Country Music News

TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY

(Thurs., March 28)

Arlie Duff was born in 1924.

Dillards mandolin player Dean Webb was born in 1937.

Charlie McCoy was born in 1941.

Hank Snow recorded his first No.1 single, "I'm Movin' On," in 1950.

Reba McEntire was born in 1954.

Eddy Arnold's "The Best Of Eddy Arnold" album was certified gold in 1968.

Arthur "Big Boy" Cruddup -- who wrote "That's All Right Mama" -- died in 1974. He was 69.

John Denver's "Sunshine On My Shoulder" single was certified gold in 1974.

Tom T. Hall rejoined the Grand Ole Opry in 1980.

Willie Nelson performed a benefit concert in Hillsboro, Texas, in 1993 to raise money to restore the Hill County Courthouse that'd been destroyed by fire. Nelson spent his childhood in the area.

Trisha Yearwood's new album, "Real Live Woman," was released in 2000.

MUSIC AND MORE

REBA'S 'ANNIE' COSTUMES

The costumes Reba McEntire wore while starring in the Broadway production of "Annie Get Your Gun" are now on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Country.com reports the exhibit is part of the museum's Spotlight Series, which highlights newly acquired artifacts and memorabilia.

McEntire made her Broadway debut in January 2001 in the title role of Annie Oakley. Five of her costumes from the production are on display -- including a cream suede leather bolero-style jacket and matching chaps; an 1800s-style floral day dress with bustle; a royal purple and black day coat with capelet and velvet cuff and collar accents; a full-length pearl gray skirt and pale blue blouse accented with a purple bandana; and a "hillbilly style" fringed leather jacket and pants with patches and a scrap-leather belt.

Displayed with the costumes is an autographed 2001 poster for "Annie Get Your Gun" and a costume drawing from Rodgers & Hammerstein's original 1946 production of the show. The music for "Annie" was written by the legendary Irving Berlin. Berlin's daughters presented the drawing to McEntire in appreciation of her outstanding performance.

MERLE HAGGARD HITTING THE ROAD

Merle Haggard is hitting the road this spring in support of his second Anti Records album, "Roots, Vol. 1," which debuted at No.47 on the charts last November. The tour kicks off April 11 at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Ariz., and closes May 19 at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash., Billboard.com reports.

Tour dates:

April 11: Tucson, Ariz. (Desert Diamond Casino)

April 12: San Antonio, Texas (Far West Rodeo)

April 13: Helotes, Texas (John T. Floor Country Store)

April 14: Austin, Texas (Stubbs)

April 16: McAllen, Texas (La Villa Real Special Events)

April 17: Montgomery, Texas (Havens Landing)

April 18: Gainesville, Texas (Silver Spur II)

April 19: Topeka, Kan. (Topeka Performing Arts Center)

April 21: Denver (Fillmore)

May 11: Phoenix (Celebrity Theatre)

May 12: Carlsbad, N.M. (Carlsbad Civic Center)