Country and Western Music History

Country and Western: Bluegrass Music

Events in Music

  • 1923-06-14 Recording of 1st country music hit (Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane)

Music History

1927-08-01 Influential country music group the Carter Family make their first recording with producer Ralph Peer in Bristol, Tennessee

  • 1939-03-25 Billboard Magazine introduces hillbilly (country) music chart
  • 1941-05-03 WPAT-AM radio in Patterson, New Jersey begins broadcasting
  • 1944-05-09 Country singer Jimmie Davis becomes Governor of Louisiana
  • 1948-01-13 1st country music TV show, "Midwestern Hayride", premieres on WLW-T in Cincinnati, Ohio

"Blue Days Black Night"

1956-01-20 Buddy Holly records "Blue Days Black Night" in Nashville, Tennessee for country music producer Owen Bradley

Crazy

1961-08-21 American country singer Patsy Cline records then-struggling songwriter Willie Neslon's song "Crazy", in Nashville, Tennessee

#1 in the Charts

1962-06-02 Ray Charles' cover of Don Gibson's "I Can't Stop Loving You", from his influential crossover album "Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music" hits #1 on Billboard

"Sing a Sad Song"

1963-12-28 Merle Haggard's 1st appearance on country music chart with "Sing a Sad Song"

Beaucoups of Blues

1970-09-25 Ringo Starr releases his 2nd solo album "Beaucoups of Blues", a collection of country music recorded in Nashville, Tennessee

Jolene

1973-10-15 Country music artist Dolly Parton releases her single "Jolene"

  • 1974-10-14 8th Country Music Association Awards: Charlie Rich
  • 1976-01-09 C. W. McCall CB song "Convoy" hits #1 on the country music charts
  • 1976-10-11 10th Country Music Association Awards: Mel Tillis wins

We Must Believe in Magic

1977-06-24 Crystal Gayle releases best-selling album "We Must Believe in Magic" featuring worldwide hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" (1st platinum album by a female country music artist)

  • 1977-10-10 11th Country Music Association Awards: Ronnie Milsap wins
  • 1978-10-09 12th Country Music Association Awards: Dolly Parton, Crystal Gayle, and Don Williams win
  • 1980-11-17 RCA-Victor Records releases "9 to 5 and Odd Jobs", the 23rd studio album by country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton

Seven Year Ache

1981-02-28 Columbia Records releases "Seven Year Ache", the third studio album by Rosanne Cash; it is her commercial break-through and goes to #1 on the country music chart

  • 1987-07-01 WHN-AM in NY City changes call letters to WFAN (now WEVD) replacing WHN's country music, WYNY-FM adopts country music format
  • 1987-10-12 21st Country Music Association Awards: Hank William Jr wins
  • 1988-10-10 22nd Country Music Association Awards: Highway 101 & K. T. Oslin win

Country Music Association Awards

1989-10-09 23rd Country Music Association Awards: George Strait & Kathy Mattea win

  • 1991-12-04 Country music mother and daughter act The Judds "farewell" concert at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; later re-unions and "farewells" in 2000, 2010, 2015, and 2021
  • 1992-04-29 Country singer Doug Stone, 35, undergoes quadruple bypass surgery
  • 1992-05-05 American country singer Tammy Wynette hospitalized with bile duct infection
  • 1992-09-30 26th Country Music Association Awards: Garth Brooks wins
  • 1994-09-12 American country singer-songwriter George Jones undergoes successful triple bypass surgery
  • 1994-10-05 28th Country Music Association Awards: Vince Gill & Pam Tillis wins
  • 1994-12-28 American country singer Tammy Wynette admitted to the hospital with bile duct infection

Now that I've Found You

1995-02-07 Bluegrass and country musician Alison Krauss releases her compilation album "Now that I've Found You"

  • 1995-10-04 29th Country Music Association Awards: Krauss Jackson wins
  • 1996-10-02 30th Country Music Association Awards: Brooks & Dunn win
  • 2002-05-06 "The Good Stuff" single released by Kenny Chesney (Billboard Song of the Year 2002)
  • 2004-11-01 "That's What I Love About Sunday" single released by American country singer Craig Morgan (Billboard Song of the Year 2005)

39th Awards

2005-11-15 39th Country Music Association Awards: Keith Urban & Gretchen Wilson win

Golden Hour

2018-03-30 Country singer songwriter Kacey Musgraves releases her fourth album "Golden Hour" (Grammy Album of the Year 2019)

Music History

2020-06-25 American country music band "The Dixie Chicks" change their name to "The Chicks" to remove connotations of Confederate history, two weeks after band "Antebellum" changed their name to "Lady A"

  • 2020-11-11 54th Country Music Association Awards: Eric Church, Luke Combs, & Maren Morris win
  • 2021-11-10 55th Country Music Association Awards: Luke Combs, Chris Stapleton & Carly Pearce win
  • 2022-11-09 56th Country Music Association Awards: Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson & Chris Stapleton win
  • 2022-11-12 Amazon founder Jeff Bezos announces his 3rd 'Courage and Civility Award' of $100M to country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton to distribute to charities of her choice
  • 2023-04-29 Country singer Willie Nelson hosts first of two-night 90th birthday concerts for himself at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California; guest performers include Lyle Lovett; Neil Young, Snoop Dogg, George Strait; Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Norah Jones, Chris Stapleton, Beck, Edie Brickell, Tom Jones, and Ziggy Marley, among others
  • 2023-04-30 Country singer Willie Nelson hosts second of two-night 90th birthday concerts for himself at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, California; guest performers include Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Keith Richards, Bob Wieir, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliffe, Dwight Yoakam, Sheryl Crow, and Billy Strings, among others

Country Music Association Awards

2023-11-08 57th Country Music Association Awards: Lainey Wilson, Luke Combs & Tracy Chapman win


Birthdays in Music

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 533

  • 1889-10-19 Uncle Art Satherley, British-American record producer (Academy of Country Music Award, 1968), born in Bristol, England (d. 1986)
  • 1891-12-15 A. P. Carter, American country-folk and gospel singer-songwriter, and guitarist (The Carter Family), born in Maces Spring, Virginia (d. 1960)
  • 1893-05-25 (Ernest) "Pop" Stoneman, American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and autoharp player ("Sinking of the Titanic"; The Stoneman Family), born in Monarat, Virginia (d. 1968)

Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933)

1897-09-08 American country singer and singing brakeman, born in Meridian, Mississippi

  • 1898-07-21 Sara Carter, American country musician, songwriter and vocalist (Carter Family), born in Cooper Creek, Virginia (d. 1979)
  • 1901-12-05 Ray Whitley, American country and western singer-songwriter ("Back in the Saddle Again") and actor (Tim Holt films), born in Atlanta, Georgia (d. 1979)
  • 1902-09-14 Giorgos Papasideris Greek country singer, composer and lyricist, born in Salamis Island, Greece (d. 1977)
  • 1903-05-06 Cliff Carlisle, American country and blues musician, singer, songwriter, and yodeler ("Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad"), born in Taylorsville, Kentucky (d. 1983)
  • 1903-09-15 Roy Acuff, American country fiddler, singer ("Wabash Cannonball"; Grand Ole Opry), and music publisher (Acuff-Rose Music), born in Maynardville, Tennessee (d. 1992)
  • 1904-12-18 Wilf Carter, Canadian country and western singer, born in Port Hilford, Nova Scotia (d. 1996)
  • 1906-01-12 (Woodward) "Tex" Ritter, American country singer (5 Star Jubilee, "Wayward Wind"), born in Murvaul, Texas (d. 1974)
  • 1906-11-12 (Booker T. Washington) "Bukka" White, American country and Delta blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter ("Shake'Em On Down"; "Parchman Farm Blues"), born near Aberdeen, Mississippi (d. 1977)
  • 1909-05-09 Don Messer, Canadian folk fiddler, and television host (Jubilee, 1959-73), born in Tweedside, New Brunswick (d. 1973)

Maybelle Carter (1909-1978)

1909-05-10 American country singer (Johnny Cash Show), born in Nickelsville, Virginia

  • 1910-06-17 Red Foley, American country singer (Mr Smith Goes to Washington), born in Blue Lick, Kentucky (d. 1968)
  • 1911-03-18 (Lester) "Smiley" Burnette [Burnett], American country music performer, singer-songwriter ("Ridin' Down the Canyon (To Watch the Sun Go Down)"), and actor (Petticoat Junction - "Charlie"), born in Summum, Illinois (d. 1967)
  • 1913-07-15 Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas, American country singer ("Candy Kisses"; "Alabam"), born in Blue Creek, Ohio (d. 1963)
  • 1913-10-20 (Louis) "Grandpa" Jones, American country music singer and banjo wizard (Hee-Haw), born in Niagra, Kentucky (d. 1998)
  • 1914-02-09 Ernest Tubb, American country musician ("Walking the Floor Over You"), born in Crisp, Texas (d. 1984)
  • 1914-02-16 Jimmy Wakely, American country music vocalist (5 Star Jubilee), born in Mineola, Arkansas (d. 1982)
  • 1914-02-18 Pee Wee King [Julius Frank Kuczynski], American country singer, accordionist, and songwriter ("Tennesee Waltz"; "Slow Poke"), born in Abrams, Wisconsin (d. 2000)
  • 1914-05-09 [Clarence] Hank Snow, Canadian country singer (I'm Moving On; I Went to Your Wedding), born in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia (d. 1999)
  • 1914-09-28 Jim Boyd, American country and western musician (Men of the West) (d. 1993)
  • 1914-10-30 Patsy Montana [Ruby Rose Blevins], American country singer, songwriter and yodeler ("I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart"), born in Beaudry, Arkansas (d. 1996)
  • 1915-02-16 Calvin Frazier, American country and Detroit blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("This Old World's In A Tangle"), born in Osceola, Arkansas (d. 1972)
  • 1915-06-23 Zeb Turner [William Grishaw], American country-rockabilly guitarist, singer-songwriter ("Chew Tobacco Rag"; "It's A Sin"), and disc jockey, born in Lynchburg, Virginia (d. 1978)
  • 1917-02-01 Mary Jane DeZurik, American country singer and hillbilly yodeler (The Cackle Sisters - National Barn Dance; Grand Ole Opry), born in Royalton, Minnesota (d. 1981)
  • 1917-07-07 (Woodrow Wilson) "Red" Sovine, American country music singer ("Phantom 309"; "Teddy Bear"), born in Charleston, West Virginia (d. 1980)
  • 1917-07-07 Elton Britt {Baker], American country singer-songwriter ("There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere"; Saturday Night Jamboree), born in Zack, Arkansas (d. 1972)
  • 1917-08-23 Tex Williams, American country-western singer, born in Ramsey, Illinois (d. 1985)
  • 1917-11-29 Merle Travis, American country singer, guitarist and songwriter ("16 Tons"), born in Rosewood, Kentucky (d. 1983)
  • 1918-05-15 Eddy Arnold, American country music singer ("Make The World Go Away"; "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye"), born in Henderson Tennessee (d. 2008)
  • 1918-07-20 Cindy Walker, American songwriter ("Dream Baby"; "You Don't Know Me") and country singer, born in Mart, Texas (d. 2006)
  • 1918-12-24 Carolyn DeZurik, American country and polka singer and yodeler (The Cackle Sisters; Prairie Ramblers; The Polka Chips), born in Royalton, Minnesota (d. 2009)
  • 1919-02-13 "Tennessee" Ernie Ford, American country music singer ("Sixteen Tons"), and actor, born in Bristol, Tennessee (d. 1991)
  • 1919-08-30 Kitty Wells [Ellen Deason], American country singer ("It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels"), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 2012)
  • 1920-02-13 Boudleaux Bryant, American country music and pop songwriter ("Love Hurts"; "Bye Bye Love"; "Wake Up Little Susie"), born in Shellman, Georgia (d. 1987)
  • 1920-02-22 Del Wood [Adelaide Hazelwood], American country musician, born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 1989)
  • 1920-03-10 (Kenneth) "Jethro" Burns, American country singer, and mandolin player (Homer & Jethro -"The Battle of Kookamonga"), born in Conasauga, Tennessee (d. 1989)
  • 1920-07-27 (Henry) "Homer" Haynes, American country music comedian and guitarist (Homer & Jethro - "The Battle of Kookamonga"), born near Knoxville, Tennessee (d. 1971)
  • 1920-09-29 Tillman Franks, American country music bassist, songwriter and artist manager (Webb Pierce), born in Stamps, Arkansas (d. 2006)
  • 1920-12-19 "Little" Jimmy Dickens, American country singer (Grand Ole Opry), born in Bolt, West Virginia (d. 2015)
  • 1921-02-20 Mervin Shiner, American honky-tonk country and hillbilly singer, and guitarist, born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (d. 2023)
  • 1921-05-12 (Otis W.) "Joe" Maphis, American session and country music guitarist ("Dim Lights"), born in Suffolk, Virginia (d. 1986)
  • 1921-08-08 Webb Pierce, American honky-tonk country singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("In The Jailhouse Now"; "Wondering"; "There Stands The Glass"), born in West Monroe, Louisiana (d. 1991)
  • 1921-11-05 (Lawrence) "Red" Wootten, American country and western (The Whippoorwills, Gene Autry), jazz (Red Norvo; Tony Pastor), and session acoustic and electric bassist, born in Social Circle, Georgia
  • 1921-12-22 Harold "Hawkshaw" Hawkins, American country singer (Ozark Jubilee; "Lonesome 7-7203"), born in Huntington, West Virginia (d. 1963)
  • 1922-04-01 Jimmie Lloyd [Logdon], American country and rockabilly singer ("I Got a Rocket in My Pocket"), born in Panther, Kentucky (d. 2001)
  • 1923-01-05 (Patrick) "Buddy" Attaway, American country and Cajun fiddler, and songwriter ("I'm Sitting On Top Of The World"), born in Shreveport, Louisiana (d. 1968)
  • 1923-01-20 (Ottis) "Slim" Whitman, American country singer ("Rose Marie"; "Guess Who"), born in Tampa, Florida (d. 2013)
  • 1923-01-25 (Farrell) "Rusty" Draper, American country and pop singer ("The Shifting, Whispering Sands"; "Are You Satisfied?"), born in Kirksville, Missouri (d. 2003)
  • 1923-02-05 Claude King, American country music singer (Wolverton Mountain), born in Keithville, Louisiana (d. 2013)
  • 1923-08-20 Jim Reeves, American country singer ("He'll Have To Go"; "Distant Drums"), and actor (Kimberley Jim), born in Panola County, Texas (d. 1964)

