Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On March 5, 2012, Lionel Richie's Tuskegee came out overseas, pairing his hits with country stars like Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton. In 1986, Steve Earle released his debut album, Guitar Town, on MCA. It’s also Gabby Barrett’s birthday.
Lionel Richie's Tuskegee came out overseas, pairing his hits with country stars like Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton. It became his first No. 1 album since 1986.
Guitar ace Jimmy Bryant was born in Moultrie, Georgia. He teamed up with steel player Speedy West and wrote "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line," a hit for Waylon Jennings. He died in 1980 at 55.
Songwriter Aaron Barker was born in San Antonio, Texas. He wrote No. 1 hits for George Strait, including "Love Without End, Amen," plus Lonestar's "What About Now." He joined the Texas Heritage Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2007.
Fiddler and singer Amanda Shires was born in Lubbock, Texas. She joined the Texas Playboys at 15 and later played with Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.
Gabby Barrett was born in Munhall, Pennsylvania. She finished third on American Idol, then scored a big No. 1 country hit with "I Hope."
Steve Earle released his debut album, Guitar Town, on MCA. It went to No. 1 on the country albums chart and was one of the first country records made digitally.
Country Music Television signed on at 6:19 p.m. Central, two days ahead of The Nashville Network. The first video it played was Faron Young's "It's Four in the Morning."
Taylor Swift made her prime-time acting debut on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She played Haley Jones, a troubled teen, in the episode "Turn, Turn, Turn."
Source: uk.news.yahoo.comRichie McDonald announced he was leaving Lonestar for a second time. He joined Tim Rushlow of Little Texas and Larry Stewart of Restless Heart in The Frontmen of Country.
Source: countrytown.comPatsy Cline, Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died when their small plane went down in bad weather near Camden, Tennessee. Pilot Randy Hughes, Cline's manager, also died. They were flying home after a benefit show in Kansas City.
Gabby Barrett (2000) was born on this date.
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.