Music Trailblazers
Pioneers-Innovators-Stylists
Country-Rock ‘n’ Roll-Blues-Soul
Johnny Cash
J. R. Cash was born on February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. His parents are Carrie and Ray Cash, and his siblings are Roy, Louise, Jack, Reba, Joanne, and Tommy. In early 1935, the family moved from Kingsland to Dyess, Arkansas. Growing up in Dyess, music was always around. J. R. would sing with his family while they where out in the fields, hear gospel music in church, listen to country music on the radio show the Grand Ole Opry, and listen to the blues. By the age of 12, he was playing guitar (he was taught by his mother and a childhood friend), and writing songs and poems. In late 1954, John would go to Sun Records looking for a recording contract.
Tammy Wynette
Virginia Wynette Pugh, known as Tammy Wynette, was born on May 5, 1942, in Itawamba County, Mississippi (near the Alabama-Mississippi state line). Growing up, she picked cotton on her grandparents’ farm, learned how to play her father’s instruments (piano and guitar), loved listening to gospel, R&B, and country music, and played basketball. In 1966, Virginia went into the studio to record her debut single, “Apartment #9”, which went to number 44 on the Country charts and at the suggestion of Billy Sherrill, took on the stage name Tammy Wynette. Tammy’s debut album, Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad, was released in May 1967. It went to number 7 on the charts with the second single from the album, “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad”, going to number 3.
Jessi Colter
Mirriam Johnson, known as Jessi Colter, was born on May 25, 1943 in Phoenix, Arizona. Her father Arnold was a professional race car driver and owned a mine, and her mother Helen was a Pentecostal preacher. She grew up in Mesa, a city outside of Phoenix, in a building that was one half living quarters for the family and the other half held her mother’s church. At a young age, Mirriam became interested in music and started taking piano and accordion lessons. In no time, she was writing songs and became the pianist at church. In 1970, Mirriam signed with RCA Victor and went into the studio to record her debut album, with Waylon and Chet Atkins as co-producers. A Country Star Is Born was released in April 1970 under the name Jessi Colter.
Kris Kristofferson
Kristoffer “Kris” Kristofferson was born on June 22, 1936, in Brownsville, Texas (two miles from the Mexican border). His parents are Mary and Lars Kristofferson and is the oldest of three kids. During the 1970’s, not only did Kris finally get his breakthrough in recording albums, but he also started an acting career. Kris brought some grit to the country music industry, and changed the way people think of music. Throughout his career, he wrote songs that continue to be loved by fans and praised by fellow singer-songwriters. He was able to get people, who never listened to country music, to pay attention to and respect the genre.
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton was born on January 19, 1945, near the Great Smokey Mountains in Pittman Center, Tennessee. She is a singer, songwriter, author, humanitarian, actress, and businesswoman. The many instruments she can play are acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, autoharp, the dulcimer, fiddle, piano, recorder, and saxophone. She grew up in Locust Ridge, TN in a one-bedroom cabin with her parents, Robert and Avie Parton, and her twelve siblings. She started performing in church when she was six, learned how to play the guitar when she was seven, and soon was writing songs.
The Highwaymen
In 1984, Johnny Cash invited Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson to play on his Christmas TV special in Montreux, Switzerland. While back at the hotel, they were hanging out and singing songs when they agreed that they should record an album together. For a time, four of the greatest legends in the music worked together. They only recorded three albums, but they are great ones. Johnny, Waylon, Willie, and Kris were able to combine their individual styles and personalities together to make great music and had fun doing it.
Patsy Cline
Virginia “Ginny” Hensley, known as Patsy Cline, was born on September 8, 1932, in Winchester, Virginia. When Patsy was 13, she was hospitalized with a throat infection and rheumatic fever. After the recovery, she discovered her singing talent. She also learned how to play piano at a young age. Patsy and her mother started performing in the local Baptist choir and at social events for the church. A year later she auditioned at the local radio station and was soon performing on the WINC radio station (now WZFC) and at talent contests. Her stage outfits were amazing. Her voice was bold and powerful. She sang with such emotion that it was unbelievable.
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings was from Littlefield, Texas and born on June 15, 1937. He was a singer, songwriter, and DJ. When he was eight, Waylon learned how to play guitar and was soon playing on any guitar of a relatives until his mother bought him his first one. Ever since then, he was on hunt for music, finding his sound, and looking for people who appreciated his music. He brought a new attitude and a rock ‘n’ roll edge to country music. His image is iconic: wearing all black, leather, long hair and beard, cowboy hat, cowboy boots, the flying W logo, and his leather-bound Telecaster.
Loretta Lynn
Loretta Lynn is from Butcher Hollow, Kentucky and was born on April 14, 1932. She is a singer and songwriter who is known for writing songs that are based on her life experiences. Her parents are Clara Marie and Melvin Theodore Webb and is the second of eight children. Loretta and her siblings grew up in a coal-mining community and sang in church as kids. Doolittle, her husband, bought Loretta a guitar after he heard her singing around the house. After she learned how to play the guitar and write songs, Doolittle helped and encouraged her to start performing at local venues.
Hank Williams
Hiram “Hank” Williams was born on September 17, 1923 in Mount Olive, Alabama. He learned how to play music and was inspired by a local blues street musician named Rufus “Tee Tot” Payne. You can hear the blues influence in his songwriting and voice. He wrote love songs, cheatin’ songs, dance songs, autobiographical songs, basically any topic or emotion you could think of there was a song for. He also sang many sacred hymns. In 1950, Hank started releasing spiritual songs and narrations under the name Luke the Drifter.
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson is from Abbott, Texas and was born on April 29, 1933. He is a singer, songwriter, and actor. His parents are Myrle and Ira Nelson and his older sister is Bobbie (who is also a musician and a great piano player). Willie and Bobbie grew up on a farm and went to church on Sundays. Their grandparents taught and encourage them to learn how to play music. Music and God were very important in the family. They grew up with many musical influences such as gospel, honky-tonk, western swing, and polka.