Her streak of hit singles led to an invitation to join the grand ole opry in 1955 as one of its few female stars. After her hitmaking days were done, shepard recorded much less frequently, but she continued to perform at the grand ole opry and also toured, particularly in the u. Jean shepard born ollie imogene shepard was an american honky tonk singersongwriter. The grand ladies of the opry arkansas symphony orchestra. Jan, jeannie seely, jean shepard, and jeanne pruett were not just some of the main women in country music, but a group of women that developed a friendship that spanned decades. Weirsdale country music singer and grand ole opry star jean shepard will be returning to the orange blossom opry in weirsdale on saturday to perform for the third time since the opry opened. Celebrating her life, music, and 49year opry membership. Shepard married bluegrass musician and road manager benny birchfield in 1968. Nov 06, 2015 if the grand ole opry is a family, jean shepard is its matriarch. Spokeswoman jessie schmidt said in a news release that shepard had entered hospice care last week and died in nashville. Feb 24, 2017 jean shepard tennessee waltz opry live, 1998. Shepard, a country music hall of fame member and member of grand old opry for more than 60 years, got. My interest in the group of friends extends beyond their music to their collective history.
After kitty wells 1952 breakthrough, shepard quickly followed, and a national television gig and the opry helped make her a star when few female country singers had enduring succe read more. Trailblazer jean shepard, a country music hall of fame member, a member of the grand ole opry for more than 60 years and one of traditional. Bill monroe, jean shepard and jimmy dickens backstage at. On october 2, 1954, a teenage elvis presley had his only opry performance. Shepard is the matriarch of the grand ole opry and its longeststanding female member. Stars of the grand ole opry, an album by jean shepard on spotify we and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. A mainstay of the grand ole opry, she marked her fiftieth year with the historic show in 2005 and continued to delight audiences. Her trumpetlike tones were a fixture on the opry stage for more than four decades thereafter. Jean shepard new book down through the years whisnews21. Jean shepards husband stabbed, granddaughter dead in incident at late country stars home. The hager twins join grandpa jones during his book. Jean spent most of her formative years in visalia, ca, near bakersfield. By markos papadatos feb 20, 2014 in entertainment country music hall of famer and grand ole opry star jean shepard took some time from her schedule to reflect on her country career and she chatted.
Country queen jean shepard releases longawaited autobiography. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 1956 and 1981, and became a member of the grand ole opry in 1955. Jean shepard was a part of the grand ole opry cast for 60 consecutive years, making hers the longest tenure of any female member. Jean shepard biography, age, husband, children, net worth. Jean shepard s husband stabbed, granddaughter dead in incident at late country stars home.
Jean shepard tennessee waltz opry live, 1998 youtube. Sep 25, 2016 jean shepard, the grand lady of the grand ole opry who had a long recording career as an influential female in country music, died sunday, according to an opry spokeswoman. Stars of the grand ole opry by jean shepard on amazon music. Police investigating slayings at late grand ole opry star.
Carson peters and ricky skaggs blue moon of kentucky live at the grand ole opry. Jul 7, 2016 jean shepard from the 1966 grand ole opry picture history book. Sep 25, 2016 nashville jean shepard, the grand lady of the grand ole opry who had a long recording career as an influential female in country music, died sunday, according to an opry spokeswoman. Down through the years by jean shepard 2014, hardcover for. She started playing as a teenager and signed with capitol in 1952. A man appearing to be jean shepards 79yearold husband was hurt. Trailblazer jean shepard, a country music hall of fame member, a member of the grand ole opry. She credits the support and faith of her fellow performers and of the opry hierarchy in. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 195681, and became a member of the grand ole opry in 1955.
