Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Fri., Dec. 21)

Vito Pellettieri, long-time Grand Ole Opry stage manager, was born in 1889.

Freddie Hart was born in Lockapoka, Ala., in 1926.

Guitarist Albert Lee was born in Leominster, Hertfordshire, England, in 1943.

Cowboy Copas recorded "I'm Waltzing with Tears in My Eyes" for King in 1946.

Hank Williams recorded "Cold, Cold Heart" for MGM in 1950.

Merle Travis recorded "The Sheik of Araby" and "Black Diamond Blues" for Capitol in 1954.

Lee Roy Parnell was born in Abilene, Texas, in 1956.

Christy Forester of the Forester Sisters was born in Lookout Mountain, Ga., in 1962.

Ernest Tubb recorded "Till My Getup Has Gotup and Gone" for Decca in 1965.

Ernest Tubb and Loretta Lynn recorded "Sweet Thang" for Decca in 1966.

Elvis Presley met with President Richard Nixon privately at the White House in 1970. "The King" said he wanted to help restore patriotism in the United States, and also made a pitch to be named a drug enforcement agent.

Willie Nelson's first movie, "Electric Horseman," opened nationwide in 1979.

Johnnie Bailes died at age 71 in 1989.

Harold Morrison died at age 62 in 1993.

MORE COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY FOR THIS WEEKEND

(Sat., Dec. 22)

The late Hawkshaw Hawkins was born in Huntington, W.Va., in 1921.

Red Steagall was born in Gainesville, Texas, in 1937.

Hank Williams recorded "Lovesick Blues," his first No.1 single, for MGM in 1948.

Flatt & Scruggs released "Back to the Cross" and "God Loves His Children" for Mercury in 1952.

Jimmy Martin recorded "The Good Things Outweigh the Bad" and "Lost Highway" for Decca in 1965.

(Sun., Dec. 23)

Jim Eanes was born near Martinsville, Va., in 1923.

Buddy Harman, legendary session drummer, was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1928.

Buck Owens recorded "Above and Beyond" and "Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache)" for Capitol in 1959.

Jack Greene joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967.

Merle Haggard recorded the studio version of "The Fightin' Side of Me" for Capitol in 1969.

COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA

Q: What Opry member's current single, "Inside Out," features former Eagles member Don Henley?

A:

MUSIC AND MORE

CHICKS HELP RAC

The Dixie Chicks will perform at a Los Angeles concert on Feb. 26 to raise money for the Recording Arts Coalition. Joining them are Billy Joel, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks and others in an effort to win broader rights for artists.

RAYE LEAVES EPIC

Sony's Epic recording artist Collin Raye is leaving the label, though it is not yet official. Collin's manager, Steve Cox, stated, "Nobody's at fault here. Nobody has done anything but handle themselves correctly." Collin's new album, Can't Back Down, on Epic will be released as planned on Jan. 22.

MARTINA MCBRIDE TO ENTERTAIN OLYMPIC VISITORS

Opry member Martina McBride is one of several artists who will perform in concert at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City on Feb. 24. Brooks & Dunn perform on Feb. 16. Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow, Creed and 'N Sync are among other artists scheduled to appear during the 11 nightly concerts.

Coming Soon To The Opry Stage:

Dec. 21: Dale Watson, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, Clark Family Experience, Brad Paisley

Dec. 22: Dale Watson, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, Clark Family Experience, Linda Davis, Sonya Isaacs, Brad Paisley

Dec. 28: Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris, Riders in the Sky, Hal Ketchum, BR549, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury Band

Dec. 29: Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Riders in the Sky, Hal Ketchum, BR549, Ricky Skaggs, Rhonda Vincent

Jan. 4: T. Bubba Bechtol, Andy Griggs, Blake Shelton, The Wilkinsons, Collin Raye

Jan. 5: Trisha Yearwood, T. Bubba Bechtol, Andy Griggs, Blake Shelton, The Wilkinsons, Collin Raye

Jan. 11: Mark Wills, Terri Clark, Joe Diffie

Jan. 12: Mark Wills, Terri Clark, Joe Diffie, Alan Jackson

Jan. 18: Phil Vassar, T Bubba Bechtol

Jan. 19: Phil Vassar, T Bubba Bechtol, Andy Griggs

Jan. 25: Rhonda Vincent

Jan. 26: Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent

Feb. 8-9: Trick Pony

(For Opry tickets, log on to opry.com or call 615-889-3060 or TicketMaster at 615-255-9600. Artists and schedule subject to change.)

By Opryland USA in Nashville and UPI