Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On November 9, 2004, Brooks & Dunn hosted the 38th CMA Awards, the last one held at the Grand Ole Opry House. In 2010, A tribute album for Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner's Daughter, came out on Columbia Records to mark her 50 years in music. Kevin Savigar and George D. Hay share this birthday.
Brooks & Dunn hosted the 38th CMA Awards, the last one held at the Grand Ole Opry House. Kenny Chesney won Entertainer and Album for When The Sun Goes Down. Martina McBride and Keith Urban won top vocalist honors, and "Whiskey Lullaby" by Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss won two trophies.
George D. Hay was born in Attica, Indiana. Calling himself "The Solemn Old Judge," he started the WSM Barn Dance in Nashville, the radio show that grew into the Grand Ole Opry.
Kevin Savigar was born in London, England. The keyboard player, producer and songwriter is best known for his long run with Rod Stewart, and he also played on records by Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan.
Chris Lane was born in Kernersville, North Carolina. His song "I Don't Know About You" went all the way to No. 1 on Billboard's country airplay chart.
Marty Robbins hit No. 1 on the country singles chart with "I Walk Alone." It was his 13th chart-topper and held the spot for two weeks. Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells and Willie Nelson all recorded the song the next year.
Taylor Swift was named Entertainer of the Year at the 45th CMA Awards in Nashville. She became just the second woman to win it twice, after Barbara Mandrell. Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert won the top vocalist awards, and Jason Aldean's My Kinda Party won Album.
Luke Combs was named Entertainer of the Year at the 56th CMA Awards, and his Growin' Up won Album. Lainey Wilson took both Female Vocalist and New Artist. "Buy Dirt" by Jordan Davis won Song of the Year.
Faith Hill released Breathe, her fourth studio album. It opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, her first time topping that all-genre chart, and it went on to be certified 8 times Platinum.
A tribute album for Loretta Lynn, Coal Miner's Daughter, came out on Columbia Records to mark her 50 years in music. Alan Jackson and Martina McBride teamed up on "Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man," and Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, Faith Hill and Lee Ann Womack joined in too.
Fans learned that Merle Haggard had been diagnosed with lung cancer that May. Earlier in November, doctors removed part of one lung, and he was already home recovering.
Bob Kingsley, who had hosted American Country Countdown for 27 years, stepped away when talks with ABC Radio Networks over a new deal broke down. Kix Brooks of Brooks & Dunn was named the new host, starting January 21, 2006.
George D. Hay (1895), Kevin Savigar (1956) and Chris Lane (1984) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1968, Marty Robbins hit No. 1 on the country singles chart with "I Walk Alone."
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.