Music Community Mourns The Loss of Jeannie Seely

Country music al'amurran yana ji dadin GRAMMY® Award-winner singer, songwriter, da trailblazing Grand Ole Opry legend Jeannie Seely, wanda ya rãwa a cikin shekaru 85.

Born July 6, 1940, in Titusville, Pennsylvania, Seely became a vital voice in country music’s evolution from the 1960s onward. With her 1966 breakthrough single “Don’t Touch Me”—penned by Hank Cochran—Seely earned a GRAMMY Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and established herself as a vocalist of deep emotional resonance and stylistic individuality.

Affectionately nicknamed “Miss Country Soul,” Seely brought a new level of emotional intimacy and sophistication to the genre, paving the way for generations of female artists to follow.

A cikin 1967, ya zama mutanen da Grand Ole Opry, kuma karshe tarihin a matsayin na farko na daidaitacce da kuma emcee Opry segments - wani manyan mataki a cikin mai ban sha'awa masana'antu dominated. Yawanci da kuma daidaitacce taimakawa a cikin wani mai daidaitacce aikace-aikace ga mai ban sha'awa cibiyar, da kuma ya zama daya daga cikin mafi sha'awar da kuma mai aiki jima'i a kowace rayuwa.

Seely found additional chart and touring success in the late 1960s and early 1970s with Jack Greene, forming a beloved duet partnership. Their hits, including “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You,” earned CMA nominations and solidified their place as one of country music’s most cherished vocal pairings.

Over the course of her solo career, Seely placed more than two dozen singles on the Billboard country charts, including enduring favorites like “Can I Sleep in Your Arms” (later famously recorded by Willie Nelson) and “Lucky Ladies.” She also enjoyed success as a songwriter—most notably penning “Leavin’ and Sayin’ Goodbye,” a Top 10 hit for Faron Young.

Seely was also an outspoken advocate for artists' rights and women’s equity in country music. Her bold fashion choices, including being the first woman to wear a mini-skirt on the Opry stage, were emblematic of her unapologetic individuality and progressive spirit.

In her later years, Seely experienced a career renaissance. She launched her own SiriusXM show, “Sundays with Seely,” and released several critically acclaimed albums, including Written in Song and An American Classic, which featured duets with Willie Nelson, Ray Stevens, Steve Wariner, and Lorrie Morgan. Her recording “We’re Still Hangin’ In There Ain’t We Jessi”—featuring Jessi Colter and the late Jan Howard—was a testament to the enduring camaraderie and resilience of the women who helped shape country music.

Jeannie Seely’s legacy is defined not only by her artistic accomplishments but by her unwavering dedication to preserving and progressing country music. Her wit, wisdom, and warmth made her a beloved figure both on stage and off. She was a mentor, a trailblazer, a truth-teller, and a tireless performer—appearing on the Grand Ole Opry stage over 5,000 times, fiye da kowane sauran artist a tarihi.

Ani yana haifar da yawa manyan abokan ciniki, ma'aikata, da mai ban mamaki katin, Corrie da kuma mutane da yawa da suka zo a ko'ina cikin kariya da shekaru saduwa. She aka ƙaddamar da ruwansa Gene Ward, parents Leo and Irene Seely, and siblings Donald, Bernard, and Mary Lou.

Her presence will be deeply missed, but her voice and spirit will live on in the music and memories she leaves behind.

Friends and colleagues share their fond memories of the star:

"Na fatan ga Jeannie Seely. Ina imani da cewa shi ya gabatar da Yesu Kristo, Gene Ward, Nora Lee Allen, Joe Bonsall, Rusty Golden, da kuma duk mu manyan da suka fi dacewa. Ya sanya wani daidaitacce a kan ba kawai Nashville amma duniya. Ya taimaka wa country music da Grand Ole Opry ba za a zama ba za a kowace. Mafi ba ya sani, amma na farko da na kasance tare da mai kyau ruwanku shi ne a dubban rana tare da Jeannie Seely da Gene Ward. A cikin jiki ne a yanzu." - Duane Allen / The Oak Ridge Boys

