March 11, 1969.. Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs split up after 25 years

 March 12, 1975… The D-I-V-O-R-C-E of George Jones and Tammy Wynette became final that day. Tammy takes custody of their only child, Tamala, and keeps their home on Franklin Road in Nashville.

 March 13, 1965.. The Statler Brothers record "Flowers On The Wall" at a session originally slated for Johnny Cash, who failed to appear, at the Columbia Recording Studios in Nashville

 March 14, 1972… California Governor Ronald Reagan pardons Merle Haggard for a 1957 attempted robbery that landed the singer in prison

 March 15 1996… Bill Monroe makes what becomes his final appearance on the Grand Ole Opry

 March 16, 1974… President Richard Nixon appears at the first performance of the Opry at the new Grand Ole Opry House. Roy Acuff gives Nixon a yo-yo demonstration

 March 17, 1972…. Another in the long list of shows that I wish I could have seen, an outdoors festival in Dripping Springs, Texas, is one of the first to draw hippies and traditional country fans. In the lineup: Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Roy Acuff, Buck Owens, Kris Kristofferson, Tex Ritter and Tom T. Hall

 Don’t miss Kiss Country Classics Sunday’s 8am till 12 Noon with me, John Roten, if you have a song you would like to hear or just want to say Howdy, send that email to john@99kisscountry.com

Country singer-songwriter Claude King has died. He was an original member of the Louisiana Hayride _ and was who was best known for the 1962 hit ``Wolverton Mountain.'' King was 90 _ and had just celebrated his birthday and 67th wedding anniversary last month

March 4,

 March 5

 March 6

 March 7

 March 8

 March 9

 March 10

 Don’t wait on me…get your Country info right from the source I use…www.cmt.com

MerleFest 2013 is less than 2 months away and just like years past, I'm checking the website for schedules and the latest additions to the lineup.  But this year is going to be different, knew it was not going to be the same when I heard the news of Doc Watson's passing last year.  Doc was a wonderful host for 25 years, celebrating with all of us the memory of his son Merle.  I had the pleasure of getting to know many members of the Watson Family and enjoyed our yearly reunions with hugs and howdies.  Yes this year will be different, but it will be a great MerleFest..I am sure of that.  This will be the first time that many of the artists have had a chance to join with the other pickers and singers and remember Doc, Rosa Lee, and Merle with the music, played live in front of fans that have loved the spirit of MerleFest for a quarter of a century. 

Check back often, we'll be kicking off our MerleFest ticket giveaways real soon!!

Here is part of a press release from the folks at MerleFest.  Check it out, start getting excited if you haven't already, and get up with a friend or two and do what you do every year...count the days.

WILKESBORO, N.C. (March 5, 2013) — When MerleFest, presented by Lowe’s and slated for April 25-28, 2013, kicks off on Thursday afternoon, it will be a bittersweet moment. The four-day event, an annual homecoming of musicians and music fans, will once again take place on the campus of Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. But for the first time in its 26 years, MerleFest will take place without beloved music icon Doc Watson, who passed away on May 29, 2012.

      One of the most talked-about events of the festival will surely be Saturday evening’s Celebration Jam. The Jam will be hosted by Sam Bush and will feature many of Doc’s closest musician friends as they tell stories and play some of Doc’s favorites tunes. The Jam’s core band will consist of Sam Bush (mandolin/fiddle), Jeff Little (piano), T. Michael Coleman (bass), Jack Lawrence (guitar), Bryan Sutton (guitar) and David Holt (banjo.)

 Additionally, the life and music of Doc Watson will be honored in other ways during the festival:

 A special section in the MerleFest program (20,000 copies to be given free) will pay tribute to Doc, with quotes and remembrances from fellow artists and friends;

• Video vignettes throughout the festival of Doc, which will include videos of him performing, talking about his family, telling stories, etc.; 
• Throughout the weekend, artists will be reminiscing about Doc and the impact he had on them;
• A new display will be introduced in Lowe’s Hall with a bust of Doc and memorabilia of his life and career; and
• A student emergency fund in Doc Watson’s honor will be announced at Wilkes Community College. This fund will be used for student emergency needs, to allow students to continue their education.

 Tickets for MerleFest 2013 can be purchased at www.merlefest.org or by calling 1-800-343-7857. An early bird ticket discount is available through March 10, 2013. Additional details about this year’s festival lineup and other MerleFest information can also be found at the website.

Classic Country This Week…

 Monday, 2/25

1932….Faron Young born in Shreveport, LA, inducted in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000

 1927 Ralph Stanley born in Stratton, VA.  With brother Carter, The Stanley Brothers, and after Carter’s death, solo…Ralph continues as a pioneering singer and songwriter.

 Tuesday, 2/26

1932….J.R. Cash born in Kingsland, AR.  Performing rockabilly to Americana as Johnny Cash, a storied career that includes membership in the Country and Rock & Roll Hall’s of Fame.

 Wednesday, 2/27

1936……Chuck Glaser born in Spalding, Neb., younger brother of Tompall and older brother of Jim.  Tompall and the Glaser Brothers were the 1970 CMA Vocal Group of the Year

 Thursday, 2/28

1940…..Joe South born in Atlanta, GA.  Had pop hits like Games People Play and wrote country hits Rose Garden and How Can I Unlove You

 Friday, 3/1

1968…..June Carter marries Johnny Cash in Franklin, KY

 1954…Janis Oliver born in Torrance, CA.  Along with sister Kristine, they form Sweethearts of the Rodeo.  Married for a time to Vince Gill

 Saturday, 3/2

1959…..Larry Stewart born in Paducah, KY.  Lead singer for Restless Heart

 1923…..Doc Watson born in Deep Gap, NC.  Born Arthel, Doc Watson became an internationally recognized star during the Folk Revival era.  A master of flat picked guitar, Doc was “discovered” by Ralph Rinzler (Rinzler also became the manager of Doc and Bill Monroe)

 Sunday, 3/3

1963….a benefit concert for the widow of Kansas City dj Cactus Jack Call proves to be the final show for Patsy Cline, who along with Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins died in a plane crash near Camden, TN.