NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 18, 2024) – Grand Ole Opry Legend and GRAMMY®-winning country icon Jeannie Seely, celebrated for her spontaneity and wit, stunned the Grand Ole Opry crowd by stepping onto the stage in a midriff-baring replica of the iconic outfit including the hairstyle she first donned fifty years prior at the inaugural show of the new Opry house.
“There’s really no way I can express my appreciation for this event! To know the Opry finally got a home of her own, and that I have been fortunate enough to share it for 50 years, is one of the most joyful things in my life and career,” expressed Jeannie Seely. “I’m also proud to tell you that, just like the family we are, my Opry sister Dolly Parton loaned me some of her finest folks to re-create my original outfit from 1974, complete with ‘secret show business’ tricks! A special thanks to Vance Nichols and Riley Reed for the magic!”
“Two thoughts,” began Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “One, never dare Jeannie Seely to do anything if you have any reservations at all about her actually doing it. Two, I am absolutely certain the timeless Seely drove away from the Opry House Saturday night thinking about how she could once again steal the show when the venue turns 100 in 2074. She amazes us all.”
Designer Vance Nichols shared, “For years, I’ve cherished the friendship of Jeannie Seely. From my early days as a young adult in this town, she’s shown me kindness and offered invaluable advice. Her wisdom and generosity have shaped my path, and I owe her immeasurable gratitude. So when she proposed recreating her Opry outfit, I readily agreed—there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Jeannie. Being her friend remains an ongoing privilege and honor.”
Jeannie selected her hit single, “Don’t Touch Me,” which she also sang at the opening of the Opry House in 1974, and a crowd favorite, “Who Needs You,” to perform for the special anniversary event, adding a meaningful touch to the evening’s commemoration. As Seely exited the stage, she was presented with an award by Opry host Mike Terry on behalf of the Opry management and staff for The Best Dressed of the evening bringing the Opry crowd to its feet again!
Invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry early in her career, Jeannie today holds the distinction of having more Opry performances than any other artist. Currently holding the record, no one will ever be able to beat at 5,346 performances. Seely was only the third female in country music history to receive a Grammy award, she fought and won the battle for women to host Opry segments and was the first female to host Opry segments and has been credited with changing the image of female artist wardrobes on the Opry stage by being the first to wear the infamous mini-skirt on the Opry.
Seely’s many awards and accolades demonstrate her impact in the music industry. Those awards include the CMA’s Joe Talbot Award, a Music City Walk of Fame star, and BMI hit-songwriter awards. She is also a producer, author, actress, and SiriusXM air personality, hosting her own weekly four-hour show, Sundays With Seely, on Willies Roadhouse.
The show falls 50 years to the day since the venue opened with a star-packed show attended by President and Mrs. Richard Nixon. Today, The Opry House is the home of Country Music, the current ACM Theater of the Year, and a Venue of the Year nominee at next week’s CMA Touring Awards. In recognition of its affect on popular culture, entertainment, and the communications industry, the Opry House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
Throughout the evening, the Opry honored its three members who were among those performing during opening night at the Opry House in 1974 and performed on this special show 50 years later: Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, and Connie Smith. Additional Opry members who performed were Mandy Barnett, Clint Black, The Gatlin Brothers, Del McCoury, Gary MuleDeer, Don Schlitz, Riders In The Sky, and Mark Wills.
Stay in touch with Jeannie Seely on her website and all of her social media platforms Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Stream and download music on Apple Music/iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Pandora, and YouTube Music. Listen to her on Sundays With Seely on SiriusXM each Sunday at 11 am CST.
Jeannie Seely’s deep, moving vocals earned her the nickname “Miss Country Soul,” a title still used today. An esteemed singer, songwriter, producer, actress, author and on-air personality, Seely added another title, “Doctor,” to her resume when she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019. The third female country artist to win a GRAMMY® and the oldest female Grammy-winning artist who is still living. She is among a select group of country artists who have scored No. 1 hits as a solo artist, duet partner and songwriter. On September 16, 1967, Seely fulfilled her lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry®, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. Nearly 56 years later, Seely makes clear that it’s still a thrill and an honor each time she performs on the world-famous stage, which she has performed over 5300 times. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album, The Seely Style, which featured “Don’t Touch Me,” to her self-produced album, Written in Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written and recorded for more than 10 Country Music Hall of Fame® members, Seely’s recordings have spanned seven decades.
With a strong social media following and over four million views on her YouTube channel, Seely continues expanding her international presence as music sales and fans’ messages pour in. She appeared in Willie Nelson’s movie Honeysuckle Rose and sang on the film’s RIAA® platinum-certified soundtrack, and for the past four years, Seely has hosted her own show, Sundays with Seely, on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse. She also served as a disc jockey on her own Armed Forces Network Show, which launched after her tour abroad for the troops. She continues to receive letters of appreciation from American soldiers for her support. She is also a fierce advocate for musicians’ rights and takes much pride in her involvement and support for the cause. Nelson, along with Rhonda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens and many more of her friends, joined Seely for her most recent recording project on Curb Records, An American Classic, which has seen rave reviews and three radio releases. Most recently, Seely won the Song of the Year Award at the Arkansas Country Music Awards and was honored with the Mississippi Career Achievement Award at the Mississippi Music Awards and 2023 recipient of the CMA’s Joe Talbot Award.
