Today In Country History-Paisley Joins Heroes, Page Gets State Song

The Music and Memories of February 17

The Headlines:

2001- Brad Paisley is inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. He wears the yellow jacket that Buck Owens wore the night he recorded his "Live At Carnegie Hall" album.  Since 1999, Brad had played the Opry on his rise to stardom showing respect for forgotten legends and exposing traditional Country Music for the new generation of Country fans.

1965- "Tennessee Waltz" is declared Tennessee's official state song in a resolution signed by Gov. Frank Clement.  Patti Page records the biggest hit version of the Pee Wee King/Redd Stewart composition.  The song peaks at Number 2 in 1950, where it stays put for 3 weeks, sells a million copies and is eventually inducted into the Grammy Song Hall of Fame.  Patti was one of the biggest crossover superstars of the 1950s, much like Shania Twain and Taylor Swift in modern Country Music, she also dominated the pop music charts during her streak of popularity. 

The #1 Hits:

2001- There Is No Arizona- Jamie O'Neal

1996- Bigger Than The Beatles- Joe Diffie

1990- On Second Thought- Eddie Rabbitt

1973- I Wonder If They Ever Think Of Me- Merle Haggard

Birthdays:

Bryan White, 1974.  In 1996 he wins the CMA Horizon Award for best new artist thanks to songs like "Someone Else's Star," "Rebecca Lynn" and "So Much For Pretending."  In 1992 he starts his career as a songwriter for Glen Campbell Music and becomes one of the hottest male stars of the 90s, leading up to a duet with Shania Twain on "From This Moment On" in 1997.