October is Country Music Month Began in 1964 – What Later President Made it Official?

The Evansville Fall Festival was a tremendous success and is now history so we can celebrate Country Music Month all the rest of October. When the CMA formed they quickly proclaimed October Country Music Month in 1964 but the month didn't get official legs until the President of the US made his proclamation. Would you like to guess which President? He was a fan and invited Glen Campbell, Merle Haggard and Johnny Cash to perform at the White House. He also was a subject for an impeachment inquiry. This President was also the first Chief Executive to  to visit the Grand Ole Opry where he got a yo-yo lesson on stage from Roy Acuff. So now do you know who he was? It was--drum roll--RICHARD NIXON!.

Dickie became a fan when he heard Merle Haggard's tune, "Okie From Muskogee" which as you know extolled the patriotism of middle America. Merle did take a swipe at Nixon in his later tune, "Are the Good Times Really Over- I Wish a Buck Was Still Silver" that included the line, "back before Nixon lied to us all on TV". At any rate Country Music Month has survived and will culminate with the Country Music Association's 53rd awards ceremony on November 13, This year's festivities will highlight the great women of country with host Carrie Underwood being joined by Reba McEntyre and Dolly Parton..