Kenny Rogers Breaks Record, Darius Rucker Born-Today In Country History

The Music and Memories of May 13

2000- Kenny Rogers makes history by becoming the oldest act to ever have a No. 1 song on the Billboard Country charts.  At age 61, he lands at the top with 'Buy Me A Rose.' As the single is released, the hit television show "Touched By An Angel" creates an entire episode around the song. The single is supported by back-up vocals from Alison Krauss and Billy Dean.

1975- Bob Wills dies of a stroke at the age of 70.  Wills was known for his Western Swing classics 'New San Antonio Rose' and 'Faded Love.'

1966- The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band gives it's first performance in California.  Starting out as a Country-Folk-Rock group, they break through the Country scene with their Grammy winning "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" project, then rack up '80s Country hits with 'Long Hard Road' 'Modern Day Romance' and 'Fishin' In The Dark.'

Birthdays

Darius Rucker, 1966.  The former lead vocalist of the multi-platinum selling group Hootie and the Blowfish, he goes Country with the release of 'Don't Think I Don't Think About It.'  In addition to winning the CMA's Male Vocalist of the Year, he makes history as the first African American to have a solo No. 1 hit since Charley Pride's 1983 hit 'Night Games.'