September 21st: On this day

1936
Born on this day in Memphis, Tennessee, was Dickey Lee, best known for the 1960s teenage tragedy songs "Patches" and "Laurie (Strange Things Happen)." He also scored the 1975 US Country #1 "Rocky."

1952
Born o this day was American country singer Kenny Starr. Between 1973 and 1978 he charted 13 singles and for much of the 1970s was a member of Loretta Lynn's touring band, the Coal Miners. Starr's biggest hit was a cover of David Geddes's single "The Blind Man in the Bleachers".

1954
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed today - September 21st the official Hank Williams Day.

1957
Born on this day in Fayetteville, Arkansas was songwriter - producer Mark Wright. Reba McEntire, Amy Grant, and Kenny Rogers have all covered his songs, and has produced hits for Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan, Mark Chesnutt, Brooks & Dunn and Gretchen Wilson.

1966
Born on this day in Big Spring, Texas, was Ronna Reeves, female country music singer. Between 1990 and 1998, she released five studio albums, she has also charted five singles on the Hot Country Songs charts.

1967
Born on this day in Ridgeland, Mississippi, was Faith Hill, country singer, songwriter known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold over 40 million records worldwide and scored eight #1 singles and three #1 albums on the US Country charts. Her Soul2Soul II Tour 2006 with McGraw became the highest-grossing country tour of all time. In 2009 Billboard named her as the #1 Adult Contemporary artist of the decade 2000-2009.

1974
Guests on this week's edition of the TV show Pop! Goes the Country included Barbara Mandrell, Bobby Bare and Ronnie Milsap. The weekly half-hour syndicated variety country series ran from 1974 through 1982 for a total of 234 episodes and was recorded at the Grand Ole Opry House. The show featured performances by and interviews with country music singers, both established celebrities and up and coming singers and musicians.

1991
Born on this day in Southfield, Michigan was Ingrid Andress. She first gained prominence when her US breakthrough single, "More Hearts Than Mine" (2019). Her debut studio album Lady Like was released in 2020.

1996
Hank Williams III, 23, made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry, following the legacy of his father, Hank Williams Jr., and grandfather Hank Williams, in performing there. His set includes "Lovesick Blues," which Hank Sr. played at his Opry debut in 1949.

1997
The life and career of Jimmie Rodgers was celebrated with a concert capping the "Waiting for a Train: Jimmie Rodgers' America" conference in Cleveland. A collaboration between the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, John Prine, Steve Earle, Levon Helm, Iris DeMent, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore all performed songs by Rodgers.

2002
The Farm Aid 02, benefit concert took place at the Post-Gazette Pavilion, Burgettstown, Pennsylvania. Held to raise money for family farmers in the US, the concerts were organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young. Artists who appeared included: Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Keith Urban, Lee Ann Womack, Kid Rock, Gillian Welch, Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Double Trouble, The Drive-By Truckers, Los Lonely Boys and Anthony Smith.

2016
American singer and songwriter John D. Loudermilk died aged 82. Although he had his own recording career during the 1950s and 1960s, he was primarily known as a songwriter. His hits include "Indian Reservation," by Paul Revere & The Raiders; "Abilene," by George Hamilton IV; and "Tobacco Road" (a hit for The Nashville Teens in 1964).

2020
Country singer Roy Head died following a heart attack age 79. He is best known for his 1965 hit record "Treat Her Right".

2022
American guitarist Ray Edenton died at the age of 95. Considered one of Nashville's most prolific studio musicians, Edenton played on more than 12,000 recording sessions as a member of The Nashville A-Team. His first appearance on a major hit was on Webb Pierce's 1953 single "There Stands the Glass and also played on Marty Robbins' "Singing the Blues", and Roger Miller's "King of the Road".