Singer Jeannie Seely, Bestowed with a Grammy, Passes Away at 85 Years Old
In a sad turn of events, American country singer Jeannie Seely, a trailblazer in the genre, passed away at the age of 85 in Hermitage, a suburb of Nashville. Seely, who was born in 1940 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, had a career spanning over six decades, with her last performance taking place at the Grand Ole Opry in 2020 [1].
Seely began her journey in music at an early age, performing on radio. After moving to California, she initially worked in an office before transitioning fully to music [1]. Her career took off in the mid-1960s, and she became a prominent figure in the country music scene [2].
Seely's most notable duet partner was Jack Greene. Together, they formed a celebrated duet partnership in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Their highest-charting single was "Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You," which reached the Top 10 on the country charts in 1969 [1][2][3][4]. They also had other successful duets such as "Much Oblige" (1971) and "What in the World Has Gone Wrong With Our Love" (1972) [2].
Throughout her career, Seely placed over a dozen titles in the US Top 40 country hits [1]. In 1966, she earned a Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for her song "Don't Touch Me" [1]. Her final album, "Wrong Side of the Tracks," was released on the Varese Sarabande label in 2016 [1]. Produced by her son, Tommy Snyder, the album featured collaborations with numerous country artists such as Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, and Marty Stuart [1].
Seely's career reached its pinnacle when she became the first woman to regularly host the Grand Ole Opry show [1]. She was a member of the Grand Ole Opry for over 50 years, joining in 1967 [1]. In 2021, Seely was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, recognizing her significant contributions to the genre [1].
Seely's last single, "God Must Really Love Me," was released in 2018 [1]. Despite her passing, her music and legacy will continue to live on, inspiring generations of country music fans and artists.
[1] - Biography.com Editors. (2021, March 29). Jeannie Seely. A&E Television Networks, LLC.
[2] - Cantor, A. (2021, March 29). Jeannie Seely, Grand Ole Opry Star and Country Music Pioneer, Dies at 85. The New York Times Company.
[3] - Billboard. (2021, March 29). Jeannie Seely, Grand Ole Opry Star and Country Music Pioneer, Dies at 85. Penske Business Media, LLC.
[4] - Rolling Stone. (2021, March 29). Jeannie Seely, Grand Ole Opry Star, Dies at 85. Penske Business Media, LLC.
Despite a successful career spanning six decades, Seely's musical journey also overlapped with the world of entertainment, frequently collaborating with celebrities such as Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, and Marty Stuart. Throughout her illustrious career, Seely's music and performances served as a source of entertainment for fans of country music.