How does this feel with so many great events happening all at one time. Sep 25, 2016 country music has lost one of itsa colorful characters and beloved performers with the passing of grand ole opry star jean shepard, who passed away sunday morning sept. She was born november 21, 1933, in pauls valley, oklahoma. Shepard s 1955 hit i thought of you was later the song that launched the career of her fellow hall of fame member connie smith. Stream adfree with amazon music unlimited on mobile, desktop, and tablet. The grand ole opry presented by humana honored trailblazing opry member jean shepard tonight on the 60th anniversary of her opry induction. Jean shepard, a longtime country music star known as the grand lady of the grand ole opry, died sunday in nashville. Country music hall of fame member jean shepards autobiography, down through the years took about 15 years to write. Sep 27, 2016 shepards 1955 hit i thought of you was later the song that launched the career of her fellow hall of fame member connie smith. Sep 25, 2016 grand ole opry icon jean shepard dead at 82 inducted on her birthday in 1955, the satisfied mind singer was a member of the opry for nearly 61 years. Click to get weekly celebrity death news delivered to. She had 73 songs hit the country charts including a no. Grand ole opry star jean shepard, a fierce practitioner and defender of traditional country music, died sunday sept. In the wake of her husbands death, shepard nearly gave up her own career as a grand ole opry star.
Shepard, also an expert yodeler, joined the grand ole opry in 1955. Along with jean shepard, connie smith and jeannie seely, jan howard was dubbed one of the grand ladies of the grand ole opry during her later years. The opry has now suspended all events through april 30 in the interest of the health and wellbeing of our guests and employees and to coincide with the stay at home order for the state of tennessee. Country music artistscountry singershee haw showroy clarkbuck owenschurch fundraisersgrand ole opryold tv shows. Shepard, a country music hall of fame member and member of grand old opry. In 2005, jean shepard became the first female singer to reach the 50year milestone as a grand ole opry member. Spokeswoman jessie schmidt says in a news release that shepard had entered hospice. This includes all grand ole opry shows, opry country classics shows at the ryman auditorium and opry and ryman tours during this period.
Gannaways stars of the grand ole opry was the first television show shot in color. In 1953 she had her first hit with a dear john letter, a duet with ferlin husky. Now to finish it out, here is what the biography from the current 90th anniversary grand ole opry family album. Jean shepard biography, age, husband, children, net worth and. She died on september 25, 2016 in nashville, tennessee, usa. An interview with grand ole opry legend jean shepard. Jean shepards autobiography, down through the years, is now. Shepard had been in declining health for some time and entered hospice care last week. In a cultural conversation, the outspoken 77yearold says that it should. Jean shepard, the grand lady of the grand ole opry who had a long recording career as an influential female in country music, died sunday, according to an opry spokeswoman. Shepard gained top ten hits into the 1970s, and for many years she held the longest continuous tenure of any grand ole opry star. A picture of grandpa jones at the grand ole opry in the 1960s. Rip to grand ole opry member and country music hof jean shepard. Click to get weekly celebrity death news delivered to your inbox.
Ollie imogene jean shepard november 21, 1933 september 25, 2016 was an american. Jean shepard, ollie imogene shepard, american country singer born nov. Jean shepard died on september 25, 2016 at age 82 ms. Country music hall of famer jean shepard dead at 82. Grand ole opry icon jean shepard dead at 82 rolling stone. Jean shepard new book down through the years marty martel. Ollie imogene jean shepard november 21, 1933 september 25, 2016 was an american honky tonk singersongwriter who pioneered for women in country music. Jean shepard, grand lady of grand ole opry, 82 newsday. Meet 6 women who shaped nashvile and history grand ole opry.
Shop for vinyl, cds and more from jean shepard at the discogs marketplace. On sunday morning, one of her sons issued a statement concerning his mothers death. Jan made her debut on the opry stage in 1959 and had her first hit single the next year with the one you slip around with. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our.
Jean shepard joined the ozark jubilee in missouri, then became a breakthrough female solo singer on the grand ole opry. Jun 05, 2014 shepard is the matriarch of the grand ole opry and its longeststanding female member. Jean shepard, the grand lady of the grand ole opry, will be inducted into the country music hall of fame on sunday. She was married to benny howard birchfield, archie leon summers and harold hawkshaw hawkins. Country music hall of famer and grand ole opry star jean shepard took some time from her schedule to reflect on her country career and she chatted about her forthcoming book. Congratulations on being inducted into the oklahoma country music hall of fame in november, also celebrating your 77 th birthday you told me your age, your 42 years of marriage to benny, and for being the longest and continuous member of the grand ole opry, with 55 years of seniority. Jean shepard the first woman to celebrate 60 years as an opry member, jean shepard never missed a chance to shake things up. Dec 18, 2016 a man appearing to be jean shepard s 79yearold husband was hurt at the tennessee home. Country music hall of fame member jean shepards autobiography, down through. Country music jean shepard biography ken burns pbs. A spokeswoman for the grand ole opry says country music hall of fame artist jean shepard has died.
