Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On January 8, 2001, Faith Hill won three trophies at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. In 1994, Faith Hill's "Wild One," her very first single, sat at No. 1 on the Billboard country chart. Luther Perkins and Elvis Presley share this birthday.
Faith Hill won three trophies at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles. Tim McGraw was named Favorite Country Male Artist, the Dixie Chicks won top country group, and Billy Gilman was the favorite new country artist.
Luther Perkins was born in Como, Mississippi. His steady guitar gave Johnny Cash that famous boom-chicka-boom sound, and Cash honored him in the song "Luther Played the Boogie." Perkins died in 1968.
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi. Known as the King of Rock & Roll, he also left his mark on country music and joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998.
Cristy Lane was born in Peoria, Illinois. Her gospel song "One Day at a Time" went to No. 1 on the country chart in 1980.
Faith Hill's "Wild One," her very first single, sat at No. 1 on the Billboard country chart. It held the top spot for four weeks.
Tim McGraw released "Last Dollar (Fly Away)," written by Big Kenny of Big & Rich. The upbeat song reached No. 1 that April.
Morgan Wallen released Dangerous: The Double Album, featuring "7 Summers." It spent 10 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. By March 2022 it held the record for most weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, with 97.
Ray Stevens was the guest on The Glen Campbell Music Show. The episode featured "Proud Mary" and "My Window Faces the South," and Ray and Glen teamed up on "Everything Is Beautiful."
Sara Carter died at 80 in Lodi, California. She sang lead on most of the Carter Family's records in the 1920s and 1930s. Her face later appeared on a 1993 U.S. stamp honoring the family.
Friends and fans said goodbye to Little Jimmy Dickens at a funeral at the Grand Ole Opry House. The Opry star since 1948 and Hall of Famer had died Jan. 2 at 94.
Country singer and songwriter Red Simpson died at 81 in Bakersfield, California. He wrote "Sam's Place," a No. 1 hit for Buck Owens.
Ed Bruce died at 81 in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Arkansas native co-wrote "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," later a big hit for Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. He took "You're the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had" to No. 1 in 1982.
Luther Perkins (1928), Elvis Presley (1935) and Cristy Lane (1940) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1994, Faith Hill's "Wild One," her very first single, sat at No. 1 on the Billboard 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.