venerable artist and Grammy laureate Jeannie Seely succumbs at 85 years old
Jeannie Seely, "Miss Country Soul," Passes Away at 85
Jeannie Seely, a trailblazing and influential country music singer-songwriter, has passed away at the age of 85 in Hermitage, a suburb of Nashville, due to complications from an infection. Known for her distinctive soul-inspired vocal style and numerous Top 40 hits, Seely left an indelible mark on the country music genre.
Born in 1940 in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely began her career in radio at an early age. After moving to California, she worked in an office before fully committing to her music career. It was there that she recorded her debut album, The Seely Style, which reached the Top 10 on the country albums chart.
Seely's breakthrough song, "Don't Touch Me," written by Hank Cochran, reached No. 2 on the U.S. country charts in 1966, earning her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. This hit established her as a major figure in country music and set the stage for a career spanning over five decades.
Throughout her career, Seely placed over a dozen songs 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?" She also formed a successful duet partnership with Jack Greene, achieving another Top 10 hit with "Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You."
Beyond her performance success, Seely contributed significantly as a songwriter. Her compositions were recorded by country legends such as Faron Young, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and others, earning multiple BMI Songwriter awards. She was also the first woman to regularly host segments on the Grand Ole Opry, challenging fashion and performance norms by wearing a miniskirt on stage and helping reshape women’s roles and images in country music.
Seely's performances on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage were a highlight of her career. She made nearly 5,400 appearances—the most in its history—and continued to perform there for decades. In addition to her work on stage, Seely hosted the SiriusXM show “Sunday’s with Seely” on Willie Nelson’s channel, further cementing her legacy in country music culture.
Seely received numerous accolades over her lifetime, including the Grammy Award, the CMA’s Joe Talbot Award, and high honors within the country music community. Her legacy is marked by her trailblazing spirit, artistic achievements, and deep influence on the country music genre and its acceptance of women as central contributors.
Seely will be remembered as a pioneer and a true country soul.
[1] CMT.com. (2021). Jeannie Seely. [online] Available at: https://www.cmt.com/artists/jeannie-seely/bio [Accessed 8 May 2023].
[2] AllMusic. (2023). Jeannie Seely. [online] Available at: https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jeannie-seely-mn0000702911 [Accessed 8 May 2023].
[3] Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. (2023). Jeannie Seely. [online] Available at: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/artists/jeannie-seely [Accessed 8 May 2023].
[4] Academy of Country Music. (2023). Jeannie Seely. [online] Available at: https://www.acmcountry.com/artists/jeannie-seely [Accessed 8 May 2023].
Entertainment world mourns the passing of country music legend Jeannie Seely, affectionately known as "Miss Country Soul". Known for her groundbreaking work, Seely was a frequent entertainer and influencer to many celebrities within the country music scene.
