Country Music’s Big Moments Come Alive On July 7

Country music has its legends, and today's date has several in it.

1950: Johnny's Patriotic Service

In 1950, a young Johnny Cash made an important decision that would ultimately influence his music in a big way. He enlisted in the Air Force and went to basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He served as a radio intercept operator when stationed in Landsberg, Germany. He didn't just intercept the enemy, he also intercepted his heart. That's where he began to play guitar and formed a band called the Landsberg Barbarians.

1956: Johnny Joins Another Organization

Fast forward six years, Cash had a very profound day in country music history in 1956, Cash was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. In 1965, his rebel nature prevailed when he broke the stage lights on the Opry with a mic stand and was subsequently kicked out of the Opry. He was at peace with the Grand Ole Opry in 1968 when he was a member there for the remainder of his life.

1990: George Strait Goes Straight to the Top

Then we jump to 1990 when George Strait made Billboard history when his song, "Love Without End, Amen" hit number one for five straight weeks. That hadn't been accomplished since Dolly Parton's song, "Here You Come Again" cracked the five-week mark in 1977. It was also the only time one of Strait's song had sat number one for more than a single week.

1997: Alan Jackson Gets Another Win

Well, finally, in 1997 Alan Jackson, released "There Goes," which became his 15th number one. It was the fourth single of his album Everything I Love, and it showed that fans were not overeating on his smooth, classic country performance.

From military barracks to the Grand Ole Opry and breaking records on the charts, July 7 is cherished because country music's past is ripe with history.