John Schneider Born, Kenny Rogers Debuts In Gambler-Today In Country History

The Music and Memories of April 8

2006- Rascal Flatts hit No. 1 with 'What Hurts The Most.'

1989- Keith Whitley is at No. 1 with 'I'm No Stranger To The Rain.' Sadly, just a few weeks after this song about overcoming depression and alcoholism reaches the top, Keith Whitley dies of an alcohol overdose after suffering from depression and addiction.

1980- Kenny Rogers debuts the character Brady Hawkes in the made for TV movie 'The Gambler.'  The movie, based on his 1978 hit single, becomes the longest running mini-series in television history.  The last Gambler movie to date co-stars Reba McEntire in 1991.

1942- Liberty Records is formed.  The company later becomes Capitol Records, the home of stars like Merle Haggard, Keith Urban, Garth Brooks, and Lady Antebellum.

Birthdays

John Schneider, 1960. John plays the role of Bo Duke in the "Dukes Of Hazzard" television series, then scores country hits with 'I've Been Around Enough To Know' 'Country Girls' and 'At The Sound Of The Tone' on MCA records.   After John's radio career stalls, he concentrates on acting with hit roles like Jonathan Kent on Smallville.