December 30th, 1944

Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys appear on the Grand Ole Opry, causing a stir when Monte Mountjoy's drum set is moved onto the stage at the last minute. Drums were previously not allowed. Their first number is "New San Antonio Rose."

When Wills appeared on the Opry, he was already a huge star in Texas, so he didn't feel he needed the Opry's approval. In response, he wasn't really patient with their rules. Bob went onstage with his cigar in his mouth and was immediately told not to smoke on stage. Wills then walked off stage and as far as I know, that was his one and only appearance on the Opry.

But, because of this one appearance, drums soon would become a staple in county music.

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Several country drummers used the instrument to break into the business before becoming stars, including Roger Miller, who drummed with Faron Young, and Jack Greene, who worked with Ernest Tubb. Even Roy Acuff used a snare drum with brushes on the Opry after the drum was allowed to be seen. In 1973, when the Opry moved to Opryland, full drum sets were permitted on the stage at last.

  • photo by Getty/Justin Sullivan)
    photo by Getty/Justin Sullivan)
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    2010

    Trace Adkins sings the national anthem and Ashton Shepherd performs "God Bless America" at the Music City Bowl at Nashville's LP Field.

    The North Carolina Tar Heels beat the Tennessee Volunteers, 30-27, in double overtime

  • photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment
    photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images Entertainment
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    2001

    Neal McCoy joins Wayne Newton and comedian Drew Carey to entertain American troops at the Kandahar Airport in Afghanistan, part of the USO's Deliver America Tour

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    1963

    Brenda Lee suffers a minor eye injury and has her hair singed when she tries unsuccessfully to rescue her poodle, CeeCee, from a house fire in Nashville.

    Lee's nine-room home, valued at $37,000, is destroyed along with $25,000 worth of clothing

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    1950

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    #1 On This Date

    SINGLES

    2006 – Sugarland – “Want To

    2000 – Tim McGraw – “My Next Thirty Years

    1995 – Aaron Tippen – “That’s As Close As I’ll Get To Loving You

    1989 – Highway 101 – “Who’s Lonely Now

    1978 – Kenny Rogers – “The Gambler

    1972 – Ray Price – “She’s Got To Be A Saint

    1967 – Bill Anderson & Jan Howard – “For Loving You

    1957 – Bobby Helms – “My Special Angel

    1950 – Hank Williams – “Moanin’ The Blues

    1944 – Tex Ritter – “I’m Wastin’ My Tears On You

     

    ALBUMS

    2006 – Carrie Underwood – Some Hearts

    2000 – Tim McGraw – Greatest Hits

    1995 – Garth Brooks – Fresh Horses

    1989 – Randy Travis – No Holdin’ Back

    1978 – Waylon Jennings – I’ve Always Been Crazy

    1972 – Merle Haggard – The Best Of

    1967 – Eddy Arnold – Turn The World Around

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    Birthdays

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