98.1 Country Classic Bonus – 5 Most Requested Country Classic Hits [Videos]

A big welcome to the 98.1 Country Classic Show! It’s the first weekend in April -- two weeks from Easter Sunday. Join me Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm for the very best in country classic music at 98.1 FM Minnesota’s New Country, online or download our new 98.1 mobile app.

Today we’re featuring Marty Robbins, George Jones, Vern Gosdin, Reba McEntire with Vince Gill and Tanya Tucker.

Marty Robbins – “Hanging Tree” -- 1959

A country ballad from the movie “The Hanging Tree.” Written by Mack David and Jerry Livingston, the song hit number 15 on the country chart.

In the news in 1959, St. Paul, Minnesota’s Rondo Neighborhood --considered the heart of the black community -- is demolished to make way for Interstate 94. On TV, we were watching “Rawhide,” “Bonanza” and “The Twilight Zone.” And Fidel Castro comes to power in Cuba.

I came to town to search for gold, and I brought with me a memory and I seemed to hear the night winds cry.

George Jones – “Tennessee Whiskey” -- 1983

Originally recorded by David Allen Coe, the song peaked at number 77 and written by Dean Dillion, Linda Hargrove and David Allen Coe. George Jones covered the song and scored a number two on the country chart. In the news in 1983, on January 19

In the news in 1983, on January 19^th Apple Inc. releases the Apple Lisa personal computer. On February 28^th, the final episode of M.A.S.H. airs, setting a new record for most-watched television broadcast in American history. And on September 5^th, Tom Brokaw becomes lead anchor for NBC Nightly News.

I used to spend my nights out in a barroom, liquor was the only love I’ve known.

Vern Gosdin – “I Can Tell by the Way You Dance” -- 1984

This is a song written by Sandy Pinkard and Rob Strandlund. This song was the first of three number one hits on the country chart.

In the news in 1984, a Union carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India leaks the lethal gas, killing more than 3,500. Sony and Philips introduce the first commercial CD players.

I can see every time I look into your eyes, you don’t care a thing about those other guys.

Reba McEntire and Vince Gill – “The Heart Won’t Lie” -- 1993

A duet recorded by Reba McEntire and Vince Gill, written by Kim Carnes and Donna Weiss. The song reached the top of the charts at number one.

In the news in 1993, a severe blizzard strikes the eastern US bringing record snowfall and other severe weather all the way from Cuba to Quebec. Yitzak Rabin and Yasser Arafat sign an historic peace agreement on September 13 on the White House Lawn. And January 14^th, David Letterman announces his show is moving from NBC to CBS.

Looking back over the years of all the things I’ve always meant to say, but words didn’t come easily.

Tanya Tucker – “Strong Enough to Bend” -- 1988

Beth Nielsen Chapman and Don Schlitz wrote the song, it became Tanya Tucker's ninth number one on the country chart.

In the news in 1988, January 1^st the Evangelical Lutheran church in America is established, creating the largest Lutheran denomination and on February 12^th Anthony Kennedy is appointed to the Supreme Court of the United States.