Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On June 23, 2010, Willie Nelson's 1975 album "Red Headed Stranger" was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. In 2006, Tony Bennett surprised the crowd at Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's show at New York's Madison Square Garden. June Carter Cash and Keith Palmer share this birthday.
Willie Nelson's 1975 album "Red Headed Stranger" was added to the Library of Congress National Recording Registry. The list saves recordings judged important to American life and history.
June Carter Cash was born in Maces Spring, Virginia. She sang the hit duets "Jackson" and "If I Were a Carpenter" with her husband Johnny Cash, helped write "Ring of Fire," and won five Grammy Awards.
Diana Trask was born in Melbourne, Australia. The country and pop singer had her best showing on the U.S. country chart in 1974, when "Lean It All on Me" reached No. 13.
Pake McEntire, big brother to Reba and Susie, was born in Chockie, Oklahoma. His top chart hit, "Savin' My Love for You," climbed to No. 3 in 1986.
Keith Palmer was born in Hayti, Missouri. The country singer and songwriter helped write Reba McEntire's 1991 hit "For My Broken Heart." He died in 1996 at 38.
Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors" held the No. 1 spot on Billboard's country albums chart. The album went on to win CMA Album of the Year, and Rich was named the CMA's Male Vocalist of the Year.
Lonestar's "I'm Already There" climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart and held the top spot for six weeks. It was the lead single and title song of the band's next album.
Montgomery Gentry became members of the Grand Ole Opry, with Marty Stuart and Little Jimmy Dickens doing the honors. Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry stood together on that stage until Troy's death in a 2017 helicopter crash.
Tony Bennett surprised the crowd at Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's show at New York's Madison Square Garden. He joined McGraw on the Hank Williams classic "Cold, Cold Heart."
Dr. Ralph Stanley, the bluegrass singer and banjo player, died at 89 at his home in Virginia. Many fans came to know him through "O Death" in the film "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", which won him a Grammy in 2002.
Jesse McReynolds, the mandolin great of Jim & Jesse, died at 93 in Gallatin, Tennessee. He was known for his cross-picking style, and Jim & Jesse joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1964.
June Carter Cash (1929), Diana Trask (1940) and Keith Palmer (1957) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1973, Charlie Rich's "Behind Closed Doors" held the No. 1 spot on Billboard's country albums chart. In 2001, Lonestar's "I'm Already There" climbed to No. 1 on Billboard's country singles chart and held the top spot for six weeks.
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.