Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On November 19, 2023, Morgan Wallen led the Billboard Music Awards with 11 wins. In 1954, Faron Young became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. It’s also Billy Currington’s birthday.
Morgan Wallen led the Billboard Music Awards with 11 wins. His haul included top male artist, top Billboard 200 album for One Thing at a Time, and top Hot 100 song for "Last Night."
Billy Currington was born in Savannah, Georgia. He went on to score No. 1 hits like "Must Be Doin' Somethin' Right," "Good Directions" and "People Are Crazy." He also sang with Shania Twain on the country version of "Party for Two."
Kenny Rogers held the top spot on the country albums chart with Kenny, his eighth studio album. It carried "You Decorated My Life" and "Coward of the County" and stayed at No. 1 for a record 25 weeks.
Mary Chapin Carpenter hit No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "Shut Up and Kiss Me." The upbeat tune later earned her a 1995 Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
Faron Young became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The singer folks called the "Hillbilly Heartthrob" kept landing hits for more than 30 years, with No. 1 songs like "Hello Walls" and "It's Four in the Morning."
Alan Jackson sent out "Small Town Southern Man," the first single from his album Good Time. By March 2008 it reached No. 1, giving Jackson his 23rd chart-topper on the country songs chart.
Mel Tillis died in Ocala, Florida, at 85. He topped the charts with "I Ain't Never" in 1972, and later with "Good Woman Blues" and "Coca-Cola Cowboy." A stutter marked his speech all his life, but never his singing.
Billy Currington (1973) was born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1979, Kenny Rogers held the top spot on the country albums chart with Kenny, his eighth studio album. In 1994, Mary Chapin Carpenter hit No. 1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "Shut Up and Kiss Me."
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.