Grand Ole Opry icon Jeannie Seely had a resilient, charismatic spirit that never dimmed, so it came as a shock Friday evening when the news of her passing quickly spread. The one resounding comment made over and over by friends, colleagues and fans was the fact that Jeannie Seely was a great, generous, supportive friend to so many, including me.
I first met Jeannie Seely in 1999 when I moved to Nashville. She welcomed me to my new radio job and would go on to work with me several times over the 18 years I was an announcer on the Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree and guest with me on several tv shows. But Jeannie also welcomed me into her home, as she did so many others, even sharing her beloved view of the Cumberland River from her deck with fans worldwide on her social pages.
Jeannie and I shared passions for gardening and animals. And I adored her sense of humor. She was so smart and quick-witted. She told me so many stories of the country music history she lived. But one stands out today that I know she was really proud to share. Jeannie Seely told me when she joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1967, the ladies of country music would be introduced on stage and maybe asked one question, then they'd sing their song. But Jeannie felt she could host a segment, telling jokes, asking questions.....and sure enough she became the first woman to do so. The lady knew how to entertain a crowd, no doubt. She was sassy and brave in her mini skirts, breaking ground and raising the bar as a grand lady.
Jeannie Seely performed almost 54-hundred times on that Grand Ole Opry stage, as the star with the most Opry appearances. She was a Grammy Award winner.....a hit songwriter, writing songs for Faron Young, Merle Haggard and Ernest Tubb to mention a few.....a radio host.....an actress....a community leader......and most importantly a FRIEND.
Long live her legacy and her example of kindness. Jeannie Seely will be dearly missed.
