FLASHBACK: The Good Morning Rodeo Looks At This Day in Country

At around 7:40 am each day, just after the Good Morning Rodeo Birthday Shoutouts, there's the Morning Flashback. It's a two-minute segment with many culturally significant dates and country music history.

It's fun to do a bit of research and editing. Some days surprise me for the limited notable events. At the same time, others are packed with memorable occasions and compelling people.

I do my best to edit with discerning to pick historical highlights that listeners will find informative, humorous, nostalgic, and entertaining. Occasionally I may add some commentary, but I keep it to a minimum. 

Whether an invention, world record, or monumental event, it's fun flashing back to each day's unique connections to human history. 

We then go through a litany of country music history. I'll often go back when I think it's something the audience will relate to or find interesting. I enjoy discovering and remembering the roots and legends of Country Music and how they tie into American culture and history.

Friday, September 16, offers a fine example. 

1950

David Bellamy, singer, and songwriter of The Bellamy Brothers, was born on this date. 

The Bellamy Brothers succeeded in the 1970s and 1980s, starting with the release of their 1976 international #1 hit "Let Your Love Flow." The song is an uplifting ballad of positivity, just what America needed post-Watergate & Vietnam. In addition, 1976 was the United States Bicentennial, so the song became part of the background music to the national celebration. 

The Bellamy Brothers also had twenty #1 country music singles.

1969

Johnny Cash was #1 on the Billboard country singles chart with "A Boy Named Sue." This iconic Johnny Cash song is a classic country music storytelling song. It's clever and comical to boot.

1974

John Denver was #1 on the U.S. country album chart with Back Home Again. This multi-platinum album includes hit singles "Annie's Song," "Back Home Again," and "Sweet Surrender." And the studio version of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy."

 From his songwriting, movies like Oh God, and television specials with Muppets, Denver's contributions to 1970s America were significant. 

1974

Dolly Parton released Love Is Like a Butterfly, her fourteenth solo studio album. The title track was the third consecutive single to reach #1 for Parton. Like Denver, Dolly made significant contributions to American culture during the decade. Whether in film, on television, or the radio. 

1983

Country Music legends Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson were #1 with their cover of Pancho & Lefty, the ballad written by talented country music artist Townes Van Zandt. 

Merle & Willie's version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2020.

Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as the 17th-greatest Western song of all time. In June 2004, Rolling Stone ranked "Pancho and Lefty" 41st on its list of the "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time".

1993

Alan Jackson was #1 on the Country chart with A Lot About Livin' (And a Little 'bout Love). Songs "Chattahoochee" and "She's Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues)" were both #1 hits, while three additional songs reached the Top 5.

2020

For the first time in history, the Academy of Country Music declares a tie for the Entertainer of the year award to Thomas Rhett and Carrie Underwood.

Join Us Monday - Friday at 7:40 am for the Good Morning Rodeo Flashback!