“We just lost one of the greatest singer/songwriter/entertainers of her generation. My beloved big sister, Jeannie Seely, has crossed over the river Jordan to be with Jesus. She will be in pain no longer. She was one of Sheila and my best friends and you could never hope to meet a better human being. She held the record for the all-time number of Grand Ole Opry appearances. She was a friend to everyone and had a razor sharp wit. The Opry won’t be the same without her. I’ll miss her terribly. No one will ever fill her shoes. Heaven is a better place with her there. Rest in peace sweet angel.” - T. Graham Brown

<pfseg id="0">"Hati na tsanani. Hakanan! Amfani da Jeannie Seely ya fara shekaru 49 a cikin Opry, amma fiye da wani abokin ciniki, Jeannie ya zama mai ban sha'awa. Kuma a lokacin da na fara Opry shekaru da suka wuce, mu tafiya cikin duniya, inda ya sa da ni da wani al'umma-mashar hadin gwiwa da songs da kuma ban sha'awa da mutane. Yana da mafi kyau mai ban sha'awa da aka da sha'awa. Yana ba za a iya san wani duniya ba tare da Seely a cikin shi... kuma kamar yadda Opry show ne mai kyau, da Opry tarayya ba za a farin ciki, ba tare da Jeannie a cikin tsakiya. Jeannie Seely shi ne mai zamani mara'a, da kuma kamar da - Tim Atwood (‘Atwood’ as Jeannie would call him)

“Jeannie Seely was a bright light in country music and certainly within the Grand Ole Opry. Always a kind word and a welcoming smile, I was fortunate to share the stage with her when she introduced me at the Opry. Her energy and passion for country music will be missed.” - John Berry

“I enjoyed working many shows recently over the years with Jeannie, and have respected her strength, her talent and outlook on life, a special lady who will be missed.” - Janie Fricke

“So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Jeannie Seely. Jeannie was one of the greatest women of country music in an era when people began to discover that country was America’s music. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family.” - Lee Greenwood

“She was truly the sweetest and most precious friend I ever had. If ever I had a problem, all I had to do was call Jeannie, and she was there. When I released my book, she called me to do her radio show. She was like a sister and will definitely miss her. I love you, Jeannie!” - Nancy Jones

"Jeannie Seely yana da abokin tarayya har zuwa lokacin da na iya sani. Mun yi da yawa shows tare da haka da na haifar da sayarwa. Yana da yaushe da wani kyau hadari, wani kyau jima'i, da kuma mafi kyau song. Wannan shi ne wanda za a zama da yaushe, kamar yadda ba za a iya samun kan shigarwa na Jeannie Seely. Lalle ne ga rayuwarsa, mara'a, fans, da country music. " - Moe Bandy

“It's very hard to find the words. I loved Jeannie, she was always so authentically herself, unfailingly kind and funny as hell. We will all miss her. Leslie, my Mgr. says ‘this one hurts!!!’” - Lacy J. Dalton

"Ta yaya cewa na ji dadin ƙarfi a kan ƙarfi mai ban sha'awa Jeannie Seely ne mai ban sha'awa. A masana'antu ba kawai daya daga cikin mafi kyau masu zane-zane da kuma songwriters, amma daya daga cikin mafi kyau kwarewa da yaushe. Kyakkyawan abin da mu sanya a karkashin shekaru, ko a kan kwarewa, jiragen sama, award shows, ko kawai ziyarci a cikin ƙasa na gida, za mu tafiya a cikin rayuwarku fiye da mu samu. Duba tsanani high a kan wannan mountain, mai ban mamaki, domin aiki da ku a nan ne." - T.G. Sheppard

“Jeannie Seely was one of the few of us left from the golden years. She’s been a friend for a long time, and I cherish my time with her. Praying for her friends and fans around the world. She truly made her mark on our industry.” - Margie Singleton

"Jeannie Seely shi ne daya daga cikin mafi kyau ladies a cikin masana'antu. Yana da sauri, sauri a kan ƙaunarsa, da kuma ba tare da wani ba za a rarraba, ko da yawa ba tare da daya daga cikin mafi kyau stylists don tafiya. Fly high, Seely. I love you!" - Johnny Lee

“Jeannie Seely has been the epitome of an entertainer in every sense of the word. Always willing to share a kind word of wisdom for a young artist eager to succeed,  I always felt that she was in my corner. I’ll miss her wit and sense of humor and certainly her mountain of personality when she walked through the door at the Opry… or any door for that matter. Rest easy, Miss Jeannie.” - Kody Norris of The Kody Norris Show

