Country California

2008 – Mercury releases Jamey Johnson’s That Lonesome Song, hallowed be thy name.

2007 – Kenny Chesney hits the top of the Billboard country singles chart with “Never Wanted Nothing More,” which is followed shortly by “Well, Maybe Just A Grammar Book.”

2000 – Neal McCoy’s self-titled 1996 album is certified gold. The baby Jesus cries.

1999 – Patsy Cline receives a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Cline arrives late to the ceremony, apologizing profusely and explaining that she has, in fact, been dead for 36 years.

1993 – Giant releases Clay Walker’s self-titled debut album, which forever changes the face of modern music. Ten years later, the label celebrates the decade anniversary of the landmark release by no longer existing.

1984 – The Judds hit the top of the Billboard country singles chart for the first time with “Mama He’s Crazy.” They are given commemorative plaques, which they stow away inside their enormous hairdos.

1979 – One For The Road, a duet album featuring Willie Nelson & Leon Russell, is certified gold. Some critics speculate that it wouldn’t have sold half as many copies without all that eye candy on the cover.

1971 – The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band begins work on the three-record set Will The Circle Be Unbroken. The first day of recording features collaborations with Merle Travis on “I Am A Pilgrim” and Bette Midler on “John Henry.” Sadly, the latter collaboration does not end up making the final release.

1966 – Lonestar keyboard player Dean Sams born in Garland, Texas. As soon as the cord is cut and his paperwork is in order, he is asked to please leave the state and name Oklahoma as his place of birth.

1957 – Elvis Presley tops the Billboard country singles chart with “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear.” To celebrate, he visits several country stations dressed as one.

1934 – Vern Gosdin born in Woodland, Alabama. Gosdin will come to be known as “The Voice” before personally handing that title down to Gary LeVox in 1999.

1927 – Jimmie Rodgers records for the first time in Bristol, Tennessee, singing “The Soldier’s Sweetheart” and “T.B. Ain’t Got Sh*t On Me,” the latter of which ends up seeming slightly cocky in retrospect.

1921 – Webb Pierce born in West Monroe, Louisiana. His parents are forced to outfit the entire hospital with new windows after baby Webb’s birth cry breaks all glass within a hundred yard radius.