Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On March 4, 1968, the third Academy of Country Music Awards were held in Los Angeles with Pat Buttram as host. In 1978, PBS carried the Grand Ole Opry live on TV for the first time, beaming a show from the Grand Ole Opry House to homes across the country. It’s also Jason Sellers’ birthday.
The third Academy of Country Music Awards were held in Los Angeles with Pat Buttram as host. Glen Campbell was named top male vocalist and Lynn Anderson took top female vocalist.
Guitarist Bob Wootton was born in Paris, Arkansas. He stepped in as Johnny Cash's lead guitarist in 1968 after Luther Perkins passed, and he stayed with the Tennessee Three for nearly 30 years.
Jason Sellers was born in Gilmer, Texas. He played in Ricky Skaggs' road band, made two albums of his own, and wrote songs cut by Lonestar, Kenny Chesney and Montgomery Gentry.
Lonestar's "Amazed" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first new country song to top the pop chart since "Islands in the Stream" in 1983, after already spending eight weeks at No. 1 on the country chart.
PBS carried the Grand Ole Opry live on TV for the first time, beaming a show from the Grand Ole Opry House to homes across the country. The yearly broadcasts ran through 1981.
Alan Jackson put out Good Time, his 15th studio album. It opened at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart, and three of its singles went to No. 1.
Rascal Flatts played themselves on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In the episode, Jay DeMarcus loses his memory after a shock from his bass during a Las Vegas show.
George Jones married Nancy Sepulvado at his sister's house in Woodville, Texas. It was his fourth marriage, and Nancy helped him leave his wild ways behind.
Source: simonandschuster.caJohnny Cash and June Carter's duet "Jackson" first showed up on Billboard's country chart. It climbed all the way to No. 2 and later won them a Grammy.
Source: americansongwriter.comJoey Feek of Joey + Rory died at 40 in her hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, after a long fight with cancer. She sang alongside her husband, Rory Feek, from 2008 until her passing.
Michael Rhodes, one of Nashville's top session bass players, died at 69. He played for Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis and many more.
Jason Sellers (1971) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 2000, Lonestar's "Amazed" hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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.