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

Good morning and welcome to the 98.1 Country Classic Show.  You can join me from 9 am to 1 pm for the best in country classic music at 98.1 FM Minnesota’s New Country, online and on your mobile device.

Today we’re featuring George Strait, Brooks and Dunn, Exile, Michael Martin Murphy and Crystal Gayle.

George Strait -- “The Cowboy Rides Away” - 1985

Written by Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly, it peaked at number five on the country chart.  It was the last song Strait sang at his final concert ever on June 7, 2014 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In the news in 1985:

• As the spread of AIDS increases, governments around the world start screening blood donations
• Route 66 is removed from the United States Highway System
• Actor Rock Hudson dies of AIDS at 59

I knew the stakes were high right from the start, when she dealt the cards I bet my heart.

Brooks and Dunn – “Neon Moon” - 1992

This became their 4^th consecutive number one single, written by Ronnie Dunn.  In the news in 1992, in

In the news in 1992:

• In technology, the first Nicotine patch is introduced to help stop smoking
• DNA fingerprinting is invented
• Yitzhak Rabin comes to power in Israel

When the sun goes down on my side of town, that lonesome feeling comes to my door.

Exile – “Woke up in Love” - 1983

Written by J.P Pennington and recorded by the country band Exile.  This song became the band's second country hit, scoring number one.

In the news:

• Hurricane Alicia hits the Texas coast during August
• The first person to receive an artificial heart, Barney Clark, dies after 112 days

Somewhere in the night I fell in love with you, wandered through my dreams and you stole away my blues.

Michael Martin Murphey – “What’s Forever For” - 1982

This song was released in June of 1982; it became a number one hit.  The song was written by Rafe VanHoy.

In the news in 1982:

• A wave of terrorist attacks hits France by Carlos the Jackel
• The breakup of “Ma Bell” AT&T Monopoly was ordered during January of 1982
• Ma Bell had owned most of the telephone services in the United States and Canada since the 1940s

I’ve been looking at people and how they change with time.

Crystal Gayle – “Ready for the Times to Get Better” - 1978

Allen Reynolds wrote this song, topping the chart at number one.

In the news in 1978:

• Hubert Humphrey dies
• Cardinal Karol Wojtyla becomes Pope John Paul II
• Born in this year was Ashton Kutcher February 7^th, Kobe Bryant August 23^rd and Josh Hartnett July 21^st

I’ve got to tell you I’ve been racking my brain, hoping to find a way out.

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