Birthdays And Anniversaries For March 7th + Country Music Highlights

If this is your birthday, congratulations! You share same date as this Texas music legend.

Singer/songwriter Townes Van Zandt,  born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1944. A vivid songwriter and wild personality, he authors a pair of 1980s hits: Merle Haggard & Willie Nelson cover "Pancho And Lefty"; Emmylou Harris & Don Williams do "If I Needed You".

Here's some highlights from this date in country music.

Gilley's nightclub opens in Pasadena, Texas, in 1971. Named for part-owner Mickey Gilley, the home of the mechanical bull provides the inspiration for the 1980 movie "Urban Cowboy," which results in a short-term country trend.

Randy Travis makes his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, in 1986. After an introduction from Little Jimmy Dickens, he performs "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". 

The "Honeymoon In Vegas" soundtrack goes platinum, in 1995. The album features remakes of Elvis Presley songs by Trisha Yearwood, Willie Nelson, Billy Joel, Travis Tritt, Ricky Van Shelton, Bono, Dwight Yoakam, Amy Grant and Vince Gill, among others.

Concho Valley birthdays include:

Penny Griffin, 50 something. From everyone at Shannon Clinic's Internal Medicine Department.

Christy Lara, 30. From her husband, Vaughn.

(Twins) Randy & Brandy Spruce, 35. From Vaughn.

Happy Wedding Anniversary to: 

Eric & Kasie Samaniego, 8 years. From Kasie's Mom. They will be our drawing Friday morning for a dozen roses from Friendly Flower Shop.