Today in country music history:

2008 - The CMT Giants special honoring Alan Jackson premiered featuring performances from George Strait, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack.

2005 - Dierks Bentley's album Modern Day Drifter went platinum.

2002 - Travis Tritt and Ray Charles teamed up for CMT Crossroads.

1999 - Shania Twain was a lead nominee at the American Music Awards.

1993 - The Eagles taped a video for Travis Tritt's version of "Take It Easy," which led to their reunion.

1986 - George Strait took "It Ain't Cool to Be Crazy about You" to number one.

1984 - Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson recorded "Highwayman" in Nashville.

1980 - Ronnie Milsap hit number one with "Smoky Mountain Rain."

Birthdays:

Helen Cornelius - singer

Bill Lloyd - singer, Foster and Lloyd

Image: EMI Nashville

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