July 2nd: On this day

1923
Born on this day, in Maces Spring, Virginia, was Janette Carter who was the last surviving child of A.P. and Sara Carter, of Carter Family musical fame. In 1976, she and community members built an 880-seat amphitheater, the Carter Family Fold, beside the store her father operated in Southwestern Virginia. Today, the Carter Family Fold attracts more than 50,000 visitors a year. She died on 22nd Jan 2006 aged 82.

1925
Born on this day, in Wichita, Kansas, was Marvin Rainwater, country and rockabilly singer and songwriter who had several hits during the late 1950s, including "Gonna Find Me a Bluebird" and "Whole Lotta Woman." He was known for wearing Native American-themed outfits on stage and was 25 percent Cherokee. Rainwater died on Sept 17 2013.

1968
"D-I-V-O-R-C-E" by Tammy Wynette was at #1 on the Counrty charts. Country music historian Bill Malone wrote that Wynette's own tumultuous life (five marriages) "encompassed the jagged reality so many women have faced." Therefore, he asserts that Wynette identified so well with "D-I-V-O-R-C-E".

1977
"That Was Yesterday" by American country music singer Donna Fargo was at #1 on the Country chart. It was released in April 1977 as the first single from the album Fargo Country. The song became her sixth and final #1 song.

1982
Harmonica player DeFord Bailey died at age 82. A cast member at the Grand Ole Opry throughout the 1930s, he was the first African American inducted into the institution. In 2005, he entered the Country Music Hall of Fame.

1983
Born on this day, was Michelle Branch, singer-songwriter, guitarist and actress. During the early 2000s, she released two top-selling albums, The Spirit Room and Hotel Paper, and in 2005, she formed the country music duo The Wreckers with friend and fellow musician Jessica Harp, and produced the Grammy-nominated single "Leave the Pieces". The Wreckers disbanded in 2007 to pursue their respective solo careers.

1991
MCA released Trisha Yearwood, the eponymous debut album by future country music superstar Trisha Yearwood. It features her first Billboard Hot Country Songs hit "She's in Love with the Boy", which reached the top of the country charts in June 1991. Also included are follow-up hits "Like We Never Had a Broken Heart", "That's What I Like About You", and "The Woman Before Me". The album which itself reached the #2 position on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart contains the track "Victim of the Game", originally recorded by Yearwood's friend and future husband, Garth Brooks, for his 1990 album No Fences.

2005
The Live 8 concerts were held around the world to battle poverty, which saw Tim McGraw and Faith Hill performing in Rome, and Toby Keith and Keith Urban in Philadelphia. Among other acts who took part: Paul McCartney, U2, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, Sting and Brian Wilson. More than 1,000 musicians performed at the concerts, which were broadcast on 182 television networks and 2,000 radio networks.

2010
American country music trio Lady Antebellum were at #1 on the Country chart with their second studio album Need You Now. On February 13, 2011, the album won the Best Country Album and was nominated for Album of the Year, whereas the single "Need You Now" won four awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards.

2015
"Girl Crush" by Little Big Town was at the top of the US Airplay charts. The second single from their sixth studio album, Pain Killer won five music awards, including two Grammys (Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song). The song ended up being the second-most played song of 2015 and is certified Sextuple Platinum in the US.

2023
One Thing at a Time the third album by American country music singer Morgan Wallen was at #1 on the Country chart. With 19 weeks at the top of the charts, it is the longest-running #1 country album of all time on the chart.