Today In Country Music History

1975 Bocephus Takes A Fall

Hank Williams Jr. has a near-fatal accident while mountain climbing in Montana. His head hits several jutting rocks as he falls 500 feet. It takes six hours for medics to reach him and deliver him to Missoula Community Hospital. After two years of surgeries and rehab, Hank Jr. was able to resume his career.

While he was climbing Ajax Peak in Montana, the snow beneath him collapsed and he fell onto rock. He suffered multiple skull and facial fractures. To hide the scars and the disfigurement from the accident, Williams grew a beard and began wearing sunglasses and a cowboy hat. The beard, hat, and sunglasses have since become his signature look, and he is rarely seen without them.

Many believe that the Nashville "establishment" began to, somewhat reluctantly, accept Williams during his recovery. This "acceptance" of his new sound led to a peak in his popularity, which had risen to levels where he could no longer be overlooked for major industry awards. Williams was prolific throughout the 1980s, sometimes recording and releasing two albums a year. "Family Tradition", "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound", High Notes, Montana Cafe, and many others resulted in a long string of hits.

Hank Jr. Still Going Strong 39 Years Later

photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images
2012
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill announced plans to headline a ten week series of concerts at the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. In December 2012, the pair began a 20-show run of their Soul2Soul show, while a second leg ran from October 2013 to April 2014.
Love And Theft's single "Angel Eyes" is certified gold. It is the duos only number one single to this date.
photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images
2009
Steel Magnolia wins CMT's 'Can You Duet,' performing "Keep On Lovin' You" on the show in front of judges Big Kenny, Naomi Judd and record executive Scott Borchetta.
2007
Carrie Underwood’s single "So Small" enters the charts at #20, becoming the highest debuting single from a female country in the 43 years of chart history. It would be Underwood's 5th consecutive #1 single, holding the top spot for 3 weeks.
The record would later surpassed by Taylor Swift's 2012 single "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together."
2001
Faith Hill’s album Breathe was certified multi-platinum for sales of 7 million copies. Breathe debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, a first for the country artist. The album featured the singles "Breathe," "Let's Make Love" (with Tim McGraw), "The Way You Love Me" and "If My Heart Had Wings."
1995
John Michael Montgomery’s debut CD, Life’s A Dance, was certified triple platinum. Hits included the title track and "I Love The Way You Love Me."
Tracy Lawrence's albums Alibis and I See It Now would both be certified double platinum. Alibis featured the number one singles "Can't Break It to My Heart", "Alibis", "My Second Home" and "If the Good Die Young," while I See It Now featured the title track, "If The World Had a Front Porch" and the no. 1 hit "Texas Tornado"
1934
The Sons Of The Pioneers record "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" in Los Angeles during the group's first recording session. The Sons of the Pioneers' recording was selected by the Library of Congress as a 2010 addition to the National Recording Registry, which selects recordings annually that are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant"
It has been re-recorded by artists ranging from Bing Crosby to Ken Curtis (Festus from Gunsmoke), from Mike Nesmith (Monkees) to Slim Whitman.
Birthdays
Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis is 82
Phil Balsey (The Statler Brothers) is 75
Jamie O'Hara (The O'Kanes) is 64
Singer Mark Wills is 41
Songwriter Webb Pierce was born on this date in 1921

Filed Under: Today In Country Music History

Categories: Country Music News, History, Videos

Today in Country Music History [VIDEO]