November 15 – This Day in Country Music History

C. W. McCall, the country storyteller known for “Convoy,” is born in Audubon, Iowa. Source: Wikipedia.

Rusty Richards, the western singer and longtime member of the Sons of the Pioneers, is born. Source: Rusty Richards — official website.

Guitarist and record producer Dann Huff is born in Nashville, Tennessee. Source: Wikipedia.

Country singer and songwriter Steve Kolander is born. Source: Wikipedia.

Texas country singer and songwriter Jack Ingram is born. Source: Wikipedia.

Gospel songwriter Albert E. Brumley, whose songs include “I’ll Fly Away” and “Rank Stranger,” dies at age 72. Source: Wikipedia.

Pedal steel guitarist and producer Speedy West dies at age 79. His recordings with Jimmy Bryant and his work with Tennessee Ernie Ford helped shape the sound of West Coast country music. Source: Wikipedia.

Producer, arranger and music publisher Milt Okun dies at age 92. He was a key collaborator on John Denver’s best-known recordings. Source: Wikipedia.

Guitarist, singer and Hee Haw co-host Roy Clark dies at age 85 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Source: Wikipedia.

Decca Records releases Loretta Lynn’s Hymns, her first gospel album, produced by Owen Bradley. Source: Wikipedia; release date also confirmed by UMG’s Spotify catalog.

RCA releases John Denver’s Greatest Hits, collecting favorites including “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Rocky Mountain High.” Source: AllMusic — original RCA release.

Shenandoah releases In the Vicinity of the Heart on Liberty Records. Source: Wikipedia — album discography.

Johnny Cash at San Quentin is No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart dated November 15. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

Windsong by John Denver holds No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart dated November 15. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

Greatest Hits by Kenny Rogers reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart dated November 15. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

The Touch by Alabama reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart dated November 15. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

You Light Up My Life: Inspirational Songs by LeAnn Rimes holds No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart dated November 15. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

Alabama’s Alabama Christmas is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 500,000 copies. Source: RIAA — certification history.

Lyle Lovett’s Pontiac is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 500,000 copies. Source: RIAA — certification history.

Garth Brooks’ Christmas album Beyond the Season is certified 3× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipments of three million copies in the United States. Source: Wikipedia — certification date; Garth Brooks’ official album page — triple-platinum certification.

John Berry’s Standing on the Edge is certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 500,000 copies. Source: RIAA — certification history.

Trisha Yearwood’s Where Your Road Leads is certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of one million copies. Source: RIAA — certification history.

RCA releases Elvis Presley’s “If Every Day Was Like Christmas,” written by Red West, as single 47-8950. Source: Elvis Presley — official website.

Decca releases Loretta Lynn’s “One’s on the Way”, written by Shel Silverstein. The first pressing mistakenly uses the title “Here in Topeka.” Source: American Songwriter.

MCA releases Bill Anderson’s “Liars One, Believers Zero,” written by Glenn Martin. Source: RolandNote.

Mercury releases Johnny Rodriguez’s “Alibis,” backed with “Rest Your Love on Me.” Source: U.S. copyright registration transcription — SR0000005942.

Alan Jackson releases “Gone Country,” written by Bob McDill, as a single from Who I Am. Source: Wikipedia — single discography.

“I’ll Hold You in My Heart (Till I Can Hold You in My Arms)” by Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Most Played Juke Box Folk Records chart. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” by Hank Williams is No. 1 on Billboard’s country charts. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

“Okie from Muskogee” by Merle Haggard reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Source: uDiscover Music — Universal Music Group.

“Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way” by Waylon Jennings reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

“Could I Have This Dance” by Anne Murray reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

“That Rock Won’t Roll” by Restless Heart reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

“Love Gets Me Every Time” by Shania Twain holds No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart. Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

Alabama, Glen Campbell and DeFord Bailey are formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame during the CMA Awards at Madison Square Garden in New York. Source: CMA announcement via ACountry.

Crystal Gayle receives an invitation from Carrie Underwood to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry after they sing “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” together. Source: MusicRow.