- 1948 - at age 14, started carrying Hank Williams Sr.'s guitar at Louisiana Hayride

- 1950- started performing on the Louisiana Hayride

- 1952 - first job as a Disc Jockey at KRUS radio (Ruston, LA)

- 1953- hosted his own TV show as "the Tall Texan" on KFAZ-TV and KNOE Radio & TV (Monroe, LA)

- wrote first song "More and More" - a million seller recorded by Webb Pierce and pop artist Guy Lombardo

- signed first recording contract with Imperial Records in March; first release was "More and More"-

- 1955 - worked as a DJ at KBSF Radio (Springhill, LA)

- 1956 - worked as a DJ at KCU Radio (Shreveport, LA)

- 1957 - became the DJ at KENT Radio (Shreveport, LA)

- 1958 - became the DJ and manager of KZEA Radio (formerly KFJJ) in Shreveport, LA

- 1959 - became the DJ and manager of KBSF Radio (Springhill. LA)

- had first top 10 record with self-penned song "Dear Mama" on Starday Records

- wrote "Johnny Reb" a million seller for Johnny Horton

- 1960 - hosted the Big Ten Jamboree on Channel 10 in Eldorado, AR

- made first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on May 23

- received the WSM Mr. DJ Award

- 1961 - signed recording contract with Mercury Records

- moved to Nashville on December 31 to become the manager of the Nashville office of Shapiro-Bernstein Music

- 1962 - started performing as a regular guest on the Grand Ole Opry

- Multi-million seller "Wolverton Mountain" was recorded by Claude King

- joined the Johnny Cash road show

- performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City

- performed at the Hollywood Bowl

- 1963 - named one of Billboard Magazine's Top 10 Songwriters

- co-wrote "Ring of Fire" with June Carter - appeared in first feature film, "Country Music on Broadway"

- recorded LP for Starday, "Gold In Them Thar Hills"

- signed with MGM Records

- 1964 - joined the Hank Williams Jr. road show as opening act on May 1st

- 1965 - starred in the movie "Second Fiddle to a Steel Guitar"

- signed with Epic Records

- 1966 - starred in the Gospel movie "Sing a Song for Heaven's Sake"

- 1967 - signed with Columbia Records

- 1968 - signed with Ashley Records

- 1969 - became general manager of Hank Williams Jr.'s publishing companies

- 1970 - starred in the movie "Educated Heart"

- 1972 - re-signed with Starday Records

- 1974 - signed with Warner Bros. Records

- appeared in the feature film "W.W. and the Dixie Dance Kings" starring Burt Reynolds

- 1975 - appeared in Robert Altman's movie "Nashville"

- 1978 - accepted position as "Singing Host" of George Jones' Possum Holler Club in Nashville, TN

- moved to Cullman, AL with Hank Williams Jr. Enterprises

- 1979 - donated the original lyrics of "Wolverton Mountain" to the Country Music Hall of Fame in June, where they are currently on display

- appeared in the movie "Roadie"

- 1980 - appeared in the movie "Coal Miner's Daughter"

- 1981 - appeared as himself in the movie "Living Proof', the story of Hank Williams Jr. for NBC

- 1986 - named Executive Vice President and Head of Management of Hank Williams Jr. Enterprises, April 7

- moved with Hank Williams Jr. Enterprises to Paris, TN on July 1st

- 1987 - named honorary State Senator for Tennessee by the Tennessee State Legislature

- 1989 - began serving on the CMA Board of Directors, and is still serving on the Board

- negotiated deal for Hank Williams Jr.'s performance of the ABC Monday Night Football theme song

- 1990 - voted the first CMA "Manager of the Year" at the SRO Awards ceremony

- elected President of the Nashville Songwriters Association International's Board of Directors

- 1993 - inducted into Shreveport's Byrd High School Hall of Fame

- inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in Lafayette, LA

- 1994 - opened Merle Kilgore Management in Nashville, representing Hank Williams Jr. and other artists

- 1995 - 1997 - served as President of R.O.P.E. International

- 1997 - named R.O.P.E. International Business Person of the Year