BMI Remembers Country Legend Jeannie Seely
BMI was deeply saddened to learn trailblazing country singer/songwriter Jeannie Seely passed away on Friday. Known as “Miss Country Soul” for her R&B-inspired vocals, Seely left an indelible mark on country music, breaking down barriers and becoming a beloved figure in the industry for seven decades. The longtime BMI affiliate was 85 years old.
Seely’s career took off in the mid-1960s. In 1964, she received the Most Promising Female Artist award from the Country and Western Academy, which later became the Academy of Country Music. Her 1966 chart-topping hit, “Don’t Touch Me,” earned her a GRAMMY for Best Country & Western Vocal Performance - Female, making her only the third woman to ever receive the award. She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1967 and made history as the first female to regularly host segments of the show. Seely is among a select group of country artists who have scored chart-topping hits as a solo artist, as a duet partner, and as a songwriter.
As a songwriter, Seely’s work has been recorded by Country Music Hall of Fame members including Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Dottie West, and Faron Young, who notably recorded Seely’s BMI-Award winning hit “Leavin and Sayin Goodbye.” Her duet with Jack Greene, “Wish I Didn’t Have to Miss You,” launched one of country music’s most successful duos and road shows. Over her remarkable career, Seely was honored with numerous awards, including induction into the Music City Walk of Fame in 2018 and the prestigious Joe Talbot Award in 2023. At the inaugural Influencing Women Awards Gala in 2019, she was presented with the first ever Standing Ovation Award, which was later renamed in her honor. In 2024, the “Jeannie Seely Interchange” was dedicated at the Briley Parkway exit to the Grand Ole Opry House. As of February 2025, she held the record for most Grand Ole Opry performances, with 5,397 shows—a testament to her enduring legacy.
Jeannie Seely leaves behind a legacy of music, mentorship, and pioneering achievements. Her passion for her craft and her unwavering support for her fellow artists will be deeply missed by the country music community. She will be remembered as a true legend, an icon, and a friend to all who knew her.
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