![Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]](http://townsquare.media/site/111/files/2014/09/George-Strait-Strait-Country.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]
1981 Long Live The King
After the success of his debut single, Unwound, George Strait’s debut album Strait Country was released by MCA Records. Rolling Stone's review of the album called Strait Country "serviceable, possibly the beginning of a streak of satisfying albums from George Strait."
In January 1981, MCA Records offered Strait a single deal, agreeing to release one song as a single and provide the necessary promotion. If the single was successful in sales and radio play, then an album deal would be offered. On February 2, 1981, Strait entered The Waxworks recording studio in Berry Hill, Tennessee to record a song written by an unknown songwriter, Dean Dillon and his writing partner Frank Dycus.
Strait's Producer Blake Mevis and manager, Erv Woolsey heard a rough demo of "Unwound" and knew immediately that the song could be a big hit and launch Strait's career. Woolsey and Strait agreed to record the song. Three additional songs were recorded during that February recording session: "Blame It on Mexico", "Perfect Lie", and "Nobody in His Right Mind Would've Left Her".
The "Unwound" single was released by MCA on April 23, 1981 and entered the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart the week of May 16. It soon made it into the top ten. Strait would later remember the experience of hearing his first record on the radio while working on his ranch in San Marcos:
I was shocked. I couldn't believe it. I mean, hearing your first record on the radio, when it was something that you had been trying to get to for so long, and then finally having it happen, it was wild. Here I was driving around the ranch there, and I'd hear it go up the chart, and I'm saying to myself, "What's wrong with this picture? I've got a hit record. I need to go out on the road and go play some concerts."
Several days after "Unwound" made it onto the charts, MCA offered Strait a recording contract and gave the go-ahead to proceed with the album. In early June, Strait returned to Nashville with the Ace in the Hole Band to perform every night throughout the week of June 7 at the Reflections Ballroom at the Radison Hotel. That same week, Strait spent his days in Music City Music Hall recording studios in Nashville with Mevis and a group of session musicians recording the remaining songs for his first album. This early decision to use session musicians on his recordings rather than his touring band set a pattern that he would continue to follow throughout his career.One of the songs from the February session, "Blame It on Mexico", was rerecorded during the June sessions and included on the album.
After the album's release, Strait and the Ace in the Hole Band performed a series of shows and performed the new material to promote it. While eager to help publicize the album, Strait had a few ground rules that would remain in place throughout his career. First, he insisted that his private life remain private, and that his wife and family not be involved in press interviews and publicity events. Strait also insisted on remaining in Texas and not moving to the country music capital. And finally, he insisted on remaining true to his identity, and refused to take off the hat, despite considerable pressure to do so. As unfashionable as it might have appeared in Nashville at the time, it was a part of his identity - of just being himself.
The album includes three singles: "Unwound", "Down and Out", and "If You're Thinking You Want a Stranger (There's One Coming Home)", reaching 6, 16, and 3 respectively on the Country Singles chart. To date, Strait Country has sold more than 2.5 million copies.
2001
Trace and Rhonda Adkins have a daughter, Brianna Rhea Adkins, in Nashville. Brianna is the fourth of fifth daughters for the "You're Gonna Miss This" singer (Tarah, Sarah, MacKenzie, Brianna, and Trinity) and the second of three with second wife Rhonda.
- photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment
photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images Entertainment 1998
Jo Dee Messina is certified for the first time, gaining a gold album for "I'm Alright" and a gold single for the double-sided hit "I'm Alright" and "Bye Bye."
1991
Dottie West dies at Nashville's Vanderbilt Medical Center five days after a car wreck. Her career featured sporadic hits from 1963 through the early-1980s, including "Country Sunshine," "A Lesson In Leavin'" and several duets with Kenny Rogers
1973
Charlie Rich grabs his first gold single, "Behind Closed Doors."
The song, Rich's first #1 single, earned awards for Song of the Year and Single of the Year from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and Rich also received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In 2003, it ranked #9 in CMT's 100 Greatest Songs in Country Music.
1954
Elvis Presley made his only appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. The music icon performed on the famous stage in the very early part of his career, debuting his high-energy brand of rockabilly with ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky.’ His innovative music and gyrating performance were not received well at the conservative establishment; one of the officials there reportedly suggested that he not quit his day job driving trucks. Presley swore never to return.
His lack of interest from the Grand Ole Opry may have been a blessing in disguise. The King of Rock and Roll went to the Opry’s biggest competitor, the live radio show ‘Louisiana Hayride,’ only two weeks later, and signed a contract to make 52 Saturday night appearances on the show, helping launch his legendary career.
Birthdays
Guitarist Don Porter is 68
Guitarist Tom Gossin (Gloriana) is 33
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