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A Resolution recognizing legendary country performing artist and songwriter Jeannie Seely on her fifty-fifth anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
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WHEREAS, growing up on a farm outside of Townville, Pennsylvania, Jeannie Seely was a precocious talent who went from singing with her mother to performing on local radio by age eleven and appearing on local television by age sixteen; and
WHEREAS, after a stint in California, Ms. Seely moved to Nashville with only fifty dollars and a Ford Falcon to her name; however, within a month, Porter Wagoner hired her as the female singer for his road and television series; and
WHEREAS, on September 16, 1967, Ms. Seely saw her childhood dream come true when she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry; the first Pennsylvania native to be invited to become a member, she was also the first female to regularly host Opry segments; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Seely's big break came when a recording contract was offered by Monument Records and she recorded her legendary song "Don't Touch Me" soon after, and it debuted on the country music charts, where it stayed for over five months; and
WHEREAS, it was for "Don't Touch Me" that Ms. Seely was honored with the 1966 Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female, to become the third female country artist to receive the coveted award; and
WHEREAS, today, "Don't Touch Me" is considered a standard in country music; Ms. Seely's recording of the song is ranked No. 97 in the book Heartaches By the Number: Country Music's 500 Greatest Singles and included in the book The Stories Behind Country Music's All-Time Greatest 100 Songs; several notable artists across genres have gone on to record the song, including Tammy Wynette, George Jones, and Etta James; and
WHEREAS, after the success of her debut single, Ms. Seely began singing and touring with Jack Greene; the two would become one of the most successful duos and road shows in country music history, doing much to prom...
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