May 4: Kilgore’s Van Cliburn wins at the first Grammy Awards ceremony

Published 5:00 am Monday, May 4, 2020

At the first Grammy Awards ceremony on this date in 1959, classical pianist Van Cliburn was one of the winners.

 Cliburn, who grew up in Kilgore, won Best Classical Performance for his recording of Tchaikovsky’s Concerto No. 1. He was also up for the night’s biggest award, Album of the Year, which went to Henry Mancini for “The Music from Peter Gunn.”

Cliburn became a celebrity after winning the International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow the previous year.

In the Spotlight

— 2009: Mitchel Musso, who grew up in Rockwall, is featured on “Disney 365.”

— 2007: Lindale native Miranda Lambert is a guest on “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”

— 2005: Marshall native George Foreman is a guest on “The Early Show.”

— 2004: Jacksonville native Lee Ann Womack is a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

— 2004: Terrell native Jamie Foxx is a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

— 1998: Greg Vaughan, who grew up in Mesquite, is seen on “Love Boat: The Next Wave.”

— 1987: Nacogdoches native Tony Frank has a guest role on “My Sister Sam.”

— 1973: Tyler native Sandy Duncan is a guest on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny 

Carson.”

— 1965:  Jack Pepper, a native of Palestine, has a guest role on “Petticoat Junction.”

— 1963: “Forbidden Lovers” by Corsicana native Lefty Frizzell peak at No. 23 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

–1954: Clarence Lung, who spent the final part of his life in Quitman, appears in “Prisoner of War.”

— 1954: Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson appears in “Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend” starring Randolph Scott.

— 1953: Audie Murphy, who grew up near Greenville before becoming a war hero and actor, stars  in the movie “Gunsmoke.”

— 1934: Greenville native John Boles appears in the uplifting musical “Stand Up and Cheer!”

 Happy Birthday

— 1905: Al Dexter is born in Jacksonville. His 1943 hit “Pistol Packin’ Mama” helped popularize honky tonk music.