Jeannie C. Riley

Jeannie C. Riley (born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson on October 19, 1945 in Anson, Texas) is an American country and gospel music singer.

Related Topics:
October 19 - 1945 - Anson, Texas - American - Country - Gospel music

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She is known for her major 1968 hit "Harper Valley PTA" that made her the first ever female singer to have a song go to No. 1 on both the country and pop music charts. Written by Tom T. Hall, the song was released on the Plantation Records label. At the time, the lyrics were seen as risqué with "attitude" and the attractive Riley was marketed as a sex symbol dressed in an evocative tight mini-skirt and leather Go-Go boots.

Related Topics:
1968 - Harper Valley PTA - Pop - Tom T. Hall - Plantation Records - Sex symbol - Mini-skirt - Go-Go boots

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She became a much talked about overnight sensation, and the song earned her the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance and the Country Music Association "Single of the Year" award. The song itself was a phenomenon that led to a 1978 motion picture and the 1981 "Harper Valley PTA" television show.

Related Topics:
Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance - Country Music Association - 1978 - Motion picture - 1981 - "Harper Valley PTA" television show

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In the 1970s, Riley continued recording country songs but never achieved the same level of success. In the 1970s, she became a born again Christian and began recording gospel music. However, her life has been plagued by bouts of severe depression that at one point left her bed-ridden for six years.

Related Topics:
1970s - Born again Christian - Gospel music - Depression

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Jeannie C. Riley wrote an autobiography, "From Harper Valley to the Mountain Top" that was published in 1980. She contined to tour and record off and on through to the 1990s.

Related Topics:
1980 - 1990s

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