Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On August 31, 1990, Randy Travis released Heroes & Friends, his sixth studio album. In 1950, Hank Williams recorded "Moanin' the Blues" at Castle Studio in Nashville.
Randy Travis released Heroes & Friends, his sixth studio album. Nearly every song is a duet, with partners like Dolly Parton, George Jones, Merle Haggard and Clint Eastwood. It went to No. 1 on the country albums chart.
Jeanne Pruett's Satin Sheets was the No. 1 album on Billboard's country chart. It stayed on top for eight straight weeks, and its title song had already been a No. 1 single.
Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" was No. 1 on Billboard's country chart, in the second of four weeks on top. Written by Richard Leigh, it also reached No. 2 on the pop chart and won her a Grammy.
Hank Williams recorded "Moanin' the Blues" at Castle Studio in Nashville. It became his fourth No. 1 on MGM Records. It is one of only two of his songs with drums, along with "Kaw-Liga."
Garth Brooks released In Pieces, his fifth studio album. It opened at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart.
The Dixie Chicks released Fly. It debuted at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart, and it later sold 10 million copies to earn diamond status.
Ray Charles' Genius Loves Company came out less than three months after his death. The duets album was the last he finished, and it includes "It Was a Very Good Year" with Willie Nelson.
Mike Kennedy, longtime drummer in George Strait's Ace in the Hole Band, died in a car crash in Tennessee at 59. He had played with Strait for nearly 30 years.
Source: cbsnews.comIt depends on the year. In 1973, Jeanne Pruett's Satin Sheets was the No. 1 album on Billboard's country chart. In 1977, Crystal Gayle's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" was No. 1 on Billboard's country chart, in the second of four weeks on top.
Every 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.