Trailblazing female country music artist, Jeannie Seely, passes away at 85 years old
Jeannie Seely, affectionately known as "Miss Country Soul," had a remarkable career spanning over six decades in the music industry. Born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely's journey to stardom began in the early 1960s.
Her big break came in 1964 when she was honoured as the most promising female artist by the Country and Western Academy, a precursor to the Academy of Country Music. This recognition marked the beginning of a successful career that would see Seely rise to fame with her distinctive soul-inspired vocal style.
In 1966, Seely released her Grammy Award-winning song, "Don't Touch Me," on Monument Records. The song, which was also written by her second husband, Hank Cochran, reached the US country top five. This was Seely's first and only Grammy Award, which she won for best female country performance.
Seely moved to Nashville, where she sang on Porter Wagoner's show and eventually secured a deal with Monument Records. Her career continued to flourish, with multiple top-10 and top-20 hits, including "A Wanderin' Man" (1967) and "I'll Love You More (Than You'll Need)" (1968).
Throughout her career, Seely made her mark as a trailblazer for women in country music, demonstrating her spirited nonconformity. One such instance was when she wore a miniskirt on the Grand Ole Opry stage, a move that was still considered taboo at the time.
Seely was a longtime member and frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, with a record 5,397 appearances dating back to May 1966. Her last performance on the Opry was in 2024, where she performed her latest song, a cover of Dottie West's "Suffertime," which she recorded at the world-renowned RCA Studio B in July of the same year.
Seely's career was not without its challenges. In May 2025, she revealed that she was in recovery after undergoing multiple back surgeries, two emergency procedures, and spending 11 days in the ICU. She also battled pneumonia. Despite these setbacks, Seely continued to perform and host, regularly appearing on country music programming.
On August 1, 2025, Jeannie Seely passed away at the age of 85 due to complications from an intestinal infection. Her death was a significant loss to the country music industry, and her Grand Ole Opry show was dedicated to her in her memory.
Seely's songs have been recorded by numerous artists, including Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Connie Smith, Ernest Tubb, Grandpa Jones, and Little Jimmy Dickens. Her legacy lives on, and she will be remembered as a beloved figure in country music.
Jeannie Seely, beloved for her soulful country vocals, collaborated with other celebrities in the music industry, such as Porter Wagoner. Her success extended to the broader entertainment world, as her Grammy Award-winning song, "Don't Touch Me," was celebrated not only by country music fans but also by music enthusiasts across genres.
