November 26 – This Day in Country Music History

Andrew “Andy” Jenkins is born in Jenkinsburg, Georgia. The singer and songwriter later performs with the Jenkins Family and writes “Ben Dewberry’s Final Run,” recorded by Jimmie Rodgers.

Source: New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Songwriter Hal Blair is born in Kansas City, Missouri. His country songwriting credits include Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.”

Source: Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Keyboard player and producer Michael Omartian is born in Evanston, Illinois. His later studio work includes recordings by country artists.

Source: AllMusic.

Country singer Linda Davis is born in Texas. She later records the duet “Does He Love You” with Reba McEntire.

Source: AllMusic.

Country singer Joe Nichols is born in Rogers, Arkansas.

Source: AllMusic.

John Rostill, former bassist for the Shadows, dies. He wrote “Let Me Be There” and “If You Love Me (Let Me Know),” both country hits for Olivia Newton-John.

Source: Wikipedia — John Rostill.

Ray Price returns to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Albums chart with Another Bridge to Burn.

Source: Billboard.

Elvis Presley holds at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country LP’s chart with Elvis in Concert.

Source: Billboard — November 26, 1977.

Kenny Rogers holds at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country LPs chart with Eyes That See in the Dark.

Source: Wikipedia — Billboard chart history.

Ricky Van Shelton holds at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with Loving Proof.

Source: Billboard — November 26, 1988.

George Strait debuts at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with Lead On.

Source: Billboard — November 26, 1994.

The RIAA certifies The Band’s self-titled second album Gold.

Source: RIAA certification timeline.

The RIAA certifies Anne Murray’s Greatest Hits Platinum.

Source: RIAA certification timeline.

Jimmie Rodgers records “She Was Happy Till She Met You” in Atlanta, Georgia.

Source: New World Encyclopedia.

Marty Robbins records “I Couldn’t Keep From Crying” in Dallas.

Source: MusicBrainz — The Essential Marty Robbins.

Bill Anderson records “Easy Come Easy Go” and “Five Little Fingers.”

Source: MusicBrainz — First 10 Years: 1956–1966.

Columbia releases Lefty Frizzell’s “Saginaw, Michigan.”

Source: Wikipedia — Saginaw, Michigan release history.

Merle Haggard records “Always Wanting You,” a song he wrote about Dolly Parton.

Source: Saving Country Music.

Margaret Whiting and Jimmy Wakely’s duet “Slipping Around” tops Billboard’s country jukebox and retail charts.

Source: Billboard — November 26, 1949.

Webb Pierce’s “Love, Love, Love” tops Billboard’s country chart.

Source: Billboard — Yesterday’s Country Hits.

Eddy Arnold reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart with “Somebody Like Me.”

Source: Billboard.

Waylon Jennings holds at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart with “The Wurlitzer Prize (I Don’t Want to Get Over You).”

Source: Billboard — November 26, 1977.

Earl Thomas Conley reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country singles chart with “Holding Her and Loving You.”

Source: Country Universe — No. 1 Country Singles.

Ricky Van Shelton holds at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart with “I’ll Leave This World Loving You.”

Source: Billboard — November 26, 1988.

Clay Walker reaches No. 1 on Billboard’s country songs chart with “If I Could Make a Living.”

Source: Billboard Country Update.

Jean Shepard makes her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as a member, five days after her formal induction.

Source: Fayfare’s Opry Blog.

Johnny Cash makes his Billboard country chart debut with the Sun single “Cry! Cry! Cry!” The record goes on to peak at No. 14.

Source: American Songwriter.

Jean Shepard and Hawkshaw Hawkins marry onstage at a concert in Wichita, Kansas.

Source: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Johnny Cash appears on The Jimmy Dean Show in New York.

Source: Johnny Cash official timeline.

George Jones and Little Jimmy Dickens appear on The Jimmy Dean Show.

Source: IMDb — episode listing.

The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour welcomes comedian Flip Wilson and singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon.

Source: epguides — original air dates.

ABC airs An All-Star Tribute to John Wayne, with Glen Campbell among the performers.

Source: TV Tango — original ABC air date.

MCA, whose record business included MCA Nashville, agrees to be acquired by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.

Source: Los Angeles Times — November 26, 1990.

Randy Travis performs at halftime of the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game.

Source: Dallas Cowboys.