Jan Howard

Jan Howard, One of the First Ladies of First Generation Records, was an American author, country music singer and songwriter. As a singer, she placed 30 singles on the Billboard charts, was a Grand Ole Opry member. As a writer, she wrote poems and published an autobiography. Additionally, she was married to American country songwriter Harlan Howard.

In 1971, she became a member of the Grand Ole Opry and continued to make public appearances there until 2019. 

In the early 1980s, record producer Pete Drake asked Howard to be part of a new album series he was producing with Legends of the Grand Ole Opry members. She agreed to the project and collaborated with Drake on her studio album titled Stars of the Grand Ole Opry, the album was released by First Generation Records in April 1981. 

Billboard, Cashbox and Jukebox Operators voted her the Most Promising Female Artist In 1960.  In 1992 she won the Tennessee Adjutant General’s Award, Distinguished Patriot Medal.  In 2005, she was inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the R.O.P.E. Ernest Tubb Humanitarian Award.   She also won several BMI awards for her songwriting talents. 

In 2018, she was ranked among the “100 Greatest Women of Country Music” in a poll by Country Universe.  In 2005, Howard’s single, “Evil on Your Mind”, was listed as one of country music’s “500 greatest singles” in the book Heartaches by the Number.

 In 2019, she celebrated her 90th birthday at the Opry, making her the show’s oldest living member.

Timeline of Awards and Accolades

• 1980 Jan Howard became the authentic First Lady of First Generation Records
• 1981 Stars of the Grand Ole Opry, released by First Generation Records in April

Throughout her storied career Jan won many awards and honors. She was an American author, country music singer and songwriter.  As a singer, she placed 30 singles on the Billboard charts.  As a writer, she wrote poems and published an autobiography. She also won several BMI awards for her songwriting talents. 

• 1960 Voted Most Promising Female Artist Billboard, Cashbox, and Jukebox Operators
• 1971 Known as one of the Grand Ole Ladies of the Opry she became a member of the Grand Ole     Opry and continued to make public appearances there until 2019 when she celebrated her 90th birthday at the Opry, making her the show’s oldest living member.
• 1992 she won the Tennessee Adjutant General’s Award, Distinguished Patriot Medal, in
• 2005, she was inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame and was the recipient of the R.O.P.E. Ernest Tubb Humanitarian Award. 
• 2005, Howard’s single, “Evil on Your Mind”, was listed as one of country music’s “500 greatest singles” in the book, Heartaches by the Number.
• 2018, she was ranked among the “100 Greatest Women of Country Music” in a poll by Country Universe