Hank Williams (1923-1953)

1923-09-17 American country singer-songwriter ("Cold Cold Heart"; "Hey, Good Lookin'"; "Your Cheatin' Heart"), born in Mount Olive, Alabama

  • 1924-01-25 (Wesley) "Speedy" West, American, Country Music Hall of Fame steel guitar player, and record producer, born in Springfield, Missouri (d. 2003)
  • 1924-04-21 Ira Louvin [Loudermilk], American country singer and mandolin player (Louvin Brothers), born in Section, Alabama (d. 1965)
  • 1925-04-29 Danny Davis [George Nowlan], American country musician (Nashville Brass), born in Randolph, Massachusetts (d. 2008)
  • 1925-04-30 Johnny Horton, American country music and rockabilly singer ("The Battle of New Orleans"), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 1960)
  • 1925-07-02 Marvin Rainwater, American country singer (Ozark Jubilee), born in Wichita, Kansas (d. 2013)
  • 1925-07-19 Sue Thompson [Eva Sue McKee], American pop and country music singer ("Sad Movies (Make Me Cry")), born in Nevada, Missouri (d. 2021)
  • 1925-08-15 Rose Maddox, American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter, and fiddle player (Sing a Little Song of Heartache), born in Boaz, Alabama (d. 1998)
  • 1925-08-28 Billy Grammer, American country music singer and guitarist, born in Benton, Illinois (d. 2011)
  • 1925-09-03 Hank Thompson, American country music singer (The Brazos Valley Boys), born in Waco, Texas (d. 2007)
  • 1925-09-26 Marty Robbins, American country singer ("El Paso"; "Devil Woman"; "I Walk Alone"), born in Glendale, Arizona (d. 1982)
  • 1925-12-03 Ferlin Husky, American country singer (Born to Lose; Gone), born in Desloge, Missouri (d. 2011)
  • 1926-01-12 Ray Price, American country music singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("For the Good Times"; "You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me"), born in Perryville, Texas (d. 2013)
  • 1926-01-18 Bobby Edwards [Moncrief], American country singer-songwriter ("You're The Reason"), born in Anniston, Alabama (d. 2012)
  • 1926-04-10 Junior Samples, American comedian and country singer (Hee Haw), born in Cumming, Georgia (d. 1983)
  • 1927-03-15 Carl Smith, American country singer ("Deep Water"; "Ten Thousand Drums"; "Why, Why"), born in Maynardville, Tennessee (d. 2010)
  • 1927-06-13 Slim Dusty [David Kirkpatrick], Australian country music singer-songwriter, born in Kempsey, New South Wales (d. 2003)
  • 1927-07-07 Charlie Louvin, American country singer-songwriter (Louvin Brothers - "The Only Way Out (Is to Walk Over Me)"), born in Section, Alabama (d. 2011)
  • 1927-08-12 Porter Wagoner, American country singer, discovered Dolly Parton ("Y'All Come"; "A Satisfied Mind"), born in West Plains, Missouri (d. 2007)
  • 1927-09-08 Harlan Howard, American country music songwriter ("I Fall To Pieces"; "Busted"; "Too Many Rivers"), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2002)
  • 1927-10-13 Anita Kerr [née Grilli], American pop and country singer, composer, and producer (The Anita Kerr Singers), born in Memphis, Tennessee (d. 2022) [1] [2]
  • 1928-03-31 (William) "Lefty" Frizzell, American country music singer and songwriter ("If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)"; "Saginaw, Michigan"), born in Corsicana, Texas (d. 1975)
  • 1928-04-03 Don Gibson, American country musician and songwriter ("Sweet Dreams"; "I Can't Stop Loving You"), born in Shelby, North Carolina (d. 2003)
  • 1928-05-03 Dave Dudley, American country singer (Six Days on the Road), born in Spencer, Wisconsin (d. 2003)
  • 1928-06-09 Shelly Kurland, American educator, classically trained session violinist and string arranger for country music recordings (Shelly Kurland Strings), born in New York City (d. 2010)
  • 1928-08-10 Jimmy Dean, American country and rockabilly singer ("Big Bad John"), television host (Jimmy Dean Show), actor (Diamonds Are Forever), and sausage maker, born in Plainview, Texas (d. 2010)
  • 1928-11-15 C. W. McCall [William Dale Fries, Jr.], American country singer ("Convoy"), born in Audubon, Iowa (d. 2022)
  • 1928-12-15 Jerry Wallace, American country and pop singer ("Primrose Lane"; "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry"), born in Guilford, Missouri (d. 2008)
  • 1928-12-23 (Murrey) "Buddy" Harman, American country music session drummer (Grand Ole Opry; Elvis Presley; Patsy Cline; Brenda Lee; Ween), born in Nashville, Tennessee (d. 2008)
  • 1929-01-14 Billy Walker, American country music singer and guitarist ("Charlie's Shoes"), born in Ralls, Texas (d. 2006)
  • 1929-01-17 Grady Martin, country music guitarist (The Nashville A-Team), born in Chapel Hill, Tennessee (d. 2001)
  • 1929-03-13 Jan Howard [Lula Grace Johnson], American country music singer and songwriter (For Loving You), born in West Plains, Missouri (d. 2020)
  • 1929-05-01 Sonny James [James Loden], country music singer-songwriter (Young Love), born in Hackelburg, Alabama (d. 2016)

