Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On July 4, 1985, Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic came to Austin, Texas, with Willie joined by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. In 1986, Farm Aid II raised money for family farmers at Manor Downs Racetrack in Manor, Texas. Ray Pillow and James Stroud share this birthday.
Willie Nelson's Fourth of July Picnic came to Austin, Texas, with Willie joined by Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson. Hank Snow, June Carter Cash and Neil Young were also on the bill.
Ray Pillow was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. A Grand Ole Opry member from 1966, he charted 18 country singles. His biggest was "I'll Take the Dog," a No. 9 duet with Jean Shepard. He died in 2023 at 85.
James Stroud was born in Shreveport, Louisiana. He started out as a session drummer and became one of Nashville's top record producers and label bosses, working with stars like Clay Walker, Tracy Lawrence and Darryl Worley.
Source: alchetron.comBuck Owens held the top of the country chart with "My Heart Skips a Beat," his third No. 1. That spring Buck kept trading places with himself, as the flip side "Together Again" took over for two weeks before the song climbed back.
Kenny Chesney's "Here and Now" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay chart. It was the 31st chart-topper of his career.
Johnny Cash's American V: A Hundred Highways came out almost three years after his passing. Produced by Rick Rubin, the fifth album in his American series went to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart.
Farm Aid II raised money for family farmers at Manor Downs Racetrack in Manor, Texas. Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp led the show, and Alabama, George Jones, Waylon Jennings and Emmylou Harris were among the many acts.
Sanford Clark died at 85 in Joplin, Missouri. The rockabilly singer and guitarist from Tulsa is best remembered for his 1956 hit "The Fool," a song penned by his friend Lee Hazlewood.
Ray Pillow (1937) and James Stroud (1949) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1964, Buck Owens held the top of the country chart with "My Heart Skips a Beat," his third No. 1. In 2020, Kenny Chesney's "Here and Now" reached No. 1 on Billboard's Country Airplay 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.