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 and on your mobile device.

Today we’re featuring Cal Smith, Dolly Parton, George Strait, TG Sheppard and Tanya Tucker.


Cal Smith – “Country Bumpkin” --  1974 

This number one hit became Cal Smith's second on the country chart, 43 years ago.  “Country Bumpkin” received Song of the Year Awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. The song was written by Don Wayne.

In the news in 1974, a leftist revolution ends 50 years of dictatorial rule in Portugal, April 25th.   We lost some big names, too -- Bud Abbott, Dizzy Dean, Charles Lindbergh and Ed Sullivan all passed away.

He walked into the bar and parked his lanky frame upon a tall barstool and with a long soft southern drawl said “I’ll just have a glass of anything that’s cool.”

 


Dolly Parton – “Sweet Summer Lovin” -- 1979

This is a song written by Bud Reneau and Blaise Tosti. The song reached number seven on the country chart.

In the news in 1979, American Airlines flight 191 crashed and exploded in a field near O’Hara International Airport in Chicago.  On February 26th, a total solar eclipse casts a moving shadow 175 miles wide from Oregon to North Dakota before moving into Canada.  This was the last total solar eclipse of the 20th Century in the continental US.

Though the sun may be drawing, you’re the one that lights the morning, as I awake to the heaven of your sweet summer lovin’.

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George Strait – “I Cross my Heart” -- 1992 

Steve Dorf and Eric Kaz wrote this beautiful love song.  It reached number one on the country chart.  It is the soundtrack to the movie “Pure Country.”  The song is featured as the movie’s finale.

In the news in 1992, Yitzhak Rabin comes to power in Israel and Hurricane Andrew hits South Florida on August 22nd.

Our love is unconditional, we knew it from the start, I see it in your eyes you can feel it from my heart.


T,G. Sheppard – “Party Time” -- 1981

This song became T.G. Sheppard’s eighth number one single from the album “I Love’Em All” written by Bruce Channel.

In the news in 1981, air traffic controllers strike causing chaos in the United States and President Reagan fires them.  Researchers find the wreck of the Titanic in the North Atlantic and American Airlines introduces the first frequent flyer miles program.

Oh-oh it’s party time, it’s time to get you off my mind, forget the life I left behind.


Tanya Tucker – “If It Don’t Come Easy” -- 1988

"It Don't Come Easy" was written by Dave Gibson and Craig Karp.  It was Tanya Tucker's ninth number one on the country chart.

In the news in 1988, the Summer Olympics are held in Seoul, South Korea, and the first major computer virus infects computers connected to the internet.

I know a man, a good friend of mine he spends all his time tryin’ to make love work out right.


 

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