Country Music History November 17

November 17, 1938 is the birthdate of one of the best singer-songwriters in history.  Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr., was born in Orillia, Ontario, Canada.  Lightfoot has had a remarkable music history, his songs being recorded by artists worldwide.  He has had several huge hits including "If You Could Read My Mind", "Sundown" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald".  The latter was written about the SS Edmund Fitzgerald that sank November 10, 1975 during a storm on Lake Superior, killing all 29 crew members.  Growing up in Canada, Gordon was on the high school track and field team and football team.  He attended McGill University's Schulich School of Music and the University of Toronto, Faculty of Music.  Happy birthday, Gordon Lightfoot and thank you for sharing your talents with the world.

Bass player Reid Perry was born in 1988 in Jackson, Mississippi.  Along with siblings Kimberly and Neil, Reid became part of the amazing group The Band Perry.  Breaking onto the country music scene in 2005 as part of the New Faces of Country tour, the group was discovered three years later by Garth Brooks' manager and the rest is history!  Reid and siblings have earned many awards in their young career including 2010 New Artist of the Year awarded by the American Country Awards and 2011 Billboard Music Awards top country song for "If I Die Young".  Happy birthday, Reid!