Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On September 25, 2015, Don Henley released Cass County, his fifth solo studio album. In 2012, Loretta Lynn reached 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Shel Silverstein and Joe Sun share this birthday.
Don Henley released Cass County, his fifth solo studio album. Made mostly in Nashville, it went to No. 1 on the country albums chart. Guests included Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride and Trisha Yearwood.
Royce Kendall was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He and his daughter Jeannie sang together as The Kendalls and took "Heaven's Just a Sin Away," "Sweet Desire" and "Thank God for the Radio" to No. 1. Royce died on May 22, 1998.
Shel Silverstein was born in Chicago. The poet and children's author also wrote country songs fans still love, including Johnny Cash's "A Boy Named Sue" and Loretta Lynn's "One's on the Way." He also co-wrote "The Taker" for Waylon Jennings and penned Tompall Glaser's "Put Another Log on the Fire."
Joe Sun was born in Rochester, Minnesota. He placed 14 singles on the country charts, and his best showing came with his first one, "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You," which reached No. 14 in 1978. He died on October 25, 2019, at 76.
George Morgan became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. A year later, his smooth ballad "Candy Kisses" went to No. 1. Fans also remember his string of rose songs, like "Room Full of Roses" and "Red Roses for a Blue Lady."
Loretta Lynn reached 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. The Coal Miner's Daughter had joined the Opry cast on September 25, 1962.
George Jones put out "You All Goodnight," his third single for Starday Records. He cut it that June in Bill Quinn's living room on Brock Street in Houston, Texas.
Tammy Wynette released her album My Man on Epic Records. It climbed to No. 2 on the country albums chart. Two of its singles, "My Man (Understands)" and "'Til I Get It Right," both went to No. 1.
Patsy Cline taped an episode of the Pet Milk Grand Ole Opry TV show in Nashville. She sang "When I Get Through With You (You'll Love Me Too)" and "Why Can't He Be You."
Source: patsyclinediscography.comA young Dolly Parton made her first appearance on The Porter Wagoner Show, singing songs from her first album, "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy." She took over the girl singer spot once held by Norma Jean and stayed about seven years, cutting many duets with Porter.
Source: calendar.songfacts.comMel Tillis was the guest on The Glen Campbell Music Show. He sang Hank Williams favorites like "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" and "Kaw-Liga," and joined Glen on "Detroit City" and "I Saw the Light."
The U.S. Postal Service released 29-cent stamps honoring Hank Williams, the Carter Family, Patsy Cline and Bob Wills. The country set was part of the Legends of American Music series, and first day of issue was in Nashville.
Source: mysticstamp.comHugh Wright, the drummer who helped start Boy Howdy, died of natural causes at 63. The band placed seven singles on the country charts in the 1990s.
Jean Shepard died at 82 in Gallatin, Tennessee. The honky-tonk singer hit No. 1 with Ferlin Husky on "A Dear John Letter" and also scored with "A Satisfied Mind" and "Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar)." She was the first woman to be an Opry member for 60 years.
Royce Kendall (1927), Shel Silverstein (1930) and Joe Sun (1943) were all born on this date.
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.