Today in Music History for Aug. 16:

In 1935, Patsy Montana recorded "I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart," which turned out be the first million-selling country record by a female singer.

In 1938, legendary bluesman Robert Johnson died in Greenwood, Miss., at age 27. He is said to have been murdered with a poisonous drink by a jealous husband. Johnson wrote such standards as "Dust My Broom," "Sweet Home Chicago" and "Crossroads." A CD box set of Johnson's recordings was a surprise hit in 1990.

In 1939, country singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver was born in Corsicana, Texas. He rose to country music stardom in the 1970s. He recorded more than 20 albums and wrote "Georgia on a Fast Train" and "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal (But I'm Gonna Be a Diamond Someday)." He helped launch country's o

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