Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On February 2, 2007, Harmonica player Terry McMillan died in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at 53. In 1966, Eddy Arnold sat at No. 1 on the country albums chart with My World. It’s also Blaine Larsen’s birthday.
Harmonica player Terry McMillan died in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, at 53. A top Nashville session man, he played on records for Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Merle Haggard and Garth Brooks.
Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers was born. The Florida duo hit No. 1 on the pop chart with "Let Your Love Flow" in 1976 and later scored 20 No. 1 country singles.
Blaine Larsen was born in Tacoma, Washington. He was just 15 when he cut his first album, In My High School, for the small Giantslayer Records label.
Eddy Arnold sat at No. 1 on the country albums chart with My World. It held the top spot for 17 weeks and became the biggest seller of his career.
"Jolene" became Dolly Parton's second solo No. 1 country hit. Dolly has said a red-haired bank clerk who flirted with her husband, Carl Dean, gave her the idea for the song.
Doug Stone held No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "A Jukebox with a Country Song." It was his second song to reach the top.
Dolly Parton released The Fairest of Them All, her fifth solo studio album. It reached No. 13 on the country albums chart, and its lone single was "Daddy Come and Get Me."
Montgomery Gentry released Here's to You, the last album Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry made together. Troy had died in a helicopter crash the previous September.
Loretta Lynn signed her first record deal, with Zero Records. Her first album sessions took place at United Western Recorders in Hollywood, California.
Keith Urban sued an American painter who shared his name, hoping to gain the KeithUrban.com web address. The painter fought back, and the case was settled in his favor.
Blaine Larsen (1986) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1966, Eddy Arnold sat at No. 1 on the country albums chart with My World. In 1974, "Jolene" became Dolly Parton's second solo No. 1 country hit.
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.