THE BIG MOMENT2010
Blake Shelton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry
Blake Shelton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. His friend Trace Adkins, who had invited him a month earlier, welcomed him into the Opry family.
On This Day in Country Music: October 23
Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
What happened on October 23 in country music history?
On October 23, 2010, Blake Shelton became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1967, Glen Campbell released his single "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," written by Jimmy Webb. David Wills and Dwight Yoakam share this birthday.
Country Stars Born on October 23
1951
David Wills
David Wills was born in Pulaski, Tennessee. Besides singing, he wrote songs for others, including George Strait's "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)" and Garth Brooks' "Wild Horses."
1956
Dwight Yoakam
Dwight Yoakam was born in Pikeville, Kentucky. His first three albums all went to No. 1 on the country chart, and he earned praise as an actor in the 1996 film Sling Blade.
1972
Jimmy Wayne
Jimmy Wayne was born in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. His 2003 debut album gave him the Top 10 hits "Stay Gone" and "I Love You This Much." In 2008, "Do You Believe Me Now" became his first No. 1 song.
No. 1 Songs on This Date
2011
Scotty McCreery held the top spot on the country albums chart with Clear as Day. The "American Idol" winner's first album also opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
New Music on This Date
1967
Glen Campbell released his single "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," written by Jimmy Webb. It reached No. 2 on the country chart and won him two Grammy Awards.
2007
Carrie Underwood released Carnival Ride, her second album. It opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and the country albums chart. "So Small," "All-American Girl," "Last Name" and "Just a Dream" all went to No. 1.
2015
Carrie Underwood released Storyteller, her fifth album. It opened at No. 1 on the country albums chart, her sixth straight album to do so. "Heartbeat" and "Church Bells" both became No. 1 radio hits.
On TV and the Big Screen
1982
The Righteous Brothers joined Glen Campbell on his weekly TV program, The Glen Campbell Music Show. Together they sang "True Grit" and "An American Trilogy."
1992
Pure Country opened in movie theaters, with George Strait in his first acting role. The soundtrack went six times platinum and became the biggest-selling album of his career.
Remembering the Ones We Lost
1978
Maybelle Carter died at 69 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Her guitar playing shaped the sound of the original Carter Family, and she later led Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters. She entered the Country Music Hall of Fame with the Carter Family in 1970.
2020
Jerry Jeff Walker died at 78 in Austin, Texas, after a battle with throat cancer. A leader of the outlaw country movement, he wrote the 1968 classic "Mr. Bojangles."
2023
Merv Shiner died at 102 in Tampa, Florida. He had a Top 10 country hit with "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me" and a big 1950 seller with "Peter Cottontail." Hank Williams introduced him at his Grand Ole Opry debut.
Source: savingcountrymusic.comQuick Answers
Which country singers were born on October 23?
David Wills (1951), Dwight Yoakam (1956) and Jimmy Wayne (1972) were all born on this date.
What was the No. 1 country song on this date?
It depends on the year. In 2011, Scotty McCreery held the top spot on the country albums chart with Clear as Day.
This Week in Country Music History
October 201967: The very first CMA Awards were handed out at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium, with n…October 212012: Piano man Hargus "Pig" Robbins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.October 221966: Eddy Arnold went into the Country Music Hall of Fame at age 48.October 242023: Jon Pardi was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry by his hero Garth Brooks, becoming the f…October 252017: Kenny Rogers said goodbye to Nashville with the All In for the Gambler concert at Bridg…October 262019: Luke Combs' This One's for You returned to No. 1 on Billboard's country albums chart.
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