Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On October 9, 1978, Johnny Cash hosted the 12th CMA Awards on CBS. In 1989, George Strait was named Entertainer of the Year at the 23rd CMA Awards, hosted by Anne Murray and Kenny Rogers. Brandy Clark and Scotty McCreery share this birthday.
Johnny Cash hosted the 12th CMA Awards on CBS. Dolly Parton won Entertainer of the Year, Crystal Gayle took Female Vocalist, and the Oak Ridge Boys won Vocal Group. Kenny Rogers and Dottie West were named Vocal Duo of the Year.
Songwriter Kye Fleming was born in Pensacola, Florida. She penned big hits for Ronnie Milsap and Barbara Mandrell, including "Smoky Mountain Rain" and "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool." She joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009.
Tommy Shane Steiner was born in Austin, Texas. His 2001 debut single, "What If She's an Angel," climbed all the way to No. 2 on the country chart.
Brandy Clark was born in Morton, Washington. She co-wrote "Follow Your Arrow" for Kacey Musgraves and "Mama's Broken Heart" for Miranda Lambert, and earned a Grammy nod for Best New Artist in 2015.
Scotty McCreery was born in North Carolina. He won the 10th season of American Idol in 2011, and his first album, Clear as Day, opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Megan Moroney was born in Savannah, Georgia, and grew up near Atlanta. Her breakout song "Tennessee Orange" led off her 2023 debut album, Lucky.
Source: americansongwriter.comHank Snow's "I'm Moving On" was in the middle of a 21-week stay at No. 1 on the country chart. It was the first of seven No. 1 hits for the Canadian-born star.
George Strait was named Entertainer of the Year at the 23rd CMA Awards, hosted by Anne Murray and Kenny Rogers. Keith Whitley's "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" won Single of the Year, and Hank Jr. and Hank Sr.'s "There's a Tear in My Beer" won two awards.
Johnny Cash headlined a Louisiana Hayride show at the Cherry Spring Dance Hall in the Texas Hill Country. A young Elvis Presley was also on the bill, along with Porter Wagoner and Floyd Cramer.
Source: texasescapes.comElvis and Priscilla Presley's divorce became final after about six years of marriage. The couple had wed in Las Vegas in 1967 and shared a daughter, Lisa Marie.
Banjo man Buck Trent died at 85. He played with Bill Monroe and spent years in Porter Wagoner's band, playing on Dolly Parton records like "Jolene." Hee Haw fans remember him well, and he is credited with creating the electric banjo.
Source: savingcountrymusic.comTommy Shane Steiner (1973), Brandy Clark (1975), Scotty McCreery (1993) and Megan Moroney (1997) were all born on this date.
It depends on the year. In 1950, Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On" was in the middle of a 21-week stay at No. 1 on the country chart.
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.