On this day May 12, 1988

Born on this day in De Soto, Missouri, was The Duke of Paducah (Benjamin Francis Ford), an American country comedian, radio host and banjo player popular from the 1940s to the 1960s. He was elected to the in February 1986. He died on 20 June 1986.

During a UK tour, Johnny Cash appeared at The Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Glen Campbell joined Cash on stage where they played a selection of each other's hits.

The final edition of the television variety show hosted by Dolly Parton aired on ABC. Guest stars featured in the series had included Tammy Wynette, Merle Haggard, Tyne Daly, Bruce Willis, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Petty, Tom Selleck, the Ne...

Dolly Parton gave the commencement speech at the commencement ceremony in Knoxville, Tennessee, for the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Arts and Sciences. During the ceremony she received an honorary degree, a doctorate of humane and mu...

Johnny Cash kicked off his first ever UK tour at the Empire in Liverpool, with The Statler Brothers opening the show, followed by June Carter.

After the controversy regading Dixie Chicks member Natalie Maines' comments about President George W. Bush and the Iraq war, a Colorado radio station suspended two of its disc jockeys for playing music by Dixie Chicks.

Kitty Wells recorded "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels". Wells was disenchanted with her career prospects and was considering retirement, but agreed to the session at Owen Bradley's studio because of the $125 union scale recording payment. "It ...

Chely Wright becomes the first major country artist to come out as homosexual. In television appearances and an autobiography, she cited among her reasons for publicizing her homosexuality a concern with bullying and hate crimes toward gays, particular...