Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Tuesday, Feb. 25)

Ralph Stanley born in Stratton, Va., 1927.

Faron Young born in Shreveport, La., 1932.

The Statler Brothers' "The Best Of The Statler Brothers Rides Again Vol. 2" album goes gold, 1981.

Webb Pierce records No. 1 single "I Don't Care," 1955.

Dwight Yoakam tops Billboard charts with "I Sang Dixie," 1989.

K.T. Oslin's "Love In A Small Town" album goes gold, 1991.

Vince Gill's "Tryin' To Get Over You" hits No. 1, 1994.

Wade Hayes' debut hit "Old Enough to Know Better" reaches No. 1, 1995.

MUSIC AND MORE

LYLE LOVETT GOES HOLLYWOOD

Singer-songwriter Lyle Lovett on Tuesday releases "Smile," a 12-song collection MCA Records calls "an eclectic cross-section" of music from American films.

The tracks range from "I'm A Soldier In The Army Of The Lord" ("The Apostle") and "Straighten Up And Fly Right" ("Dear God") to "Walking Tall" ("Stuart Little") and "Smile" ("Hope Floats").

Texas-born Lovett, who has four Grammy awards to his credit, including Best Country Album in 1996 for "Road To Ensenada," is accompanied by his Large Band with guest shots by Keb' Mo', George Duke and Randy Newman.

PAYCHECK'S FUNERAL TODAY

Funeral services for Johnny Paycheck are to be held Tuesday afternoon at Woodlawn Funeral Home in Nashville.

Following the services, Paycheck will be buried in a plot donated by country legend George Jones, for whom he played backup decades ago.

Paycheck, best known for his 1977 single "Take This Job and Shove It," died of emphysema last week. He was 64.