Jeannie Seely’s ‘Pennsyltucky’ Home Becomes Creative Songwriting Hub

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Jeannie Seely’s “Pennsyltucky” Home. Photo: The Jeannie Seely Estate

One year after Jeannie Seely‘s passing, her “Pennsyltucky” Cumberland River cottage home will continue her legacy by welcoming songwriters, musicians and storytellers.

Named by Seely after her 1973 song “Farm in Pennsyltucky,” a nod to her Pennsylvania roots and adopted Southern home, the property is now being preserved as a living tribute to Seely and her love of music, friendship and songwriting.

Owned and maintained by The Jeannie Seely Trust, which Seely established as part of her estate planning, the home will host private songwriting sessions, small gatherings and intimate events. Artists will have the opportunity to create inside the cottage and on the screened porch overlooking the Cumberland River, one of Seely’s favorite places to write and spend time with friends.

One of the first songwriters to return to the cottage after Seely’s death was Erin Enderlin, who previously wrote there with Seely and Bobby Tomberlin. Their song, “Like I Could,” was later recorded by Rhonda Vincent and reached No. 1 on the Bluegrass chart.

“I absolutely loved writing with Jeannie,” says Enderlin. “She was so creative, and fast. She was usually talking about three or four song ideas while I was trying to write just one. The pure joy that just poured from her when she was creating was so inspiring.”

Around the cottage, visitors will be able to see Seely’s piano, awards, photographs, vinyl records, eight-tracks, cassettes, CDs, a handwritten recipe from her grandmother, personal mementos from decades of friendships and more.

The screened porch overlooks the Cumberland River, where Seely recorded her weekly Sundays with Seely program for SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse. Outside, a red barn modeled after the Grand Ole Opry backdrop sits beside the cottage, while oversized “OPRY” letters honor the institution.

Seely performed at the Grand Ole Opry 5,397 times, more than any other artist in the show’s 100-year history. She purchased the riverfront cottage in part because of its proximity to the Opry.

Inquires for writing sessions at “Pennsyltucky” can be made by emailing Seely’s website at JSeelyWebsite@comcast.net.

Madison Hahnen
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