Country Calendar-Jan.24

2003- Joe Nichols gets the Opry rockin' and does something that's never been done before at the Ryman Auditorium.  As he sings his song "Brokenheartsville," on the Grand Ole Opry, a green bra is tossed on stage as he sings.  It's reported that this is the first time an undergarment has ever been thrown on the Opry stage in history.

1994- The "Pure Country" soundtrack becomes George Strait's first triple-platinum album.  George is awarded for 3 million shipments of the album containing the hits "Heartland" and "I Cross My Heart."  Plus, film favorites "The King Of Broken Hearts" and "Where The Sidewalk Ends."

The #1 Hits:

1981- 9 To 5- Dolly Parton

1953- I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive- Hank Williams, Sr. (ironically hitting the top of the charts a few weeks after his death)

Birthdays:

Doug Kershaw, 1936.  Third cousin of Sammy Kershaw, Doug breaks through with a song called "Louisiana Man" performed with his brother as "Rusty and Doug."  Then, he delivers cajun favored songs for the remainder of his career.

Ray Stevens, 1939.  Ray scores a gold selling single with "Everything Is Beautiful" in 1970.  Then goes on to record novelty hits like "The Streak," Mississippi Squirrel Revival," and "It's Me Again, Margaret."

Becky Hobbs, 1950.  Becky joins Moe Bandy for a hit duet called "Let's Get Over Them Together."  Becky scores a few modest hits and co-writes the Alabama hit "Angels Among Us."

Deaths:

Justin Tubb, 1998.  The son of Country Music legend Ernest Tubb, he scores a couple of hits with the songs "Looking Back To See" and "Sure Fire Kisses" with Goldie Hill.   Justin co-writes the classic "Lonesome 7-7203," a hit for Hawkshaw Hawkins, and remains a favorite on the Grand Ole Opry throughout his life.

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