A Tragedy In Nashville – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]
November 10, 1973
Banjo player David "Stringbean" Akeman and his wife Estell were murdered at their home outside Nashville. Akeman was modest and unassuming, and he enjoyed hunting and fishing. Accustomed to the hard times of the Great Depression, Akeman and his wife Estelle lived frugally in a tiny cabin near Ridgetop, Tennessee. Their only indulgence was a Cadillac. Depression-era bank failures caused him not to trust banks with his money. Gossip around Nashville was that Akeman kept large amounts of cash on hand, even though he was by no means wealthy by entertainment industry standards.
On Saturday night, November 10, 1973, Akeman and his wife returned home after he performed at the Grand Ole Opry. Both were shot dead shortly after their arrival. The murder was discovered the next morning by the Akeman’s neighbor, Grand Ole Opry member and Hee-Haw regular, Grandpa Jones.
A police investigation resulted in the convictions of cousins John A. Brown and Marvin Douglas Brown, both 23 years old. They had ransacked the cabin and killed Stringbean when he arrived. His wife shrieked when she saw her husband murdered. She begged for her life, but was shot as well.
The killers took only a chain saw and some firearms. In 1996, 23 years after the murders, $20,000 in paper money was discovered behind a chimney brick in Aikman's home. The money had deteriorated to such an extent that it was not usable and had to be turned in to a bank.
Marvin Douglas Brown fought his convictions in the appellate courts. On September 28, 1982, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals affirmed the trial judge's order denying him a new trial. Marvin Brown ultimately granted an exclusive interview to Larry Brinton of the Nashville Banner. He admitted his part in the burglary and murders, but insisted John Brown fired the fatal shots.
Beginning after his death, as a tribute to Akeman, a scarecrow on the program Hee-Haw was dressed in Akeman's shirt and overalls, where it remained until the program discontinued production in 1992.
2010
Miranda Lambert wins four trophies--Female Vocalist of the Year; Album, for Revolution and Music Video and Song of the Year for "The House That Built Me" during the 44th annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville's Bridgestone Arena. Other winners on the night were show co-host Brad Paisley who was named Entertainer of the Year, Blake Shelton the Male Vocalist of the Year and the Zac Brown Band who took the New Artist of the Year award.
Lady Antebellum were named Vocal Group of the Year and had the Single of the Year for “Need You Now” while the Duo of the Year went to Sugarland. Shelton shared the Musical Event of the Year with Trace Adkins with “Hillbilly Bone” and Mac MacAnally took the award for Musician of the Year.
2004
"Redneck Woman" becomes Gretchen Wilson's first gold single. The song won Wilson a Grammy in 2005 for Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.
#1 On This Date
SINGLES
2012 – Taylor Swift – “We Are Never Getting Back Together”
2007 – Kenny Chesney – “Don’t Blink”
2001 – Tim McGraw – “Angry All The Time”
1990 – Joe Diffie – “Home”
1984 – John Schneider – “I’ve Been Around Enough To Know”
1979 – Kenny Rogers – “You Decorated My Life”
1973 – Marie Osmond – “Paper Roses”
1962 – Hank Snow – “I’ve Been Everywhere”
1958 – Ray Price – “City Lights”
1956 – Ray Price – “Crazy Arms”
1951 – Pee Wee King – “Slow Poke”
1945 – Tex Ritter – “You Two-timed Me Once Too Often”
ALBUMS
2012 – Taylor Swift - Red
2007 – Carrie Underwood – Carnival Ride
2001 – Reba McEntire – Greatest Hits III: I’m A Survivor
1990 – Garth Brooks – No Fences
1984 – Willie Nelson – City of New Orleans
1979 – Kenny Rogers – Kenny
1973 – Kris Kristofferson & Rita Coolidge – Full Moon
Birthdays
Singer Donna Fargo is 69.
Singer/songwriter Brian Henninsgen (The Henningens) is 53
Singer Chris Cagle is 46.
Singer Miranda Lambert is 31.
Anniversaries
Singer Rodney Atkins & Rose Falcon are celebrating their 1st anniversary