Big & Rich Debut On The Opry And A Genius Is Born This Day In Country Music

2006 - Big & Rich and Cowboy Troy make their Grand Ole Opry debut, with Big Kenny and John Rich turning in "8th Of November" and a swing version of "Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy)".

2006 - Vince Gill and Alison Krauss tape an episode of "CMT Cross Country" at The Factory in Franklin, Tennessee.

2005 - Mindy McCready is checked into Nashville's St. Thomas Hospital after swallowing about 30 anti-depressant pills, her second overdose in two months. This one comes after a phone argument with boyfriend William McKnight over finances for their unborn child.

2002 - Reba McEntire performs "Does He Love You" with "American Idol" winner Kelly Clarkson during the two-hour Fox TV special "American Idol In Vegas".

1998 - Steve Wariner's "Holes In The Floor Of Heaven" wins Single and Song of the Year from the Country Music Association during the 32nd annual awards on CBS at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The Dixie Chicks also win twice.

1989 - Rodney Crowell goes to #1 on the Billboard country chart with a remake of Buck Owens' "Above And Beyond".

1986 - ABC-TV's "Who's The Boss?" has its season premiere. In the process, Steve Wariner begins a run as the voice of the Tony Danza show's theme song, "Brand New Life".

1972 - Conway Twitty's version of "I Can't Stop Loving You" ascends to #1 on the Billboard country chart.

1952 - Hank Williams records "Take These Chains From My Heart," "Kaw-liga" and "Your Cheatin' Heart" in his final recording session, at the Castle Studio in Nashville's Tulane Hotel.

1930 - Ray Charles born in Albany, Georgia. Best-known for his work in jazz and rhythm & blues, he brings attention to country with his album "Modern Sounds In Country And Western Music" and records "Seven Spanish Angels" with Willie Nelson.