Post by Scully on Jun 4, 2021 8:53:47 GMT -6
JEANNIE SEELY, CELEBRATES 55TH ANNIVERSARY OF DEBUT PERFORMANCE ON GRAND OLE OPRY®
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Classic Country trailblazer, Jeannie Seelyy will celebrate the 55th anniversary of her debut performance tonight on the Grand Ole Opry®. On the night of her debut, she sang “Don’t Touch Me” on the portion of the show hosted by Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper and sponsored by Stephens work clothing. All total, she made eight guest appearances in 1966 and three more in 1967 before becoming an official member and inducted to the Opry® family on September 16, 1967. She will celebrate 54 years as a Grand Ole Opry® member in 2021 and is one of only three living women (the others being Loretta Lynn and Connie Smith) to have reached this milestone.
“Whenever I have had the opportunity to introduce an artist on their debut at the Opry, I always stress to them and the audience that this is a night they will remember for the rest of their lives,” shared Jeannie Seely. “It is a memory I have treasured for 55 years, although I never imagined at the time I would be here this long! I am grateful to the Opry and the Opry fans and I thank you all!”
“Can you even imagine a Grand Ole Opry without Jeannie Seely over the past 55 years? There would have been a lot less heart, soul, and laughter, that’s for sure. Congratulations, Seely!” Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry - Dan Rogers “Every time I put in a call to Seely, her first word is YES. She is always willing and ready to step up and promote her beloved Grand Ole Opry. She is a blessing to the Opry and a treasured friend to me,” adds Director of Opry Talent Scheduling and Logistics -Gina Keltner.
"Don't Touch Me" is a song written by Hank Cochran. The song was released as a single on Monument Records in 1966 and became a major Billboard country hit and became Seely's signature song. In 1967, her original version of "Don't Touch Me" won the Best Female Country Vocal Performance accolade at the Grammy® Awards. The song's success also led to an invitation for Seely to become a member of The Grand Ole Opry®.
Jeannie recently re-recorded “Don’t Touch Me” which can be heard on her highly-acclaimed album, An American Classic, on Curb Records. Digital downloads, streaming and physical copies of An American Classic are available on all digital music platforms here.
Listen to Jeannie Seely talk about “Don’t Touch Me below:
www.shannoncountry.com/interviews
Clips courtesy of TV and Radio personality, Shannon McCombs
About Jeannie Seely:
Jeannie Seely will celebrate 54 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry® on Sept 16, 2021. Her current album, An American Classic, was released by Curb Records and produced by Don Cusic. The album includes collaborations with Bill Anderson, Rhonda Vincent, Steve Wariner, Lorrie Morgan, The Whites, Vince Gill and more. The project includes her duet with Willie Nelson, “Not A Dry Eye In The House”, was released as a single on her 80th birthday, July 6, 2020. She was honored by Lincoln Memorial University during its Fall Commencement exercises on December 14, 2019 in Tex Turner Arena where she received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. June 21, 2019 Ms. Jeannie Seely, was honored and recognized for her contributions to the entertainment industry by the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Women in Business. Announced by country music icon and friend, Willie Nelson, The Standing Ovation Award was presented to Ms. Seely at the inaugural Influencing Women Awards Gala.
Country music legend Jeannie Seely has achieved chart topping songs as a solo artist, as a duet partner, and as a songwriter. Jeannie’s recordings have spanned six decades and provided enjoyment to country music fans all around the world. Many of the songs were recorded by Hall of Fame members. Jeannie earned a Grammy for her recording of “Don’t Touch Me” in 1967. Seely is a weekly on-air host on SiriusXM Willie’s Roadhouse, where she shares personal memories and fun stories about the songs she spins. 2018 Seely was honored to receive recognition and a star on the famed Music City Walk of Fame and recognized for ranking #2 in Billboard’s Top TV Songs Chart for January 2018 for her song “Anyone Who Knows What Love Is (Will Understand),” written in 1964 and recorded by Irma Thomas. The song is the trailer theme song for new Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, many acclaimed music artists recorded their own versions, including Seal and Boyz II Men, and it has been featured in numerous episodes of the science fiction anthology Netflix television series Black Mirror.
A country music legend and trailblazer, her perseverance over many years earned Seely the honor of being the first female to regularly host segments of the weekly Opry® and is credited for changing the image of Opry® by being the first to wear a mini-skirt on the Opry® stage. Jeannie works tirelessly behind the scenes in the music industry on behalf of fellow artists and musicians. Known for her quick wit and humor, she documented some of her “sayings” in her book, Pieces Of A Puzzled Mind, which is a unique collection of witticisms. Jeannie Seely has also starred in several major stage productions. In his 2003 book “Finding Her Voice: Women In Country Music,” music critic Robert K. Oermann wrote, “With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of country’s most completely modern female personalities,” and that statement still holds true. Keep up with all things Jeannie Seely at www.jeannieseely.com.