The Boot Staff

Keith's songs are some of the most popular of the last few decades in country music.

On June 24, 1989, Brooks made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry.

On June 3, 2009, Strait's 'Troubadour' album was certified platinum, for sales of one million copies.

Whitley's rich musical legacy makes us wonder what kind of impact he would have made on country music had he lived longer ...

On May 7, 1949, Williams earned his first No. 1 hit, with "Lovesick Blues."

There's an old saying that insists that "revenge is a dish best served cold" ...

In 1963, Buck Owens topped the country charts with "Act Naturally," which opened with the prophetic line "They're gonna put me in the movies." But decades before that tune was a hit, country stars were already trading the concert stage for the sound stage.

On April 8, 1989, "I'm No Stranger to the Rain" became Whitley's last No. 1 hit before his death from alcoholism.

Oh, what a night!

Lambert performed a medley of her hits during the awards show.