July 15th: On this day

1913
Born on this day in Jefferson Township in Adams County, Ohio was Cowboy Copas (Lloyd Estel Copas), who had the 1960 #1 hit "Alabam". The American country music singer was popular from the 1940s until his death in the 1963 plane crash that also killed country stars Patsy Cline and Hawkshaw Hawkins on March 5, 1963.

1933
Born on this day in Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec was Canadian country singer Hal Willis. His famous country single was "The Lumberjack," an international hit that sold over 1.5 million copies. In 1965, it peaked at #5 on the Billboard country charts in the USA. This success was such a phenomenon that he was nicknamed "Mr. Lumberjack." Willis died on September 4, 2015.

1946
Born on this day in Tucson, Arizona, was Linda Ronstadt, singer,who has won eleven Grammy Awards and two Academy of Country Music awards. Ronstadt has collaborated with many Country artists including both Gram Parsons and Dolly Parton. Her first Country #1 was in 1975 with her version of the Everly Brothers hit, "When Will I Be Loved."

1948
Born on this day American musician Owen Hale best known for playing drums with Lynyrd Skynyrd as well as a studio drummer in Nashville, TN appearing on many records by Patty Loveless, Doug Stone and Toby Keith among others.

The 1970s was a seminal decade for country music, marked by a blend of traditional sounds and innovative styles. This era saw a cultural transformation, with artists breaking new ground and reaching broader audiences. From the Outlaw movement to crossover hits, the '70s carved a distinct path in the music world. Let's explore some of the most influential aspects and figures that defined country music during this vibrant decade.