Jeannie Seely’s Childhood
Marilyn Jeanne Seely is a well-known country musician who began her career in the mid 60’s. Jeannie was born on July 6, 1940, at Titusville, Pennsylvania. Her parents have a large impact on her interest in music. Her father works during the weekdays and plays the banjo during the weekends, while her mother sings to Jeannie.
Jeannie’s Musical Influences
Aside from her parents’ influence Jeannie also liked to listen to the Grand Ole Opry when she was young. She also started singing on radio stations, and by the age of 16, she performed on a TV station called WICU. Jeannie also enjoyed attending music shows when she was young.
Move To Nashville
Jeannie started writing music when she moved to California. Hank Cochran advised her to move to Nashville because he noticed that Jeannie is very talented. However, Jeannie didn’t move to Nashville because she thinks that it is not yet the right time. The only time she considered moving to Nashville was when Dottie West encouraged her to do it.
Her Award-Winning Songs
She has released 16 studio albums, and 33 singles all throughout her career. She even won many awards from Grammy to CMA. Jeannie is well-known for her two songs that topped the Billboard chart.
“Don’t Touch Me”
“Don’t Touch Me” was written by Hank Cochran in 1966. This song gave Jeannie the break she wanted. The song entered the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart at No. 2. It also entered different music charts such as Cashbox and Record World. Aside from entering the charts, her song made her dream come true to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The following year Jeannie won her first Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. In 1967, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
“Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You”
She paired up with another country singer Jack Greene. They released their first song together, “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You,” in 1969 and it was a big hit. Their song peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. The duo also released an album together which included their hit song. Jeannie and Jack were nominated from 1972 to 1975 for the CMA Awards Vocal Duo of the Year.
Jeannie as a Songwriter
Many artists performed songs written by Jeannie, and they made her songs top the chart. These include Dottie West, Lorrie Morgan, Connie Smith, and Faron Young.
Jeannie Now
Jeannie released her new album last year, Written in Songs. All of the songs were co-written by Seely. Last year she also celebrated her 50th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
This year Jeannie is celebrating her 78th birthday. Let us wish her a beautiful year.
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birthday, Don't Touch Me, Jeannie Seely