THE BIG MOMENT1926
Uncle Dave Macon joined the Grand Ole Opry
Uncle Dave Macon joined the Grand Ole Opry. The banjo-playing showman had been on WSM radio since late 1925 and became the show's first big star.
On This Day in Country Music: April 17
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on April 17 in country music history?
On April 17, 1926, Uncle Dave Macon joined the Grand Ole Opry. In 1960, Jim Reeves held the No. 1 spot on the country chart with "He'll Have to Go." It’s also Matt Chamberlain’s birthday.
Country Stars Born on April 17
1967
Matt Chamberlain
Matt Chamberlain was born in San Pedro, California. The busy session drummer has played on records for Willie Nelson, Miranda Lambert and Shelby Lynne, and he toured with Bob Dylan.
No. 1 Songs on This Date
1960
Jim Reeves held the No. 1 spot on the country chart with "He'll Have to Go." The song started out as a B-side, but disc jockeys flipped the record and played it instead. It stayed on top for 14 weeks in a row.
1976
Eddie Rabbitt reached No. 1 on the country chart for the first time with "Drinkin' My Baby (Off My Mind)." He co-wrote the song with Even Stevens, and it was the first of his 15 solo No. 1 hits.
2007
Tim McGraw's Let It Go, his ninth studio album, was the No. 1 country album. It opened at No. 1 on both the country chart and the all-genre Billboard 200, and seven of its songs charted as country singles.
New Music on This Date
1985
Alabama put out "40 Hour Week (For a Livin')" as a single. The salute to working folks climbed to No. 1 on the country chart that summer, part of the group's long run of chart-topping hits.
2000
Lonestar sent "What About Now" to radio. It was the fourth single from their Lonely Grill album, and it went on to spend four weeks at No. 1 on the country chart.
2001
Brooks & Dunn released Steers & Stripes. The album went to No. 1 on the country albums chart and gave fans three No. 1 singles, including "Only in America" and "The Long Goodbye."
Concerts and Shows
1970
Johnny Cash performed at the White House for President Richard Nixon. Cash played a set of his own choosing, and it included "A Boy Named Sue," a song the president had asked to hear.
Source: americansongwriter.comRemembering the Ones We Lost
2018
Randy Scruggs, the middle son of bluegrass great Earl Scruggs, died at 64 after a short illness. The guitarist and producer worked with Waylon Jennings, George Strait and Emmylou Harris. He won four Grammy Awards and was named CMA Musician of the Year three times.
Quick Answers
Which country singers were born on April 17?
Matt Chamberlain (1967) was born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 1960, Jim Reeves held the No. 1 spot on the country chart with "He'll Have to Go." In 2007, Tim McGraw's Let It Go, his ninth studio album, was the No. 1 country album.
This Week in Country Music History
April 141986: Alabama took Entertainer of the Year at the 21st Academy of Country Music Awards, held…April 152018: Reba McEntire hosted the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden A…April 161962: Patsy Cline appeared on the Pet Milk Grand Ole Opry TV show.April 182010: Carrie Underwood won Entertainer of the Year at the 45th Academy of Country Music Award…April 192015: The 50th ACM Awards were held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.April 202024: Scotty McCreery became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Know someone who would enjoy this?Send them this page. The link always opens this date.
Share on FacebookEvery entry is checked by the Country Thang Daily editors. Spot something we got wrong? Let us know and we’ll fix it and note the change.