Flaco Jiménez. Photo: Andrew W. Long, courtesy of Robert K. Oermann archive
Roots-music superstar Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86 in San Antonio.
The Tex-Mex, conjunto musician immortalized his distinctive button-accordion style on the top country hits “The Streets of Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens in 1988 and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” by The Mavericks in 1986. During his six-decade career, Jiménez earned five Grammy Awards and was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Alongside Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers, Flaco Jiménez was a member of the “super group” The Texas Tornados in 1990-2010. He also collaborated on disc with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Bellamy Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Junior Brown, John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, Lee Roy Parnell, Chet Atkins & Suzy Bogguss, Los Lobos, Santana, Ray Benson, Radney Foster and The Rolling Stones, among many others. He recorded 27 solo albums between 1972 and 2014.
He was born Leonardo Jiménez in 1939, which is around the time his accordion-playing father was first recording and popularizing conjunto music in the San Antonio area. Forged in central Texas during the late 1800s, conjunto combined country waltzes, German polkas and Mexican-American folk music. The button accordion is the lively style’s central instrument. Flaco’s younger brother, Santiago Jiménez Jr., also became a conjunto accordion master.
Nicknamed “Flaco” Jiménez, the future star began playing in his father’s band at age 7 and began recording at age 15. He rose to prominence on the San Antonio music scene, starring on local television and regularly filling dancehalls. In the 1960s, he started working with Doug Sahm of The Sir Douglas Quintet.
He and Sahm temporarily relocated from San Antonio to Manhattan, where Jiménez worked with Dr. John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Ry Cooder and Dylan. He toured and recorded with Rowan for some time, which was when he first became familiar to Eastern Anglo audiences. The two formed a band called The Free Mexican Airforce.
Cooder then took him on the road internationally and featured him on the landmark 1976 LP Chicken Skin Music. Jiménez and Cooder also collaborated on the 1981 soundtrack of the Jack Nicholson film The Border. The following year, Carlos Santana enlisted Jimenez for his band’s Havana Moon album.
Following a string of solo albums on local labels, Jiménez recorded for the revered national folk labels Arhoolie Records (1977-88) and Rounder Records (1989-91). He won his first Grammy Award in 1986.
As a member of The Texas Tornados, he began recording for Warner Records in 1990. The group’s debut LP was issued in both Spanish and English-language versions. One of its tunes earned him his second Grammy. Country artists such as Raul Malo, Jesse Dayton and Dwight Yoakam began using him on recording sessions in the late 1980s.
Jiménez played the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1990. Warner/Reprise signed him as a solo act in 1992 for the album Partners. Recorded in both Nashville and L.A., the collection included collaborations with Stephen Stills, Holly Dunn, Los Lobos, Ronstadt, Cooder, Hiatt, Yoakam and Emmylou Harris. Ronstadt had previously recorded with him on her 1990 album Mas Canciones.
Nashville’s Arista Records formed a Texas division and signed Jiménez. He delivered albums for the label in 1994 and 1996, the latter of which won him another Grammy. The Stones recruited him for their 1994 collection Voodoo Lounge. He and Lee Roy Parnell were nominated for a Country Instrumental Grammy in 1996.
Flaco Jiménez won two Grammy Awards in 1999. One was for his solo album for Virgin Records, Said and Done. The other was for his album with Los Super Seven, a multi-artist collaboration including Joe Ely, Rick Treviño, Tejano star Ruben Ramos, Sahm, Fender and members of Los Lobos. Later albums by this conglomeration included Malo, Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Delbert McCllinton and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown as well.
Subsequent solo albums were issued by Compadre, Fiesta, Smithsonian Folkways, Joey, Back Porch and Sony. In 2012, Flaco Jiménez was given a National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. Two years later, he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was awarded a National Medal of Arts.
