1925
Born on this day in Waco, Texas, was Henry William Thompson, who became known as Hank Thompson. His career which spanned seven decades saw him sell over 60 million records worldwide. He was a leader in the music industry with accomplishments including the first music-based television show to be broadcast in color, the first artist to travel with sound and lighting systems and the first to record a live album. Thompson died from lung cancer, on November 6, 2007 aged eighty-two.
1964
Jim Reeves had his first of six posthumous #1’s on the US country chart with his version of “I Guess I’m Crazy”, which spent seven weeks at the top and a total of twenty-four weeks on the chart. The song was first recorded in 1955 by Tommy Collins.
1974“Please Don’t Tell Me How the Story Ends” a song written by Kris Kristofferson, and recorded by Ronnie Milsap was at #1 on the Country chart. Kristofferson recorded the song with Rita Coolidge for their final duet album, Natural Act, and later with Mark Knopfler for The Austin Sessions.
1986
Storms of Life the first album by Randy Travis was at #1 on the Country chart. It features the singles “On the Other Hand” (previously recorded by Keith Whitley on his 1985 album L.A. to Miami), “1982”, “Diggin’ up Bones”, and “No Place Like Home”.
1996
Tim McGraw was at #1 on the Country singles chart with “She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart.” The fourth single from McGraw’s All I Want album was written by Chris Waters and Tom Shapiro.
