December 11th: On this day
1935
Born on this day, was Tom Brumley, American steel guitarist who played with Buck Owens and the Buckaroos in the 1960s, contributing to the group's "Bakersfield sound", and later spent a decade with Rick Nelson. Brumley died on February 3, 2009.
1944
Born on this day in Atlanta, Georgia, was Brenda Lee. At 4 ft. 9 inches tall (approximately 145 cm), she received the nickname 'Little Miss Dynamite' in 1957 after recording the song "Dynamite"; and was one of the earliest pop stars to have a major contemporary international following. In 1997, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
1946
After signing a deal with Sterling Records, during his first recording session, Hank Williams recorded the songs "Wealth Won't Save Your Soul", "Calling You", "Never Again", and "When God Comes and Gathers His Jewels."
1946
Born on this day was American record producer and pianist Tony Brown. A former member of the Stamps Quartet and backing musician for Emmylou Harris, Brown is known primarily for his production work with Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, and George Strait.
1949
American old-time fiddler and an early-recorded country musician Fiddlin' John Carson died aged 81. He wrote more than 150 songs in his life but only nine were ever copyrighted which led to several copyright issues with both Okeh Records and other musicians during his active career.
1967
Recording sessions for Just Because I'm a Woman the second solo studio album by Dolly Parton took place at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. It was released on April 15, 1968, by RCA Victor. The album which was produced by Bob Ferguson peaked at #22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.
1977
Willie Nelson recorded tracks for his forthcoming album Stardust. Produced by Booker T. Jones, all the songs on the album consist entirely of pop standards that Nelson picked from among his favorites. Executives of Columbia Records were not convinced that the album would sell well, because the project was a radical departure from his earlier success in the outlaw movement. When released, Stardust was on Billboard's Country Album charts for ten years - from its release until 1988.
1995
Garth Brooks released "The Beaches of Cheyenne" as the third single from his album Fresh Horses. The single became Brooks's fifteenth Billboard #1 hit, holding the position for one week.
2006
Oprah Winfrey held an iTunes concert featuring Carrie Underwood, Josh Groban, Michael Buble, and Tony Bennett. Carrie Underwood performed "Jesus, Take the Wheel."