Colin Lovequist is away this week which means I’ll have today’s edition of number 1’s at 1 and we’re going to celebrate the life of Ray Charles.

Ray Charles passed away on this day in 2004 from liver failure. He helped bring country music to mainstream thanks to his ground breaking album “Modern Sounds of Country and Western Music” in 1962.

Willie Nelson was at number one on this day in 1978 with an old Ray Charles hit. “Georgia” would stay at number one for one week.

Dwight Yoakam landed his second consecutive number one album on this week in 1987 with “Hillbilly Deluxe.”

Clint Black found himself at the top of the country chart on this day in 1989 with his debut single “A Better Man.” It marked the first time since Freddy Fender that a country artist reached the top of the chart with his first single. The song would stay at the top for one week and be named the number one song of 1989.

On the Canadian RPM Country Chart, Shania Twain was in the middle of a three week ride at #1 with huge song for her this week in 1995. “Any Man of Mine” would become her first number 1 in the US and her 2nd number 1 in Canada.

Billy Ray Cyrus was in the middle of  five week ride at number 1 this week back in 1992 with song that was supposed to be done by the Oak Ridge Boys. They passed on it because they didn’t like the phrase “achy breaky.” Billy Ray Cyrus took and it launched his career. “Achy Breaky Heart” was a huge number 1 and would spawn a huge resurgence in line dancing.

The Dixie Chicks found themselves at the top of the country albums chart on this day in 2006 with a massive album titled “Taking the Long Way.”  The album sold over 2.5 million copies just in the US alone and got them five Grammy Awards.

And we’ll celebrate a birthday today on Number 1’s at 1! We hope you’ll join us.