"Na zama mara'a da kuma aiki tare da Jeannie Seely don shekaru. Ko da a Grand Ole Opry ko Grand Ladies show a Branson, shi ne ko da yaushe a yi da lokaci tare da shi. Yana shi ne kamar wani saduwa, kuma na iya ce shi kowace. Mun yi ta kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace kowace." - Leona Williams

"Jeannie's kwarewa a matsayin kwarewa, songwriter, da entertainer ba za a ba da gaskiya. Amma daya daga cikin mafi kyau abin da ya ba da mu da shi ne da sha'awar da kuma imani a cikin kwarewa a cikin wannan kasuwanni. Ya kasance a gare ku da sha'awar da sha'awar ga waɗannan da suka fara. Za ka iya samun mafi kyau cheerleader. Ya zama mafi kyau masu sana'a a ko'ina ta kariya. Kamar yadda wani abokin ciniki, ya kasance wani sha'awar, m rock cewa za ka iya yi wa'azari. Na za ku rãma shi. Kamar yadda da dukan wanda ya san da kuma suka so shi. Seely, danna ga dukkanci." - Dallas Wayne

"The daidaitacce da Jeannie Seely ya sa a kan kowane mutum a cikin masana'antun music zai zama ba za a koyarwa ko duplicate. Yana da wani ma'aikata a kowane al'amari. Yana za a zama ba tare da abin da kowane." - Sammy Sadler

“I’m overwhelmed with the emotions I have about Jeannie’s fabulous life and her incredibly sad passing. She was so many things to me. A friend, a mother, a sister, an encourager, a helper in need and always good for a laugh. Not only was she one of the most poignant thinker/writers, she had one of the most compassionate hearts I’ve ever known. In my darkest hour going through breast cancer, over twenty years ago, she helped connect the dots to make sure my bills were covered through the Opry Trust Fund and MusiCares, so I could focus on just healing… and for that I will always be grateful. Jeannie has shattered so many glass ceilings for all of us women in country music but her passing has truly shattered our hearts. May you rest in our Father’s arms till we meet again sweet friend.” - Kelly Lang

"Nazarin ba za a fara karanta da abin da na ji game da ci gaba da Jeannie Seely ... Ya haifar da wuri a lokacin da ya zo a cikin. Ina da damar da ya samu shi a cikin farko a "The Troubadour Nashville" a Nashville, TN, kuma ya zama mafi kyau da kuma cikakken rayuwa. Yana daidai da wani mataki a kan wannan duniya, kuma duniya ba zai zama ba. Fly high, Jeannie, za ka zama daidai. " - Makenzie Phipps

"Na ji dadin cewa Jeannie Seely's fitarwa. Yanzu da kuma al'amari a cikin country music da aka ba da gaskiya. Na so tare da abin da suka fi so, musamman da mai ban mamaki mai ban mamaki wanda ya gabatar da wannan ƙarfi mai ban sha'awa tare da shi. Sauri, Jeannie." - Trey Calloway

“No one had a voice like Jeannie Seely and no one ever will. This is a sad time for country music. Prayers for her family.” - Ian Flanigan

<pfseg id="0">"Jeannie Seely shi ne mai ban sha'awar ga kowane mutum a Nashville. Na farko na samu shi a lokacin da na zama mako, kuma sa'an nan a da yawa show da suka aiki tare da Jack Greene. Ya ba ya yi amfani da ni kamar yadda mai ban sha'awar, amma kamar yadda wani wanda ya ci gaba da abubuwa. Sa'an nan, shekaru da suka wuce, ya sarrafa ta kariya daga cikin yanki da kuma ya kasance a gare ku don sha'awar, ƙaunar, da kuma la'akari. Ya kasance a gare mu dukan, daga cikin musicists, da masana'antu, da backstage ma'aikata, da songwriters, da masana'antun yanki, da kuma haka, da masana'antun. Kuma ya zama mara'a tare da mu - Scott Sexton / 2911 Media

A al'amurran al'amurran za a sanar da har yanzu. Grand Ole Opry (8/2) a ranar Alhamis ya kasance a gare shi.