Today’s Country Legend was born April 15, in Meherrin, Virginia

His father was a semi-professional musician who played banjo, fiddle, and guitar, while his mother played piano.

At the age of 23, obtained his pilot’s certificate and then bought a 1953 Piper Tri-Pacer (N1132C), which he flew for many years.

Co-hosted the syndicated sketch comedy program Hee Haw which aired from 1969 until 1997

was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.