Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On August 23, 2003, Trace Adkins became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, with Ronnie Milsap doing the honors. In 1952, Kitty Wells reached No. 1 with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," her answer to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life." Barry Bales and Dennis Robbins share this birthday.
Trace Adkins became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, with Ronnie Milsap doing the honors. His No. 1 hits include "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "You're Gonna Miss This."
Tex Williams was born Sollie Paul Williams in Ramsey, Illinois. The Western swing bandleader is best remembered for his 1947 hit "Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette)," which he wrote with Merle Travis. He died in 1985.
Rex Allen Jr. was born in Chicago, Illinois. The son of cowboy star Rex Allen made his own mark with country hits like "Goodbye," "Lonely Street" and "I'm Gettin Good at Missing You (Solitaire)."
Dennis Robbins was born in Hazelwood, North Carolina. After playing guitar in the Detroit band Rockets, he turned to country and wrote No. 1 hits for Highway 101, Shenandoah and Garth Brooks, including "The Church on Cumberland Road."
Emilio Navaira was born in San Antonio, Texas. Known as the "Garth Brooks of Tejano," he also placed six songs on Billboard's country singles chart. He died in 2016 at 53.
Barry Bales was born in Kingsport, Tennessee. He has played bass and sung harmony with Alison Krauss and Union Station since 1990 and has also recorded with Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and Vince Gill.
Shelly Fairchild was born in Clinton, Mississippi. The singer and songwriter charted with "You Don't Lie Here Anymore" from her debut album, Ride.
Kitty Wells reached No. 1 with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," her answer to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life." It was the first Billboard country No. 1 by a solo woman and opened doors for the women who followed.
Johnny Cash climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart with "A Boy Named Sue." The funny story song held the top spot for five weeks.
Brooks & Dunn's "Boot Scootin' Boogie" was in its fourth week at No. 1 on the country chart. The song helped spark a line dancing craze across the country.
Luke Bryan's seventh studio album, Born Here Live Here Die Here, was No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart in its first week out. It was his ninth album to top that chart.
Source: wiov.comPistol Annies, the trio of Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley, released their first album, Hell on Heels. It entered Billboard's country albums chart at No. 1.
Linda Ronstadt told AARP that she had Parkinson's disease and could no longer sing. The 11-time Grammy winner topped the country charts with hits like "When Will I Be Loved" and with the Trio album alongside Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris.
Source: blog.aarp.orgTex Williams (1917), Rex Allen Jr. (1947), Dennis Robbins (1949), Emilio Navaira (1962), Barry Bales (1969) and Shelly Fairchild (1977) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1952, Kitty Wells reached No. 1 with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," her answer to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life." In 1969, Johnny Cash climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart with "A Boy Named Sue."
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