• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Click to open the search input field Click to open the search input field Search
  • Menu Menu

Country Singer Judy Lynn Passes

June 1, 2010/by Robert K Oermann

Country singer, Las Vegas headliner and former beauty-pageant queen Judy Lynn has died at age 74.

Ms. Lynn recorded more than a dozen albums and had hit singles with such titles as “Footsteps of a Fool” (1962) and “My Secret” (1963). She was also renowned as the most flamboyantly costumed country star of her generation.

Born Judy Lynn Voiten in 1936, she was the daughter of bandleader Joe Voiten. Raised in rural Idaho, she was an authentic cowgirl who could rope and ride at an early age.

She first performed in public at age 10. Blonde and blue-eyed, she was named Queen of the Snake River Jamboree in 1952. The following year, she was crowned America’s Champion Yodeler. She competed as Miss Idaho in the 1955 Miss America contest and finished as a runner-up.

In 1957, she was chosen to co-host the first national Grand Ole Opry network telecast. She also became a frequent guest on Jimmy Dean’s network television show. During her heyday in the 1960s she had her own syndicated TV series.

She signed with ABC-Paramount Records in 1957. Although she had no notable successes with the label, Billboard named her its Most Promising Female Country Singer later that same year. United Artists Records signed Ms. Lynn in 1962. Produced by Pappy Dailey, she had a top-10 hit that year with “Footsteps of a Fool.” She wrote two of her other hits for the label, “My Secret” and “My Father’s House.”

She became a tireless entertainer for the troops, making many USO tours overseas. She also began headlining at The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. She settled in that show-business capital and eventually graduated to starring at Caesar’s Palace. Ms. Lynn appeared with Eddy Arnold, Red Foley, Elvis Presley, Rex Allen, Eddie Fisher, Gene Autry, Ferlin Husky and other top stars of her era.

Her album jackets illustrate her eye-popping visual flair. Ms. Lynn performed in elaborately tooled cowgirl boots in vivid colors to match her skin-tight stretch slacks and figure-hugging blouses. She was clad in electric-blue leather, shimmering purple lamé, green gabardine embellished with shiny gold or silver flowers, rhinestone bedecked crimson polyester or blouses with metallic sleeve fringe, always topped by matching kerchiefs at the throat and highly decorated cowgirl hats atop her gleaming golden tresses.

She moved to Musicor Records in 1966. By then, she had expanded from her Vegas base to also headline in the casinos of Reno and Lake Tahoe.

She was produced by Frank Jones on Columbia Records in 1969, then returned to the charts with Alex Harvey’s song “Married to a Memory” on the independent Amaret label in 1971. Her last charted single was 1975’s “Padre” on Warner Bros. Records.

Ms. Lynn was married to musician Jack Kelly. In 1980, she abruptly quit show business to become an ordained minister.

She died at home of congestive heart failure on Wednesday, May 26. At the time of her passing, she was residing in Jeffersonville, Indiana. She is survived by a daughter and several grandchildren.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Trisha Yearwood Wins Disc Of The Day - July 3, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: New Morgan Wallen Single Is ‘Brilliantly Produced’ - June 26, 2025
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zach Top Kicks Off Summer - June 12, 2025
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on X
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png 0 0 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2010-06-01 08:05:542010-06-01 08:05:54Country Singer Judy Lynn Passes
You might also like
Lifenotes: Nelson Andrews
Lifenotes: Chris Feinstein; Bill Burnette Undergoes Surgery
John Aylesworth Passes
“Peanut” Faircloth Passes
Lifenotes: Guitarist Fred Carter Jr.
Gibson Luthier Hutchins Passes
0 replies
  1. Jan Shrode
    Jan Shrode says:
    June 2, 2010 at 8:31 am

    One correction: Judy was not married to Jack Kelly. She was married to W.R. “John” Kelly, who was a well-known manager and booking agent not only for Judy, but for many of the most popular country stars of his day. John died May 31, 2008 in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

    Judy remained trim and beautiful till her death, with a trademark smile that could melt the hardest of hearts. Her voice was as mellow and smooth at 74 as it was when she was a young girl. But what we will miss most about Judy is that she had the ability to love unconditionally. She was a treasure.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Jim Jenkins
    Jim Jenkins says:
    June 2, 2010 at 1:56 pm

    I only knew of Judy Lynn because I ran across United Artists LP “Judy Lynn” at a yard sale and figured this should be good for radio play on WAGS and it sure was. I will honor her talent by playing from this LP as we have on WAGS radio since I purchased it.

    Log in to Reply
  3. Tim Stone
    Tim Stone says:
    June 10, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    I met Judy Lynn through my sister, as she was one of her biggest fans………..if not the biggest. We attended many shows and Judy ALWAYS recognized us in the crowd and would ALWAYS dedicate a song for us. She was one fantastic showman and singer. But MOST of all a GREAT and loving person. My son was born on Judy’s birthday and she never ever missed sending him a card. That’s just the kind of person she was. We will miss you Judy, but we know you are singing in heaven now.

    Log in to Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. Classic Album Review-”The Best Of Judy Lynn” - - says:
    June 14, 2010 at 6:15 am

    […] Even in today’s digital world, there is not a large amount of information on Judy, however, I did find an article that gives some good information from the Musicrow blog. Click here to read. https://musicrow.com/2010/06/country-singer-judy-lynn-passes/ […]

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • TAIT Acquires Gallagher Staging and Productions July 8, 2025
  • Kip Moore Extends ‘Solitary Tracks World Tour’ Into Fall July 8, 2025
  • Chris Young Kicks Off New Chapter With Latest LP ‘I Didn’t Come Here To Leave’ July 8, 2025
  • Lily Rose Plots ‘I Know What I Want Tour’ For Fall July 8, 2025
  • CMHOFM To Host Interview With Chris Hillman & Dwight Yoakam July 8, 2025
  • The Store To Host Second Annual School Store July 8, 2025
  • ACM Honors Announces Industry & Studio Award Winners, Ceremony To Be Held In August July 8, 2025
  • Chris LeDoux Days Wraps With ‘The Last Go Round’ After 15-Year Run July 8, 2025
  • Jon Sherwood Inks With UMPG Nashville July 8, 2025
  • EMG & HAYLO Sign Seth Alley To Joint Publishing Deal July 8, 2025

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2025 Music Row Enterprises, LLC - Enfold WordPress Theme by Kriesi
Website hosted by Nashville web design company, All My Web Needs.
  • Link to Facebook
  • Link to X
  • Link to Instagram
Scroll to top