Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On May 6, 1985, the 20th Academy of Country Music Awards honored Reba McEntire and George Strait as top female and male vocalists. In 1970, Marty Robbins held the top spot on the country chart with "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," his 14th No. 1. Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Cliff Carlisle share this birthday.
The 20th Academy of Country Music Awards honored Reba McEntire and George Strait as top female and male vocalists. Alabama won top vocal group, and newcomers Vince Gill and Nicolette Larson took the new artist honors. Glen Campbell, Janie Fricke and Loretta Lynn hosted.
Cliff Carlisle was born in Taylorsville, Kentucky. The country and blues singer could yodel, and he helped bring the Hawaiian steel guitar into country music.
Jimmie Dale Gilmore was born in Amarillo, Texas. In 1994 the singer and songwriter joined Willie Nelson on "Crazy" for the charity album Red Hot + Country.
Marty Robbins held the top spot on the country chart with "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," his 14th No. 1. The song later earned him a Grammy for Best Country Song.
Shania Twain sat at No. 1 on the country chart with "You Win My Love," her third chart-topper. It was the fifth single from The Woman in Me, and Mutt Lange wrote it by himself.
Kenny Chesney released "The Good Stuff." The song went on to be his fifth No. 1 on the Billboard country chart and stayed there for seven weeks.
Lady Antebellum's fifth studio album, Golden, came out in Europe, one day ahead of its U.S. release. It opened at No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top Country Albums chart.
Merle Haggard made the cover of Time magazine in its May 6, 1974, issue.
Bob Kingsley became the host of the radio show American Country Countdown, taking over from Don Bowman. He had produced the show since 1974, and he kept the host chair until 2005.
Cliff Carlisle (1903) and Jimmie Dale Gilmore (1945) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1970, Marty Robbins held the top spot on the country chart with "My Woman, My Woman, My Wife," his 14th No. 1. In 1996, Shania Twain sat at No. 1 on the country chart with "You Win My Love," her third chart-topper.
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.