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.

 

2005 - Josh Gracin picks up the first gold single of his career with "Nothin' To Lose".

 

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".

 

1975 - Hank Williams Jr. has a near-fatal fall while mountain climbing in Montana.

 

1973 - Mark Wills born in Cleveland, Tennessee. After a 1996 debut, he fashions such meaningful recordings as "I Do (Cherish You)," "Wish You Were Here" and "Don't Laugh At Me" on his way to winning the Academy of Country Music's top new male award in 1999.

 

1950 - Jamie O'Hara born in Toledo, Ohio. He joins Kieran Kane to form The O'Kanes, a mid-1980s duo hinging 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 born in Staunton, Virginia. He becomes a founding member of The Statler Brothers, whose southern gospel harmonies find a home in the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

1934 - The Sons Of The Pioneers record "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" in their first recording session.

 

1932 - Mel Tillis born in Pahokee, Florida. After finding success as the writer of "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.

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