Flaco Jiménez died in San Antonio on Thursday, July 31. Survivors include his wife, Adela; sons Arturo and Gilbert; daughters Cynthia Jiménez and Raquel Fernandez; and his brother, Santiago Jr. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Ashley McBryde Announces ‘The Redemption Residency’ At Chief’s Neon Steeple
/by Lauryn SinkAshley McBryde. Photo: Katie Kauss
Ashley McBryde will take over Neon Steeple, Chief’s ticketed venue on Broadway, this fall for a four-show residency.
“The guys and I are so happy to be back in Nashville for four nights of ‘you had to be there’ moments to help close out this year” McBryde says. “We’ve been making our kind of church wherever we go for years; from dive bars to back porches, Dahlonega to Lindeville. It’s something special to bring it all to the only Steeple on Lower Broadway.”
Tickets for “The Redemption Residency” go on pre-sale exclusively to McBryde’s fan club (Trybe) members on Aug. 5. Members of the Eric Church’s Church Choir will have access on Aug. 6, with general on sale following on Aug. 8. Each night of the residency will feature a unique set list to create four different experiences.
McBryde recently announced her non-alcoholic forward Redemption bar, located on the fifth floor of Chief’s, which was inspired by her own path to sobriety. The venue features a small stage designed to showcase original music right in the heart of Broadway. The bar opens on Aug. 28.
“The Redemption Residency” Dates:
Tues. October 14
Weds. October 15
Thurs. December 11
Fri. December 12
BMI To Honor John Fogerty With 2025 Troubadour Award
/by Lauryn SinkJohn Fogerty.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member John Fogerty will be honored with the 2025 BMI Troubadour Award.
This prestigious accolade recognizes a songwriter who has made a profound impact on the creative community and whose work continues to set the pace for generations to follow. The private invite-only event will be held at BMI’s Nashville office on September 8th.
“John Fogerty has written and recorded some of the most distinctive and beloved rock songs of the 20th century, and his music is unequivocally the sound of America, with timeless lyrics wrapped in unforgettable melodies that continue to resonate with generations of fans around the world,” says BMI Vice President, Creative, Nashville Clay Bradley. “We’re thrilled to honor John with the BMI Troubadour Award and celebrate his creative achievements and his songs, which have become the soundtrack of so many lives.”
Fogerty’s catelog spans nearly six decades and includes classics such as “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” As the leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Fogerty helped shape the sound of American music. He has received multiple awards and honors for his impact on the culture including an induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and a special honor for his song “Centerfield,” making him the only musician ever honored by the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Since his affiliation with BMI in 2005, Fogerty has been named a BMI Icon in 2010 and was presented with the BMI Board of Directors Award in 2023. He’s also received 13 BMI Million-Air certificates, recognizing his songs that have surpassed over one million radio airplays, which collectively have had over 64 million broadcast performances.
He recently performed headline sets at JazzFest, Glastonbury, the Hollywood Bowl and more, plus an induction at the American Music Honors and a collaboration with Eric Church for the new Nascar on Prime anthem. On August 22nd, Fogerty will release his new album Legacy, a 20-track collection of newly recorded versions of his biggest hits.
CMA Introduces Fourth Women’s Leadership Academy Class
/by Lorie HollabaughCMA Women’s Leadership Academy Class of 2025. Photo: Emily April Allen/CMA
The CMA has announced its newest class of participants for its 12-week Women’s Leadership Academy.
Now in its fourth year, the program officially kicks off today (Aug. 4) with CMA Board Chairman Jennie Smythe delivering opening remarks. The cohort-based program will guide 14 women through a journey of weekly group coaching, peer connection and hands-on leadership training, and in addition to learning alongside executive coaches and industry mentors, participants gain access to a growing network of program alumni who continue to support one another long after the program ends.
Academy participants will start by setting personal and professional goals, which will serve as a foundation throughout the program. Cohort members will take part in facilitated group sessions led by executive coaches Lisa Gamble of Gamble Coaching & Consulting LLC and Nicole Provonchee of Bright Blue Consulting. The curriculum is designed to build practical leadership skills while fostering personal growth, covering topics such as personal branding, career advancement, conflict management, negotiation, self-advocacy, influence and confidence, equipping participants to lead with greater clarity, impact and resilience.
