Honoring a Grand Ole Opry Star

Jeannie Seely is not only one of the Grand Ladies of the Grand Ole Opry, she’s one of the trailblazers of the Women of Country Music.  Seely was named 1964’s ‘Most Promising Female Artist’ by the Academy Of Country Music and hit it big with 1966’s ‘Don’t Touch Me’, which earned her a Grammy Award and launched her Seven Decade career.  At the time of her passing, she was the oldest active female performer in Country Music at the age of 85. 

The Pennsylvania native’s journey could have been cut short when she opposed management at the Grand Ole Opry and became the first woman to wear a miniskirt on stage.  Furthermore, rallying to become the first female host of an Opry segment- at a time when women were not allowed to emcee.  According to Opry Manager Dan Rogers, Jeannie said “I’ll stop wearing a miniskirt on stage, when you tell all the women wearing miniskirts and buying tickets to your shows they can’t wear them either”.

In addition to a string of duets and successful road show with Jack Greene, Jeannie was a constant presence in Country Music throughout the 70s and 80s appearing on Country Music television shows, package tours and radio with hits like ‘Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight’ ‘It’s Only Love’ ‘When It’s Over’ ‘Lucky Ladies’ ‘Leavin’ And Sayin’ Goodbye’ and ‘Wish I Didn’t Have To Miss You’ (with Jack Greene).  

From the 90s on, she earned icon status on the Grand Ole Opry, continued to champion female artists and released new music- Written In Song and An American Classic are two modern works worth downloading.  The albums featured duets with Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, The Whites, Ray Stevens, Vince Gill and producer Steve Wariner.  In addition, the modern projects featured new fan favorites like ‘Who Needs You’ ‘To Make A Dream Come True’ and ‘Not A Dry Eye In The House’ (with Willie Nelson).

Jeannie had a career that is certainly worthy of induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame- something that did not happen during her lifetime- but should have! However, she left this world with dozens of industry honors and knowing she was beloved by fans and fellow artists- who often cited her as a main musical influence and mentor.

Jeannie Seely Fun Facts 

• Hired by Porter Wagoner to replace Norma Jean on his television and road shows.
• 1966 makes her first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on her way to performing more than any other artist in history with 5,397 appearances to her credit.
• Traveled on military tours throughout the Far East and Europe and served as a radio DJ on her own Armed Forces Network show. More recently, hosting a show on Willie’s Roadhouse for Sirius/XM.
• Wrote songs recorded by Dottie West, Merle Haggard, Connie Smith, Ray Price, Faron Young, Willie Nelson, Irma Thomas, Boys II Men, Seal and many more.
• Wrote ‘Anyone Who Knows What Love Is ( Will Understand ) for Irma Thomas, the Soul Queen of New Orleans.  The song was used in an NFL commercial and appeared in several movies and tv shows like ‘Black Mirror’ ‘Pretty Little Lies’ ‘The Deuce’ ‘Dead To Me’ ‘One Day’ and the movie trailer for ‘Jurassic World : Fallen Kingdom’.
• Married to Hank Cochran. The writer of classics like ‘Make The World Go Away’ ‘She’s Got You’ ‘I Fall To Pieces’ ‘The Chair’ and ‘Ocean Front Property’.
• The Briley Parkway Exit to the Grand Ole Opry House is named ‘Jeannie Seely Interchange’.
• Appeared in the music videos for ‘Trashy Women’ by Confederate Railroad and ‘Wrapped Around’ by Brad Paisley. 

Interview : Jeannie Seely visits with Kevin Richards