Dolly Parton, a long-time friend of Jeannie Seely, claims that the soulful singer from Titusville, Pennsylvania, had “a wonderful sense of humor.” She was a pioneer in country music.
Dolly Parton has paid a heartbreaking tribute to her longtime friend – and country music trailblazer – Jeannie Seely.
Seely, 85, died on Friday following complications from an intestinal infection following a career which spanned more than six decades. She won a Grammy in 1967 for her hit Don’t Touch Me, an award which propelled her career in performance and made Seely a trailblazer for women in country music.
Reacting to Seely’s passing today, Parton, 79, said on Instagram: “I have known Jeannie Seely since we were early on in Nashville. She was one of my dearest friends. I think she was one of the greater singers in Nashville and she had a wonderful sense of humour. We had many wonderful laughs together, cried over certain things together and she will be missed.”
Seely died eight months after the passing of her husband Eugene Ward, who had a journey with cancer and it is thought also knew Parton. Seely’s career influenced Parton’s music and the latter won her first Grammy in 1979, some 12 years after Seely had bagged her sole one. Parton has since celebrated 10 more Grammy Awards, her most recent – Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song – coming in 2021 for There Was Jesus.
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But, like Seely, Parton lost her husband recently as Carl Dean – whom she wed in 1966 – passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. His ill-health happened at the same time as Seely’s, as she had two emergency abdominal surgeries in recent months.
However, the rebellious singer from Titusville, Pennsylvania, said: “Rehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter, and last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel.” I was aware that it was mine because it was neon. The unsinkable Seely is “working her way back.”
Seely hasn’t stopped playing on Grand Ole Opry, a popular live country music radio program in the US, since then. The tragic performer will be the subject of Saturday’s Grand Ole Opry performance. Since 1967, Seely has appeared on the program more than 5, 000 times overall.
Source: Mirror
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