Country History X

#20 - The Great Johnny Cash Christmas Robbery & Kidnapping

The time when Johnny Cash and his friends and family were all kidnapped and robbed on Christmas at gunpoint, and how it affected Cash's perspective on life in the future.

#19 - Hero: The Many Deaths of Billy Joe Shaver

From suffering a heart attack mid performance on stage, to playing Russian roulette with an automatic pistol, these are the many times Outlaw country legend Billy Joe Sha

#18 - The REAL Story Behind Waylon Jennings and the Cocaine Bear

This topic was also explored in Country History X Episode #6, originally published in May of 2021. Around the release of the "Cocaine Bear" feature film, new revelations

#17 - How The Tragic Death of Johnny Cash's Brother Jack Shaped His Career

When Johnny Cash was just 12, the gruesome death of his older brother and hero Jack significantly affected his life, turning the young boy into The Man in Black, shaping

#16 - The Rise and Fall of the Conway Twitty Empire

Conway Twitty had forty #1 songs in country music, more than anyone but George Strait. He was one of the most successful country artists in history. In his era, he was li

#15 - The Tragic Death of Country Icon Gary Stewart

Gary Stewart is one of the most underrated performers, singers, and songwriters in country music history. When his wife and songwriting partner Mary Lou passed away, Gary

#14 - Did Merle Haggard Really Escape From Jail 17 Times?

Merle Haggard was one of country music's most famous former convicts, though most of his crimes were petty. The reason he landed in the  notorious San Quentin Prison was

#13 - Garth Brooks vs. The Super Bowl

In 1993, Garth Brooks and the Super Bowl would clash. It was like King  Kong vs. Godzilla, with these two titans of American culture squaring off for all time. And ultima

#12 - Did Vern Gosdin Really Try to Murder His Producer?

There is only one artist in this history of country music whose singing is so revered, he's referred to simply as "The Voice." But the career of Vern Gosdin also may cont

#11 - The Lost Bloodline of Hank Williams & The Search For Hank IV

Could it be that the most important and influential bloodline in country music actually has a lost branch? Meanwhile, a 4th generation of performers has emerged to keep t

#10 - Marty Robbins Saves the Life of NASCAR's Richard Childress

A story of courage and character, and how a split second decision by country legend Marty Robbins on the racetrack forever changed the destiny of numerous people who woul

#9 - Country Music's Most Important (& Valuable) Artifact

Arguably the most important artifact in country music---and most certainly the most valuable one---is not an instrument as one might assume. Instead it is a work of art,

#8 - Randy Travis Versus Lib Hatcher

For his Hall of Fame career, Randy Travis's ace-in-the-hole behind-the-scenes was his manager, his biggest believer, his staunchest champion, his eventual wife, and event

#7 - Johnny Cash, Joseph Stalin, & the Great Morse Code Crack

How none other than Johnny Cash was the first person to intercept the World-changing news of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin's death, and communicated it to the Free World w

#6 - Waylon Jennings and the Cocaine Bear

The story of Waylon's notorious relationship with cocaine told through the improbable tale of a police officer and lawyer turned drug smuggler from Kentucky, and a cocain

#5 - The Death of Keith Whitley

The tragic life and death of Keith Whitley who died at the age of 34 due  to alcohol abuse, and the conspiracy theories that surrounded it, told  through the eyes of his

#4 - The Mafia, and the Toby Keith & Rascal Flatts Restaurants

How a member of the Mafia turned government informant used the United States Witness Protection Program as a shield to allegedly bilk MILLIONS of dollars from hundreds of

#3 - Charlie Rich BURNS John Denver

Charlie Rich whipping out his lighter, and burning the card announcing  John Denver as the 1975 CMA Entertainer of the Year is considered one of  the great moments of pro

#2 - John Prine, and the Perfect Country and Western Song

Many know the "perfect Country & Western song" is "You Never Even Called Me By My Name" performed by David Allan Coe, and written by Steve Goodman. But what many don't kn

#1 - The George Jones Drug Tapes

The story of how two international drug smugglers obtained a box of unheard George Jones recordings, and used them as bail collateral.