May 23, 1948

Buddy Alan is born in Tempe, Arizona. The son of Buck Owens and Bonnie Owens, he joins Buck on a Top 10 duet in 1968, "Let The World Keep On A-Turnin'," and later goes into country radio programming

May 23, 1947

A San Francisco court overturns a lower court ruling, releasing Gene Autry from an obligation to do 21 more movies for Republic Pictures. Autry and the studio had feuded for three years over the impact of his World War II service on his contract

May 23, 1947

The Alexandria Aces baseball team, of the Evangeline League, release pitcher Jim Reeves, after he allows three runs in relief against the Thibodaux Giants

May 23, 1945

Misty Morgan is born in Buffalo, New York. She teams with husband Jack Blanchard in 1970 to create a #1 hit with a novelty, "Tennessee Bird Walk"

May 23, 1944

Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin is born in New York City. His label specializes in roots music and bluegrass, launching Alison Krauss + Union Station and albums by Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs, Steve Martin and Joe Diffie

May 23, 1942

The Adamson Leopards beat the Carthage Bulldogs 12-0 in the Texas state high school baseball championship. Starting pitcher Jim Reeves gives up seven runs in less than five innings

May 23, 1941

Grand Ole Opry alumnus Lee "Lasses" White returns in a supporting role in the Hollywood sequel "Scattergood Pulls The Strings"

May 23, 1940

Charles Starrett gets involved in a battle between transportation companies in the debut of "Texas Stagecoach." The Sons Of The Pioneers provide their now-standard theme: "Tumbling Tumbleweeds"

May 23, 1939

Songwriter Kent Westberry is born in Miami, Florida. He writes Mel Tillis' "Memory Maker" and Gene Watson's "Love In The Hot Afternoon"

May 23, 1936

The state of Indiana celebrates Cole Porter Day, honoring a native son who has built a reputation on Broadway. He eventually adds a country hit to his resume, when Gene Autry records "Don't Fence Me In"