Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On January 30, 1981, Kenny Rogers took home four trophies at the American Music Awards, including Favorite Country Single for "Coward of the County" and Favorite Country Album for The Gambler. In 1994, Country music took over the Super Bowl XXVIII halftime show in Atlanta, billed as "Rockin' Country Sunday." Jeanne Pruett and Norma Jean share this birthday.
Kenny Rogers took home four trophies at the American Music Awards, including Favorite Country Single for "Coward of the County" and Favorite Country Album for The Gambler. Barbara Mandrell and The Statler Brothers also won country awards.
Jeanne Pruett was born near Pell City, Alabama. Her 1973 song "Satin Sheets" went to No. 1 on the country chart, and she joined the Grand Ole Opry that same year.
Source: encyclopediaofalabama.orgNorma Jean was born near Wellston, Oklahoma. She spent seven years singing on The Porter Wagoner Show and recorded for RCA Victor. Her biggest hit, "The Game of Triangles," reached the country top five in 1966.
Tammy Cochran was born in Austinburg, Ohio. Her 2001 debut album carried "Angels in Waiting," which went to No. 9 on the country chart and became her biggest hit.
Devin Dawson was born in Orangevale, California. His first single, "All on Me," climbed to No. 2 on Country Airplay in 2017. He later sang on Hardy's "One Beer," a No. 1 airplay hit.
Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" came out on Decca Records. Written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard, it became her first country No. 1 and also reached No. 12 on the pop chart.
Country music took over the Super Bowl XXVIII halftime show in Atlanta, billed as "Rockin' Country Sunday." Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt and Wynonna Judd performed, and Naomi Judd joined Wynonna on The Judds' "Love Can Build a Bridge."
Faith Hill sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XXXIV, played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Carrie Underwood opened the Storyteller Tour: Stories in the Round in Jacksonville, Florida. It was her fifth headlining tour, and Billboard reported it sold about 800,000 tickets.
Hall of Fame piano player Hargus "Pig" Robbins died at 84. Blind from early childhood, he played on George Jones's "White Lightning" and later on records by Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard.
Jeanne Pruett (1937), Norma Jean (1938), Tammy Cochran (1972) and Devin Dawson (1989) were all born on this date.
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.