Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY (Thurs., April 18) Advertisement Gene Autry recorded "Back in the Saddle Again" in 1936. Milton Brown died from injuries suffered in a car accident in Texas in 1936. He was 32. Earl Scruggs married Louise Certain in 1948. Red Foley hosted his last Prince Albert Grand Ole Opry segment in 1953. Dorsey Dixon of the 1930s duo the Dixon Brothers died at age 70 in 1968. MUSIC AND MORE ANOTHER HONOR FOR GARTH BROOKS The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame says it will honor Garth Brooks with its latest "Hitmaker" award. The group, based in New York City, says Brooks -- though best known as a singer and performer -- has helped write many songs that have become major hits. The academy on its Web site notes that last year's winner was singer Dionne Warwick. Additionally, the songwriters' section of the group will honor Barry Manilow, Ashford & Simpson, Randy Newman and Sting at this year's dinner. The presentations will take place on June 13. Highlight of the night will be the presentation of the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award to Stevie Wonder. Advertisement STATLERS SET FINAL CONCERT DATES Several months ago, the Statler Brothers announced it was about to end decades of touring. Now, according to CMT, the members have set Oct. 26 as their final concert date. Their final three concerts will take place in the South, as you might expect. Oct. 24 they'll be in Huntsville, Ala.; on the next night, they'll perform in Asheville, N.C., and end the tour in Salem, Va. It will likely be tough for the guys to say goodbye. Since gaining national attention with the classic "Flowers on the Wall," the quartet has toured the world and cranked out a lot of really fun albums. The four say they will continue to do some recording, but touring is out. (The above two items thanks to UPI's Dennis Daily) JOHNNY CASH'S BEST MERCURY RECORDINGS The best of Johnny Cash's recordings for the Mercury label -- many of them reprises of his greatest hits -- are included on the compilation album "The Best of Johnny Cash: The Mercury Recordings Edition of 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection." The album reaches stores May 21. It brings together the highlights of his late 1980s tenure with esteemed producer Jack Clement, including the country hit "The Night Hank Williams Came To Town," with its guest vocal by Waylon Jennings and co-penned by country rebel Bobby Braddock and Charlie Williams. Each of the tracks has been digitally remastered. Advertisement Cash joined Mercury in 1986 after nearly 30 years with Columbia. He released four albums before leaving in 1990 to join the American Recordings label.