June Carter Cash (1929-2003)

1929-06-23 American Grammy Award-winning country singer (The Carter Family; Johnny Cash Show), songwriter ("Ring of Fire"), and actress, born in Maces Spring, Virginia

  • 1929-07-09 (Barton) Lee Hazlewood, American pop-country songwriter, singer, and producer ("Summer Wine"; Nancy Sinatra -"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'"; Frank and Nancy - "Something Stupid"), born in Mannford, Oklahoma (d. 2007)
  • 1929-08-12 (Alvis) "Buck" Owens, American "Bakersfield Sound" country singer-songwriter ("Under Your Spell Again"), bandleader (The Buckaroos - "Act Naturally"), and TV personality (Hee Haw), born in Sherman, Texas (d. 2006)
  • 1929-10-04 Leroy Van Dyke, American country and honky-tonk singer and guitarist ("Walk on By"; "The Auctioneer"), born in Mora, Missouri
  • 1930-01-13 Liz Anderson, American country music singer-songwriter (Mama Spank, The Game of Triangles), born in Roseau, Minnesota (d. 2011)
  • 1930-09-28 Johnny "Country" Mathis, American country music songwriter and singer, born in Maud, Texas (d. 2011)
  • 1930-09-28 Tommy Collins [Leonard Sipes], American country singer-songwriter ("Don't Growl"), born in Bethany, Oklahoma (d. 2000)
  • 1930-11-11 (Walter) "Hank" Garland, American Nashville-based country, rock and jazz session guitar virtuoso ("Sugarfoot Rag"; "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame"; "Jingle Bell Rock"), born in Cowpens, South Carolina (d. 2004)
  • 1931-04-27 Maxine Brown, American country music singer (Browns), born in Campti, Louisiana (d. 2019)
  • 1931-05-27 Kenny Price, American country singer ("Walking on New Grass"; "Happy Tracks"), born in Florence, Kentucky (d. 1987)
  • 1931-09-12 George Jones, American country singer-songwriter ("Golden Rings"; "Oh Lonesome Me"), born in Saratoga, Texas (d. 2013)
  • 1931-12-01 Jim Nesbitt, American country music singer, born in Bishopville, South Carolina (d. 2007)
  • 1931-12-30 Skeeter Davis [Mary Penick], American country-pop singer-songwriter ("(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling Too"; "Set Him Free"; "The End Of The World"), born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky (d. 2004)
  • 1932-02-25 Faron Young, American country and honky-tonk singer ("Hello Walls"; "It's Four in the Morning"), and actor (Hidden Guns; Daniel Boone, Trailblazer), born in Shreveport, Louisiana (d. 1996)

Weddings in Music

Jimmie Rodgers

1917-05-01 Country singer Jimmie Rodgers (19) weds Stella Kelley

Hank Williams

1944-12-15 American country music star Hank Williams (21) weds American country singer Audrey Sheppard (21). her second marriage and his first; divorce in 1952

June Carter Cash

1952-07-09 American country singer June Carter (23) weds American singer Carl "Mr. Country" Smith (25); divorce 1956

Johnny Cash

1954-08-07 American country music singer-songwriter Johnny Cash (22) marries 1st wife Vivian Liberto (20) at St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in San Antonio. Texas; divorce in 1966

Patsy Cline

1957-09-15 Country music legend Patsy Cline (25) weds linotype operator Charles Dick (23) in Winchester, England

Willie Nelson

1963-01-12 Country singer Willie Nelson (29) weds singer Shirley Collie (31) in Las Vegas; divorce in 1971

Merle Haggard

1965-06-28 American country singer Merle Haggard (28) weds singer Bonnie Owens (35); divorce in 1978

Dolly Parton

1966-05-30 American country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton (20) weds Carl Dean (23) in Ringgold, Georgia

Tammy Wynette

1969-02-16 American country singer Tammy Wynette (26) weds American country singer-songwriter George Jones (37), divorced 1975

Waylon Jennings

1969-10-26 American outlaw country singer-songwriter Waylon Jennings (32) weds American singer Jessi Colter (26) in Phoenix, Arizona

Reba McEntire

1976-06-21 Country singer Reba McEntire (21) weds national steer wrestling champion Charlie Battles (31); divorce in 1987

