Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Monday, May 26)

Hank Williams Jr. born in Shreveport, La., 1949.

Jimmie Rodgers dies at age 35, 1933.

Memorial to Jimmie Rodgers unveiled in Meridian, Miss., 1953.

Willie Nelson debuts on the charts with "Touch Me," 1962.

Jeanne Pruett's "Satin Sheets" is No. 1, 1973.

The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's first No. 1 single, "Long Hard Road," is charted, 1984.

Brooks & Dunn's debut album "Brand New Man" goes gold, 1992.

Pam Tillis' "In Between Dances" hits the charts, 1995.

MUSIC AND MORE

'NASHVILLE STAR' SINGLE AT NO. 37

Just three weeks after winning the USA Network's Nashville Star competition, country artist Buddy Jewell made his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night.

Jewell sang his debut single, "Help Pour Out the Rain (Lacey's Song)," which entered the Billboard country singles chart at No. 44 and rose to No. 37 this week.

He just finished shooting a video for the song and his debut CD, being produced by country star Clint Black, is due in stores July 1.

WILLIE'S B-DAY BASH ON THE TUBE

Willie Nelson's 70th birthday party, which was taped at New York's Beacon Theatre April 9, will be broadcast at 7 p.m. EDT Monday on the USA Network.

More than five hours of music by some of the biggest names in the business was whittled down to a two-hour special, "Willie Nelson & Friends," to debut on Memorial Day and be re-broadcast this weekend.

Shania Twain, Toby Keith, Ray Charles, Lyle Lovett, Ray Price, Kenny Chesney, Kris Kristofferson and Sheryl Crow were among the performers helping Nelson mark his 70th, which was April 30.