The Start Of Something Great - Today In Country Music History

November 18, 1988

Tulsa, Oklahoma, singer Ronnie Dunn won the Marlboro Country Music National Talent Contest, which led to a publishing deal in Nashville, which led to a meeting with songwriter Kix Brooks, which led to the formation of Brooks & Dunn.

The duo recorded ten studio albums, one Christmas album, and three compilation albums for the label. They also released fifty singles, of which forty-one went top 10 and twenty went to number one. Brooks & Dunn were awarded 17 Country Music Association awards, 26 Academy of Country Music awards and 2 Grammy Awards.

In the liner notes to each of their studio albums, Brooks & Dunn wrote short stories about Slim & Howdy, fictionalized cowboy versions of themselves. The duo worked with Bill Fitzhugh in late 2008 and wrote a book titled The Adventures of Slim and Howdy.

Next: Brooks & Dunn: The End

2006
"CMT Giants" debuts with a salute to Reba McEntire. Among those featured: Trisha Yearwood, Barbara Mandrell, Dolly Parton, Wynonna, LeAnn Rimes, Jennifer Nettles, Brooks & Dunn, Kelly Clarkson and Martina McBride.
1980
Johnny Lee’s “Looking For Love” was certified as a gold single. Lee was given the opportunity to record the song for the Urban Cowboy soundtrack by producer Irving Azoff because 20 other artists had turned it down.
1968
Glen Campbell’s album Wichita Lineman was certified gold. The album featured two singles: "Dreams of the Everyday Housewife" (#3) and the title track (#1), as well as a cover of Otis Redding's "Sittin' On The Dock Of The Bay."
1949
MGM releases Hank Williams' "My Bucket's Got A Hole In It." Lurking on the B side: the classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
#1 On This Date
SINGLES
2006 – Carrie Underwood – “Before He Cheats”
2000 – Travis Tritt – “Best Of Intentions”
1995 – George Strait – “Check Yes Or No”
1989 – Eddy Raven – “Bayou Boys”
1978 – Barbara Mandrell – “Sleeping Single In A Double Bed”
1972 – Charley Pride – “She’s Too Good To Be True”
1967 – Sonny James – “It’s The Little Things”
1957 – The Everly Bros. – “Wake Up, Little Susie”
1950 – Hank Snow – “I’m Movin’ On”
1944 – Red Foley – “Smoke On The Water”

ALBUMS
2006 – Kellie Pickler – Small Town Girl
2000 – Faith Hill - Breathe
1995 – Alan Jackson – The Greatest Hits Collection
1989 – Randy Travis – No Holdin’ Back
1978 – Waylon Jennings – I’ve Always Been Crazy
1972 – Charley Pride – A Sunshiny Day
1967 – Eddy Arnold – Turn The World Around

The Start Of Something Great – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]