  • 1976-07-18 American country singer Tammy Wynette (34) weds real-estate mogul Michael Tomlin, divorced, later in 1976

Roger Miller

1978-02-14 American country singer Roger Miller (42) weds Mary Arnold

  • 1978-07-06 American country singer Tammy Wynette (36) weds American record producer George Richey (42) in Florida (her 5th husband, his 3rd wife) until he death in 1998
  • 1978-10-07 American country singer-songwriter Merle Haggard (41) weds his backup singer Leona Williams (35); divorce in 1983

Rosanne Cash

1979-04-07 American country singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash (23) weds American singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell (28); divorce in 1992

Carlene Carter

1979-08-18 British rock singer-songwriter Nick Lowe (30) weds American country singer Carlene Carter (23) (her third marriage); divorce in 1990

Garth Brooks

1986-05-24 American country singer Garth Brooks (24) weds songwriter Sandy Mahl; divorce in 2001

  • 1989-06-03 Country singer Rebe McEntire weds her manager Narvel Blackstone at Emerald Bay in Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Hank Williams Jr

1990-07-01 Country singer-songwriter Hank Williams Jr (41) weds model Mary Jane Thomas at a Congregational church near his ranch in Missoula, Montana

  • 1991-09-16 American country singer-songwriter Willie Nelson (58) weds fourth wife American make-up artist Annie D'Angelo (35) in Nashville, Tennessee

Clint Black

1991-10-20 American actress Lisa Hartman (35) weds American country singer Clint Black (29)

  • 1991-10-30 American country singer Clint Black (34) weds American actress Lisa Hartman (29) in Katy, Texas,
  • 1992-04-11 Country singer Lee Greenwood weds Miss Tennessee 1989 Kimberly Payne
  • 1993-09-11 Country singer Merle Haggard (56) weds (fifth and final time) Theresa Ann Lane at his ranch near Redding, California

Billy Ray Cyrus

1993-12-28 American "Achy Breaky Heart" singer Billy Ray Cyrus (32) weds second wife, American woman Leticia "Tish" Finley (26); divorce in 2022

Shania Twain

1993-12-28 Canadian country singer-songwriter Shania Twain (27) weds South African record producer Robert "Mutt" Lange (45); divorce in 2010

Trisha Yearwood

1994-05-21 American country singer Trisha Yearwood (29) weds American roots-rock bassist Robert Reynolds (32); divorce in 1999

Faith Hill & Tim McGraw

1996-10-06 American country singer Faith Hill (29) weds American country singer and actor Tim McGraw (45) in Rayville, Louisiana

  • 1996-11-16 American "What Part of No" country singer Lorrie Morgan (37) weds 4th husband, American country music singer and producer Jon Randall (29) in Nashville, Tennessee; divorce in 1999

Kenny Rogers

1997-06-01 Grammy Award-winning pop-country singer Kenny Rogers (59) weds Wanda Miller (31) at his ranch in Athens, Georgia

  • 1999-05-01 American "Dixie Chicks" singer Emily Erwin (26) weds American country music singer-songwriter Charlie Robison (34) at Lone Star State in Texas; divorce in 2008

LeAnn Rimes

2002-02-23 "Blue" country and pop singer LeAnn Rimes (19) weds backup dancer Dean Sheremet (21) at Perkins Chapel in Dallas, Texas

Blake Shelton

2003-11-17 American country singer Blake Shelton (27) weds Kaynette Williams in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; divorce in 2006

Wynonna Judd

2003-11-22 American country singer Wynonna Judd (39) weds American bodyguard D. R. Roach (39) in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee; divorce in 2007

  • 2005-05-07 Country music singer Billy Dean (43) weds Stephanie Paisley at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee

Renée Zellweger

2005-05-09 Oscar-winning actress Renée Zellweger (36) weds country-music heartthrob singer Kenny Chesney (37) on the island of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands

  • 2005-09-17 Country music singer Terri Clark (37) weds her tour manager Greg Kaczor at a Lake Louise resort in Calgary, Canada; divorce in 2007
  • 2005-09-26 Country music singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver (66) weds Wanda Lynn Canady in Corsicana, Texas
  • 2005-12-10 American country music singer-songwriter Garth Brooks (43) weds American country singer Trisha Yearwood (41) in Claremore, Oklahoma
  • 2005-12-17 "Modern Day Drifter" country singer Dierks Bentley (30) weds Cassidy Black in Mexico
  • 2005-12-17 Australian country singer Kasey Chambers (29) weds singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson in Avoca, New South Wales
  • 2006-02-04 Daughter of June Carter country singer Carlene Carter (50) weds (for a fourth time) Joe Breen at Cinnamon Hill in Jamaica; divorce 2020

Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban

2006-06-25 Actress Nicole Kidman (39) weds country music singer-songwriter Keith Urban (38) at Cardinal Ceretti Memorial Chapel in Manly, Australia

  • 2007-09-09 Country music artist Joe Nichols (30) weds Heather Singleton (30) at Whitfield Chapel in Savannah, Georgia

Katherine Heigl

2007-12-23 American "Grey's Anatomy" actress Katherine Heigl (29) weds American pop-country singer-songwriter Josh Kelley (27) at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Park City, Utah

  • 2008-06-14 Country singer Sara Evans (37) weds former University of Alabama quarterback Jay Barker (35) in Franklin, Tennessee

Mandy Moore

2009-03-11 Actress and singer Mandy Moore (28) weds alt-country/rock singer-songwriter Ryan Adams (37) in Savannah, Georgia; divorce in 2016

  • 2011-01-01 Canadian country singer-songwriter Shania Twain (46) weds Swiss business executive Frederic Thiebaud in Rincon, Puerto Rico
  • 2011-01-01 Singer-songwriter Kellie Pickler (25) weds country music songwriter Kyle Jacobs (34) at the Jumby Bay Resort in Antigua
  • 2011-04-22 American actor Eddie Cibrian (37) weds American country and pop singer LeAnn Rimes (28) at a private home in California
  • 2011-05-14 Country singer Blake Shelton (34) weds singer Miranda Lambert (27) at Don Strange Ranch in Boerne, Texas
  • 2011-05-20 Actor Doug Hutchison (51) weds country singer Courtney Stodden (16) in Las Vegas, Nevada
  • 2012-06-10 Country music singer Wynonna Judd (48) weds "Highway 101" drummer Cactus Moser in Leiper's Fork, Tennessee

