THE BIG MOMENT1979
Dolly Parton released Great Balls of Fire, her 21st solo studio album
Dolly Parton released Great Balls of Fire, her 21st solo studio album. The lead single, "You're the Only One," went all the way to No. 1 on the country chart.
On This Day in Country Music: May 28
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on May 28 in country music history?
On May 28, 1979, Dolly Parton released Great Balls of Fire, her 21st solo studio album. In 1988, Kathy Mattea had the No. 1 country song with "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses." Brent Rowan and Rita MacNeil share this birthday.
Country Stars Born on May 28
1944
Gary Stewart
Gary Stewart was born in Jenkins, Kentucky. The honky-tonk singer topped the country chart in 1975 with "She's Actin' Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)."
1944
Rita MacNeil
Rita MacNeil was born in Big Pond, Nova Scotia. The Canadian singer crossed over in 1987 with "Flying On Your Own," which Anne Murray later recorded. In 1990 she outsold every country act in Canada, even Garth Brooks.
1947
Leland Sklar
Leland Sklar was born in Milwaukee. The bass player has lent his talents to more than 2,000 albums as a studio and touring musician.
1956
Jerry Douglas
Jerry Douglas was born in Warren, Ohio. The Dobro master and record producer has won the CMA Musician of the Year award three times.
1956
Brent Rowan
Brent Rowan was born in Waxahachie, Texas. The Nashville session guitarist played on records for Alabama, Alan Jackson and Chris LeDoux, and the Academy of Country Music named him Guitarist of the Year in 1989.
1962
Phil Vassar
Phil Vassar was born in Lynchburg, Virginia. Before his own hits, he wrote songs like Tim McGraw's "My Next Thirty Years" and Jo Dee Messina's "Bye, Bye." ASCAP named him Country Songwriter of the Year in 1999.
No. 1 Songs on This Date
1988
Kathy Mattea had the No. 1 country song with "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses." It tells of Charlie, a trucker hanging it up after 30 years to spend his days with his wife.
Remembering the Ones We Lost
2010
Slim Bryant died in Dormont, Pennsylvania, at 101. The guitarist was the last living musician to have recorded with Jimmie Rodgers, who cut Bryant's "Mother, the Queen of My Heart" in 1932.
2019
Songwriter Ralph Murphy died in Nashville at 75. Born in England and raised in Canada, he wrote hits like Crystal Gayle's "Half the Way" and Ronnie Milsap's "He Got You." He joined the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
Quick Answers
Which country singers were born on May 28?
Rita MacNeil (1944), Gary Stewart (1944), Leland Sklar (1947), Brent Rowan (1956), Jerry Douglas (1956) and Phil Vassar (1962) were all born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 1988, Kathy Mattea had the No. 1 country song with "Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses."
This Week in Country Music History
May 251971: Hag by Merle Haggard and the Strangers was the No. 1 country album.May 262004: Toby Keith took home four trophies at the 39th Academy of Country Music Awards in Las V…May 271981: Alabama held No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart with Feels So Right.May 291962: Jimmy Dean won the Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording for "Big Bad John" at th…May 301970: Merle Haggard and the Strangers had the No. 1 country album with Okie from Muskogee.May 311954: Steel guitar ace Paul Franklin was born.
Know someone who would enjoy this?Send them this page. The link always opens this date.
Share on FacebookEvery 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.