Today in country music history:

2006 - Trick Pony performed their final show with Heidi Newfield in Las Vegas.

2001 - Lee Ann Womack kicked off a holiday touring performing with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

1997 - Little Jimmy Dickens retired from teaching.

1994 - The Tractors' self-titled debut album went platinum. It was the first time a country band reached that sales plateau without touring.

1994 - Alan Jackson's album Don't Rock the Jukebox was certified triple platinum.

1994 - Brooks & Dunn's debut album Brand New Man became the first album by a country duo certified four-times platinum.

1994 - Steve Wariner earned his first gold album for I Am Ready.

1961 - Patsy Cline, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, Jim Reeves, Faron Young and Minnie Pearl were among the stars performing as the Grand Ole Opry staged a show at New York City's Carnegie Hall.
 
1959 - "The Battle of New Orleans" won Song of the Year and Best Country and Western Performance for Johnny Horton at the second annual Grammy Awards.

Birthday:

Merle Travis (1917-1983) - guitar legend

Image: Michael Ochs Archive

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