Patrick Stewart

2013-09-07 British "Star Trek" actor Patrick Stewart (72) weds American country singer Sunny Ozell (35) at Lake Tahoe, Nevada; British actor Ian McKellen officiates

  • 2013-10-24 Country music singer-songwriter Ashley Monroe (27) weds MLB pitcher John Danks (28) at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee

Jason Aldean

2015-03-21 Country music singer Jason Aldean (38) weds former American Idol contestant Brittany Kerr (27) in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Randy Travis

2015-03-21 Country music star Randy Travis (55) weds longtime girlfriend Mary Davis in Texas

  • 2016-01-08 American country music singer Colton Dixon (24) weds longtime love Annie Coggeshall (27) in Nashville, Tennessee
  • 2016-05-04 Country singer Randy Houser (39) weds Tatiana Starzynski in an intimate outdoor ceremony in Tennessee
  • 2016-10-29 Cuban American singer-songwriter Ana Cristina (30) weds American country music producer John Carter Cash (46) at French Huguenot Church in Charleston, South Carolina
  • 2017-03-12 Country music singer-songwriter and guitarist Frankie Ballard (34) weds Old Smokey Boots owner Christina Murphy
  • 2017-04-15 Country music singer and songwriter Sam Hunt (32) weds Hannah Lee Fowler (28) in Cedartown, Georgia; divorce in 2022
  • 2017-05-06 Country music singer Josh Gracin (36) weds partner Katie Weir in Nashville, Tennessee
  • 2017-05-13 Country music vocalist Dan Smyers (29) weds longtime love Abby Law in Nashville, Tennessee

Kacey Musgraves

2017-10-14 American country singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves (29) weds American country singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly (29) in Tennessee; divorce in 2020

  • 2018-03-24 Country music singer-song-writers Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd marry in Nashville, Tennessee
  • 2020-08-01 American country singer Luke Combs (30) weds Nicole Hocking (28) at home in Florida

Gwen Stefani & Blake Shelton

2021-07-03 American pop singer and TV personality Gwen Stefani (51) weds American country singer and TV personality Blake Shelton (45) at Shelton's ranch in Tishomingo, Oklahoma


Divorces in Music

Hank Williams

1952-05-29 Country music legend Hank Williams and Audrey Sheppard granted divorce for the second and final time after seven years of marriage. Their first divorce was in 1948.

Tammy Wynette

1975-03-21 American country singer Tammy Wynette (33) divorces American country singer-songwriter George Jones (43), after 6 years of marriage

Renée Zellweger

2005-12-20 American actress Renée Zellweger (36) annuls her marriage to American country-music singer Kenny Chesney (37) citing fraud, after 4 months of marriage

Randy Travis

2010-10-29 Country singer Randy Travis (51) divorces manager Lib Hatcher due to state of incompatibility between the two parties after 19 long years of marriage. One of country music's longest-lasting couples

  • 2023-10-17 Country music singer-songwriters Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd file for divorce after five years of marriage [1]

Deaths in Music

Deaths 1 - 100 of 203

Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933)

1933-05-26 American country singer and singing brakeman, dies of a pulmonary hemorrhage at 35

Hank Williams (1923-1953)

1953-01-01 American country singer-songwriter ("Cold Cold Heart"; "Hey, Good Lookin'"; "Your Cheatin' Heart"), dies of an alcohol and painkiller fueled heart attack at 29

  • 1953-08-02 Betty Jack Davis, American country singer (with Skeeter Davis in The Davis Sisters), killed in car crash at 21
  • 1960-11-05 Johnny Horton, American country and rockabilly singer ("The Battle of New Orleans"), dies in a car accident at 33
  • 1960-11-07 A. P. Carter, American country-folk and gospel singer-songwriter, and guitarist (The Carter Family), dies at 68
  • 1963-03-05 Harold "Hawkshaw" Hawkins, American country singer (Ozark Jubilee; "Lonesome 7-7203"), dies in a plane crash at 41
  • 1963-03-05 Lloyd "Cowboy" Copas, American country singer ("Candy Kisses"; "Alabam"), dies in a plane crash at 49

Patsy Cline (1932-1963)

1963-03-05 American country singer ("Crazy"; "I Fall To Pieces"; "Walkin' After Midnight"), dies in a plane crash at 30