“The Women’s Leadership Academy has grown into a powerful reflection of the women who make this industry stronger every day,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Vice President, Industry Relations & Philanthropy. “It’s not just about 12 weeks of programming; it’s about lifelong impact. I’m incredibly proud of the energy and intention behind this program and can’t wait to see how this new class builds on the momentum of the women who came before them. Together, they’re shaping the future of our business.”
CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy Class Members:
Jackie Augustus (Lead, Country & Folk, Artist Partnerships, Spotify)
Shaina Botwin (Vice President, Boom Music Group | Co-Manager, Sasha Alex Sloan)
Sara Foster (TV and Live Event Producer)
Melissa Goldberg (Vice President, Digital & Social, CMT)
Morgan Kenney (Country Music Agent, WME)
Anna Kolander (Senior Manager & Head of A&R, Activist Artists Management)
Olivia Laster (Head of Artist & Label Relations, Sticks Management)
Rakiyah Marshall (Founder & CEO, Back Blocks Music)
Morgan Mills (Chief Marketing Officer, CmdShft)
Courtney Pender (Vice President, People Experience, Sony Music Publishing)
Karen Schillinger (Agent, Creative Artists Agency)
Chandler Nicole Sherrill (Senior Director, Creative, Electric Feel Entertainment)
Shana Melissa Saunders (Product Manager, Business Development, Music Corporation of America)
Christina Wiltshire (Senior Director, A&R, Warner Chappell Music)
Grammy-Winning ‘Texas Tornado’ Flaco Jiménez Passes
/by Robert K OermannFlaco Jiménez. Photo: Andrew W. Long, courtesy of Robert K. Oermann archive
Roots-music superstar Flaco Jiménez has died at age 86 in San Antonio.
The Tex-Mex, conjunto musician immortalized his distinctive button-accordion style on the top country hits “The Streets of Bakersfield” by Dwight Yoakam & Buck Owens in 1988 and “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” by The Mavericks in 1986. During his six-decade career, Jiménez earned five Grammy Awards and was given a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
Alongside Freddy Fender, Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers, Flaco Jiménez was a member of the “super group” The Texas Tornados in 1990-2010. He also collaborated on disc with Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Bellamy Brothers, Tanya Tucker, Junior Brown, John Hiatt, Emmylou Harris, Lee Roy Parnell, Chet Atkins & Suzy Bogguss, Los Lobos, Santana, Ray Benson, Radney Foster and The Rolling Stones, among many others. He recorded 27 solo albums between 1972 and 2014.
He was born Leonardo Jiménez in 1939, which is around the time his accordion-playing father was first recording and popularizing conjunto music in the San Antonio area. Forged in central Texas during the late 1800s, conjunto combined country waltzes, German polkas and Mexican-American folk music. The button accordion is the lively style’s central instrument. Flaco’s younger brother, Santiago Jiménez Jr., also became a conjunto accordion master.
Nicknamed “Flaco” Jiménez, the future star began playing in his father’s band at age 7 and began recording at age 15. He rose to prominence on the San Antonio music scene, starring on local television and regularly filling dancehalls. In the 1960s, he started working with Doug Sahm of The Sir Douglas Quintet.
He and Sahm temporarily relocated from San Antonio to Manhattan, where Jiménez worked with Dr. John, David Lindley, Peter Rowan, Ry Cooder and Dylan. He toured and recorded with Rowan for some time, which was when he first became familiar to Eastern Anglo audiences. The two formed a band called The Free Mexican Airforce.
Cooder then took him on the road internationally and featured him on the landmark 1976 LP Chicken Skin Music. Jiménez and Cooder also collaborated on the 1981 soundtrack of the Jack Nicholson film The Border. The following year, Carlos Santana enlisted Jimenez for his band’s Havana Moon album.
