Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On March 16, 1971, Johnny Cash and June Carter won a Grammy for "If I Were a Carpenter" at the 13th Grammy Awards. In 1946, Grandpa Jones made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage, playing with Pee Wee King's band. David Briggs and Shirley Collie Nelson share this birthday.
Johnny Cash and June Carter won a Grammy for "If I Were a Carpenter" at the 13th Grammy Awards. Lynn Anderson won for "Rose Garden," Ray Price for "For the Good Times," and Marty Robbins took Best Country Song for "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife."
Shirley Collie Nelson was born in Chillicothe, Missouri. The singer, yodeler and guitarist was married to Willie Nelson from 1963 to 1971. She died in 2010 at 78.
Jerry Jeff Walker was born in Oneonta, New York. He wrote "Mr. Bojangles" and became a big name in the outlaw country crowd. He died in 2020 at 78.
David Briggs was born in Killen, Alabama. The keyboard player and producer was one of Nashville's famed studio pros, playing for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and many more.
Ray Benson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He leads the Western swing band Asleep at the Wheel, which has won nine Grammy awards.
Grandpa Jones made his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage, playing with Pee Wee King's band. The banjo man later became a charter cast member of Hee Haw in 1968.
The Grand Ole Opry played its first show at the new Grand Ole Opry House at Opryland, after years at the Ryman Auditorium. President Richard Nixon came to opening night and played a few songs on the piano.
Hank Williams cut "Hey, Good Lookin'" at Castle Studio in Nashville. In the same session he also recorded "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)."
Seven members of Reba McEntire's band, her road manager and two pilots died when their plane went down near San Diego after a show. Reba later dedicated her album For My Broken Heart to them.
Rising country singer Justin Carter died at 35 after an accident at his Houston apartment while filming a music video. He had been promoting his new song "Love Affair."
Source: cbsnews.comShirley Collie Nelson (1931), Jerry Jeff Walker (1942), David Briggs (1943) and Ray Benson (1951) were all born on this date.
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