This Day in Country History: March 3
Back in 1931, Herbert Hoover made history when he signed a bill into law on March 3 that made “The Star-Spangled Banner” the national anthem. Today, this is one of…
Back in 1931, Herbert Hoover made history when he signed a bill into law on March 3 that made "The Star-Spangled Banner" the national anthem. Today, this is one of the most recognizable national anthems in the world. Are you interested in learning more about what happened on March 3 in country music history? Continue reading to discover breakthrough hits, cultural milestones, notable recordings, memorable performances, and changes and challenges in country music that happened on this date.
Breakthrough Hits and Milestones
Country music had these breakthrough hits and milestones on March 3 that left an impression:
- 1972: At the young age of 13, Tanya Tucker signed her first recording deal with Columbia Records. The deal was made in Nashville, Tennessee, and she recorded her first single, "Delta Dawn," two weeks later.
- 1990: "No Matter How High" by the Oak Ridge Boys rose to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, marking their 17th hit song to top the chart. The band was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
Cultural Milestones
Your favorite country songs may have been influenced by these cultural milestones from March 3 of past years:
- 1979: The Public Broadcasting Service broadcast a live Saturday night episode from the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee — only the second time a Grand Ole Opry performance was broadcast nationwide. Because of its popularity, the show became part of PBS’ fundraising campaign for the month.
- 2017: Chase Rice headlined a show at a new House of Blues location in Anaheim, California.
Notable Recordings and Performances
The most notable recordings and performances in country music that happened on March 3 include:
- 2002: Breaking the Astrodome's attendance record, George Strait played the final performance of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. More than 68,000 people witnessed the concert live at the venue.
- 2005: Blake Shelton's "Goodbye Time" music video premiered on Country Music Television. Shelton became well known in 2001 for his debut single "Austin," which spent five weeks at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart.
Industry Changes and Challenges
You may not appreciate your favorite country jams the same if it hadn't been for a few March 3 changes and challenges in the industry, including:
- 1966: Paving the way for country-rock and folk-rock bands, Neil Young, Stephen Stills, and Richie Furay created their first band, Buffalo Springfield, in Los Angeles.
- 2002: Harlan Howard, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame, died suddenly at the age of 74. With over 40 years of experience and over 100 hits to his credit, Howard was well respected and influential in the country music industry.
Country music had to go through many changes to get where it is today, and these are some important moments from March 3 to remember. Whether you love the country classics of the past or prefer modern country hits of today, your favorite jams wouldn't sound the same if it weren't for the influence these March 3 moments have had on the industry.
