Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On February 7, 2020, Gene Watson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, inducted by Steve Wariner. In 1981, Kenny Rogers led Billboard's country albums chart with Greatest Hits. Garth Brooks and Tony Booth share this birthday.
Gene Watson became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, inducted by Steve Wariner. Vince Gill had surprised him with the invitation a few weeks earlier. Fans know Watson for "Farewell Party" and "Love in the Hot Afternoon."
Wilma Lee Cooper was born in Valley Head, West Virginia. With Stoney Cooper, she scored hits like "There's a Big Wheel" and "Big Midnight Special." She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1957 and died in 2011 at 90.
Tony Booth was born in Tampa, Florida. He recorded for Capitol Records as part of Buck Owens' Bakersfield sound, singing many songs Owens wrote. The Academy of Country Music named him Most Promising Male Vocalist.
Garth Brooks was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His 1991 album Ropin' the Wind was the first by a country artist to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The RIAA now ranks him as America's top-selling solo albums artist.
Dolly Parton hit No. 1 on the country chart with "Joshua," her first No. 1 country single. The song also earned her first Grammy nomination.
Kenny Rogers led Billboard's country albums chart with Greatest Hits. The collection held the top spot through the early weeks of 1981 before Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs took over.
Randy Travis held No. 1 on the country albums chart with Old 8x10. His third studio album gave him three No. 1 hits, including "Deeper Than the Holler." It later won Favorite Country Album at the American Music Awards.
Hank Williams Jr. released "Texas Women" from his album Rowdy. It went to No. 1, his third country chart-topper and his first since "Eleven Roses" in 1972.
Shania Twain released The Woman in Me, her second studio album. By the end of 1995 it had sold about 4 million copies.
Wilma Lee Cooper (1921), Tony Booth (1943) and Garth Brooks (1962) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1971, Dolly Parton hit No. 1 on the country chart with "Joshua," her first No. 1 country single. In 1981, Kenny Rogers led Billboard's country albums chart with Greatest Hits.
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.