The Childhood Memories Alan Jackson Chose to Keep After Losing His Father
Alan Jackson wrote “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” after the death of his father, Eugene Jackson, in 2000. The song became…
Johnny Cash Wrote About Making Coffee for June. Nearly 50 Years Later, Those Words Became a Song at Their Lost Home.
In February 1970, Johnny Cash wrote something for June Carter Cash that had nothing to do with fame, concerts, or…
Chet Atkins and the Father He Still Couldn’t Say Goodbye To
Chet Atkins’s performance of “I Still Can’t Say Goodbye” carries an ache that needs little explanation. A grown son remembers…
The Statler Brothers Once Recorded an Album So Bad It Became One of Their Funniest Achievements
The Statler Brothers were famous for getting their harmonies just right. But in the early 1970s, Harold Reid, Don Reid,…
The Day Conway Twitty Recorded “Hello Darlin’” in Russian—and Sent Country Music Into Space
In April 1975, Conway Twitty entered a recording studio in Oklahoma City to sing one of the most familiar songs…
Before Nashville Saw Charley Pride’s Face, Cowboy Jack Clement Made Them Hear His Voice
In 1965, producer Cowboy Jack Clement had an unusual way of introducing a new country singer to Nashville. Cowboy Jack…
The Night Waylon Jennings Sent Cowboy Jack Clement Home From the Recording Studio
Waylon Jennings was trying to make one of the most important albums of his career when producer Cowboy Jack Clement…
The Day Elvis Presley Called Jerry Reed Away From Fishing to Save a Recording Session
On September 10, 1967, Elvis Presley was recording at RCA Studio B in Nashville with some of the finest musicians…
Merle Haggard Was Half-Asleep When Willie Nelson Made Him Record a No. 1 Hit
Merle Haggard had barely fallen asleep when Willie Nelson knocked on the door of a tour bus around four in…
The Day Dolly Parton Took the Guitar From Porter Wagoner During the Recording of “Jolene”
One of the most recognizable guitar parts in country music nearly became a source of confusion during the recording of…