Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On May 11, 1993, the 28th Academy of Country Music Awards were handed out with George Strait, Reba McEntire and Randy Owen as hosts. In 1996, Steve Wariner became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s also Actor Jonathan Jackson’s birthday.
The 28th Academy of Country Music Awards were handed out with George Strait, Reba McEntire and Randy Owen as hosts. Vince Gill won Top Male Vocalist and Song of the Year for "I Still Believe in You." Mary Chapin Carpenter, Diamond Rio and Pioneer Award honoree George Jones also won.
Actor Jonathan Jackson was born in Orlando, Florida. Country fans know him as singer Avery Barkley on the ABC drama "Nashville."
Glen Campbell held the top spot on Billboard's country album chart with "Galveston." The title song was written by Jimmy Webb, and the album took over No. 1 right after his "Wichita Lineman" record.
Little Big Town sat at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with "Girl Crush." It was the song's first week on top, and it stayed there for 13 weeks.
Steve Wariner became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Before his solo career, he played bass behind Dottie West, Bob Luman and Chet Atkins.
Hank Williams Jr. and fellow MGM artist Connie Francis started three days of duet sessions in Nashville. The work became the album "Connie Francis and Hank Williams Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites," which included "Wolverton Mountain," a song co-written by Merle Kilgore.
Gretchen Wilson put out her first album, "Here for the Party," with the hit "Redneck Woman." It earned four Grammy nominations, and she won Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
The small comedy film "Sordid Lives" opened in U.S. theaters. Olivia Newton-John played singer Bitsy Mae Harling and sang "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" on the soundtrack.
Johnny Cash spent a night in jail in Starkville, Mississippi, after a show at Mississippi State. He was fined $36 and later turned the story into the song "Starkville City Jail."
Source: savingcountrymusic.comTrace Adkins married Rhonda Forlaw on May 11, 1997. The couple wed at Belle Meade Mansion in Nashville.
Source: geocities.wsBluegrass great Lester Flatt died in Nashville at 64. He played with Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, then teamed with banjo man Earl Scruggs. Their "The Ballad of Jed Clampett" became the theme for "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Guitarist Corki Casey O'Dell died in Nashville at 80. She played in Duane Eddy's band and, in 2014, joined Barbara Mandrell and Velma Smith as the first women in the Musicians Hall of Fame.
Source: last.musicrow.comActor Jonathan Jackson (1982) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1969, Glen Campbell held the top spot on Billboard's country album chart with "Galveston." In 2015, Little Big Town sat at No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart with "Girl Crush."
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.