Following a string of solo albums on local labels, Jiménez recorded for the revered national folk labels Arhoolie Records (1977-88) and Rounder Records (1989-91). He won his first Grammy Award in 1986.
As a member of The Texas Tornados, he began recording for Warner Records in 1990. The group’s debut LP was issued in both Spanish and English-language versions. One of its tunes earned him his second Grammy. Country artists such as Raul Malo, Jesse Dayton and Dwight Yoakam began using him on recording sessions in the late 1980s.
Jiménez played the prestigious Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland in 1990. Warner/Reprise signed him as a solo act in 1992 for the album Partners. Recorded in both Nashville and L.A., the collection included collaborations with Stephen Stills, Holly Dunn, Los Lobos, Ronstadt, Cooder, Hiatt, Yoakam and Emmylou Harris. Ronstadt had previously recorded with him on her 1990 album Mas Canciones.
Nashville’s Arista Records formed a Texas division and signed Jiménez. He delivered albums for the label in 1994 and 1996, the latter of which won him another Grammy. The Stones recruited him for their 1994 collection Voodoo Lounge. He and Lee Roy Parnell were nominated for a Country Instrumental Grammy in 1996.
Flaco Jiménez won two Grammy Awards in 1999. One was for his solo album for Virgin Records, Said and Done. The other was for his album with Los Super Seven, a multi-artist collaboration including Joe Ely, Rick Treviño, Tejano star Ruben Ramos, Sahm, Fender and members of Los Lobos. Later albums by this conglomeration included Malo, Hiatt, Rodney Crowell, Lyle Lovett, Delbert McCllinton and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown as well.
Subsequent solo albums were issued by Compadre, Fiesta, Smithsonian Folkways, Joey, Back Porch and Sony. In 2012, Flaco Jiménez was given a National Heritage Fellowship Award by the National Endowment for the Arts. Two years later, he was inducted into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. In 2022, he was awarded a National Medal of Arts.
Flaco Jiménez died in San Antonio on Thursday, July 31. Survivors include his wife, Adela; sons Arturo and Gilbert; daughters Cynthia Jiménez and Raquel Fernandez; and his brother, Santiago Jr. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Brandon Wisham Inks With The Core Records & Capitol Music Group
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R): Chief Zaruk, CEO & Co-Founder, The Core Entertainment; Brittani Johnson, Manager, The Core Entertainment; Tracy Martin, President, The Core Entertainment; Brandon Wisham; Dan Dymtrow, GM, The Core Entertainment; Jamie Younger, VP of Artist Development, The Core Records and Simon Tikhman, CEO & Co-Founder, The Core Entertainment.
Brandon Wisham has signed a record deal with Capitol Music Group in partnership with The Core Records.
“The way I’m feeling about this step is beyond what words can describe,” says Wisham. “Grateful to have found a team that is as passionate about my music as I am. Can’t wait to experience this journey alongside the best of the best!”
Wisham began writing songs at 19 with his first track “Pain Won’t Last,” a tribute to his father who passed due to Covid-19. The track was later cut by Bailey Zimmerman on his Religiously. The Album. Wisham shortly after released his own debut single “Back Together,” followed by “Better Than The Day.” The latter was featured on SiriusXM’s The Highway, eventually leading the 22 year-old South Carolina native to be named a SiriusXM The Highway’s Highway Find.
Wisham has previously opened up on the road for Zimmerman, as well as Josh Ross. He will join Tyler Hubbard, Lakeview and Austin Snell on select dates this fall. He also made his CMA Fest debut this past June. Additionally, his new single “She’s Good” will release this Friday (August 8).
“We’re thrilled to welcome Brandon to the Capitol Records family,” shares Tom March, Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group. “He’s a truly gifted songwriter with the kind of talent, drive, and unstoppable passion that make for an extraordinary career in country music. We’re beyond proud to join forces with Brandon as he moves forward into his most exciting chapter yet.”
