NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music icon Jeannie Seely won Song of the Year at the Arkansas Country Music Awards as the songwriter for “Yours” recorded by duo Joe and Diane (Joe Wade Smith and Diane Berry).
The ceremony’s co-hosts, country music journalist and historian Charles Haymes and Miss Arkansas 2014 Ashton Gill, presented the award to Seely and Joe and Diane.
During the ceremony, the nearly 55-year Grand Ole Opry® member also performed “The End Of The World” with Joe and Diane in honor of Lifetime Achievement recipient Floyd Cramer who played on the Skeeter Davis hit.
“Never give up on a song! I wrote ‘Yours’ in the early ‘80s and Diane Berry recorded the original demo for me! I’m so glad she still believed in the song enough to do it as a duet with Joe. Their performance literally brought the song to life,” Seely shared.
“I have worked with Jeannie in the past and consider her one of my dearest and most precious friends. Jeannie wrote this song in the early ’80s and I sang the original demo. I loved the song then and still do! It is a beautifully written song about love. It was our honor to be the first to record this song. A traditional country music love song all the way!” expressed Diane.
“I first heard ‘Yours’ when Diane sang it for me and told me her history with the song. We both agreed it would be a beautiful duet. We went into the studio with some of the finest musicians and cut our version that Jeannie really enjoyed!” added Joe. “Diane and I both feel honored to be the first to record ‘Yours,’ and we knew for sure that song was meant to be ours.”
Stay in touch with Jeannie Seely on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT JEANNIE SEELY:
Jeannie Seely’s deep, moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul,” a title that’s still used today. An esteemed singer, songwriter, producer, actress, author and on-air personality, Seely added another title, “Doctor,” to her resume when she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Arts from Lincoln Memorial University in 2019. The third female country artist to win a GRAMMY® is also among a select group of country artists who have scored No. 1 hits as a solo artist, duet partner and songwriter. On September 16, 1967, Seely fulfilled her lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry®, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. Nearly 55 years later, Seely makes clear that it’s still a thrill and an honor each time she performs on the world-famous stage. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album, The Seely Style, which featured “Don’t Touch Me,” to her self-produced album, Written in Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written and recorded for more than 10 Country Music Hall of Fame® members, Seely’s recordings have spanned seven decades and provided enjoyment to music fans all around the world. Seely is a fierce advocate for musicians’ rights and takes much pride in her involvement and support for the cause. In his 2003 book, Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, music critic Robert K. Oermann wrote, “With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of Country’s most completely modern female personalities,” and that statement continues to hold true. Seely appeared in Willie Nelson’s movie Honeysuckle Rose and sang on the film’s RIAA® platinum-certified soundtrack, and for the past four years, Seely has hosted her own show, “Sundays with Seely,” on SiriusXM’s Willie’s Roadhouse. Nelson, along with Rhonda Vincent, Bill Anderson, Lorrie Morgan, Ray Stevens and many more of her friends, joined Seely for her current project on Curb Records, An American Classic, which has seen rave reviews and three radio releases.
