Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On April 12, 1978, the 13th Academy of Country Music Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. In 2010, Hank Williams received a special Pulitzer Prize citation, decades after his death. Vince Gill and Ned Miller share this birthday.
The 13th Academy of Country Music Awards were held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Kenny Rogers and Crystal Gayle won the top vocalist awards, and "Lucille," written by Roger Bowling and Hal Bynum, was named Song of the Year.
Ned Miller was born in Rains, Utah. He is best known for "From a Jack to a King," a 1962 crossover hit. Ricky Van Shelton later took the song to No. 1 on the country chart.
Vince Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma. After singing lead for Pure Prairie League, he built a solo career that has earned him 18 CMA Awards and 22 Grammy Awards.
Easton Corbin was born in Trenton, Florida. His 2010 debut album gave him two No. 1 hits, "A Little More Country Than That" and "Roll With It."
Hank Williams received a special Pulitzer Prize citation, decades after his death. The board honored his simple, heartfelt songwriting and his role in helping turn country music into a big part of American life.
John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" came out as a single on RCA. Taken from the album Poems, Prayers & Promises, it climbed to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became loved around the world.
Dolly Parton released Joshua, her seventh solo studio album. Its title song became her first No. 1 single on the Billboard country chart and earned a Grammy nomination.
Garth Brooks released his self-titled debut album. It reached No. 2 on the country albums chart and gave fans "If Tomorrow Never Comes," his first No. 1, plus "The Dance," later named ACM Song of the Year.
Country Weekly magazine published its very first issue. It went on to bring country music news to fans across America for many years.
Ned Miller (1925), Vince Gill (1957) and Easton Corbin (1982) were all born on this date.
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