Jan 15, 1948

Jack Guthrie dies from tuberculosis in Los Angeles. The yodeling cousin of Woody Guthrie was best known for his 1945 recording of "Oklahoma Hills"

Jan 23, 1948

Anita Pointer, of The Pointer Sisters, is born in Oakland, California. She joins Earl Thomas Conley on the 1986 hit "Too Many Times," while The Pointer Sisters claim a country Grammy for their 1974 single "Fairytale"

Feb 8, 1948

Speedy West receives a three-neck steel guitar from Downey, California, manufacturer Paul Bigsby. The guitar becomes a signature for West, who records numerous dazzling instrumentals with musical partner Jimmy Bryant

Feb 23, 1948

Merle Travis has a son, Tom Bresh, in Hollywood. Bresh nets his own hit in 1976 with "Home Made Love"

Feb 23, 1948

Gene Autry and Spade Cooley play for 10,000 people as the Freedom Train arrives in Los Angeles five months after leaving Philadelphia. The attraction carries American artifacts that span from the days of Christopher Columbus to World War II

Mar 2, 1948

Guitarist Larry Carlton is born in Torrance, California. In addition to numerous solo albums, he does a ton of session work for the likes of Steely Dan, Barbra Streisand and Michael Jackson. He also backs Johnny Lee on the 1980 hit "Lookin' For Love"

Mar 9, 1948

Drummer and singer Jimmie Fadden is born in Long Beach, California. A member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, he plays on all three volumes of the "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" albums and a bevy of 1980s country hits

May 7, 1948

Republic Pictures president Herb Yates writes a letter to The Sons Of The Pioneers, ending their movie contract with the Los Angeles studio

May 29, 1948

Merle Travis receives a guitar he had asked Paul Bigsby to custom-make on his behalf. Featuring Travis' name in mother of pearl along the base of the pick guard, it becomes his trademark instrument, often referred to as "the Bigsby"

Jun 4, 1948

Bass player Les Thompson is born in Long Beach, California. He becomes a founding member of The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, appearing on "Mr. Bojangles" and on the landmark 1971 album "Will The Circle Be Unbroken"