This Day in Country Music History - September 12

Births, deaths and some public political support by Country artists all happened on this day in Country Music history.

Born on This Day:

• In 1974, Jennifer Nettles was born in Douglas, Georgia.

• In 1931, George Jones was born in Saratoga, Texas. On his 63rd birthday, he was at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, undergoing triple bypass surgery instead of being at home, eating cake. Jones died on April 26, 2013 at the age of 81.

Died on This Day:

• In 2004, Kenny Buttrey, the drummer heard on Jimmy Buffett's "Margaritaville," as well as on projects by Bob Dylan, Waylon Jennings, Neil Young and Hank Locklin, died of cancer at his home in Nashville.

• In 2003, at aged 71, Johnny Cash died of respiratory failure and complications for diabetes. Cash died at Baptist Hospital in Nashville.

Political Moves Made on This Day:

• Two Years Ago Today - In 2012, Lynn Anderson publicly endorsed North Dakota's Measure 5, which would strengthen the penalties for cruelty to animals. Had it passed, the measure would have made it a class C felony for an individual to maliciously harm a living dog, cat or horse. It was defeated - 65.3% no to 34.63% yes.

• Four Years Ago Today - In 2010, Sammy Kershaw performed at a tea party event under the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

• Eight Years Ago Today - In 2006, Tim McGraw performed an acoustic show at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium to raise money for the campaign of governor Phil Bredesen. Nanci Griffith, Ashley Gearing and Donna Summer also appeared at the event.

• 34 Years Ago Today - In 1980, Willie Nelson began a two-day stay with president Jimmy Carter in Washington, D.C. The two men jogged together and Willie is said to have smoked weed on the roof of the White House (without President Carter).

• 35 Years Ago Today - In 1979, Johnny Cash was made a deputy sheriff in Davidson County, Tennessee.