File #: RS2023-2356   
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 7/24/2023 In control: Metropolitan Council
On agenda: 8/1/2023 Final action: 8/1/2023
Title: A resolution honoring Jeannie Seely for the most performances in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.
Sponsors: Burkley Allen, Jeff Syracuse, Emily Benedict, Russ Bradford, Tom Cash, Erin Evans, Jennifer Gamble, Jonathan Hall, Tonya Hancock, Gloria Hausser, Angie Henderson, Courtney Johnston, Bob Mendes, Kathleen Murphy, Bob Nash, Freddie OConnell, Sean Parker, Russ Pulley, Kevin Rhoten, Mary Carolyn Roberts, Dave Rosenberg, John Rutherford, Sandra Sepulveda, Colby Sledge, Joy Styles, Zulfat Suara, Robert Swope, Kyonzte Toombs, Nancy VanReece, Ginny Welsch, Brett Withers, Zach Young
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A resolution honoring Jeannie Seely for the most performances in the history of the Grand Ole Opry.

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WHEREAS, on September 16, 1967, Jeannie Seely became a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to be invited to join the Opry. In 2022 she celebrated her 55th Opry anniversary and she was recognized for having achieved over 5,000 Opry performances, more than any other artist in the Opry's history. As of August 1, 2023, Jeannie has performed on the Opry a total of 5,306 times and looks forward to many more; and


WHEREAS, widely recognized for changing the image of female country performers, Jeannie was the first female to regularly host segments of the Grand Ole Opry, and she is also credited for wearing the first miniskirt on the Opry stage; and

WHEREAS, Jeannie was named "Most Promising New Artist" by trade publications Billboard, Cashbox, and Record World, and then went on to score No. 1 hit songs as a solo artist, as a duet partner, and as a songwriter. For 13 consecutive years Jeannie placed records on Billboard's country singles chart. Her deeply moving vocals earned her the nickname of "Miss Country Soul," a title still used today; and

WHEREAS, Jeannie's debut album The Seely Style reached the Top 10 on Billboard in 1966, and Jeannie has since recorded twenty more albums including her most recent, An American Classic, on Curb Records. Her vocals can be heard on over 100 additional compilation albums and CDs including Clinch Mountain Sweethearts, the International Bluegrass Music Association's "Recorded Event of the Year"; and

WHEREAS, with fellow Opry member Jack Greene, Jeannie formed one of the most successful duets and road shows in country music history. The Grammy-nominated duo performed everywhere from New York City's Madison Square Garden to London's Wembley Arena, and

WHEREAS, a BMI-awarded songwriter, Jeannie's compositions have been recorded by Country Music Hall of Fame Members Dottie W...

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