  • 1964-07-31 Jim Reeves, American country singer ("He'll Have To Go"; "Distant Drums"), and actor (Kimberley Jim), dies in airplane crash at 39
  • 1965-06-20 Ira Louvin, American country singer (Louvin Brothers), dies at 41
  • 1967-02-16 (Lester) "Smiley" Burnette [Burnett], American country music performer, singer-songwriter ("Ridin' Down the Canyon (To Watch the Sun Go Down)"), and actor (Petticoat Junction - "Charlie"), dies of leukemia at 55
  • 1968-06-14 (Ernest) "Pop" Stoneman, American country music singer-songwriter, guitarist, and autoharp player ("Sinking of the Titanic"; The Stoneman Family), dies at 75
  • 1968-06-15 (Patrick) "Buddy" Attaway, American country and Cajun fiddler, and songwriter ("I'm Sitting On Top Of The World"), dies at 45
  • 1968-08-05 Luther Perkins American country and rockabilly guitarist (The Tennessee Three), dies as a result of a house fire at 40
  • 1968-09-19 Red Foley, American country singer ("Mr Smith Goes to Washington"), dies at 58
  • 1971-08-07 (Henry) "Homer" Haynes, American country music comedian and guitarist (Homer & Jethro - "The Battle of Kookamonga"), dies of a heart attack at 51
  • 1972-06-23 Elton Britt, American country singer-songwriter, and guitarist (Saturday Night Jamboree), dies of a heart attack at 58
  • 1972-09-23 Calvin Frazier, American country and Detroit blues singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("This Old World's In A Tangle"), dies of cancer at 57
  • 1973-07-15 Clarence White, American session and country-rock guitarist (The Byrds, 1968-73 - "Ballad of Easy Rider"), struck and killed by a drunk driver at 29
  • 1973-09-19 Gram Parsons [Cecil Ingram Connor III], American country-rock singer-songwriter (Byrds - Sweethearts of the Rodeo; Flying Burrito Brothers; "Grievous Angel"), dies of a drug overdose at 26
  • 1973-11-10 Stringbean [David Akeman], American country singer, comedian, and banjo player (Hee Haw), murdered by burglars at his home at 58
  • 1974-01-02 (Woodward) "Tex" Ritter, American country singer (5 Star Jubilee, "Wayward Wind"), dies of a heart attack at 67
  • 1975-07-19 (William) "Lefty" Frizzell, American country music singer and songwriter ("If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)"; "Saginaw, Michigan"), dies at 47
  • 1977-02-26 (Booker T. Washington) "Bukka" White, American country and Delta blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter ("Shake'Em On Down"; "Parchman Farm Blues"), dies of cancer at 70
  • 1977-10-08 Giorgos Papasideris, Greek country singer, composer and lyricist, dies at 75
  • 1978-01-10 Zeb Turner [William Grishaw], American country-rockabilly guitarist, singer-songwriter ("Chew Tobacco Rag"; "It's A Sin"), and disc jockey, dies at 62
  • 1978-04-21 Sandy Denny, English singer-songwriter (Fairport Convention - "If You Gotta Go"), dies of traumatic mid-brain hemorrhage and blunt force trauma to her head after a series of falls at 31

Maybelle Carter (1909-1978)

1978-10-23 American country singer (Johnny Cash Show), dies at 69

  • 1979-01-08 Sara Carter, American country musician, songwriter and vocalist (Carter Family), dies at 81
  • 1979-02-21 Ray Whitley, American country and western singer-songwriter ("Back in the Saddle Again") and actor (Tim Holt films), dies at 77
  • 1980-04-04 Woodrow Wilson "Red" Sovine, American country music singer, dies following a heart attack leading to a car crash at 62
  • 1981-09-03 Mary Jane DeZurik, American country singer and hillbilly yodeler (The Cackle Sisters - National Barn Dance, Grand Ole Opry), dies at 64
  • 1982-09-23 Jimmy Wakely, American country music vocalist (5 Star Jubilee), dies of heart failure at 68
  • 1982-12-08 Marty Robbins, American country singer (Devil Woman; I Walk Alone), dies of complications following cardiac surgery at 57
  • 1983-04-05 Cliff Carlisle, American country and blues musician, singer, songwriter, and yodeler ("Goin' Down The Road Feelin' Bad"), dies at 79
  • 1983-10-20 Merle Travis, American country singer, dies at 75
  • 1983-11-13 Alvin "Junior" Samples, American comedian and country singer (Hee Haw), dies of a heart attack at 57
  • 1984-09-06 Ernest Tubb, American country musician ("Walking the Floor Over You"), dies of emphysema at 70
  • 1985-10-11 Tex Williams, American country-western singer, dies of cancer at 68
  • 1986-02-10 "Uncle" Art Satherley, British-American record producer (1968 Academy of Country Music Award), dies at 96
  • 1986-04-13 Johnny Dollar, American country and rockabilly singer, commits suicide at 53
  • 1986-06-27 (Otis W.) "Joe" Maphis, American session and country music guitarist ("Dim Lights"), dies of lung cancer at 75
  • 1987-06-25 Boudleaux Bryant, American country music and pop songwriter ("Rocky Top"; "Love Hurts"; "Bye Bye Love"), dies at 67
  • 1987-08-04 Kenny Price, American country singer ("Walking on New Grass"; "Happy Tracks"), dies of a heart attack at 56
  • 1987-09-23 O. B. McClinton, American country singer (Man needs a woman), dies at 47
  • 1988-04-28 B. W. Stevenson, American country singer, dies at 38
  • 1989-02-01 Blaze Foley [Michael Fuller], American outlaw country singer-songwriter (Wanted More Dead Than Alive), shot to death by a family friend at 39
  • 1989-02-04 (Kenneth) "Jethro" Burns, American country singer, and mandolin player (Homer & Jethro -"The Battle of Kookamonga"), dies from prostate cancer at 69
  • 1989-05-09 Keith Whitley, American country music singer ("Don't Close Your Eyes"), dies of alcohol poisoning at 33
  • 1989-10-03 Del Wool [Adelaide Hazelwood], American country musician, dies at 69
  • 1990-08-15 Lew DeWitt, American country singer and composer (Statler Brothers - "Flowers on the Wall"), dies of Crohn's disease complications at 52
  • 1991-02-24 Webb Pierce, American honky-tonk country singer-songwriter, and guitarist ("In The Jailhouse Now"; "Wondering"; "There Stands The Glass"), dies of pancreatic cancer at 64
  • 1991-09-04 Dottie West [Dorothy Marsh], American country singer ("Here Comes My Baby"; with Kenny Rogers - "What Are We Doin' in Love"), dies from internal injuries sustained in a car crash at 58
  • 1991-10-17 "Tennessee" Ernie Ford, American country music singer ("Sixteen Tons"), and actor (I Love Lucy; The Ford Show), dies of liver disease at 72
  • 1992-04-17 Hank Penny, country music singer, dies at 73 of heart failure

Roger Miller (1936-1992)

1992-10-25 American country singer-songwriter ("King of the Road"; "Dang Me"), dies at 56

Conway Twitty (1933-1993)

1993-06-05 American country and rockabilly singer-songwriter ("Linda On My Mind"; "Honky Tonk Heroes"), dies in surgery at 59

