Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe TODAY IN COUNTRY MUSIC HISTORY (Monday, March 31) Advertisement Lefty Frizzell born in Corsicana, Texas, 1928. Anita Carter born in Maces Springs, Va., 1933. Songwriter John D. Loudermilk born in Durham, N.C., 1934. Johnny Rodriguez' first No. 1 single, "You Always Come Back (To Hurting Me)," is charted, 1973. Alabama's "Greatest Hits" album is certified gold and platinum, 1986. Joe Diffie's "So Help Me Girl" tops charts, 1995. MUSIC AND MORE GEORGE JONES: COUNTRY GONE 'HAYWIRE' At 71, George Jones says he's still "rarin' to go" but is touring now in case he can't later. The legendary Jones isn't real happy with the direction the genre has gone, either. Currently on a farewell tour across Canada, Jones tells the Calgary Sun country has gone "haywire," save for artists like Alan Jackson, George Strait, Brad Paisley and a few others. Meaning no disrespect for Shania Twain, he says, some of the blame for country's demise belongs with her. "They still call it country music and that makes me madder than anything," says Jones, who played Calgary last Friday. "Because to me they are using country music as a stepping stone." Advertisement He says, "Shania Twain, and people like that, they don't care any more about country music than Joe Blow from Kokomo." JO DEE STEPS UP ON OPENING DAY Jo Dee Messina will sing the National Anthem for the Atlanta Braves' season opener on Monday against the Montreal Expos. While in Atlanta, Messina will tape a Braves' TV spot, which will run through the baseball season on TBS and various network affiliates. RASCAL FLATTS STARS IN CMT SPRING BREAK SHOW Rascal Flatts' spring break show in Daytona Beach, Fla., on April 12 is to be taped for broadcast as a special on CMT. The special, titled "Rascal Flatts: Melt on the Beach," will debut April 25, CMT.com says. "I wish I could find something great to say about the spring breaks I had in Daytona, but I can't remember any of them," says Rascal Flatts' Jay DeMarcus.
