the Country chart. It became the groups thirty-first #1 Country hit.
1998
Alan Jackson released his seventh studio album High Mileage which became his fourth #1 album.
2011
Reba McEntire kicked off her 35-date North American All the Women I Am Tour at MacDonald Island Park, Fort McMurray, Canada. With this tour announcement, McEntire was named the biggest female box office draw in country music. She has sold over nine million tickets and earned over $270 million in ticket sales.
