This American created the Grand Ole Opry — here's the fascinating story
George D. Hay hosted a radio program in Nashville called "The Barn Dance" that became "The Grand Ole Opry." Today, the Opry is the longest running radio show in the world. Here's the amazing story.
Jeannie Seely, known for her soulful country songs, has died. She was 85.
Seely died on Friday at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee after complications from an intestinal infection, her publicist confirmed, according to the Associated Press.
Fellow country icons, including Dolly Parton, paid tribute to Seely, known as "Miss Country Soul."
Jeannie Seely performs onstage at The Grand Ole Opry on June 9, 2017. (Jason Davis/Getty Images)
"She was one of my dearest friends," Parton said on her social media accounts. "I think she was one of the greater singers in Nashville and she had a wonderful sense of humor. We had many wonderful laughs together, cried over certain things together and she will be missed."
Dolly Parton called Seely "one of my dearest friends." (Getty Images)
Fellow Opry mainstay Bill Anderson, who shared the stage with Seely for over six decades, reflected on the profound bond the two shared throughout their lifetimes.
"Jeannie Seely and I were friends for over sixty years, and between the two of us we performed over 10,000 times on the Grand Ole Opry," Anderson said in a statement. "She was one of the most talented, kind, witty, generous, loving people I have ever known. The Opry and the world won't be nearly as much fun without her in it. May she rest in peace."
Singer Billy Ray Cyrus shared a heartfelt tribute of his own, sharing a statement that read, "Jeannie Seely had a way of making you feel seen, heard, and truly loved. Her heart was as big as her voice and both were pure gold. I’ll carry that moment, and her friendship, with me forever. Rest in peace, sweet Jeannie. The Opry stage and this world will never be the same."
Billy Ray Cyrus said of Seely, "Her heart was as big as her voice and both were pure gold." (Getty Images)
Country duo The Bellamy Brothers, who shared the screen with Seely on their hit show Honky Tonk Ranch, also paid tribute to their beloved friend.
"We’re heartbroken to hear of the passing of our dear friend and Grand Ole Opry legend, Jeannie Seely," David and Howard Bellamy shared in a joint statement. "Jeannie brought so much light, laughter, and authenticity everywhere she went... especially when she joined us on Honky Tonk Ranch. Her friendship meant the world to us. The country music world lost a true original, and we’ll miss her deeply. Rest easy, Jeannie."
Born on July 6, 1940, the Titusville, Pennsylvania native started performing at the young age of 11 on local radio.
She moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s and worked at Imperial and Liberty Records to work on her songwriting skills.
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Jeannie Seely was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1967. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
In 1965, Seely was encouraged to relocate to Nashville where she performed on the Porter Wagoner Show and signed with Monument Records shortly after.
Seely was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in September 1967, becoming one of the first women to regularly host Opry segments. She awed audiences throughout her Opry tenure with 5,397 performances – the most appearances of any artist in the show's history. Her final appearance was on February 22, 2025.
Seely’s illustrious career spanned more than six decades. She rose to fame with her 1966 single, "Don’t Touch Me," as the popular song ranked at number 2 on the Billboard country chart at the time.
Jeannie Seely performs at the 2018 Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 21, 2018. (Al Wagner/Invision/AP)
"Don’t Touch Me" was written by Hank Cochran. The song earned Seely her first and only Grammy Award, for best country and western vocal performance in the female category.
Cochran and Seely were married in 1969 and divorced in 1979.
Her other popular hits include "Can I Sleep in Your Arms?" and "I’ll Love You More (Than You Need)."
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Beyond performing, Seely was a talented songwriter. Her work was recorded by country legends such as Willie Nelson, Dottie West and more artists.
Her second husband, Gene Ward, died in December. In May, Seely revealed that she was in recovery after undergoing multiple back surgeries, two emergency procedures and spending 11 days in the ICU. She also suffered a bout of pneumonia.
Jeannie Seely arrives at the 56th Annual CMA Awards in Nashville on Nov. 9, 2022. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
"Rehab is pretty tough, but each day is looking brighter and last night, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. And it was neon, so I knew it was mine!" she said in a statement at the time. "The unsinkable Seely is working her way back."
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Seely’s latest project was released in July 2024, a cover of Dottie West's "Suffer Time," recorded at the world-renowned RCA Studio B. She performed it at the Opry the year before.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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