![Drumming Up Some Business – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/111/files/2014/12/Bob-Wills-21.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Drumming Up Some Business – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]
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.
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) 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 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
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
1950
Lefty Frizzell makes his first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry, singing "If You've Got The Money I've Got The Time" and "I Love You A Thousand Ways"
#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
Birthdays
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