“Brandon has been part of The Core family from the start, and we’ve believed in his talent and potential every step of the way,” add Chief Zaruk and Simon Tikhman, Co-founders and Co-CEOs of The Core Entertainment. “Watching him grow and gain real momentum as an artist has been incredible, and signing him to The Core Records is a natural evolution of that journey. He’s got something truly special, and we’re excited to take this next step with him and help bring his vision to the world.”
The Neal Agency Elevates Four
/by Lauryn SinkPictured (clockwise): Kelly Littlefield, Clark Wilson, Simone Chretien and Juliette Edwards. Photo: Courtesy of TNA
The Neal Agency has elevated three agents. Additionally, Kelly Littlefield has been upped to President of Operations for both TNA and Sticks Management.
Clark Wilson has been elevated from Agent Assistant to Agent, Fairs & Festivals. Simone Chretien has been elevated from Booking Coordinator to Agent, Southeast Territory. Juliette Edwards has been elevated from Booking Coordinator to Agent, West Coast Territory.
“From the start, one of my top goals in building The Neal Agency was to create a culture where we could grow and promote talent from within,” says Austin Neal, Co-Head and Founder of TNA. “I’m incredibly proud to see that vision come to life with the promotions of Juliette, Simone and Clark to agents.”
“Kelly has been an integral part of developing the culture of the company since the very beginning,” Neal continues. “I’m very excited to be able to elevate her to a leadership position at both TNA and Sticks.”
Littlefield received a degree in Business and Arts Management from the College of Charleston and furthered her education with an MBA in Music Business from Belmont University. She began her career in HR at WME. In 2022, Littlefield moved to ONErpm, where she established and led the HR department as the Global HR Manager. Later the same year, Littlefield joined TNA, assuming the position of Director of HR & Operations. In 2024, Kelly assumed the role of Director of HR & Operations for Sticks Management as well. She was also selected to join the 2024 CMA Women’s Leadership Academy Cohort.
Wilson was born and raised in Nashville and graduated from Belmont University in 2019. Prior to joining TNA three years ago, he held positions at Warner Music Nashville and Red Light Management. Wilson began his career at TNA as an Agent Assistant to Adi Sharma and Spencer Foote. Wilson will now be moving into the role of Agent in the fairs and festivals department, continuing his previous work to build and expand the division.
Chretien hails from Silver Spring, Maryland. Chretien received her bachelor’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University with a minor in marketing in 2019. Following graduation, Chretien started working at Average Joes Entertainment (AJE) as a Digital Marketing Coordinator. Soon after, she also began work with AJE’s in-house management company, Arcade Management, as an Artist Management Assistant and Digital Marketing Coordinator for Sister Hazel. In October 2022, she started at TNA as an Agent Assistant, working under Evan Kantor and Haley Teske in the Northeast and West territories of the United States in the hard ticket space. She also worked in the Fairs and Festivals department and spent time on Responsible Agent responsibilities. In October of 2024, she started working under co-head Austin Neal, honing in on Responsible Agent responsibilities. Now, Chretien is the Southeast Territorial Agent for The Neal Agency, representing Cody Lohden and Rhys Rutherford, alongside co-head Adi Sharma.
Edwards, a Santa Clarita, California native, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2019 with a degree in Telecommunication and Film. Before relocating to Nashville, she worked The Kelly Clarkson Show. In 2022, Edwards joined TNA as Executive Assistant and Coordinator to Neal. She later transitioned into the role of Booking Coordinator for Evan Kantor, managing the Northeast territory. Now, Edwards steps into her new position as West Coast Territorial Agent, along with representing Ole 60, Rob Langdon and Scott Wolverton.
