Today In Country History- Rimes Is Young Grammy Winner, Desert Rose Band Ends

The Music and Memories of February 26

 The Headlines

1997- LeAnn Rimes wins two Grammys.  One year after breaking through with her retro sounding hit "Blue," she grabs Best New Artist in the all-genre category and Best Country Female Vocal Performance.  LeAnn is one of the youngest Grammy winners in history at the age of 16.

 1994- The Desert Rose Band plays its final concert in California.  Formed by Chris Hillman, who also founded The Flying Burrito Brothers and The Byrds, the group has hits with "One Step Forward" "He's Back and I'm Blue" and "I Still Believe In You" from 1987-1993.

The #1 Hits

2000- My Best Friend- Tim McGraw

1983- Why Baby Why- Charley Pride

1977- Say You'll Stay Until Tomorrow- Tom Jones

1944- Ration Blues- Louis Jordan

Birthdays

Johnny Cash, 1932.  Johnny comes to Country Music via Sun Records in Memphis.  In 1955 he places the first of 139 chart entries with "Cry, Cry, Cry" on the Billboard Country Charts.  The final is his Grammy winning hit, "Hurt" in 2003.  Johnny dies in September of 2003, at the age of 71, after a struggle with a rare neurological disease and diabetes.