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Cathy Wurzer

The first country record made in Nashville

Sheb Wooley
Sheb Wooley is shown in this May 1982 file photo. He appeared in more than 60 movies, acted in some 50 television shows and recorded pop and country songs.
AP 1982

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On Dec. 29, 1945, Sheb Wooley recorded "Oklahoma Honky Tonk Girl" in Nashville, Tenn. It was the first commercial music recording made in the city that would become synonymous with country music.

The record did not draw much attention at the time.

Wooley would go on to record a novelty hit called "The Purple People Eater. " He also had a career as an actor, appearing in the movie "High Noon" and in the television series "Rawhide."