Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On July 23, 1997, "Strawberry Wine" won Song of the Year for writers Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison at the Nashville Songwriters Association International awards. In 1999, Willie Nelson got a surprise guest at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, Connecticut. Judy Martin and Danielle Bradbery share this birthday.
"Strawberry Wine" won Song of the Year for writers Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison at the Nashville Songwriters Association International awards. Vince Gill took Songwriter/Artist of the Year for the third time, and Mark D. Sanders was named top songwriter.
Judy Martin was born Eva Overstake in Decatur, Illinois. She sang on Chicago's National Barn Dance from 1932 to 1947 and was the second wife of Country Music Hall of Fame member Red Foley.
Alison Krauss was born in Decatur, Illinois. The fiddler and singer leads Alison Krauss and Union Station, and her 2007 album Raising Sand with Robert Plant won five Grammys.
Neil Perry of the family group The Band Perry was born on this day. He and his sisters, Kimberly and Reid, took "If I Die Young" to No. 1 on the country chart. The song also won CMA Song of the Year.
Danielle Bradbery was born in Texas. At just 16, she won season four of NBC's The Voice in 2013, the youngest winner the show had seen at the time. Her first album came out that fall with the hit "The Heart of Dixie."
Willie Nelson got a surprise guest at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, Connecticut. Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards walked out and played along with Willie for several songs.
Source: iorr.orgDolly Parton and Burt Reynolds hit movie screens in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, which opened on this day. Colin Higgins directed the film, based on the 1978 Broadway show. Some newspapers would only print the title as The Best Little Cathouse in Texas.
Judy Martin (1917), Alison Krauss (1971) and Danielle Bradbery (1996) were all born on this date.
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