April 13: Kilgore’s Van Cliburn does the impossible at Tchaikovsky Competition

Published 5:00 am Monday, April 13, 2020

On this date in 1958, 23-year-old Van Cliburn, of Kilgore, shocked the world by winning the inaugural International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. 

Held during the Cold War between the United States and Russia, many believed the competition was staged to demonstrate Russian piano superiority and, no matter what, a Russian would win. 

In the final round, Cliburn thrilled the audience with his renditions of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3.

The victory made Cliburn into an international star.

A child prodigy, Cliburn first studied piano from his mother while growing up in Kilgore. 

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held each year in Fort Worth continues his legacy.

 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 

— 2007: Longview native Rodney Carrington is a guest on “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson.”

— 2005: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards:

• Building 429, featuring lead singer Jason Roy of Mount Pleasant, wins New Artist of the Year and is a nominee for Song of the Year (“Glory Defined”);
• MercyMe, a vocal group once based in Greenville, wins Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year (“Undone”) and Special Event Album of the Year (“The Passion of the Christ: Songs); and is a nominee for Artist of the Year and Group of the Year;
• The Oak Ridge Boys, led by Lamar County native Duane Allen, wins Bluegrass Song of the Year (“Journey”);
• Joe Nichols, of Tyler, is a nominee for Country Song of the Year (“Just a Closer Walk with Me”); 
• Grand Saline native Chris Tomlin wins Praise and Worship Album of the Year (“Arriving”);  
• Rockwall native Nicole C. Mullen wins Female Vocalist of the Year and Urban Album of the Year (“Everyday People”). 

— 1991: “Mary” by K.T. Oslin, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, peaks at No. 28 on the Billboard country singles chart.

— 1989: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, The Cathedrals, led by Glen Payne of Royse City, win Southern Gospel Album (“Goin’ In Style”) and Southern Gospel Song (“Champion of Love”).

— 1984: Alana Stewart, who grew up in Nacogdoches, appears in “Swing Shift” starring Goldie Hawn. 

— 1983: At the Gospel Music Association Dove Awards:

• Dallas Holm, of Lindale, is a nominee for Male Vocalist, Songwriter, Group and Song (“I Saw the Lord”) of the Year
• Cathedral Quartet, led by Glen Payne of Royse City, is a nominee for Group of the Year.

— 1974: Atlanta native Nat Stuckey’s “You Never Say You Love Me Anymore ” peaks at No. 31 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

— 1970: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin has a guest role on “Mayberry R.F.D.”

— 1968: “You Are My Treasure,” a song written by Mexia native Cindy Walker, becomes a No. 1 country hit for Jack Greene.

— 1961: Palestine native Jack Pepper appears on an episode of “The Untouchables.”

— 1958: Whitewright native Guy Wilkerson has a guest role on “Maverick.”

— 1956: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin has a guest role on “Science Fiction Theatre.”

— 1934: Greenville native John Boles stars in “Bottoms Up.”

— 1925: “Mercenary Mary” opens on Broadway with Greenville native John Boles in the cast