1997 - John Denver dies in a plane crash near Monterey, California, when the engine quits on the test plane he's piloting. Denver leaves a string of folk-influenced pop-country hits, including "Thank God I'm A Country Boy," "Annie's Song" and "Back Home Again".

 

2012 - Thomas Rhett marries Lauren Gregory.

 

2010 - Republic Nashville releases The Band Perry's self-titled debut album.

 

1996 - Trisha Yearwood pulls down a #1 single in Billboard with "Believe Me Baby (I Lied)".

 

1993 - Giant Records releases "Common Thread: The Songs Of The Eagles," with some of the royalties to benefit the Walden Woods Project. Among the artists contributing: Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill and Trisha Yearwood.

 

1991 - Ricky Van Shelton's "Keep It Between The Lines" drives to #1 on the Billboard country singles chart.

 

1987 - Randy Travis takes three honors during the 21st annual Country Music Association awards at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House: Male Vocalist of the Year; Album, for "Always And Forever"; and Single, for "Forever And Ever, Amen," also named Song of the Year.

 

1985 - Marie Osmond and Dan Seals combine to register a #1 single in Billboard with "Meet Me In Montana".

 

1981 - Barbara Mandrell becomes the first act to win consecutive Entertainer of the Year awards from the Country Music Association during its 15th annual show at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry House. Mandrell, who co-hosts with Mac Davis, also wins Female Vocalist of the Year.

 

1969 - Dixie Chicks fiddler Martie Maguire is born in York, Pennsylvania. The fashionable, harmony-driven female trio earns numerous awards between 1998 and 2003 before an offhand political remark damages its standing in mainstream country.

 Information provided by: RolandNote.com

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