Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On November 2, 2016, the CMA Awards marked 50 years with a big night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. In 2021, Mandy Barnett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, inducted by Connie Smith and Marty Stuart. Ryan Hurd and Charlie Walker share this birthday.
The CMA Awards marked 50 years with a big night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Garth Brooks won Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton won Male Vocalist and Carrie took Female Vocalist.
Charlie Walker was born in Copeville, Texas. The former disc jockey's biggest hit was the Harlan Howard song "Pick Me Up on Your Way Down," which reached No. 2.
k.d. lang was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and grew up in the small town of Consort. She won a Grammy for "Crying," her duet with Roy Orbison, and another for her album Absolute Torch and Twang.
Ryan Hurd was born on this day. Before making his own records, the songwriter wrote No. 1 hits for other stars, including "Lonely Tonight" for Blake Shelton and Ashley Monroe.
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were No. 1 on the country chart with their duet "Islands in the Stream." It remains one of the best-loved pairings in country music history.
Mandy Barnett became a member of the Grand Ole Opry, inducted by Connie Smith and Marty Stuart. Fans know her for playing Patsy Cline in Always... Patsy Cline, a role she has sung nearly 500 times.
Pistol Annies released Interstate Gospel, their third album. It hit No. 1 on the country albums chart and earned the trio its first Grammy nomination.
Starkville, Mississippi, opened its first Johnny Cash Flower Pickin' Festival. The town honored the Man in Black, who was arrested there in 1965 for picking flowers, and offered him a symbolic pardon.
Betsy Smittle, Garth Brooks' half-sister, died at 60. She played bass in his band for years and made a solo album of her own, Rough Around the Edges.
Source: tasteofcountry.comTommy Overstreet died at 78 in Hillsboro, Oregon. The Oklahoma City native had 11 top 10 country hits, and "Ann (Don't Go Runnin')" climbed to No. 2 in 1972.
Charlie Walker (1926) and Ryan Hurd (1986) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1983, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were No. 1 on the country chart with their duet "Islands in the Stream."
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.