August 17th: On this day

1921
Born on this day was American country singer and harmonica player Wayne Raney. His longtime musical associate was Lonnie Glosson and the two men established a harmonica mail order business which sold millions of harmonicas and played a major role in turning the harmonica into a widely popular instrument. His 1949 single, "Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me", was a #1 country hit. He died on January 23, 1993.

1952
Hank Williams was arrested in Alexander City, Alabama for public drunkeness. The famous and much used photo of Hank Williams shirtless was taken as he was let out of jail later in the day.

1955
Born on this day in Long Beach, California, was Kevin Welch, country music artist who has charted five singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts.

1963
American country and folk music vocal trio The Browns was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. They are best known for their 1959 Grammy-nominated hit, "The Three Bells".

1964
Born on this day in Los Angeles, California, was Maria McKee, singer and songwriter who is best known for her work with Lone Justice and her 1990 UK solo chart-topping hit, "Show Me Heaven". Many country atrists have covered her songs including The Dixie Chicks, "Am I the Only One (Who's Ever Felt This Way?)", and Dwight Yoakam who with Maria McKee recorded "Bury Me" on his debut album Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.

1985
Highwayman featuring Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson was at #1 on the Billboard Country album chart.

1989
Born on this day was Mitchell Tenpenny III. He charted in 2018 with the single "Drunk Me", released on Columbia Records Nashville. He also co wrote "If the Boot Fits" with Granger Smith and the song made it to the top 10 on country airplay chart.

1991
George Strait's "You Know Me Better Than That" was at #1 on the Billboard country singles chart, the second single from his 1991 album Chill of an Early Fall.

2007
Uncle Kracker was arrested and charged with second-degree forcible sex after a 26-year-old woman claimed he committed a sexual act against her at a nightclub in Raleigh, N.C. The 33-year-old singer and rapper, whose real name is Matthew Shafer, was booked into the Wake County Jail after being arrested at a hotel in a Raleigh suburb. Bond was set at $5 million. His duet "When the Sun Goes Down," with Kenny Chesney, spent five weeks at the top of Billboard's country chart in 2004.

2008
Linda Ronstadt received a tribute by various artists including BeBe Winans and Wynonna Judd, when she was honored with the Trailblazer Award, presented to her by Placido Domingo at the 2008 ALMA Awards a ceremony later televised in the US on ABC.

2014
Johnny Cash's childhood home was opened to the public as part of a drive to revitalise the Arkansas town where he grew up. The Cash family moved to the house in Dyess in 1935, when Johnny was three, as part of a government drive to help families after the Great Depression. The five-room wooden home had been refurbished and featured the family's piano as well as other period items.

2020
Taylor Swift marks her return to country music radio in three years with the release of "Betty", off her Folklore album.