Gold Country NEWS

1928
Born on this day in Spencer, Wisconsin, was Dave Dudley, country music singer best-known for his truck-driving country anthems of the 1960s and 1970s including the 1963, hit "Six Days on the Road". He died on December 22, 2003.

1952
Kitty Wells recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". Wells was disenchanted with her career prospects and was considering retirement, but agreed to the session at Owen Bradley's studio because of the $125 union scale recording payment. "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" was an answer song to Hank Thompson's "The Wild Side of Life", and its lyrical treatment of seductive, wayward women. It became the first #1 Billboard country hit for a solo female artist.

1968
Born on this day in Modesto, California, was Shane Minor country music artist. He has written hits for other artists, including the #1 singles "Beautiful Mess" by Diamond Rio, "Brand New Girlfriend" by Steve Holy, and "Live a Little" by Kenny Chesney.

1973
Born on this day in Greenfield, Ohio, was Brad Martin his debut 2002 album Wings of a Honky-Tonk Angel, produced the #15 single "Before I Knew Better". Martin died in Nashville on March 11, 2022, at the age of 48.

1977
Born on this day in Granite Falls, North Carolina, was Eric Church, Country singer, songwriter. His debut album Sinners Like Me produced four singles on the Billboard country chart, including the Top 20 hits "How 'Bout You", "Two Pink Lines", and "Guys Like Me".

1986
The Silver Dollar City Tennessee amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, was reopened as Dollywood after Dolly Parton took an ownership stake. The park grew considerably and became very successful with Parton involved.

1994
Winners at the 29th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards hosted by Alan Jackson and Reba McEntire included: Pioneer Award - Charley Pride, Top Female Vocalist of the Year - Wynonna, Top Male Vocalist of the Year - Vince Gill, Top Vocal Group - Little Texas, Top New Female Vocalist of the Year - Faith Hill, Top New Male Vocalist of the Year - John Michael Montgomery and Album of the Year went to Alan Jackson for A Lot About Livin' (And A Little 'Bout Love).

1995
Allen Toussaint was inducted into the New Orleans Walk of Fame. He was a producer for hundreds of recordings and wrote Glen Campbell's "Southern Nights" and Joe Stampley's "All These Things".

1996
Country singer Patsy Montana died in San Jacinto, California, age 87. Known for her 1935 signature hit "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," the tune made her the first female country performer to have a million-selling single.

1999
Born on this day in Hope Hull, Alabama was singer-songwriter Ella Langley. Her debut studio album, Hungover, was released in 2024

2006
Lynn Anderson was arrested in New Mexico after causing a traffic accident at a local intersection due to drunk driving. The singer failed field sobriety tests and refused to take a breathalyzer test after her vehicle ran into the back of a car. She was released the next day on bond. Anderson was taken to court later this year where all her previous charges were dropped, as long as she didn't commit any more offenses.