THE BIG MOMENT1950
Carl Smith joined the Grand Ole Opry
Carl Smith joined the Grand Ole Opry. Known to fans as "Mister Country," he went on to land 30 top 10 hits on the Billboard country chart.
On This Day in Country Music: April 29
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on April 29 in country music history?
On April 29, 1950, Carl Smith joined the Grand Ole Opry. In 1992, Billy Dean had a big night at the 27th Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles. Willie Nelson and James Bonamy share this birthday.
Country Stars Born on April 29
1933
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson was born in Abbott, Texas. The doctor wrote down April 30 by mistake. Willie became a leader of outlaw country and in 1985 helped start Farm Aid with Neil Young and John Mellencamp to help family farmers.
1943
Duane Allen
Duane Allen, longtime lead singer of The Oak Ridge Boys, was born in Lamar County, Texas. He went into the Country Music Hall of Fame with the group in 2015.
1963
Stephanie Bentley
Songwriter Stephanie Bentley was born in Thomasville, Georgia. She helped write Faith Hill's big hit "Breathe" and Martina McBride's "Concrete Angel."
1972
James Bonamy
James Bonamy was born in Winter Park, Florida. His song "I Don't Think I Will" climbed all the way to No. 2 on the country chart in 1996.
1977
Ashley Gorley
Hit songwriter Ashley Gorley was born in Danville, Kentucky. His pen helped give us Trace Adkins' "You're Gonna Miss This," Darius Rucker's "It Won't Be Like This for Long" and Brad Paisley's "Then."
1988
Michael Ray
Michael Ray was born in Eustis, Florida. The singer later took his song "Whiskey and Rain" to No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart.
No. 1 Songs on This Date
1990
Dan Seals sat at No. 1 on the country chart with "Love on Arrival." The song held the top spot for three weeks, the longest run of his career.
Big Awards Nights
1992
Billy Dean had a big night at the 27th Academy of Country Music Awards in Los Angeles. He was named Top New Male Vocalist and won Song of the Year for "Somewhere in My Broken Heart."
New Music on This Date
1991
Alan Jackson put out "Don't Rock the Jukebox" as a single. It became his second No. 1 in a row and later won an ASCAP award for Country Song of the Year.
2002
Alison Krauss and Union Station began two nights at the Louisville Palace in Kentucky. Those shows were captured for their concert album, Live.
More Moments to Remember
2013
Curb Records filed suit in federal court in Nashville against Tim McGraw and Big Machine Records. The label said his album Two Lanes of Freedom belonged to Curb.
Source: countrystandardtime.com2021
FedEx launched a new TV spot featuring Willie Nelson and his classic "Always on My Mind." It debuted on his birthday as part of the company's push toward carbon-neutral operations by 2040.
Source: lbbonline.comQuick Answers
Which country singers were born on April 29?
Willie Nelson (1933), James Bonamy (1972) and Michael Ray (1988) were all born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 1990, Dan Seals sat at No. 1 on the country chart with "Love on Arrival."
This Week in Country Music History
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