Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash recorded his live album At Folsom Prison over two shows at Folsom State Prison in California. In 1965, Connie Smith's first single, "Once a Day," was No. 1 on Billboard's country chart. Liz Anderson and Greg Trooper share this birthday.
Johnny Cash recorded his live album At Folsom Prison over two shows at Folsom State Prison in California. The live take of "Folsom Prison Blues" became one of the best-known songs of his life.
Jenny Lou Carson was born in Decatur, Illinois. Her song "You Two-Timed Me One Time Too Often" hit No. 1 in 1945, making her the first woman to write a No. 1 country song.
Liz Anderson was born in Roseau, Minnesota. She wrote Merle Haggard's "I'm a Lonesome Fugitive" and earned a 1967 Grammy nod for her own hit "Mama Spank." She was the mother of singer Lynn Anderson.
Greg Trooper was born in Neptune Township, New Jersey. The singer and songwriter wrote songs recorded by Vince Gill and Steve Earle. He died in 2017, two days after his 61st birthday.
Trace Adkins was born in Sarepta, Louisiana. The deep-voiced singer has three No. 1 country hits: "(This Ain't) No Thinkin' Thing," "Ladies Love Country Boys" and "You're Gonna Miss This."
Connie Smith's first single, "Once a Day," was No. 1 on Billboard's country chart. It was the first debut single by a woman to reach the top, and its eight weeks at No. 1 stood as a record for a female solo act for nearly 50 years.
Garth Brooks passed Elvis Presley as the best-selling solo artist in U.S. history. His comeback album Man Against Machine went platinum, lifting him to about 135 million albums, just ahead of Elvis at 134.5 million.
Source: americansongwriter.comTommy Crain, guitarist for The Charlie Daniels Band from 1975 to 1989, died at 59 in Franklin, Tennessee. He helped write and arrange the Grammy-winning hit "The Devil Went Down to Georgia."
Source: billboard.comCajun singer and accordion player Jo-El Sonnier died at 77 after a heart attack, shortly after a show in Llano, Texas. His RCA years brought the Top 10 country hits "No More One More Time" and "Tear-Stained Letter." He won a Grammy in 2015.
Jenny Lou Carson (1915), Liz Anderson (1927), Greg Trooper (1956) and Trace Adkins (1962) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1965, Connie Smith's first single, "Once a Day," was No. 1 on Billboard's country chart.
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.