Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On January 22, 1990, Randy Travis won three American Music Awards in Los Angeles, including favorite country single for "Deeper Than the Holler." In 1969, Glen Campbell earned a gold record for "Wichita Lineman" from the RIAA. It’s also J.P. Pennington’s birthday.
Randy Travis won three American Music Awards in Los Angeles, including favorite country single for "Deeper Than the Holler." Reba McEntire, Alabama and newcomer Clint Black also went home winners.
J.P. Pennington was born in Berea, Kentucky. He was a lead singer and songwriter for Exile, the band that took "Woke Up in Love" to No. 1 on the country chart in 1984.
Tim McGraw's "Greatest Hits" was the No. 1 country album in America. The set also included a new duet with his wife, Faith Hill, called "Let's Make Love."
The "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" soundtrack sat at No. 1 on the country albums chart. The old-time music from the Coen brothers' movie later won the Grammy for Album of the Year.
Kane Brown's self-titled debut album was back on top of Billboard's country albums chart.
Michael Ray hit No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart with "Whiskey and Rain," his second time at the top. It took 65 weeks to get there, matching the record for the slowest climb.
Glen Campbell earned a gold record for "Wichita Lineman" from the RIAA. The Jimmy Webb song had already gone to No. 1 on the country chart and became one of his signature hits.
Source: riaa.comGeorge Jones cut "The Grand Tour" at Columbia Studio in Nashville. The heartbreaker went to No. 1 that August. In 2014, Rolling Stone put it at No. 38 on its list of the saddest country songs ever.
Reba McEntire walked into the studio for her first Mercury Records session and cut "I Don't Want to Be a One Night Stand." Her debut single only climbed to No. 88, but much bigger days were ahead.
Source: tasteofcountry.comAlabama put out "Mountain Music," the title song from their new album. It became the band's sixth No. 1 country single.
"Ozark Jubilee" made its debut on ABC-TV, with Red Foley as host. It was the first network show to bring country's biggest stars into living rooms, and the first country program to win a large national audience.
Tammy Wynette guested on The Glen Campbell Music Show. She and Glen sang "Stand by Your Man," "My Elusive Dreams" and "I Knew Jesus (Before He Was a Star)" together.
J.P. Pennington (1949) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 2001, Tim McGraw's "Greatest Hits" was the No. 1 country album in America. In 2018, Kane Brown's self-titled debut album was back on top of 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.