This Day in Country History: March 6
Lou Ottens, inventor of the cassette tape, died on March 6, 2021, aged 94. He’s also credited with helping to develop the compact disc. While Ottens’ contribution to country music was significant, other songs and stars of the genre have roots tied to March 6. You’ll learn more about this date in country music history right here.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
You may remember these country music breakthrough hits and milestones that occurred on March 6:
- 1989: Garth Brooks released his first single from his debut self-titled album, Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old). The album also featured Brooks’ first No. 1 hit song, “If Tomorrow Never Comes.”
- 1999: Sara Evans scored her first Top 40 No. 1 hit with her song “No Place That Far.” She later had more No. 1 hits, including “A Real Fine Place to Start” and, most recently, “A Little Bit Stronger.”
Cultural Milestones
Cultural milestones in country music that took place on March 6 and had a major impact on the genre include:
- 1977: Known for his unique style that blends country and hip-hop, Bubba Sparxxx was born Warren Anderson Mathis in LaGrange, Georgia. His 2013 album, Pain Management, made its way onto the Top 40 Country Albums chart.
- 1996: World-renowned Grand Ole Opry country comedian Minnie Pearl died unexpectedly. More than 1,500 people attended her funeral, including Garth Brooks, Vince Gill, and Amy Grant.
Notable Recordings and Performances
These March 6 recordings and performances helped transform country music:
- 1972: Dolly Parton’s ninth studio album, Touch Your Woman, was released. The album’s title song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female, at the 15th Annual Grammy Awards.
- 2009: At the Knoxville Civic Coliseum, Jason Aldean performed “Big Green Tractor” for the first time. This is one of the artist’s most popular songs from his Wide Open album.
Industry Changes and Challenges
The country music you listen to today was shaped by March 6 changes and challenges of the past, such as:
- 1999: George Jones suffered critical injuries when he hit a bridge while driving under the influence of alcohol. The accident occurred near his home in Franklin, Tennessee, while he was on his cell phone with his stepdaughter.
- 2012: After a performance at a St. Jude Benefit in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jarrod Niemann’s tour bus caught on fire. Luckily, the fire was brought to the band’s attention, and everyone was safely off the bus when it exploded.
The country music you love today wouldn’t be what it is if it hadn’t been for these March 6 events. No matter who your favorite country artists are, you can be sure these events and milestones from the past have impacted the course of the genre’s history.
