Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY (Fri., Nov.2) Advertisement Charlie Walker was born in Collins County, Texas, in 1926. "Sixteen Tons" by Tennessee Ernie Ford appeared on the charts in 1955. k.d. lang was born in Consort, Alberta, Canada, in 1961. Sonny James entered the charts with "Here Comes Honey Again," which became his 20th No.1 record, in 1971. MORE COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY FOR THIS WEEKEND (Sat., Nov.3) Jerry Lee Lewis' "Great Balls of Fire" was released by Sun Records in 1957. Jimmie "The Singing Brakeman" Rodgers was unanimously voted the first member of the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. Dolly Parton's second No.1 single, "Jolene," first hit the charts in 1973. Willie Nelson's recording of Steve Goodman's "City of New Orleans" topped the country music charts in 1984, six weeks after Goodman's death. Advertisement President Reagan quoted Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" while campaigning in California in 1986. George Strait topped the charts with "Check Yes Or No" for the second week in 1995. (Sun., Nov.4) The late Kirk McGee was born in 1899. Delbert McClinton was born in Lubbock, Texas, in 1940. Johnny Cash was among the artists announced in 1991 as the class of 1992 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA Q: What artist's current single is titled "I'm Tryin'"? A: Trace Adkins, who visits the Opry Nov. 10 along with Clint Black and other Opry favorites. MUSIC AND MORE CHARLIE DANIELS DOES CNN Charlie Daniels is raising his patriotic voice once again with his heart-felt anthem "This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag." The song -- being heard on country, rock, classic rock and talk radio -- will be the focus of a CNN "Headline News" live interview Friday (at 3 p.m. EST). The Charlie Daniels Band recorded the song on October 18 in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., just a week after the release of "Live: The Charlie Daniels Band" -- its first live record in the band's 30-plus-year history. The next pressing of the album will include the tune. In the meantime, fans will receive it as an added bonus when they purchase the Live CD online via Daniels' Web site (charliedaniels.com). Advertisement "This Ain't No Rag, It's A Flag" entered Billboard and R&R magazines' top radio charts this week as the band's highest-charting single since "In America," the Daniels' song inspired by the Persian Gulf War. MERLEFEST 2002 Opry members Alison Krauss & Union Station and Patty Loveless are among the artists confirmed for MerleFest 2002 in Wilkesboro, N.C., April 25-28. Nickel Creek, Earl Scruggs and Friends and others will also appear. (Tickets go on sale Nov. 13 and can be purchased by calling 800-343-7857 (U.S.) or 336-838-6277 (outside the US). Purchases can also be made by mail at MerleFest, P.O. Box 1299, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697 or at merlefest.org.) BE A PEPPER LIKE GARTH Garth Brooks' Dr. Pepper commercials begin airing Saturday on network, cable and local television. Some will promote Garth's new CD, "Scarecrow," telling consumers to buy two 12-packs of Dr Pepper at Kmart stores and get a $2 off coupon for the CD. The album will be released Nov. 13. In a statement, Brooks said: "I've been a Dr Pepper fan forever. I actually have it in my house." DIFFIE TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER Advertisement Opry member Joe Diffie steps on board the Santa Special train on Saturday, Nov. 17, to bring a little Christmas cheer to children throughout Appalachia. Joe, along with Lyric Street's Kree Harrison, will pass out gifts and joy to children in remote areas of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. Bob Arrington, president of the Kingsport Tennessee Area Chamber of Commerce, said, "We are very excited to have Joe Diffie and Kree Harrison join us for the 59th running of the Santa Train. The willingness and generosity of these two talented superstars to help bring Christmas cheer to thousands of children is greatly applauded and much appreciated." COMING SOON TO THE OPRY STAGE Nov. 2: Lorrie Morgan, Sherrie Austin Nov. 3: Lorrie Morgan, Sherrie Austin, The Isaacs, Vince Gill Nov. 9: Brad Paisley, Trace Adkins (6:30), T Bubba Bechtol Nov. 10: Trace Adkins, Clint Black, T Bubba Bechtol Nov. 11: Opry at the Ryman American Pride Concert: Bill Anderson, Jimmy Dickens, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, Steve Wariner Nov. 17: Eddy Raven Nov. 24: Del McCoury Band Nov. 30: Joe Diffie, Steve Wariner, Del McCoury Band Advertisement Dec. 1: Joe Diffie, Asleep at the Wheel, Del McCoury Band Dec. 8: Travis Tritt Dec. 14: Jeff Carson Dec. 15: Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Carson (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