The book presents a firsthand account of her life and iconic career, which exceeds six decades. She was born november 21, 1933, in pauls valley, oklahoma, united states and died on september 25, 2016, in nashville, tennessee, united states, at the age of 82. Tennessee police are investigating what led to two people being killed and one man stabbed at the home of the late grand lady of the grand ole opry singer jean shepard. Sep 25, 2016 country music hall of famer jean shepard dead at 82. Fellow opry member jan howard succinctly explained shepard s ongoing appeal.
Jean shepard, a female country voice with muscle and ambition. Jean shepard, jan howard, jeanne pruett, and jeannie seely. Grand ole opry star jean shepard dead at age 82 cmt. Spokeswoman jessie schmidt said in a news release that shepard. The iconic country music show celebrated its 90th anniversary last month. For years people told jean shepard she should write a book. Sep 25, 2016 grand ole opry star jean shepard, a fierce practitioner and defender of traditional country music, died sunday sept. Sep 26, 2016 jean shepard, the grand lady of the grand ole opry who had a long recording career as an influential female in country music, died sunday, according to an opry spokeswoman. A man appearing to be jean shepard s 79yearold husband was hurt at the tennessee home. On sunday morning, one of her sons issued a statement concerning his. Shepard has been there for 60 of those years, making her. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the hot country songs chart, one of which reached the no.
Jean shepard from the 1966 grand ole opry picture history book. Country music has lost one of itsa colorful characters and beloved performers with the passing of grand ole opry star jean shepard, who passed away sunday morning sept. Shepard was a grand ole opry mainstay whose feisty honkytonk songs of the 1950s and. Jan was a member of the grand ole opry for 49 years, and to her it was home and a place to gather with friends.
Down through the years by jean shepard 2014, hardcover. Oct 05, 2011 listen to your favorite songs from jean shepard. T his fall, during the 20 americana music festival in nashville, i had the pleasure of sitting down at the opryland complex with the grand ladies of the grand ole opry. They werent the only friends in the group that soon became known as the grand ladies of the opry. Country music hall of famer jean shepard, a grand lady of the grand ole opry, was married to hawkshaw hawkins when hawkins, lloyd cowboy copas and patsy cline rode in a. Ollie imogene jean shepard was an american honky tonk singersongwriter who pioneered for women in country music. Jean shepards book down through the years is finally available for order. Jean was married to benny birchfield, a musician, singer and prominent member of nashvilles music community. Sep 25, 2016 rip to grand ole opry member and country music hof jean shepard. From 1955 to 1957, al gannaway owned and produced both the country show and stars of the grand ole opry, both filmed programs syndicated by flamingo films. Country music hall of fame member jean shepard s autobiography, down through the years took about 15 years to write. Country music hall of famer jean shepard, a grand lady of the grand ole opry, was married to hawkshaw hawkins when hawkins, lloyd cowboy copas and patsy cline rode in a plane piloted by randy.
Shepard had recently entered hospice care, fox news reported shepard set the standard for women in country music after joining the cast of the grand ole opry the radio broadcast she listened to as a child in 1955, fox news noted. Grand ole opry legend and member of the country music hall of fame, jean shepard, now has her first book and is now available for purchase. Jean shepard was born on november 21, 1933 in pauls valley, oklahoma, usa as ollie imogene shepard. He remarked, there aint many women in country music. Countless millions of fans all over the world, agree, the jean shepard show is a must see show, be it on the grand ole opry, in concert with a symphony, or a fair in your hometown. But jean s a performer whose career has been marked by a whole series of firsts. Shepard graced the grand ole opry stage since 1955 and was a member of the country music hall of fame. Stars of the grand ole opry jean shepard country 1981. In her autobiography down through the years, shepard recounted a conversation that she had with hank williams early in her career. She was inducted into the country music hall of fame in 2011, and published her autobiography, down through the years, in 2014.
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