Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On June 8, 2017, Norro Wilson died in Nashville at 79. In 2010, Billboard named George Strait the top country artist of the past 25 years. It’s also Sara Watkins’ birthday.
Norro Wilson died in Nashville at 79. The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member wrote hits for Charlie Rich, Charley Pride, George Jones and Tammy Wynette, and he produced Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney and Shania Twain.
Songwriter Mack Vickery was born in Town Creek, Alabama. His songs were cut by Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, George Strait and George Jones. He died in Nashville in 2004 at 66.
Bluegrass guitar great Tony Rice was born in Danville, Virginia. He entered the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and died on Christmas Day 2020 at 69.
Sara Watkins was born on this day. She joined the bluegrass band Nickel Creek as a girl, playing fiddle alongside her brother Sean and mandolin player Chris Thile.
Tammy Wynette sat at No. 1 on the country chart with "Singing My Song," which she wrote with Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton. It was her fifth solo No. 1.
Dolly Parton hit No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "I Will Always Love You." The song came from her Jolene album and became one of the most loved songs she ever wrote.
Johnny Cash led the country chart with the funny story song "One Piece at a Time." It tells of a Detroit factory worker who builds his own Cadillac from parts he carries home a little at a time.
Billboard named George Strait the top country artist of the past 25 years. He holds country music's records for the most No. 1 albums and the most gold and platinum albums.
CMT named Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man" the top song on its 100 Greatest Songs of Country Music countdown. George Jones came in second with "He Stopped Loving Her Today," followed by Patsy Cline's "Crazy."
Source: americansongwriter.comTexas honky-tonk singer James Hand died in Waco at 67. He spent years playing small local rooms and did not put out his first album until 1997, when he was 45.
Songwriter Mark James died at 83 at his Nashville home. He penned "Suspicious Minds" for Elvis Presley and "Hooked on a Feeling" for B.J. Thomas. He also co-wrote "Always on My Mind," and Willie Nelson's recording earned James Grammys for Song of the Year and Best Country Song.
Sara Watkins (1981) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1969, Tammy Wynette sat at No. 1 on the country chart with "Singing My Song," which she wrote with Billy Sherrill and Glenn Sutton. In 1974, Dolly Parton hit No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "I Will Always Love You."
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.