BREAKING: Hannah Galluzzi Joins MCA As Vice President, A&R
/by Madison HahnenHannah Galluzzi. Photo: Sam Kelly
MCA has appointed Hannah Galluzzi as Vice President, A&R. In her new role, she will helm the creative development of MCA artists, both new and established, working on their artistic growth and strategic career development.
“I am thrilled to join MCA,” shares Galluzzi. “It feels like both a return and a new beginning. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented roster and contribute to the label’s innovative future. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the team and continuing to elevate MCA as a leading force in country music.”
Galluzzi is a graduate of Belmont University with an established background in A&R. She began her journey at Universal Music Group Nashville as an A&R assistant, where she eventually become Manager of A&R and worked with Luke Grimes, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block and Jordan Davis. She also spearheaded the signing of Josh Ross in partnership with Universal Music Canada.
After six years at UMG Nashville, she joined EMPIRE as Director of A&R. While at the independent label, publisher and distributor, she oversaw release strategies and guided the creative direction for Shaboozey, Jake Banfield, CeCe, Niko Moon, Sophia Scott, Don Louis, JORDY and Randy Houser.
“We are thrilled to welcome Hannah to the MCA team,” says Mike Harris, President & CEO of MCA. “Her strong A&R skills, combined with her passion for nurturing artist relationships will be invaluable as we continue to develop the MCA roster. Hannah’s energy, work ethic, and vision for the future of the industry align perfectly with MCA’s mission to foster both innovative and timeless artistry.”
Diffie Classic Golf Tournament Set For September 10-11
/by Lorie HollabaughJoe Diffie‘s children, Kara and Parker Diffie, have revealed that the Inaugural Diffie Classic, a two-day golf and music tribute to Joe will take place September 10-11 at the Hermitage Golf Course in Old Hickory, Tennessee.
The Diffie Classic will include two 18-hole course events including the Presidents Reserve Course, which will feature teams paired with an artist, athlete or influencer for $2500, and the Generals Retreat, which will see four-person teams playing a traditional best-ball scramble at $1000 per team. A concert will also take place on Sept. 11, with the location to be announced in the coming weeks. Registration includes access to the two-day event, golf, cart, meals and more, and can be made here.
Hosted by Plus 3 Golf, a nonprofit supporting mental health in sports, music, and service communities, the event proceeds will benefit Plus 3 Golf programs and Next Response Foundation, continuing Diffie’s spirit of connection and compassion.
“This is a celebration of our father’s life, music, love of golf and enduring impact,” says Kara and Parker. “We’re excited to see friends, fans, and fellow artists gather for this unique blend of golf and live music, honoring Dad’s legacy with the joy, energy, and heart that defined him.”
Tyler Hubbard Notches Fourth Solo No. 1
/by Lauryn SinkTyler Hubbard. Photo: Jimmy Fontaine
Tyler Hubbard has notched his fourth No. 1 as a solo artist with “Park,” holding the top spot on both the Mediabase Country and Billboard Country Airplay charts. “Park” marks Hubbard’s 23rd career No. 1 hit and follows his solo No. 1 songs “5 Foot 9,” “Dancin’ In The Country” and “Back Then Right Now.”
Hubbard wrote the song alongside Ashley Gorley, Jesse Frasure and Canaan Smith and the track was featured on his 2024 album Strong. The former Florida Georgia Line member is the first male artist in the genre to come from a successful group or duo to achieve four consecutive solo No. 1 singles.
“It’s such an incredible feeling to have my fourth number one in a row — I’m truly blown away,” says Hubbard. “I never take these moments for granted, and I’m so thankful to country radio, my team and the fans for the continued support. After my buddies Canaan, Ashley, Jesse and I wrote this song, we knew it felt special, and seeing fans sing it back every night on tour has been one of the biggest highlights of my year. I’m beyond grateful to everyone who made this possible — this one feels extra special. It takes a village, and I have the best. Thanks everyone.”
Hubbard is currently on the road for a run of headline and festival dates. He will join Luke Bryan for select “Farm Tour” dates this fall.
