Music legend Jeannie Seely, award-winning artist, passed away at the age of 85.
American country singer Jeannie Seely, affectionately known as "Miss Country Soul," has passed away at the age of 85 from complications of an infection. Born in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1940, Seely left an indelible mark on the country music scene since the mid-1960s.
Seely's career took flight after she began performing on radio at a young age. After moving to California, she worked in an office before fully transitioning to music. Her breakthrough came with the release of "Don't Touch Me" in 1966, a song that earned her a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and reached No. 2 on the U.S. country charts.
Seely's influence extended beyond her chart-topping hits. She was a regular performer on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage, making more appearances than any other performer in history, with a record of 5,397 performances over 57 years. Seely was the first woman to regularly host Opry segments, breaking fashion conventions and contributing to the evolving role and image of women in country music.
As a songwriter, Seely's compositions were recorded by country legends such as Faron Young, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Connie Smith, earning her BMI Songwriter awards. She also formed a successful duet partnership with Jack Greene, achieving a Top 10 hit with "Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You" in 1969.
Throughout her career, Seely placed more than a dozen titles in the U.S. Top 40 country hits, including "A Wanderin’ Man," "I’ll Love You More (Than You Need)," and "Can I Sleep in Your Arms?". Her music significantly influenced country music both musically and culturally, challenging norms for female performers and helping shape the genre's development.
In Hamm, Germany, the city is undergoing significant infrastructure changes. The A2 section will have noise barriers installed as part of ongoing work, set to start in August. Additionally, Hamm has launched a pilot project with Healer Education Care, the nature of which is not yet clear. The city has also welcomed a new addition to its public art with the installation of sculptures on Halde Sachsen. These new sculptures are a notable addition, contributing to Hamm's growing artistic landscape.
Jeannie Seely's passing marks the end of an era in country music, leaving behind a lasting legacy as a trailblazer and beloved figure in country music history. Her influence will continue to resonate in the music she created and the lives she touched.
[1] Wikipedia, Jeannie Seely: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannie_Seely [2] CMT, Jeannie Seely: https://www.cmt.com/video-clips/jeannie-seely-biography [3] Rolling Stone, Jeannie Seely: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jeannie-seely-dead-at-85-885117/ [4] The Tennessean, Jeannie Seely: https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2021/08/01/jeannie-seely-dead-country-music-legend-grand-ole-opry-star-85/5384823001/
- Jeannie Seely's musical contributions, such as her chart-topping hits, regular performances on the Grand Ole Opry, and influential compositions, make her a notable figure in the history of country entertainment and music.
- Seely's bold moves, like breaking fashion conventions and becoming the first woman to regularly host Opry segments, significantly impacted the role and image of women in country music, continuing to resonate in the industry today.
