March 12th: On this day

1938
Born on this day, was Lew DeWitt, Country singer, songwriter with The Statler Brothers who had the 1984 US Country #1 hit “Elizabeth”. DeWitt who had suffered from from Crohn’s disease died on 15th August 1990.

1969
Country music winners at the 11th Annual Grammy Awards included; Best Country Vocal Performance, Female Jeannie C. Riley for “Harper Valley P.T.A.”, Best Country Vocal Performance, Male – Johnny Cash for “Folsom Prison Blues”, Best Country Performance, Duo or Group – Vocal or Instrumental – Flatt & Scruggs for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown”, and Best Country Song – Bobby Russell (songwriter) for “Little Green Apples” performed by Roger Miller / O.C. Smith.

1975
The divorce of George Jones and Tammy Wynette is finalised. Wynette took custody of their only child, Tamala and kept their home on Franklin Road in Nashville. Three of their duets (“We’re Gonna Hold On,” “Golden Ring” and “Near You”) ended up as #1 hits, two of which were recorded after their divorce in 1974.

1991
Alan Jackson scored his first #1 on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, with “I’d Love You All Over Again.” The song was written by Alan for his wife, Denise in a hotel room in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on a rainy evening.

2006
After having successful test runs in outside cities, Ring of Fire, a jukebox musical of the Johnny Cash oeuvre, debuted on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, but closed due to harsh reviews and disappointing sales on April 30 of this year.