BREAKING: Grand Ole Opry Icon Jeannie Seely Passes At 85
/by LB CantrellJeannie Seely. Photo: Cyndi Hornsby
Jeannie Seely, the beloved Grand Ole Opry member whose voice, wit and longevity made her one of country music’s most enduring figures, has died at age 85. She passed peacefully Friday (Aug. 1) at 5:00 p.m. CT at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tennessee, following complications from an intestinal infection.
Known affectionately as “Miss Country Soul,” Seely was a force across seven decades of country music—an artist, songwriter, host, producer and fearless innovator who broke ground for generations to follow. She was the first woman to regularly host segments on the Grand Ole Opry, and the first artist to wear a miniskirt on its stage. At the time of her death, she had notched the most Opry performances in history, having stepped into that iconic circle 5,397 times.
Jeannie Seely performs at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo / Grand Ole Opry
Her final Opry appearance came on Feb. 22, 2025. She remained active in her later years, continuing to host Sundays with Seely on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse and releasing new music well into her 80s, including her 2024 single “Suffertime” and an accompanying short documentary. The release made her the vocalist with the longest recording span at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio B with 60 years between her first session and last.
Born July 6, 1940, and raised on a dirt road in rural Pennsylvania, Seely began performing on local radio as a child. By 21, she’d packed up her car and driven to Los Angeles, where she worked at Liberty and Imperial Records, wrote songs and started recording her own. It was Dottie West’s encouragement that led her to Nashville, where she landed a recording contract with Monument Records. Seely’s chart-topping hit “Don’t Touch Me” earned her a Grammy Award—making her just the third female country artist to receive one.
She was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 16, 1967, and in the decades that followed, Seely became a steady, bold and beloved presence on the Opry stage. Her multiple collaborations with Jack Greene, her groundbreaking sense of style and her sharp humor helped shift perceptions of what women could be in country music.
Beyond the stage, Seely’s songs were recorded by legends across country, soul and pop—from Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Connie Smith to Irma Thomas, Boyz II Men and Seal. Her composition “Yours” was named Song of the Year at the 2022 Arkansas Country Music Awards.
SOURCE honors Jeannie Seely with the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award. She poses with 2024 SOURCE Hall of Fame inductees Judy Seale, Marty Craighead, Teena Scogin Camp, Kathy Harris, Leslie Fram and Sheree Spoltore. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography, Bev Moser
She was also a radio host, an author, a stage actress and a passionate advocate for artists and songwriters, especially women. She played a crucial role in building community backstage at the Opry, mentoring rising talent and championing equity in the industry. In her final years, she served as producer for the bluegrass group Cutter & Cash and The Kentucky Grass and was planning their next recording session at the time of her death.
Over the past few years, honors poured in. The Opry celebrated her 5,000+ performances in 2022. The CMA recognized her with the Joe Talbot Award in 2023. In 2024, she received the Jo Walker-Meador Lifetime Achievement Award from SOURCE and was featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s permanent exhibit Sing Me Back Home. That same year, a Metro Nashville interchange was renamed the “Jeannie Seely Interchange,” and in 2025, Sony Music Publishing honored her during Women’s History Month with reimagined collaborations of her songs.
Gene Ward and Jeannie Seely. Photo: Courtesy of family
Seely’s final public appearance was on March 1, 2025, at the reopening of the Legends of Country Music Museum, where she is honored with a dedicated exhibit. She was scheduled to attend the naming of the SAG-AFTRA studio space in her honor the following month.
Seely had experienced ongoing health issues since the fall, which intensified after the passing of her husband, Gene Ward, in December. This year, she underwent multiple back and emergency abdominal surgeries.
She is survived by friends, family and her beloved cat Corrie. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene, her parents Leo and Irene Seely, and siblings Donald, Bernard and Mary Lou. A memorial service will be announced in the coming days. Saturday night’s Grand Ole Opry will be dedicated to her memory.