Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thurs., Dec.13)

Grand Ole Opry member Buck White of The Whites was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., in 1930.

Lulu Belle and Scotty Wiseman married in 1934.

Gene Autry recorded the top-10 single "I Hang My Head and Cry" in 1941.

Randy Owen, singer and rhythm guitarist for the group Alabama, was born in Fort Payne, Ala., in 1949.

Hank Snow recorded the top-10 single "These Hands" in 1955.

Debby Boone's album You Light Up My Life was certified platinum in 1977.

David Allan Coe wed Debbie Pardue in 1982.

Faith Hill debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1993.

COUNTRY MUSIC TRIVIA

Q: What Carthage, Texas, native recorded "Does He Love You" with Reba McEntire?

A: Linda Davis, who returns to the Opry stage during Opry at the Ryman on Dec. 22.

MUSIC AND MORE

MONROE MEMORABILIA UP FOR SALE

More than 600 items from the estate of the late "grandfather of bluegrass music," Bill Monroe, will be going up for auction in less than two weeks.

Country.com reports the auction will take place Dec. 21-22 at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Monroe's son, James, is the executor of the estate and organized the sale. A part of the profits from the auction will go to a fund that maintains the non-profit music shrine.

Some of the items that James has arranged to go up for sale are some of his father's stage wear, a family Bible, photos and a detailed log of Monroe's travels and concerts over the years. Other items are from Monroe's cabin in the hills of Kentucky.

(Thanks to UPI Feature Reporter Dennis Daily)

LORETTA CARRIES TORCH

Opry member Loretta Lynn will perform duties as an official torchbearer of the 2002 Winter Olympics torch. She'll carry the torch beginning at 6:05 p.m. EST this Sunday, down Maylawn Ave. in Louisville, Ky. "I'm so excited! This is one of the greatest things I've ever been asked to do!" said Lynn.

Coming Soon To The Opry Stage:

Dec. 14: Jeff Carson, Charley Pride, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time, Mandy Barnett, The Whites, Mike Snider

Dec. 15 (1:00 pm Matinee): Jeff Carson, Mandy Barnett, Ricky Van Shelton

Dec. 15: Tracy Lawrence, Jeff Carson, John Prine, Charley Pride, Mandy Barnett, The Whites, Mike Snider

Dec. 21: Dale Watson, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, Clark Family Experience

Dec. 22: Dale Watson, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, Clark Family Experience, Linda Davis

Dec. 28: Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris, Riders in the Sky, Hal Ketchum, BR549, Ricky Skaggs

Dec. 29: Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Riders in the Sky, Hal Ketchum, BR549, Ricky Skaggs

Jan. 4-5: T. Bubba Bechtol, Andy Griggs, Blake Shelton

Jan. 11-12: Mark Wills, Terri Clark, Joe Diffie

Jan. 18-19: Phil Vassar, T Bubba Bechtol

Jan. 25: Rhonda Vincent

Jan. 26: Del McCoury Band, Rhonda Vincent

(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