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On This Day in Country Music: December 26

Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.

What happened on December 26 in country music history?

On December 26, 1968, Glen Campbell had the No. 1 country song with "Wichita Lineman." In 2000, Tim McGraw was No. 1 on the country chart with "My Next Thirty Years." Rattlesnake Annie and Ronnie Prophet share this birthday.

THE BIG MOMENT1968

Glen Campbell had the No. 1 country song with "Wichita Lineman."

Glen Campbell had the No. 1 country song with "Wichita Lineman." Jimmy Webb wrote it after seeing a lone lineman up on a pole while driving the Oklahoma plains.

Country Stars Born on December 26

1937

Ronnie Prophet

Ronnie Prophet was born in Hawkesbury, Ontario. The Canadian country singer was known for mixing music with comedy on stage. He died in Florida in 2018 at 80.

1941

Rattlesnake Annie

Rattlesnake Annie was born near Puryear, Tennessee, and grew up on a cotton and tobacco farm. She got her nickname as a girl for her respect of snakes. Her first album, Rattlesnakes and Rusty Water, came out on her own label.

No. 1 Songs on This Date

2000

Tim McGraw was No. 1 on the country chart with "My Next Thirty Years." It held the top spot for three weeks in a row to close out 2000.

2015

Chris Stapleton's Traveller was the No. 1 country album. His debut had already been named Album of the Year at the CMA Awards that November.

Concerts and Shows

1958

Johnny Cash headlined a country and western show at the Showboat Hotel in Las Vegas. Tex Ritter and the Sons of the Pioneers were also on the bill.

On TV and the Big Screen

1996

CBS aired The Kennedy Center Honors with Johnny Cash among the honorees. Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Lyle Lovett and Rosanne Cash sang in his tribute.

Source: kennedy-center.org

Remembering the Ones We Lost

1982

Songwriter Roger Bowling died at 38 in Georgia. He co-wrote "Coward of the County" for Kenny Rogers and won CMA Song of the Year for "Lucille."

1984

Country singer Sheila Andrews died. She made three studio albums, and her best showing on the Billboard country chart came with "It Don't Get Better Than This."

Quick Answers

Which country singers were born on December 26?

Ronnie Prophet (1937) and Rattlesnake Annie (1941) were all born on this date.

What was the No. 1 country song on this date?

It depends on the year. In 1968, Glen Campbell had the No. 1 country song with "Wichita Lineman." In 2000, Tim McGraw was No. 1 on the country chart with "My Next Thirty Years."

This Week in Country Music History

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