THE BIG MOMENT2024
Scotty McCreery became a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Scotty McCreery became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Josh Turner, his boyhood hero, did the honors. Scotty first gained fame by winning season 10 of American Idol in 2011.
On This Day in Country Music: April 20
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on April 20 in country music history?
On April 20, 2024, Scotty McCreery became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 2012, Austin, Texas, unveiled an 8-foot bronze statue of Willie Nelson outside the Moody Theater downtown. Buddy Cannon and Wade Hayes share this birthday.
Country Stars Born on April 20
1938
Johnny Tillotson
Johnny Tillotson was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His 1962 hit "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'" reached No. 4 on the country chart and No. 3 on the pop chart.
1947
Buddy Cannon
Buddy Cannon was born in Lexington, Tennessee. The songwriter and producer is best known for his work with Willie Nelson and Kenny Chesney, and he won the ACM's Producer of the Year award in 2006.
1951
Steve Nathan
Keyboard player Steve Nathan was born in Buffalo, New York. After years of sessions in Muscle Shoals, he became a Nashville studio favorite. MusicRow named him Keyboardist of the Year 13 years running.
1969
Wade Hayes
Wade Hayes was born in Bethel Acres, Oklahoma. His debut single, "Old Enough to Know Better," reached No. 1 on the country chart in early 1995. He later formed the duo McHayes with fiddler Mark McClurg.
No. 1 Songs on This Date
1965
Roger Miller's "King of the Road" sat at No. 1 on the country chart. The tale of a happy-go-lucky drifter spent five weeks on top that spring.
Source: aol.comBig Awards Nights
2012
Austin, Texas, unveiled an 8-foot bronze statue of Willie Nelson outside the Moody Theater downtown. Willie was on hand along with the mayor and his old friend Kris Kristofferson.
New Music on This Date
1962
Decca released Patsy Cline's "She's Got You" EP, her second of the year. It had two new songs, the Hank Cochran title track and "Strange" by Fred Burch and Mel Tillis.
1993
Two big careers got started with debut albums the same day. Shania Twain released her self-titled first album on Mercury, and Tim McGraw's self-titled debut came out on Curb.
1993
Toby Keith released his self-titled debut album on Mercury Records. Its first single, "Should've Been a Cowboy," went to No. 1 on the country chart and stayed there two weeks.
Love, Family and Life Events
2009
Fire badly damaged Jimmy Dean's home overlooking the James River near Richmond, Virginia. He and his wife, Donna, got out unhurt. They rebuilt on the same foundation and moved back in early 2010.
Quick Answers
Which country singers were born on April 20?
Johnny Tillotson (1938), Buddy Cannon (1947) and Wade Hayes (1969) were all born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 1965, Roger Miller's "King of the Road" sat at No. 1 on the country chart.
This Week in Country Music History
April 171926: Uncle Dave Macon joined the Grand Ole Opry.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 212011: John Denver was named the very first member of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.April 221998: At the 33rd ACM Awards, George Strait and Trisha Yearwood took the top vocalist awards…April 231997: At the 32nd ACM Awards, George Strait and Patty Loveless won the top vocalist awards.
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