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On This Day in Country Music: October 21

Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.

What happened on October 21 in country music history?

On October 21, 2012, Piano man Hargus "Pig" Robbins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2020, the CMT Music Awards were held in Nashville. Owen Bradley and Kane Brown share this birthday.

THE BIG MOMENT2012

Piano man Hargus "Pig" Robbins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame

Piano man Hargus "Pig" Robbins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He played on records for George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard and many more, and he was twice named CMA Musician of the Year.

Country Stars Born on October 21

1915

Owen Bradley

Owen Bradley was born in Westmoreland, Tennessee. As a producer he helped shape the smooth Nashville Sound, guiding records by Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee and Conway Twitty.

1932

Roy Nichols

Roy Nichols was born in Chandler, Arizona. He played lead guitar in Merle Haggard's band, The Strangers, for about 22 years and helped give the Bakersfield Sound its twang. He died in 2001.

1935

Mel Street

Mel Street was born near Grundy, Virginia. The honky-tonk singer broke through in 1972 with "Borrowed Angel," and "Lovin' on Back Streets" went on to be his biggest record.

Source: wvpublic.org
1977

Matthew Ramsey

Matthew Ramsey, lead singer of Old Dominion, was born in Buchanan, Virginia. Before the band took off, he co-wrote hits for others, including Dierks Bentley's "Say You Do" and Craig Morgan's "Wake Up Lovin' You."

1993

Kane Brown

Kane Brown was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2017 he became the first artist to top all five main Billboard country charts at once, and his 2018 album Experiment hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

No. 1 Songs on This Date

1980

Don Williams held the No. 1 spot on the country chart with "I Believe in You." It was his 11th country chart-topper and also became a hit overseas.

Big Awards Nights

2020

The CMT Music Awards were held in Nashville. Carrie Underwood won Video of the Year for "Drinking Alone." Luke Bryan, Gabby Barrett, Old Dominion and Dan + Shay also took home trophies.

Remembering the Ones We Lost

1978

Honky-tonk singer Mel Street died on his birthday in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Fans remember him for "Borrowed Angel" and "Lovin' on Back Streets."

Source: wvpublic.org

Quick Answers

Which country singers were born on October 21?

Owen Bradley (1915), Roy Nichols (1932), Mel Street (1935) and Kane Brown (1993) were all born on this date.

What was the No. 1 country song on this date?

It depends on the year. In 1980, Don Williams held the No. 1 spot on the country chart with "I Believe in You."

This Week in Country Music History

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