  • 1993-11-30 David Houston, American country music singer (Almost Persuaded), dies at 57
  • 1995-04-02 Leo LeBlanc, American country musician and pianist who was legally blind, dies of cancer at 55
  • 1995-05-25 Dick Curless, American country music singer-songwriter (A Tombstone Every Mile), dies of stomach cancer at 63
  • 1995-07-25 Charlie Rich, American country singer ("Behind Closed Doors"; "The Most Beautiful Girl"), dies of a pulmonary embolism at 62
  • 1996-02-17 Gus Hardin [Carolyn Ann Blankenship], American country singer, dies at 50
  • 1996-05-03 Patsy Montana [Ruby Rose Blevins], American country singer, songwriter and yodeler ("I Want To Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart"), dies at 81
  • 1996-12-05 Wilf Carter, country singer, dies at 91
  • 1996-12-10 Faron Young, American country and honky-tonk singer ("Hello Walls"; "It's Four in the Morning"), and actor (Hidden Guns; Daniel Boone, Trailblazer), commits suicide at 64
  • 1997-06-19 Bobby Helms [Robert Lee Helms], American country music singer (Jingle Bell Rock), dies at 63
  • 1997-12-21 Amie Comeaux, American country music singer, dies at 21
  • 1997-12-31 Floyd Cramer, American Country Music Hall of Fame pianist ("Last Date"; "On the Rebound"), dies of cancer at 64
  • 1998-01-07 Owen Bradley, American pop country music record producer (Patsy Cline; Loretta Lynn; Conway Twitty), dies at 82
  • 1998-01-24 Justin Tubb, American country singer (Grand Ole Opry), dies at 62
  • 1998-02-19 (Louis) "Grandpa" Jones, American country music singer and banjo wizard (Hee Haw), dies at 84
  • 1998-04-15 Rose Maddox, American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter, and fiddle player (Sing a Little Song of Heartache), dies of kidney failure at 72
  • 1998-05-07 Eddie Rabbitt, American songwriter ("Kentucky Rain"), and country singer ("I Love a Rainy Night"), dies of lung cancer at 56
  • 1998-08-29 Charlie Feathers, American country music and rockabilly singer-songwriter, and musician ("Can't Hardly Stand It"), dies at from stroke complications at 66

Doug Sahm (1941-1999)

1999-11-18 American roots-rock and Tex-Mex musician (Sir Douglas Quintet - "Mendocino"; Texas Tornadoes - "Adios Mexico"), dies of a heart attack at 58

  • 1999-12-20 [Clarence] Hank Snow, Canadian country singer ("I'm Moving On"; "I Went To Your Wedding"), dies of heart failure at 85
  • 2000-12-31 Eddy Shaver, American country-rock guitarist and songwriter, dies of a heroin overdose at 38
  • 2001-10-07 Jimmie Lloydd [Logdon], American country and rockabilly singer, dies at 79
  • 2001-12-03 Grady Martin, American country music guitarist (The Nashville A-Team), dies at 72

Waylon Jennings (1937-2002)

2002-02-13 American country singer and guitarist ("I'm A Ramblin' Man"), dies of diabetic complications at 64

  • 2002-03-03 Harlan Howard, American country music songwriter ("I Fall To Pieces"; "Busted"; "Too Many Rivers"), dies at 74
  • 2003-02-19 Johnny Paycheck [Donald Lytle], American country singer ("ake This Job and Shove It"), dies after contracting emphysema and asthma at 64
  • 2003-03-28 (Farrell) "Rusty" Draper, American country and pop singer ("The Shifting, Whispering Sands"; "Are You Satisfied?"), dies of pneumonia at 80

June Carter Cash (1929-2003)

2003-05-15 American Grammy Award-winning country singer (The Carter Family; Johnny Cash Show), songwriter ("Ring of Fire"), and actress, dies from complications after heart valve replacement surgery at 73

  • 2003-08-26 Wilma Burgess, American country-pop singer (Baby; Misty Blue), dies of a heart attack at 64

Johnny Cash (1932-2003)

2003-09-12 American country singer ("I Walk the Line"; "Ring of Fire"; "A Boy Named Sue"), dies at 71

  • 2003-09-19 Slim Dusty [David Kirkpatrick], Australian country music singer-songwriter, dies of cancer at 76
  • 2003-09-24 Rosalie Allen, American country singer, yodeler, and disc jockey, dies of congestive heart failure at 79
  • 2003-11-17 Don Gibson, American country musician ("Sweet Dreams"), dies at 75
  • 2003-12-16 Gary Stewart, American country singer (She's Actin' Single), commits suicide by shooting himself in the neck at 59
  • 2003-12-22 Dave Dudley, American country singer (Six Days on the Road), dies at 75
  • 2004-09-19 Skeeter Davis [Mary Penick], American country-pop singer-songwriter ("(I Can't Help You) I'm Falling Too"; "Set Him Free"; "The End Of The World"), dies of breast cancer at 72
  • 2004-12-07 Jerry Scoggins, American country singer ("The Ballad of Jed Clampett"), dies at 91
  • 2004-12-27 (Walter) "Hank" Garland, American Nashville-based country, rock and jazz session guitar virtuoso ("Sugarfoot Rag"; "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame"; "Jingle Bell Rock"), dies of complications from a staph infection at 74
  • 2005-02-12 Sammi Smith, American country music singer (Help Me Make It Through the Night), dies at 61
  • 2005-03-09 Chris LeDoux, American country singer (Ridin' for a Fall), dies at 56
  • 2006-03-23 Cindy Walker, American songwriter ("Dream Baby"; "You Don't Know Me") and country singer, dies at 87
  • 2006-03-25 (Alvis) "Buck" Owens, American "Bakersfield Sound" country singer-songwriter ("Under Your Spell Again"), bandleader (The Buckaroos - "Act Naturally"), and TV personality (Hee Haw), dies of an apparent heart attack at 76
  • 2006-05-21 Billy Walker, American country music singer and guitarist ("Charlie's Shoes"), dies, along with his wife and two band members, in a single vehicle car accident, at 77
  • 2006-10-14 Freddy Fender [Baldemar Huerta], American rock, country and Tejano singer ("Wasted Days And Wasted Nights"; "Before The Next Teardrop Falls"; Texas Tornados - "A Man Can Cry"), dies of lung cancer at 69