Feb 19, 1961

Bill Black's Combo performs an instrumental medley on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The medley includes a version of "Don't Be Cruel," a song on which Black played bass for his former employer, Elvis Presley

Feb 22, 1961

You can tell it's a single: Ricky Nelson sings "You Are The Only One" for the third time in two months on "The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet." It's a single, but not a hit

Mar 4, 1961

Burl Ives guests on an episode of the NBC music series "The Bell Telephone Hour"

Mar 17, 1961

"Five Star Jubilee" debuts on NBC, with five rotating stars hosting the country music variety show from Springfield, Missouri. The hosts: Rex Allen, Snooky Lanson, Tex Ritter, Carl Smith and Jimmy Wakely

Apr 13, 1961

The Everly Brothers make a guest appearance on NBC-TV's "The Ford Show Featuring Tennessee Ernie Ford"

Apr 19, 1961

Ricky Nelson sings "Hello Mary Lou" on ABC's "The Adventures Of Ozzie & Harriet"

Apr 25, 1961

Faron Young performs "Hello Walls" during an appearance on Dick Clark's ABC-TV show "American Bandstand"

Jun 29, 1961

"The Ford Show," an NBC variety program starring Tennessee Ernie Ford and Molly Bee, ends its run in prime time

Sep 14, 1961

"The Porter Wagoner Show," a syndicated TV program, debuts on 18 stations. It runs until 1981, airing on nearly 100 stations at its peak

Sep 22, 1961

"Five Star Jubilee" ends a six-month run on NBC. The country variety series, telecast from Springfield, Missouri, rotated five hosts: Rex Allen, Snooky Lanson, Tex Ritter, Carl Smith and Jimmy Wakely