June 22nd: On this day
1930
Born on this day in Atlanta, Georgia, was Roy Drusky, singer who was popular from the 1960s through the early 1970s. Known for his baritone voice. His highest-charting single was the #1 "Yes Mr. Peters", a duet with Priscilla Mitchell. He died on September 23, 2004.
1936
Born on this day in Brownsville, Texas, was Kris Kristofferson, musician, actor, and writer, known for such hits as "Me and Bobby McGee", "For the Good Times", "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down", and "Help Me Make It Through the Night". In 1985, Kristofferson joined fellow country artists Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash in forming the country music supergroup "The Highwaymen". In 2004, Kristofferson was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He died on 28 September 2024 age 88.
1957
Patsy Cline her fourth appearance on the networked TV show Ozark Jubilee performing "Walkin' After Midnight" and "Try Again". Cline made a total of sixteen appearances on the Jubilee. The series helped popularize country music in America's cities and suburbs drawing more than nine million viewers.
1972
American country music guitarist and singer-songwriter Elton Britt died aged 58. He recorded over 60 albums for RCA and is best known for such hit songs as "Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)," "Detour," "Chime Bells," "Maybe I'll Cry Over You," "Pinto Pal," and the million-selling wartime hit "There's a Star-Spangled Banner Waving Somewhere".
1974
Charlie Rich was at #1 on the US Country chart with Behind Closed Doors. The album received three Country Music Association awards: Best Male Vocalist, Album of the Year, and Single of the Year, for the title song written by Kenny O'Dell. Rich won the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, and he took home four Academy of Country Music awards.
1984
The movie Rhinestone, starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone was released to universally negative reviews. The much-hyped movie - about a singer's effort to transform a New York City taxicab driver into a country star within two weeks - flops, but still produced several hit singles, most notably the #1 hit "Tennessee Homesick Blues."
1999
George Jones released his 56th studio album Cold Hard Truth which peaked at #5 on the Country album charts. The track "Choices" from the album won Jones the Grammy for Best Male Country Vocal Performance.
2001
New York City observes Reba McEntire Day as the singer ended her five-month run on Broadway in a production of Annie Get Your Gun. Crystal Bernard took over McEntire's role in the production.
2011
Glen Campbell announced he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This news came five months after Campbell announced his retirement from the music business.
2019
American drummer and record producer Jerry Carrigan died age 75. He first achieved widespread recognition by being part of the original Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He recorded with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Stevens, Kenny Rogers, George Jones and many others.