Jeannie Seely, a Grand Ole Opry star and nation music legend, has handed away on the age of 85. She died peacefully at 5:00 p.m. CT at Summit Medical Middle in Hermitage, Tennessee, as a consequence of problems from an intestinal an infection. Seely had been battling well being points since final fall, which worsened in December after the passing of her husband, Gene Ward. She underwent a number of again surgical procedures and two emergency stomach surgical procedures this spring.
Seely was a trailblazer within the nation music business, recognized for her soul-inspired vocals, which earned her the nickname “Miss Nation Soul.” She made 5,397 Opry performances, greater than another artist within the Opry’s 100-year historical past. Her final Grand Ole Opry present was on February 22, and her most up-to-date “Sundays with Seely” present on Willie’s Roadhouse on SiriusXM aired on July 27.
Born on July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely grew up on a farm and was raised on a weight loss plan of Grand Ole Opry radio broadcasts. She started singing at a younger age and carried out on native radio and TV stations earlier than transferring to Los Angeles at 21 to pursue a profession in music. Seely took a job at a document label and commenced writing songs, which led to her personal recording contract and a string of regional hits.
Seely’s music profession spanned seven a long time, throughout which she launched a number of albums, together with “The Seely Model” and “An American Traditional.” She was a BMI-awarded songwriter, and her songs have been recorded by legendary artists resembling Dottie West, Merle Haggard, and Willie Nelson. Seely was additionally an completed actress, showing in stage productions like “At all times, Patsy Cline” and “The Greatest Little Whorehouse In Texas.”
All through her profession, Seely was acknowledged with quite a few awards, together with the “Most Promising Feminine Artist” award from the Nation and Western Academy, a Grammy Award, and the “Standing Ovation Award” from the Influencing Girls Awards Gala. She was inducted into the Music Metropolis Stroll of Fame, the Nation Music Corridor of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry, and he or she acquired the Legacy Award at The Nashville Girls in Movie & Tv WIFT ALICE Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner.
Seely is survived by her pals, members of the family, and her cat, Corrie. A memorial service will likely be introduced within the coming days, and tomorrow evening’s Grand Ole Opry will likely be devoted to her reminiscence. Seely’s legacy as a rustic music legend and a trailblazer for feminine artists will likely be remembered for generations to come back.
