Recognizes Her for More than 5,000 Appearances,
More than any other Artist in Opry History
NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– The Grand Ole Opry’s Jeannie Seely was presented with a framed photo collage tonight in celebration of 55 years of membership and more than 5,000 appearances on the Opry stage, more than any artist in Opry history.
“This is such a special night. I don’t even know what to say,” shared Seely. “I’m just enjoying every second of it, and I will never take it for granted when I come through the Opry doors. I was thinking maybe I should wear a gown for this special occasion and then I thought, you know, if they’are not impressed with me after 55 years a gown ain’t gonna do it now. But I didn’t come here 55 years ago to impress you, I came to entertain you. And I hope that I still can.”
After her own set, the Opry member later returned to the stage to introduce Chapel Hart for the group’s Opry debut.
The GRAMMY® winner joined the Opry in 1967 and became a trailblazer for women in country music. Evident in her songs like “Who Needs You” and “Don’t Touch Me,” Seely has long been an outspoken artist, forging the path for other women to follow in her footsteps. She became the first woman to regularly host 30-minute segments on the Opry after advocating for fairer representation. When she was challenged once for wearing a miniskirt on stage, Seely told Opry manager Ott Devine, “Okay, this is what America is wearing and I’ll make you a deal. I won’t wear a miniskirt in the back door if you don’t let anybody wear one in the front door,” as she recounted in Ken Burns’ Country Music Documentary.
Seely’s deep, moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul,” a title that’s still used today. An esteemed singer, songwriter, producer, actress, author and on-air personality, Seely added another title, “Doctor,” to her resume when she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019. The third female country artist to win a GRAMMY® is also among a select group of country artists who have scored No. 1 hits as a solo artist, duet partner and songwriter. On September 16, 1967, Seely fulfilled her lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry®, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. Nearly 55 years later, Seely makes clear that it’s still a thrill and an honor each time she performs on the world-famous stage. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album, The Seely Style, which featured “Don’t Touch Me,” to her self-produced album, Written in Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written and recorded for more than 10 Country Music Hall of Fame® members, Seely’s recordings have spanned seven decades and provided enjoyment to music fans all around the world. Seely is a fierce advocate for musicians’ rights and takes much pride in her involvement and support for the cause. In his 2003 book, Finding Her Voice: The Saga of 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 continues to hold true. Seely appeared in Willie Nelson’s movie Honeysuckle Rose and sang on the film’s RIAA® platinum-certified soundtrack, and for the past four years, Seely has hosted her own show, “Sundays with Seely,” on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse. Nelson, along with Rhonda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens and many more of her friends, joined Seely for her current project on Curb Records, An American Classic, which has seen rave reviews and three radio releases. Keep up with all things Jeannie Seely at www.jeannieseely.com.