98 Country Classic Bonus – 5 Country Classic Hits from 1989 [VIDEOS]

Good morning and welcome to another edition of the 98 Country Classic Show on this first Sunday in August.  You can find us on the radio at 98.1 FM, online at 98country.com and on your mobile device.

Every week, we give you our Country Classic Bonus, an extra serving of country classic music. This week, we're featuring the year 1989.

Making news in 1989:

• George Herbert Walker Bush, inaugurated 41^st President.
• Ruptured tanker Exxon Valdez sends 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska’s Prince William Sound.
• 58,000 fans pack San Francisco’s Candlestick Park with 20 minutes to go before the start of the World Series game between Oakland and the Giants when a 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes San Francisco Bay area, killing 67 and injuring over 3000. Many buildings damaged or destroyed on October 17.
• NBA basketball returns to the Twin Cities for the first time since the Minneapolis Lakers depart for L.A. in 1960.

In country music...

...we were listening to Keith Whitley, Reba McEntire, Kathy Mattea,The Judds and Garth Brooks.

Keith Whitley – I’m No Stranger to the Rain

When “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” was recorded by Keith Whitley, it was released in January 1989 as the fifth and final single from his album ‘Don’t Close Your Eyes." It was the last single released before Whitley’s death.  Several years of alcoholism severely deteriorated his health and he died in 1989 at age 34.

I’m no stranger to the rain, I’m a friend of thunder, friend is it any wonder lightning strikes me.

Reba McEntire – “Cathy’s Clown”

“Cathy’s Clown” was written and recorded by The Everly Brothers.  It sold eight million copies worldwide, spending five weeks at number one on Billboard Hot 100 Chart.  “Cathy’s Clown” was covered by Reba McEntire for her album "Sweet Sixteen."  McEntire’s version became her thirteenth number one single on the Billboard Hot Country chart.

Kathy Mattea – “Burnin’ Old Memories”

“Burnin’ Old Memories,” is a song written by Larry Boone, Paul Nelson and Gene Nelson and recorded by Kathy Mattea.  It was the second single from the album "Willow in the Wind."  “Burnin’ Old Memories” was Mattea’s fourth and final number  one hit, spending fourteen weeks on the country chart.

I used to love him, that ain’t no lie we had a good thing till he said goodbye.

The Judds – “Young Love (Strong Love)”

Up until the rise of Brooks and Dunn in the 1990s, The Judds were the most commercially-successful duo in country music history.  Mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna enjoyed an astounding run of 14 number one singles from 1984 to 1989, making them one of the most popular country acts of the 1980s.  “Young Love” is written by Kent Robbins and Paul Kennerly and recorded by the mother and daughter duo from the album "River of Time."  It became The Judds' thirteenth number one hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart.

She was sitting cross legged on hood of a Ford filing down her nails with a emery board. 

Garth Brooks – “If Tomorrow Never Comes”

Big news from the Garth Brooks camp -- Brooks is staging his comeback with a world tour which he’ll launch in Chicago on September 4^th this year.  The upcoming tour is the singer’s first in 13 years.  “If Tomorrow Never Comes” is a song recorded by Brooks and   written by Brooks and Kent Blazy, it was released in August 1989 as the second single from his album, "Garth Brooks."  This is the first country love song released by Brooks.  The first line in the chorus ”If tomorrow never comes, will she know how much I love her.”  Garth, good luck on the world tour.

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