Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On June 14, 2013, Merle Haggard received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Bakersfield, in the town that shaped his music. In 1950, Hank Williams recorded "They'll Never Take Her Love from Me" at Castle Studio in Nashville. It’s also Drummer Chad Cromwell’s birthday.
Merle Haggard received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, Bakersfield, in the town that shaped his music.
Drummer Chad Cromwell was born in Paducah, Kentucky. He has played on records and tours for Neil Young, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Willie Nelson, Marty Stuart and many more.
Hank Williams recorded "They'll Never Take Her Love from Me" at Castle Studio in Nashville. MGM put it out that August as the B-side of "Why Should We Try Anymore."
Carrie Underwood put out her first single, "Inside Your Heaven." It later earned her two Billboard Music Awards and found a home on her debut album, Some Hearts.
The second episode of "The Johnny Cash Show" aired on ABC, one week after the variety show first went on the air.
Patsy Cline and her brother Sam Hensley Jr. were badly hurt in a car wreck in Nashville. While she healed, "I Fall to Pieces" climbed all the way to No. 1, her first country chart-topper.
LeAnn Rimes and Trisha Yearwood each saw her own version of "How Do I Live" join the Billboard Hot 100. Rimes peaked at No. 2 and stayed a record 69 weeks. Yearwood's take went to No. 2 on the country chart.
Drummer Chad Cromwell (1957) was 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.