THE BIG MOMENT1954
Steel guitar ace Paul Franklin was born
Steel guitar ace Paul Franklin was born. He has played on records for George Strait, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Barbara Mandrell and many more.
On This Day in Country Music: May 31
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on May 31 in country music history?
On May 31, 1954, Steel guitar ace Paul Franklin was born. In 1978, Kenny Rogers and Dottie West had the No. 1 country album with Every Time Two Fools Collide. It’s also Johnny Paycheck’s birthday.
Country Stars Born on May 31
1938
Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck was born Donald Eugene Lytle in Greenfield, Ohio. He is best known for "Take This Job and Shove It," written by David Allan Coe. He joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1997 and died in 2003.
1943
Wayne Carson
Songwriter Wayne Carson was born in Denver, Colorado. He wrote "The Letter" and "Neon Rainbow," and he co-wrote "Always on My Mind" with Mark James and Johnny Christopher. He died in 2015 at 72.
1982
Casey James
Singer and guitarist Casey James was born in Plano, Texas. He finished third on the ninth season of American Idol, and his self-titled 2012 album reached No. 2 on the country albums chart.
No. 1 Songs on This Date
1978
Kenny Rogers and Dottie West had the No. 1 country album with Every Time Two Fools Collide. It was their first album as a duo.
1994
Tim McGraw earned his first No. 1 country single with "Don't Take the Girl." Craig Martin and Larry W. Johnson wrote the tearjerker, which also climbed to No. 17 on the pop chart.
Love, Family and Life Events
2006
Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town got married. The two bandmates sing side by side in the vocal group.
More Moments to Remember
2025
Morgan Wallen set a new record with 37 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at once. Thirty-six came from his album I'm the Problem, plus "I Had Some Help" with Post Malone. He broke his own mark of 36.
Source: billboard.substack.comRemembering the Ones We Lost
2017
Songwriter Naomi Martin died at 89. She wrote No. 1 hits "My Eyes Can Only See as Far as You" for Charley Pride and "Let's Take the Long Way Around the World" for Ronnie Milsap. She also helped a young Blake Shelton get his start.
Source: musicrow.comQuick Answers
Which country singers were born on May 31?
Johnny Paycheck (1938) was born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 1978, Kenny Rogers and Dottie West had the No. 1 country album with Every Time Two Fools Collide. In 1994, Tim McGraw earned his first No. 1 country single with "Don't Take the Girl."
This Week in Country Music History
May 281979: Dolly Parton released Great Balls of Fire, her 21st solo studio album.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.June 12013: George Strait played the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, with Miranda Lambert and Mart…June 21990: Banjo picker and funnyman Mike Snider joined the Grand Ole Opry.June 31997: Tim McGraw released Everywhere, his fourth studio album, on Curb Records.
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