This Day in Country History: February 11
Influential artists and industry changes have shaped country music over time, and Feb. 11 is a day for major milestones and breakthrough hits. This includes events from Patsy Cline’s breakthrough moment to Kane Brown’s modern-day success. Let’s look at some of the most memorable events in country music history.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Here are some major hits and milestones for Feb. 11:
- 1957: Decca Records rush-releases “Walkin’ After Midnight” after Patsy Cline performs on “Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts” TV show and wins. The single hit No. 1 on the Billboard country music chart and No. 12 on the pop chart.
- 1978: Kenny Rogers reaches No.1 on the U.S. country music chart with his sixth studio album, “The Gambler,” selling over 35 million copies worldwide.
- 1984: Merle Haggard reaches No. 1 on the Billboard country chart with “That’s the Way Love Goes.”
- 1985: “That’s the Way Love Goes” wins Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards.
- 2007: The Dixie Chicks win three awards at the 49th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
- 2023: Kane and Katelyn Brown hit No. 1 on the Country Airplay chart with “Thank God.” It’s the second duet by a married couple to top the chart after Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in 1997.
Cultural Milestones
Notable cultural milestones for Feb. 11 include:
- 1908: Roba Stanley was born, believed to be one of the first women to record country music.
- 1918: Wesley Rose was born. He played an important role in the development of the Country Music Association.
- 1962: Singer, songwriter, and actress Sheryl Crow was born. She signed a contract with Warner Music Nashville in 2013 and released “Easy,” which became her first Top 20 country radio hit.
- 2016: Kim Williams, songwriter for Randy Travis and Reba McEntire, passed away. Williams was named ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1994. She also won the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year in 2013 and was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012.
- 2020: Willie Nelson’s drummer, Paul English, passed away from pneumonia.
Notable Recordings and Performances
Here are some notable recordings and performances for Feb. 11:
- 1975: Willie Nelson recorded “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” which became his first No. 1 hit.
- 1970: “The Johnny Cash Show” featured special guests Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, and Tammy Wynette. Ray Charles performed “Ring of Fire” and “Walk the Line.”
Industry Changes and Challenges
Here are some important industry changes and challenges:
- 2010s: As the genre became more popular, themes in modern country songs on the Billboard Hot 100 moved away from drinking and love to heartbreak and yearning.
Feb. 11 is a remarkable day for Country music. We saw Willie Nelson record a No. 1 hit and the births of country legends Roba Stanley, Wesley Rose, and Sheryl Crow.
