Johnny Horton 

On this date in 1959, Johnny Horton, who grew up in Rusk, had a hit with the history inspired “The Battle of New Orleans.”

The song presents a version of the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812 from the perspective of an American soldier facing down British troops.

• We fired our guns and the British kept a-comin’
• There wasn’t nigh as many as there was a while ago.
• We fired once more and they began to runnin’
• On down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico.

In the Spotlight

— 2019 Marshall native George Foreman appears in the documentary “48 Hours with Muhammad Ali.”

— 2015: Terrell native Jamie Foxx’s “Hollywood: The Story of a Dozen Roses” hits No. 1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 

— 2014: Lindale native Miranda Lambert is a guest host on “The View.”

— 2012: At the CMT Music Awards, Lindale native Miranda Lambert wins Female Video of the Year (“Over You”), and is a nominee for Video of the Year and, as a member of Pistol Annies, Breakthrough Video of the Year (“Hell on Heels”).  

— 2011: Gilmer native Johnny Mathis appears in an episode of the TV series “Unsung” saluting singer Deniece Williams.

— 2011: ZZ Top, with Frankston native Frank Beard on drums, performs on PBS “Great Performances.”

— 2011: Terrell native Jamie Foxx directs the TV movie “Night Tales.”

— 2010: Terrell native Jamie Foxx appears on “Entertainment Tonight.”

— 2009: The Oak Ridge, Boys, featuring Duane Allen, a native of Lamar County, has the No. 16 album on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with “The Boys Are Back.” 

— 2005: Alan Tudyk, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, takes over the role of Sir Lancelot in “Spamalot” on Broadway. 

— 2004: At the Tony Awards, Jacksonville native Margo Martindale is a nominee for her role as Big Mama in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”

— 2000: Jacksonville native Lee Ann Womack is a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

— 1997: Irma Hall, a graduate of Texas College in Tyler, appears in “Buddy.”

— 1995: Tyler native Phyllis Cicero appears in the movie “Stealin’ Home.”

— 1993: Tommy Tune, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, is a presenter on the Tony Awards.

— 1992: “Life is Messy” by Rodney Crowell, who attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, peaks at No. 20 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart.

— 1982: At the Tony Awards, Tommy Tune, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, wins Best Direction of a Musical (“Nine”). 

— 1980: Kilgore native Glenn Holtzman and Jerry Hall, who grew up in Mesquite, are in “Urban Cowboy” starring John Travolta.

— 1978: At the Music City News Awards, Wood County native Ray Price is a presenter and as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys, Lamar County native Duane Allen is a performer.

— 1978: Tyler native Sandy Duncan is a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.”

— 1968: The Rev. Grady Nutt, a country humorist who as a teenager lived in Jacksonville, is a guest on “The Mike Douglas Show.”

— 1961: Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson appears in a guest role on TV’s “Thriller.”

— 1947: As a member of the Cass County Boys, Mount Pleasant native Jerry Scoggins performs in “Saddle Pals.”

— 1947: Wills Point native Lee “Lasses” White appears in “Cheyenne.”

— 1942: Blooming Grove native Georgia Carroll appears in “Yankee Doodle Dandy” starring James Cagney.