Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY (Thurs., March 21) Advertisement Bascom Lamar Lunsford was born in 1882. Bluesman Prince Albert Hunt died in 1931. Stan Hitchcock was born in 1938. The Carlisles made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry in 1953. Carl Perkins' career was derailed when he was injured in a car accident en route to perform on Perry Como's TV show in 1956. Perkins' brother, Jay, was killed in the crash. Hank Williams Jr. was named Entertainer of the Year by the Academy of Country Music in 1988. Clarence "Leo" Fender, maker of the Telecaster and Stratocaster guitars, died in 1991. Anne Murray was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall Of Fame in 1993. Billy Ray Cyrus and k.d. lang were among the winners at the Juno Awards, Canada's version of the Grammys, in 1993. Advertisement MUSIC AND MORE MARTINA MCBRIDE AT TOP OF CHARTS AGAIN The latest single by Martina McBride has just hit the top of the charts. The song, "Blessed," hit the No. 1 spot on Billboard's Hot Country Singles and Tracks chart yesterday. At the same time, CMT reports that McBride's photo is gracing the cover of Country Weekly magazine. She is also slated to appear on the cable network's weekly Grand Ole Opry Live broadcast this weekend. After a hectic schedule of recording and touring, the singer hopes to take some time off in the coming weeks to take her family to Disneyland. McBride has so many fans that she is among those stars that have several "unofficial" Web sites. One of the best is called "The Magical World of Martina McBride." Try going to any search engine and type in "Martina McBride" and check out some of the links. (Thanks to UPI's Dennis Daily) HARLAN HOWARD'S FRIENDS SAY GOOD-BYE Friends and fans of Harlan Howard gathered at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium Tuesday afternoon to pay tribute to the late songwriter, who was remember as not only being the absolute best at what he did but also as one who never lost his enthusiasm for his trade nor his kindness toward those who aspired to follow in his footsteps. Advertisement Jonell Mosser's majestic rendition of "Ave Maria," which opened the program, was its only solemn moment, country.com reports. After that, as master of ceremonies Ralph Murphy promised, it was "all Harlan, all day." All but one of the songs performed during the two-hour memorial service were Howard's. Artists included Pam Tillis, Trisha Yearwood, The Judds, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, John Conlee, Bobby Bare, Nanci Griffith, Melba Montgomery, Sara Evans and Jim Lauderdale. Playing in the backup band were Larry Paxton, David Briggs, Kenny Bell, Bruce Bouton, Bill Hullett, Troy Lancaster, Michael Rhodes, John Jarvis, Steve Turner and Wanda Vick. Interspersed within the live performances were three video presentations that featured reminiscences by those who knew Howard best -- as well as clips of Howard singing, talking and responding to his 1997 induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Howard died March 3 at the age of 74. PLANS FIRM UP FOR WAYLON JENNINGS MEMORIAL SERVICE A public memorial service for the late Waylon Jennings will be held this Saturday (at 7:30 p.m.) at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Allstar News reports limited seating in the balcony has been set aside for fans, though no tickets will be given. The media is prohibited from the service. Advertisement In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Sue Brewer Fund in care of the Songwriters Guild Foundation (1222 16th Avenue South, Nashviille, Tenn., 37212) and/or The Mayo Foundation (13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Ariz. 85259). Jennings died Feb. 13 at his home in Arizona. DOVE AWARDS St. Louis Rams Quarterback and NFL MVP Kurt Warner and singer Yolanda Adams will co-host the 33rd Annual Dove Awards, which will be presented April 25 in ceremonies at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville. The show will air on PAX-TV (beginning at 9 p.m. ET), marking the first time the ceremonies will be shown live on a national network. In addition, FamilyNet will televise live a two- hour pre-show where more than 25 Dove Awards will be handed out. The broadcast will also feature backstage interviews and will direct viewers to PAX-TV at its conclusion. The Dove Awards recognizes achievement in all genres of contemporary Christian and Gospel music. A complete list of nominees can be found online at doveawards.com. DAVE ALVIN Dave Alvin is taking to the road in support of his latest album, "Public Domain: Songs From the Wild Land" (on HighTone Records). Alvin says most of the songs on the CD he found while collecting old records with his brother, Phil, when they were teenagers. Advertisement Tour dates: 4/19 -- Texas Union Theatre, Austin TX (w/ Tom Russell, Katy Moffatt) 4/20 -- Crighton Theatre, Conroe TX (w/ Tom Russell, Katy Moffatt) 4/21 -- Casbeer's Bar & Grill, San Antonio TX 6/16 -- Live Oak Music Festival, Santa Barbara CA 7/2 -- Rainbow Summer, Milwaukee WI 7/6 -- Zoo Blues & Brews, Lincoln NE 8/9-11 -- Edmonton Folk Festival, Edmonton, Canada
