Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On January 21, 1987, Roy Orbison joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Bruce Springsteen giving the speech. In 2017, Crystal Gayle became a Grand Ole Opry member at the Ryman Auditorium, and her big sister Loretta Lynn did the honors. It’s also Mac Davis’ birthday.
Roy Orbison joined the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with Bruce Springsteen giving the speech. Carl Perkins was also inducted that night, and Hank Williams was honored as an early influence.
Mac Davis was born in Lubbock, Texas. Before his own singing career took off, he wrote "In the Ghetto" and "Memories" for Elvis Presley.
Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" reached No. 1 on the country chart. It held the top spot for six weeks.
Lady Antebellum held the top spot on Billboard's country albums chart with "Own the Night." A few weeks later, the record took home the Grammy for Best Country Album.
Crystal Gayle became a Grand Ole Opry member at the Ryman Auditorium, and her big sister Loretta Lynn did the honors. Gayle was one of the top crossover singers of the 1970s and '80s and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Source: musicrow.comLady A joined the Grand Ole Opry family. Darius Rucker invited the trio to become members.
Patsy Cline sang "Walkin' After Midnight" on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts in New York and won the contest that night. The show's producer picked the song and talked her into a cocktail dress instead of her cowgirl outfit.
Johnny Cash welcomed Arlo Guthrie, Bobbie Gentry and Jose Feliciano as guests on his ABC variety show. The Carter Family, the Statler Brothers and Carl Perkins also took part.
Source: ultimate70s.comMaxine Brown Russell of The Browns passed away. She sang with her brother Jim Ed and sister Bonnie. The trio first charted with "Here Today and Gone Tomorrow," a No. 7 song, and later reached No. 2 with "I Take the Chance."
Randy Parton, Dolly Parton's younger brother, died of cancer at 67. The singer and songwriter put "Hold Me Like You Never Had Me" and "Shot Full of Love" on the country charts in 1981.
Mac Davis (1942) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 2006, Carrie Underwood's "Jesus, Take the Wheel" reached No. 1 on the country chart. In 2012, Lady Antebellum held the top spot on Billboard's country albums chart with "Own the Night."
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.