Jean Shepard is hailed as a pioneer for women in country music. Her 1953 duet with Ferlin Husky, “A Dear John Letter,” was the first post-World War II record by a female country artist to sell more than a million copies. It earned Shepard her first major hit. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 1956 and 1981, and had 73 singles on the country music charts throughout her career. Jean Shepard recorded with First Generation Records in 1981. “The Jean Shepard Show” is still touring the world, and she performs regularly at the Grand Ole Opry. In 2005, Shepard celebrated 50 years as a member of the Opry. She is the longest-living female member of the Opry to date. In 2010, she was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Shepard was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Here is a sampling of Jean’s pioneering “firsts:”-Starred in the first network country music show “The Ozark Jubilee”
-First woman in country music to sell a million records -First woman vocalist in country music to overdub her voice on records -First woman in country music to make a color television commercial -First woman country music singer to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry for more than 50 years Her autobiography, “Down Through The Years,” is now in book stores and offers details of her personal and professional life in what she describes as the “golden age of country music.” Everyone loves and admires Jean Shepard! The First Generation family was honored to spend time with Jean during the recording sessions for her 1981 CD. The book is available for purchase through any of these fine websites: |
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httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHenOpiauHE |