Country Pop Bites: Ronnie Milsap – December 6

Did you know that on this day in Country Music History in 1980 Ronnie Milsap's "Smoky Mountain Rain" rode to #1 on the Billboard country chart?

It's true!

Check out the video!

Here are 5 little known facts about Ronnie Milsap.

• He was born blind and spent his early childhood in an impoverished farming community.
• With financial support from his grandparents, he attended the Morehead State School for the Blind in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he was taught classical music and learned to play the piano, violin, and guitar.
• Milsap continued his education at Young-Harris Junior College in Atlanta, where he studied political science. After his graduation, he was offered a scholarship to Emory University, but instead chose to pursue a professional career in music.
• In 1964, at the age of 20, Milsap released his first single, "Total Disaster." The following year, he relocated to Memphis, where he fronted his own rhythm and blues band.
• In 1990, Milsap published an autobiography, Almost Like a Song, which chronicled his ascent from poverty-stricken beginnings to country music superstar.