98 Country Classic Bonus – 5 Most Requested Country Classic Hits [VIDEOS]

Good morning and welcome to the 98 Country Classic Show. We’re on air at 98.1 FM, online at 98country.com and on your mobile device.

It’s the last Sunday of the year.  And today we’re going to offer five of the most requested songs from the radio show to enjoy after the Country Classic Show is over.  Call it an online bonus.

We’re featuring Merle Haggard, Barbara Mandrell, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gale and Kenny Rogers.

Merle Haggard – “Okie From Muskogee” (1969)

Just before the release of this classic song in August, half a million people gather in upstate New York near Woodstock, N.Y. for four days of rain, sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.  In September, Merle Haggard releases “Okie from Muskogee,” co-written by the ‘Hag’ and Roy Burris.  It is the first single from the album of the same name. And it becomes one of the most famous of Haggard's career. 

We don’t take no trips on LSD, we don’t burn no draft cards down on main street, we like livin’ right and bein’ free.

Barbara Mandrell – “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” (1981)

Shocking the world after the release of this country classic, Pope John Paul II iswounded by a gunman on May 14^th, 1981.  “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” is released April 16^th from the album ‘Barbara Mandrell Live.’  This song is written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan.  It features a guest appearance by country great George Jones who is not credited on the record charts.  The song goes to number one.

I remember wearin’ straight leg Levis and flannel shirts, even when they weren’t in style. 

Conway Twitty – “That’s My Job” (1987)

While we are listening to Conway Twitty’s, “That’s My Job,” Prozac is released for use in the United States. And the FDA approves AZT in the treatment of AIDS.  Gary Burr writes “That’s my Job” and the song is released in 1987 as the third single from the album ‘Borderline.’  The song peaks at number six on the country singles chart.

  I woke up cryin’ late at night when I was very young, I had dreamed my father had passed away and gone.

Crystal Gale – “Don’t it Make My Brown Eyes Blue” (1977)

This song is written by Richard Leigh and recorded by Crystal Gale.  It is released August 9, 1977 from the album, ‘We Must Believe in Magic.’   The song goes all the way to number one.  Shortly after the release of that signature hit, Elvis Presley dies at Graceland, his Memphis, Tennessee home. He is 42. 

Don’t know when I’ve been to blue, don’t know what’s come over you, you’ve found someone new and don’t it make my brown eyes blue.

Kenny Rogers – “The Gambler” (1978)

Shocking news rocks the Catholic Church before the release of “The Gambler” -- a number one hit for Kenny Rogers.  Pope Paul VI dies at age 80 in August.  Then newly-elected Pope John Paul I dies unexpectedly after just 34 days in office on September 28^th. He is succeeded by Cardinal Karol Wojtyla of Poland as John Paul II, on October 16^th.  “The Gambler” is written by Don Schlitz and is released in November 1978. It becomes a number one hit for Rogers. 

On a warm summer’s eve, on train bound for nowhere I met up with the Gambler.

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