November 19 – This Day in Country Music History

Songwriter Mario Rigual is born in Antilla, Cuba. His work includes “Cuando Calienta el Sol,” known in English as “Love Me with All Your Heart.”

Source: Western Michigan University Libraries

Gospel bass singer J.D. Sumner is born in Lakeland, Florida. His career includes the Blackwood Brothers, the Stamps Quartet, and backing Elvis Presley.

Source: Tennessee General Assembly

Banjo player Dave Guard, a founding member of the Kingston Trio, is born.

Source: RolandNote

Songwriter Jerry Foster is born in Tallapoosa, Missouri. With Bill Rice, he writes classics including “I’ll Think of Something” and “She’s Pulling Me Back Again.”

Source: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Singer, songwriter, and producer Jerry Fuller is born in Fort Worth, Texas. His country credits include songs recorded by Ray Price and production work with Collin Raye.

Source: Jerry Fuller official website

Country singer Billy Currington is born in Savannah, Georgia.

Source: RolandNote

Heartland vocalist Jason Albert is born in Washington, D.C.

Source: RolandNote

Dobro player and country touring musician Chad Jeffers is born in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Source: RolandNote

Cajun accordion pioneer Joe Falcon dies at 65. With Cléoma Breaux, he made the landmark 1928 recording “Allons à Lafayette.”

Source: Wikipedia

Nashville bandleader and composer Francis Craig dies in Sewanee, Tennessee. His composition “Near You” later becomes a country hit for George Jones and Tammy Wynette.

Source: Nashville Public Library — Francis Craig Papers

Songwriter Carolyn Leigh, whose “Young at Heart” was later recorded by Willie Nelson, dies.

Source: RolandNote

Singer-songwriter Bobby Russell dies in Nicholasville, Kentucky, at 51. He wrote “Honey,” “Little Green Apples,” and “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia.”

Source: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame

Country Music Hall of Famer Mel Tillis dies at 85. His remarkable legacy spans honky-tonk hits, songwriting, and decades onstage with the Statesiders.

Source: Mel Tillis official website

Songwriter, musician, and producer Walt Aldridge dies at 70. His country classics include “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me,” “Holding Her and Loving You,” and “I Am a Simple Man.”

Source: Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Mark Chesnutt releases Greatest Hits on Decca, collecting ten earlier hits alongside “It’s a Little Too Late” and “Let It Rain.”

Source: Decca Records release advertisement, Billboard

You Ain’t Woman Enough by Loretta Lynn remains No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart.

Source: Billboard

Elvis in Concert by Elvis Presley remains No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart.

Source: Billboard

Eyes That See in the Dark by Kenny Rogers remains No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart.

Source: Billboard

Loving Proof by Ricky Van Shelton remains No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart.

Source: Billboard

Stones in the Road by Mary Chapin Carpenter remains No. 1 on Billboard’s country albums chart.

Source: Billboard

Windows by the Charlie Daniels Band earns RIAA Gold certification.

Source: RolandNote

The Chase by Garth Brooks earns RIAA Gold through 5× Platinum certification.

Source: RolandNote

Strait Out of the Box by George Strait earns RIAA 5× Platinum certification.

Source: RolandNote

Unchained Melody: The Early Years by LeAnn Rimes earns RIAA Gold through 2× Platinum certification.

Source: RolandNote

Sun releases Jerry Lee Lewis’s debut single, “End of the Road” / “Crazy Arms.”

Source: RolandNote

Decca releases Jimmy C. Newman’s “Bayou Talk.”

Source: RolandNote

MCA releases Bill Anderson’s “World of Make Believe.”

Source: RolandNote

Atlantic releases John Michael Montgomery’s “I Swear.”

Source: RolandNote

Arista releases Phil Vassar’s debut single, “Carlene.”

Source: RolandNote

“Slippin’ Around” by Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely remains No. 1 on Billboard’s country charts.

Source: Wikipedia (Billboard references)

“Love, Love, Love” by Webb Pierce remains a Billboard country No. 1.

Source: Wikipedia (Billboard references)

“I Get the Fever” by Bill Anderson reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart.

Source: RolandNote

“The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want to Get Over You)” by Waylon Jennings reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart.

Source: RolandNote

“One of a Kind Pair of Fools” by Barbara Mandrell reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart.

Source: RolandNote

“I’ll Leave This World Loving You” by Ricky Van Shelton reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart.

Source: RolandNote

“Shut Up and Kiss Me” by Mary Chapin Carpenter reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart.

Source: RolandNote

The Western Music Association honors Red Steagall, Ken Maynard, Don Edwards, and John M. Elliott with Hall of Fame inductions in Albuquerque.

Source: RolandNote

Charlie Daniels receives an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry during his Christmas for Kids benefit at the Ryman Auditorium.

Source: The Charlie Daniels Band official chronology

Steel guitarist Paul Franklin joins the Time Jumpers at Nashville’s Station Inn.

Source: RolandNote

Vaughn Monroe enters the Western Music Hall of Fame in Albuquerque.

Source: RolandNote

Rhonda Vincent & the Rage announces guitarist Josh Williams as a new member.

Source: RolandNote

Tommy Overstreet’s memoir, A Road Less Traveled, is published.

Source: RolandNote

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates the donation of Jack Clement’s Gibson J-200 guitar.

Source: RolandNote

Smithville, Tennessee, honors John Anderson by renaming Walnut Alley as John Anderson Alley.

Source: RolandNote