Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On December 15, 1990, George Strait held No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "I've Come to Expect It from You." In 1982, Honkytonk Man, Clint Eastwood's film about a struggling country singer in the Great Depression, opened in theaters. Ernest Ashworth and Jerry Wallace share this birthday.
George Strait held No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "I've Come to Expect It from You." Buddy Cannon and Dean Dillon wrote the song, which stayed on top for five weeks.
A.P. Carter, founder of The Carter Family, was born in Maces Spring, Virginia. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame with the group in 1970 and appeared on a U.S. stamp in 1993.
Jerry Wallace was born in Guilford, Missouri. The country and pop singer had nine Hot 100 hits from 1958 to 1964, including "Primrose Lane." He later topped the country chart with "If You Leave Me Tonight I'll Cry."
Ernest Ashworth was born in Huntsville, Alabama. He is best known for his No. 1 country hit "Talk Back Trembling Lips" and joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.
Dolly Parton's younger brother Randy Parton was born in Sevierville, Tennessee. He charted in 1981 with "Hold Me Like You Never Had Me" and "Shot Full of Love." He died of cancer in 2021 at 67.
Doug Phelps of The Kentucky Headhunters was born in 1960. He has played bass and sung lead for the band, whose album Pickin' on Nashville won a Grammy for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Tammy Wynette cut "'Til I Can Make It on My Own" in Nashville. The song she helped write became her 15th No. 1 country hit, and she often said it was her personal favorite.
Little Big Town sent "Girl Crush" to radio as the second single from Pain Killer. Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose wrote it. The song spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs and won two Grammys.
Honkytonk Man, Clint Eastwood's film about a struggling country singer in the Great Depression, opened in theaters. Eastwood directed and starred with his son Kyle. The lead role was loosely based on Jimmie Rodgers, and Marty Robbins and Porter Wagoner had parts.
Hank Williams married Audrey Sheppard in Andalusia, Alabama. Their son, Randall Hank Williams, was born in 1949 and grew up to become a star as Hank Williams Jr.
Alan Jackson married Denise, his high school sweetheart. The couple went on to raise three daughters.
Songwriter Jerry Chesnut died in Nashville at 87. The Harlan County, Kentucky, native wrote "Good Year for the Roses," first a hit for George Jones, and "T-R-O-U-B-L-E," cut by Elvis Presley and later Travis Tritt.
Ernest Ashworth (1928) and Jerry Wallace (1928) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1990, George Strait held No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "I've Come to Expect It from You."
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.