Country History X

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 would go on to help shape American culture.

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, and one that holds special importance, has an incredible story, and was never officially finished.

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 eventually, his biggest and most catastrophic adversary, Elizabeth "Lib" Hatcher. This is their story.

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 while stationed in Germany as a Morse code interceptor for the Air Force.

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 cocaine-eating bear. 

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 widow Lorrie Morgan.

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 people and entities through the Toby Keith and Rascal Flatts restaurant franchises.

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 protest in country music history. But was his  intent to protest John Denver's win, or something else?

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 know is that John Prine was a co-writer of the song. This is the story of why his name was left off the iconic song, and how it was written. 

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