Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On January 18, 1979, Willie Nelson's double live album Willie and Family Live sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart. In 1953, Jim Reeves cut "Mexican Joe" in Shreveport, Louisiana, at radio station KWKH, with the Circle O Ranch Boys behind him. Bobby Goldsboro and Mark Collie share this birthday.
Willie Nelson's double live album Willie and Family Live sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart. It was recorded in April 1978 at Harrah's in Lake Tahoe, with Emmylou Harris and Johnny Paycheck joining in on a few songs.
Hargus "Pig" Robbins was born in Spring City, Tennessee. Blind since early childhood, he became one of Nashville's most in-demand session pianists, playing on George Jones' "White Lightning" and many more. He entered the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Bobby Goldsboro was born in Marianna, Florida. His 1968 ballad "Honey" spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold more than a million copies. Years later he created the children's TV show The Swamp Critters of Lost Lagoon.
Actor Kevin Costner was born in Lynwood, California. Beyond his movie career, he sings with his own country rock band, Kevin Costner & Modern West.
Mark Collie was born in Waynesboro, Tennessee. He reached the country Top 10 with "Even the Man in the Moon Is Cryin'" and "Born to Love You," and he has raised millions for Type 1 diabetes research.
Songwriter and producer David Garcia was born on Long Island, New York. He co-wrote and co-produced "Meant to Be," the Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line smash, and has worked in the studio with Carrie Underwood.
Kristy Lee Cook was born in Seattle, Washington. The country singer finished seventh on Season 7 of American Idol, and her 2008 album Why Wait reached the Top 10 on Billboard's country albums chart.
Red Sovine's "Giddyup Go" was No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart. The tearjerker about a father and son reunited at a truck stop held the top spot for six straight weeks.
Jim Reeves cut "Mexican Joe" in Shreveport, Louisiana, at radio station KWKH, with the Circle O Ranch Boys behind him. Released that March, it became his first big hit and spent six weeks at No. 1 on the country chart.
Nashville songwriter David Olney died at 71 after falling ill on stage at a songwriter festival in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Emmylou Harris, Del McCoury and Linda Ronstadt were among the artists who recorded his songs.
Pop singer Jimmie Rodgers died at 87 in Palm Desert, California. His 1957 hits "Honeycomb" and "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine" also made the country Top 10.
Bobby Goldsboro (1941), Actor Kevin Costner (1955), Mark Collie (1956) and Kristy Lee Cook (1984) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1966, Red Sovine's "Giddyup Go" was No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart. In 1979, Willie Nelson's double live album Willie and Family Live sat at No. 1 on Billboard's country albums 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.