You Belong A The Hall - Today In Country Music History

Oct. 11,1981

The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame inducts Bobby Braddock and Ray Whitley. Braddock is noted for George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today" and Tammy Wynette's "D-I-V-O-R-C-E." Whitley wrote Gene Autry's theme song, "Back In The Saddle Again."

Braddock got his first break in Nashville as Marty Robbin's piano player in 1965. He first appeared on the charts as a writer the following year, as Robbin's version of "While You Were Dancing" peaked at #21. He then signed his first of five recording contracts with major record labels and with a publishing contract with Tree Publishing Company, now Sony BMG.

Braddock quickly established himself as a bankable songwriter, penning songs in the 1970s for such artists as The Statler Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Duncan, Willie Nelson, Tanya Tucker, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Tommy Overstreet. Braddock is still actively contributing as a writer, having written Toby Keith's hit "I Wanna Talk About Me" in 2001 and Billy Currington's 2009 monster hit "People Are Crazy."

Ray Whitley was a singer, song writer and actor. As a songwriter, his biggest legacy was the Gene Autry Classic, which he sold to the "Singing Cowboy" for $200, but his biggest contribution to country music may have been his hand in the development of the Gibson SJ-200 acoustic guitar.

Initially known as the "Super Jumbo," Whitley used his own time and money to design a guitar specifically for country music artists. Whitley took the instrument to Gibson, explaining its merits and presenting the guitar to other musicians of the time. This resulted in Gibson putting his name on the guitar, the first produced one of which is now on display in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Other Music You Know & Love By Bobby Braddock

2002
The Dixie Chicks' Home album is certified triple-platinum. This is the album the group was promoting the album when lead singer Natalie Maines made controversial comments about U.S. President George W. Bush.
The album's third single, "Travelin' Soldier", was #1 the week that Maines' comments hit the press. The following week, as many stations started a still-standing boycott of the Chicks' music, the song collapsed. None of their following singles gained traction with country radio.
Despite these events, the album has since benn certified 6× platinum status by the RIAA. The album also featured a cover of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide", which was their biggest pop crossover hit until 2007, when "Not Ready to Make Nice" peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
1982
Alabama wins three awards - Entertainer, Vocal Group and Instrumental Group of the Year from the Country Music Association during its 16th annual awards at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville.
Chet Atkins claimed the Instrumentalist of the Year award, while the Vocalist awards went to Ricky Skaggs, whole also took the Horizon Award, and Janie Fricke. David Frizzell and Shelly West were named Vocal Duo of the Year.
Always On My Mind by Willie Nelson was named Album of the Year, while the title track took the Single of the Year Award and the Song of the Year went to its writers, Wayne Carson, Johnny Christopher and Mark James.
1981
Willie Nelson records "Always On My Mind" and "The Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning" at his Pedernales Studio outside of Austin, Texas
#1 On This Date
SINGLES
2014 – Cole Swindell – “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”
2008 – Darius Rucker – “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It”
2003 – Tim McGraw – "Real Good Man"
1997 – Diamond Rio – “How Your Love Makes Me Feel”
1986 – Eddie Rabbitt ft Juice Newton – “Both To Each Other”
1980 – Razzy Bailey – “Loving Up A Storm”
1975 – Willie Nelson – “Blue Eyes Cryin’ In The Rain”
1969 – Sonny James – “Since I Met You, Baby”
1952 – Hank Williams – “Jambalaya”
1947 – Tex Williams – “Smoke! Smoke! Smoke!”
ALBUMS
2014 – Kenny Chesney – The Big Revival
2008 – Darius Rucker – Learn To Live
2003 – Alan Jackson – Greatest Hits Volume II (And Some Other Stuff)
1997 – LeAnn Rimes – You Light Up Your Life: Inspirational Songs
1986 – Randy Travis – Storms of Life
1980 – Honeysuckle Rose Soundtrack
1975 – Willie Nelson – Red Headed Stranger
1969 – Johnny Cash – At San Quentin
Birthdays
Singer Gene Watson is 71
Singer Paulette Carlson (Highway 101) is 61
Dorothy Marsh is born in McMinnville, Tennessee. As Dottie West, she joins the Grand Ole Opry in 1964, building a lengthy career around several Kenny Rogers duets and her trademarks "Country Sunshine" and "A Lesson In Leavin'" Dottie West in passed away in September 1991 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

You Belong In The Hall – Today In Country Music History [VIDEO]