Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On June 20, 1949, Lionel Richie was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. In 2018, "Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line held No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Lionel Richie and Jimmy Driftwood share this birthday.
Lionel Richie was born in Tuskegee, Alabama. He wrote and produced Kenny Rogers' 1980 hit "Lady." His 2012 album Tuskegee paired his hits with country stars like Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton and went to No. 1.
Jimmy Driftwood was born in Timbo, Arkansas. The songwriter gave us "The Battle of New Orleans," which won the Grammy for Song of the Year, and "Tennessee Stud." Johnny Cash and Eddy Arnold were among those who recorded his songs.
T. Texas Tyler was born David Luke Myrick near Mena, Arkansas. Fans remember him best for his 1948 hit "The Deck of Cards."
Songwriter Ben Peters was born in Greenville, Mississippi. Charley Pride cut 68 of his songs, and six of them went to No. 1. Peters joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980.
Anne Murray was born in Springhill, Nova Scotia. Her song "Snowbird" made her a star, and in 1984 she became the first woman and first Canadian to win CMA Album of the Year, for A Little Good News.
Dan Tyminski was born in Rutland, Vermont. The longtime Union Station singer and picker sang lead on "Man of Constant Sorrow" in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and has put out solo albums like Wheels.
"Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line held No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. It stayed on top for 50 weeks in a row, a record at the time.
Ira Louvin of The Louvin Brothers died in a car wreck near Williamsburg, Missouri, at 41. His high, lonesome harmonies with brother Charlie shaped country duet singing for years to come.
Jimmy Driftwood (1907), T. Texas Tyler (1916), Anne Murray (1945), Lionel Richie (1949) and Dan Tyminski (1967) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 2018, "Meant to Be" by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line held No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs 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.