Country Calendar-Jan.21

The Music and Memories of January 21

Kevin's Country Calendar

The Headlines:

1987- Dwight Yoakam picks up his first gold record for the album "Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.."  The album featured his break through hit "Honky Tonk Man" co-written and originally recorded by Johnny Horton in 1956.

The #1 Hits:

1989- She's Crazy For Leavin'- Rodney Crowell

1984- In My Eyes- John Conlee

1978- What A Difference You Made In My Life- Ronnie Milsap

1950- Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy- Red Foley

Birthdays:

Mac Davis, 1942.  Mac started his career working as a record rep for Vee-Jay and Liberty records trying to get radio stations to add the records of pop stars.  However, in 1970 he pushes his own songs with his debut on the Billboard Country charts.  In 1972,  he scores the crossover hit "Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me."  He records more "country" sounding hits like "It's Hard To Be Humble," "You're My Bestest Friend," and "Hooked On Music" in the 1980s.

Deaths:

Colonel Tom Parker, 1997.  Colonel Tom brought groundbreaking management deals and ideas to the Country Music Business.   Best known as the man behind Elvis, he started out managing Eddy Arnold and Hank Snow before helping Elvis become the "King."  George Strait also revealed that frequent run-ins with Colonel Tom inspired him to star in the movie "Pure Country."  The colonel would often tell George that he needed to get in the movies, like Elvis did, as it would only boost his career.

Kevin Richards' Classic Country Hall of Fame Show is heard every Sunday, 6-9am eastern on Country 107.7/WGNA-FM.

Sources: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, The Country Music Foundation, Billboard Magazine, CMT, The Country Music Association, and The Academy of Country Music