Your daily look at this day in country history, from classic Opry nights to the newest No. 1 hits.
On September 8, 2017, Don Williams, the beloved "Gentle Giant" of country music, died in Mobile, Alabama, at 78. In 2006, the movie Broken Bridges was released, with Toby Keith starring as Bo Price, a down-and-out country singer, in a story set in Tennessee. It’s also Patsy Cline’s birthday.
Don Williams, the beloved "Gentle Giant" of country music, died in Mobile, Alabama, at 78. The Texas native scored 17 No. 1 hits and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.
Jimmie Rodgers, "The Singing Brakeman" and "The Father of Country Music," was born on this day. Most records name Meridian, Mississippi, as his birthplace. In 1961 he was part of the very first class in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Songwriter Harlan Howard was born in Detroit, Michigan. He co-wrote Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" with Hank Cochran and joined the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997.
Patsy Cline was born in Winchester, Virginia. She gave us "Walkin' After Midnight," "I Fall to Pieces," "Crazy" and "She's Got You." In 1973 she became the first solo female artist in the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The movie Broken Bridges was released, with Toby Keith starring as Bo Price, a down-and-out country singer, in a story set in Tennessee. Kelly Preston, Burt Reynolds, Tess Harper and Lindsey Haun also starred.
Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry died at 50 after a helicopter crash in Medford, New Jersey. The duo had been set to play a show there that evening.
Patsy Cline (1932) was 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.