THE BIG MOMENT1969
Glen Campbell's Wichita Lineman sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart
Glen Campbell's Wichita Lineman sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart. The Jimmy Webb title song also climbed to No. 3 on the pop chart.
On This Day in Country Music: January 12
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on January 12 in country music history?
On January 12, 1969, Glen Campbell's Wichita Lineman sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart. In 2001, the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" widened to more than 400 theaters across the country after opening in just a handful on Dec. 22, 2000. Ray Price and Tex Ritter share this birthday.
Country Stars Born on January 12
1905
Tex Ritter
Tex Ritter was born in Murvaul, Texas. The singing cowboy was the first act signed to the new Capitol Records, and "I'm Wastin' My Tears on You" became a No. 1 country hit for him in 1944. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1964.
1926
Ray Price
Ray Price was born on a farm near Perryville, Texas. His smooth baritone made him one of country's great voices. He joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1996 and died at 87 in December 2013.
1939
William Lee Golden
William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys was born in Brewton, Alabama. Fans know him on sight for his long beard and hair. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame with the group in 2015.
1952
Ricky Van Shelton
Ricky Van Shelton was born in Danville, Virginia. He scored 10 No. 1 country hits, including "Living Proof," "I Am a Simple Man" and "Rockin' Years," his duet with Dolly Parton.
On TV and the Big Screen
2001
The movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" widened to more than 400 theaters across the country after opening in just a handful on Dec. 22, 2000. Its old-time mountain music soundtrack became a favorite with country fans.
Source: d23.comRemembering the Ones We Lost
2015
Songwriter and guitarist A.J. Masters died at 64 after a fight with prostate cancer. He played guitar for Charlie Rich and wrote "Love Ain't Like That" for Faith Hill and "Change My Mind" for John Berry and The Oak Ridge Boys.
2019
Whitey Shafer, the Texas songwriter behind George Strait's "All My Ex's Live in Texas" and "Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind," died at 84. He also wrote for George Jones and Lefty Frizzell.
Quick Answers
Which country singers were born on January 12?
Tex Ritter (1905), Ray Price (1926) and Ricky Van Shelton (1952) were all born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 1969, Glen Campbell's Wichita Lineman sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart.
This Week in Country Music History
January 91960: Patsy Cline became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.January 101991: Clint Black joined the Grand Ole Opry.January 112019: Mark Wills became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, a few weeks after Vince Gill invited…January 131968: Johnny Cash recorded his live album At Folsom Prison over two shows at Folsom State Pri…January 141988: Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris earned a Grammy nomination for Album of…January 151992: Johnny Cash was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria in…
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