Jeannie Seely

Jeannie Seely celebrated 53 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry on Sept 16, 2020. 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. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album “The Seely Style” to her most recent self–produced album, “Written In Song,” a CD project with 14 tracks all co-written or self-penned by Seely and recorded by Country Music Hall of Famers and Country music legends; Ernest Tubb, Dottie West, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Faron Young, Jack Greene, Little Jimmy Dickens, Chris LeDoux, Ray Price and more. 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. 

Early in her career, Jeannie’s deeply moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul”– a title that’s still used today. Jeannie’s biggest dream came true when she was inducted as a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. 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.

Highlights

  • 2021 NEW SINGLE “If You Could Call It That”  from her current Album on Curb Records - An American Classic - Songwriters Dottie West, Steve Wariner and BobbyTomberlin - (Recorded with Steve Wariner) (Dottie West left a notebook of song ideas and Steve Wariner and Bobby Tomberlin finished the song. Dottie and Jeannie were close friends.)

  • Since April 17, 1997  2,266 Opry performances  (NOTE - the majority of her performances were prior to computerized records ..  so 30 years worth is not in this total)

  • Jeannie was the spotlight artist for the SiriusXM show "Fierce Women" Co-Hosted by Brad Paisley, who is the first male guest on show to discuss his respect and love for the women of The Opry. This is a promotion for the NBC Opry special that airs on 2/14.

  • She is being included in a book called, Women of True Grit Book (target date of Fall2021 or Spring 2022)  Learn more about the Women of True Grit at www.ediehand.com

  • December 19, 2020 - Hosted 2nd Annual “Santa Paws” Fundraiser to benefit rescued animals and adoption centers.

  • Nov 1 National Anthem with John Berry, accompanied by Robin Berry at the 36th All American 400 Race Weekend at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway

  • October 29th, 2020 Recipient of the Love From Music City Bill Anderson Icon Award 

  • October 25th, 2020 Recipient of The Legacy Award from the Clement Railroad Hotel and Museum

  • Inducted September 16, 1967, she will celebrate 54 years in 2021 as Grand Ole Opry member and is one of only three living women (the others being Loretta Lynn and Connie Smith) to have reached this milestone

  • Oct 8, 2020 - Charted at #18 on Pollstar LiveStream Chart for her very 1st ever live-stream on Facebook at the age of 80! This was for her performance of songs off new album “An American Classic

  • Was the Feature Guest for Change The Conversation - Tales of a Trailblazer, Speaking Up & Stepping Out

  • July 6, 2020 -  On her 80th Birthday this year  she released a new duet with Willie Nelson 

  • Wrote her 1st #1 for Bluegrass chart August 23, 2019 “If I Could” recorded by Rhonda Vincent was written with Bobby Tomberlin and Erin Enderlin at Jeannie’s first ever “scheduled” writing appointment. 

  • April 2020 Updated Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannie_Seely 

  • Monday July 6th (Seely 80th Birthday) Pre-Sale Announcement of An American Classic with FREE download of “Not A Dry Eye In The House” duet with Willie Nelson 

  • Friday, Aug 14thth release date of New Album recorded at OceanWay Studio in Nashville, Produced by Don Cusic. Songs written  by Jeannie Seely and/or with Bill Anderson, Steve Wariner, Bobby Tomberlin (Dottie West), Ray Stevens and special guests singing along with Jeannie include Steve Wariner, Ray Stevens, Vince Gill, Lorrie Morgan, Waylon Payne, The Whites, Rhonda Vincent, Willie Nelson and more.

  • Jeannie Seely was honored by Lincoln Memorial University during its Fall Commencement exercises on Saturday, December 14, 2019 in Tex Turner Arena where she received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree.

  • June 21, 2019 Ms. Seely, was honored and recognized for her contributions to the entertainment industry by the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce Women in Business. Congratulated and announced by country music icon and her friend, Willie Nelson, The Standing Ovation Award was presented to Ms. Seely at the inaugural Influencing Women Awards Gala

  • Included PBS in docu-series “Country Music” produced by Ken Burns 

  • March 5, 2019 honored in CMHOF American Currents exhibit alongside Carly Pearce

  • Songwriter and Recording career of Jeannie Seely has now spanned six decades

  • Last Album Written In Song is full of hit songs recorded by Country Music Hall of Famers and Country music legends; Ernest Tubb, Dottie West, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Faron Young, Jack Greene, Little Jimmy Dickens, Chris LeDoux, Ray Price and more. MP3 Download here (Review and Radio Airplay Only)

  • 8-21-2018 Received her Star on the Music City Walk of Fame

  • Seely is an on air personality and host on SiriusXM “Willie’s Roadhouse”

  • Referred to as the Official Ambassador for the Grand Ole Opry

  • 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),” MP3 Download here (Review and Radio Airplay Only)

  • Has placed singles on Billboard's national country music charts for 13 consecutive years from 1966 through 1978. Among her over two dozen hits were "It's Only Love", "A Wanderin' Man", "I'll Love You More", "He Can Be Mine", "Welcome Home To Nothing", "Little Things", "Farm in Pennsyltucky" and "When It's Over".

  • A long list of artists – including Dottie West, Norma Jean, Tex Williams, Lorrie Morgan, Jack Greene, Connie Smith, and Doyle Lawson – have recorded compositions written by Seely. In 1972, Faron Young took “Leavin’ And Sayin’ Goodbye” to the No. 1 position in "Record World" on October 23, 1971, earning Seely a BMI Songwriters Award

  • She is the first female country singer to host half-hour segments of the Grand Ole Opry on Sept 19, 1985. 

  • Appeared in the movie Changing Hearts starring Faye Dunaway. Proceeds from the movie help non-profit organizations dedicated to cancer research, education and support.

  • Served as a radio disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network Show, and for several months she traveled on military tours throughout Europe and Asia. 

  • Honored in 2009 with the prestigious Colonel Aide-de-Camp Award presented by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen. The award recognizes citizens for meritorious public service with the distinction of being included in the Honorable Order of Tennessee Colonels.

  • Served as a member of the Board of Directors for AFTRA (American Federation of Television and Radio Artists), as well as for the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber of Commerce.                       

  • Longtime spokesperson for the Humane Society by recording public service announcements and by serving as a HSUS "Special Friend" involved in supporting their animal protection programs.

  • Actively involved in numerous other organizations and causes such as the Opry Trust Fund (which provides financial assistance to needy individuals in the country music industry) and R.O.P.E. (Reunion Of Professional Entertainers).

  • Nominated for numerous Country Music Association (CMA) and Grammy awards, Jack Greene and Jeannie Seely toured together for over ten years, performing everywhere from New York's Madison Square Garden to London's Wembley Arena.

  • Considered a forerunner in opening doors and bringing country music to wider audiences around the world. Through a special invitation from the White House they were named Goodwill Ambassadors to the annual United Nations Concert.