1975 - Hank Williams Jr. has a near-fatal fall while mountain climbing at Ajax Mountain in Montana. His head hits several jutting rocks as he falls 500 feet. It takes six hours for medics to reach him and deliver him to Missoula Community Hospital.

 

2012 - Love And Theft's "Angel Eyes" is certified gold.

 

2009 - Steel Magnolia wins CMT's "Can You Duet," performing "Keep On Lovin' You" on the show in front of judges Big Kenny, Naomi Judd and record executive Scott Borchetta.

 

1998 - Bryan White proposes to "One Life To Live" actress Erika Page while on tour in New Jersey. She says yes, but the couple agrees to keep the engagement private for the next four months.

 

1987 - Reba McEntire ascends to #1 on the Billboard country chart with "One Promise Too Late".

 

1973 - Mark Wills born in Cleveland, Tennessee. After winning the Academy of Country Music's Top New Male award in 1999, he earns his signature hit with the nostalgic 2002 single "19 Somethin'".

 

1950 - Jamie O'Hara born in Toledo, Ohio. He and Kieran Kane form The O'Kanes, a 1980s duo built on strong hooks and spare arrangements. He also writes "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days)," "Older Women" and "As Long As I'm Rockin' With You".

 

1939 - Phil Balsley is born in Staunton, Virginia. He becomes a founding member of The Statler Brothers, whose southern gospel harmonies lead the group to two decades of hits and membership in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

1934 - The Sons Of The Pioneers record "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" in Los Angeles during the group's first recording session.

 

1932 - Mel Tillis is born in Pahokee, Florida. After finding success by writing "Detroit City" and "I Ain't Never," among others, he turns his stutter into a comedic twist and develops a successful career as an artist, earning a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

1921 - Webb Pierce born in West Monroe, Louisiana. He gains a reputation for a nasal twang and garish stage persona, but becomes one of the biggest honky-tonk stars of the 1950s, reaching the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Information provided by: RolandNote.com

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