Dolly Parton started her fifth and final week at number 1 with a song that was originally written for Brenda Lee to help spark a comeback of sorts for her. Lee passed on the song and Dolly decided to record it instead. It worked out well for her, not only did it reach number 1 on the country chart it also reached number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Fast forward to 1979 where “Here You Come Again” got Dolly Parton a Grammy Award.

Hank Williams passed away New Year’s Night 1953 at the age of 29. Hawkshaw Hawkins broke the news to the crowd in Canton, Ohio the next day and sang “I saw the Light” to a very emotional crowd.

Keith Whitley started his second week at number 1 on this day back in 1988 with a song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. Believe it or not they thought the song was just “OK” and didn’t think much of it, but when Keith Whitley heard “When You Say Nothing at All,” he knew he wanted it!

Vince Gill started a three week ride at number 1 this back in 1992. “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slipping Away” became his 2nd number 1 career hit and stayed at the top until January 16th, 1993 when “Somewhere Other than the Night” by Garth Brooks bumped it out of the number 1 spot.

Closing out 1993 was the only number 1 hit Doug Supernaw ever had. “I don’t Call Him Daddy” had a 2 week ride at number 1. Its final day in that top spot was Dec 31st, 1993.

Garth Brooks debuted at number 1 on the Country Albums chart on this day in 1994 with “The Hits.”

Looking back at 2002 on the country albums chart…Shania Twain was at number 1 on the chart with UP! In it’s first week alone the album sold over 870 thousand copies!

Country music birthdays:

Charlie Major turns 65

John Denver was born on this day in 1943

We’ll have these and more starting at 1:00 this afternoon!