Jeannie Seely Biography & Awards

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Artist Info

Born

July 06, 1940 Titusville, PA

Biography

Jeannie Seeley was a mid-'60s country singer popular for her sultry original compositions and her association with husband/writing partner Hank Cochran. Pennsylvania-born Seeley made the leap to glamorous Beverly Hills in 1961 when she was 21 and eventually landed a job as secretary for Liberty Records where she met Cochran. By 1964, Seeley was composing her own songs and recording for independents Challenge Records. With Cochran's prodding, the couple uprooted from L.A. and moved to Nashville to make in-roads on the country scene, striking gold the first time out of the gate. While Cochran wrote and produced, Seeley put the sexy vocals on his "Don't Touch Me," a 1966 Grammy award-winning hit single, and several chart toppers followed over the next few years. Somewhat an outsider within the Nashville establishment because of her unabashedly sexy image, Seeley all but sealed the deal by forming an alliance with country artist Willie Nelson and his burgeoning early-'70s outlaw movement. More hits followed, getting racier and racier and culminating with "Take Me to Bed" before Seeley eventually dropped from the public radar in the '80s. ~ Steve Kurutz, All Music Guide