1925
Born on this day in Glendale, Maricopa County, Arizona, was Martin David Robinson, who became known as Marty Robbins, the American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. One of the most popular and successful country and Western singers of his era, releasing over 50 singles and 100 albums. Robbins died of a heart attack on December 8, 1982.
1941
Born on this day in El Dorado, Arkansas, was David Frizzell, country music singer the younger brother of country music legend Lefty Frizzell. Frizzell scored his only solo #1 country single with “I’m Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home”, which was nominated for Song of the Year in the 1982 Grammy Awards.
1947
Born on this day in Grand Forks, North Dakota, was Lynn Anderson, country music singer known for a string of hits throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, most notably her Grammy Award-winning, worldwide mega-hit, “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden.” Anderson was named Billboard Magazine’s Female Artist of the Decade (1970-1980). Anderson died on July 30th 2015 aged 67.
1948
Born on this day in Cambridge, England, was Olivia Newton-John, Australian singer, songwriter, and actress. Her music has been successful in multiple genres including pop, country, and adult contemporary and has sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide and has scored 3 Country #1 albums.
1955
Born on this day country singer and songwriter Carlene Carter, (the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith). She has released twelve albums and over twenty singles, including three #3 peaking hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.
1960
Born on this day in Bryan, Texas, was Doug Supernaw, country music artist who had the 1993 US #1 single “I Don’t Call Him Daddy.” He died at his home on November 13, 2020, age 60 from lung and bladder cancer.
1962
The Beverly Hillbillies TV comedy starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr. was aired for the first time. The show’s theme song, “The Ballad of Jed Clampett”, was written by producer and writer Paul Henning and originally performed by bluegrass artists Flatt and Scruggs.
1989
Randy Travis released his fourth studio album No Holdin’ Back which became his fourth consecutive US Country #1 album. Three singles were released from it, all of which charted on the Hot Country Songs charts: the #1 hits “It’s Just a Matter of Time” and “Hard Rock Bottom of Your Heart”, as well as the #2 hit “He Walked on Water”.
1993
John Denver was sentenced to sing at a benefit concert to settle drunk-driving charges after he pleaded guilty to driving while his ability was impaired. The 49-year-old performer was originally charged with driving under the influence, but prosecutors agreed to let him plead guilty to the lesser charge.
2006
Alan Jackson released his fourteenth studio album Like Red on a Rose becoming his eighth US Country #1. The album was produced by singer Alison Krauss, who also selected all the songs.
2012George Strait announced that he is retiring from touring, and that The Cowboy Rides Away Tour would be his last. The tour consisted of two legs: the first leg included 21 concerts in 2013 with Martina McBride as the opening performer; the second leg included 20 concerts in 2014.
