Ray Turner’s Day in Country Music History

January 21st: On this day

1942
Born on this day, was Mac Davis, country music singer, songwriter, and actor His early work writing for Elvis Presley produced multiple #1 hits (including “Memories”, “In The Ghetto”, and the latently popular “A Little Less Conversation”).

1970
Special guests on this week’s Johnny Cash ABC television music variety show included, Arlo Guthrie, Jose Feliciano (who performed a duet with Cash on “I Guess Things Happen That Way”), and Bobbie Gentry who performed “Fancy (Don’t Let Me Down)” and a duet with Cash on “On The Banks Of The Old Pontchartrain.”

1985
Wanted: The Outlaws, featuring Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glaser, was certified double-platinum.

1987
Dwight Yoakam was awared his first gold album, for his debut Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. The album featured his first three hits “Honky Tonk Man”, “Guitars, Cadillacs”, and “It Won’t Hurt”.

1987
Bruce Springsteen inducted Roy Orbison into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. Other artists inducted on the night included: The Coasters, Eddie Cochran, Bo Diddley, Carl Perkins, Muddy Waters, Hank Williams and Jackie Wilson.

2006
Carrie Underwood was at #1 on the Billboard Country charts for the first of six weeks with “Jesus, Take The Wheel.” Later this year it was reported that “Jesus, Take the Wheel” had sold more than 1 million ringtones.

2012
Lady Antebellum were at #1 on the US County chart with Own the Night which won the Grammy Award for Best Country Album at the 54th Grammy Awards. Four singles were released from Own the Night, “Just a Kiss”, “We Owned the Night”, “Dancin’ Away with My Heart” and “Wanted You More”.