October 15th: On this day

1943
Born on this day, was American drummer and session musician Larrie Londin. He played on more hit records during his career than any other drummer, with the possible exception of the legendary session drummer Hal Blaine. Londin moved to Nashville in 1969, and grew to be regarded as Nashville's top session drummer and played with a wide range of artists, including Emmylou Harris, Charley Pride, Randy Travis, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Albert Lee, Larry Carlton, Merle Haggard, Hank Snow, Jerry Reed, Rosanne Cash, Reba McEntire, KT Oslin, Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Hank Williams, Jr., Chet Atkins, Ronnie Milsap, and many others. He died on August 24, 1992.

1960
Loretta Lynn made her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. In a press conference she said, "I've played in a million places, but the Grand Ole Opry is different." Lynn has been a member of The Grand Ole Opry for over years, since joining on September 25, 1962.

1965
Born on this day in Los Angeles, California, was Dean Miller, country music artist, (the son of Roger Miller). He has scored four singles on the Hot Country Songs charts as well as writing singles for Trace Adkins and Terri Clark.

1969
Born on this day was Kimberly Roads from Little Big Town. All of their albums have accounted for over 20 singles on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, including the No. 1 singles "Pontoon", "Girl Crush", and "Better Man."

1969
The third CMA Awards show took place at The Ryman Auditorium. Johnny Cash won Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Album of The Year for Johnny Cash at San Quentin. Tammy Wynette won Female Vocalist of the Year (for the third year running) and songwriter Bob Ferguson won Single of The Year for "The Carroll County Accident" a hit for Porter Wagoner.

1970
Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Billy Walker, The Wilburn Brothers, The Willis Brothers, Jim & Jesse and Skeeter Davis all performed during the WSM Luncheon and Spectacular at the Municipal Auditorium as the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 45th anniversary.

1973
Dolly Parton released "Jolene" as the first single and title track from her album of the same name. According to Parton, the song which peaked at #1 on the Country charts was inspired by a red-headed bank clerk who flirted with her husband Carl Dean at his local bank branch around the time they were newly married. "Jolene" is the song most recorded by other artists of all the songs Parton has written.

1973
Charlie Rich won three awards during the seventh annual CMA Awards show at the Grand Ole Opry House. He won Single of the Year, for "Behind Closed Doors,", Album of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Loretta Lynn won Female Vocalist of the Year and Roy Clark won the coveted Entertainer of the Year Award.

1983
George Jones married his fourth wife, Nancy Sepulvado. The ceremony took place at the home of Jones' sister, Helen Scroggins, in Woodville, Texas. The country legend, who had a highly publicized battle with drugs and alcohol, relied on his fourth wife to finally help him get sober.

1997
A federal aviation official told the Associated Press that John Denver flew to his death with an invalid license because he had twice been arrested on drunk driving charges, The Federal Aviation Administration had pulled Denver's medical certificate - which is required to fly with a pilot's license - on June 13, 1996.

2002
Faith Hill released Cry, her fifth studio album which has gone on to sell over 4 million copies worldwide. Hill has publicly stated that, of all the albums she has recorded, Cry is her favorite.

2009
Garth Brooks announced that he was coming out of retirement to play concerts in Las Vegas. The concerts would be held approximately fifteen weekends per year until the year 2014. His first set of concerts has already sold out.

2011
Keith Urban closed his 60 date Get Closer world tour at the Target Center Minneapolis. The full tour yielded $15.7 million in grosses, with Urban taking home $5.3 million. Jake Owen had opened for Urban on the US leg of the tour.