Died On This Date (July 16, 2012) Kitty Wells / Country Music Legend

Kitty Wells (Born Ellen Deason)
August 30, 1919 – July 16, 2012

Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Kitty Wells was actually one of a very few country music stars who were actually born in Music City.  Wells launched her music career when she was around 17, at first singing on a local radio station with her sisters as the Deason Sisters.  At 18, she married Johnnie Wright and went on to perform with him.  In 1952, just as she was eying a life beyond show business, Decca Records asked her to record “It Wasn’t God Who Made The Honky Tonk Angels” as an answer song to Hank Thompson’s “The Wild Side Of Life.”  Since she could use the $125 payment at the time, she reluctantly agreed, having no idea that the song would become a life-changing hit for her.  Recorded by the legendary  Owen Bradley, the single was initially banned from many radio stations due to its title and the subversive idea that God in fact, did not make honky-tonk angels.  But it became a massive hit, selling over 800,000 copies during its initial release.  It ultimately reached #1 on the country music charts making Wells the first female to ever accomplish that feat.  It remained at the top for eight weeks and even cracked the top 30 of the pop charts.  The song went on to become Wells’ signature song.  Meanwhile, she continued to release hit singles and albums through the ’50s and early ’60s, but by the late ’60s, her record sales were dwindling, so she launched her own syndicated television show, The Kitty Wells/Johnnie Wright Family Show, again, the first female country star to do so.  She continued to release albums tour well into the ’80s – although the crowds were smaller, they were no less enthusiastic about hearing her hits.  In 1991, Wells was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys.  She and Wright remained married until his passing in 2011 – one of the longest celebrity marriages ever.  On July 16, 2011, Kitty Wells died following a stroke. She was 92.

What You Should Own

Click to find at amazon.com

20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: Best of Kitty Wells - Kitty Wells

Died On This Date (November 21, 2011) Paul Yandell / Band Leader For Chet Atkins

Paul Yandell
September 6, 1935 – November 21, 2011

Paul Yandell was a Nashville guitar wiz who is perhaps best remembered for the 25 years he served as Chet Atkins’ band leader and guitar duo partner.  Having become proficient on the guitar at an early age, Yandell moved to Nashville during the mid ’50s and launched his Music City career playing with the Louvin Brothers.  From there he joined up with Kitty Wells on whose show he performed from 1961 until 1970.  After a brief run with Jerry Reed, Yandell was hired by Atkins.  The year was 1975, and he went on to play alongside the guitar legend for the next quarter century.   Throughout his career, Yandell released a handful of albums, including a tribute to Atkins, Forever Chet after he passed away in 2001. As an in-demand session player, Yandell can also be heard on records by the likes of Dolly Parton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Perry Como, George Strait, and more.  Paul Yandell died of cancer on November 21, 2011.  He was 76.



Died On This Date (September 27, 2011) Johnnie Wright / Popular Country Singer; Husband of Kitty Wells

Johnnie Wright
May 13, 1914 – September 27, 2011

Johnnie Wright was an influential country music singer and songwriter who, along with Jack Anglin, made up the popular singing duo, Johnnie & Jack. Anglin tragically died in a car accident on his way to Patsy Cline’s funeral.  Wright and Anglin began performing together back in 1936, and during the next years, Wright married the future Queen of Country Music, Kitty Wells.  They would stay married for the next 73+ years.  In 1952, Johnnie & Jack had their first hit, “Poison Love,” and joined the Grand Ole Opry.   After Anglin died in 1963, Wright forged on with his Tennessee Mountain Boys who had a handful of hits over the next couple of years.  They included “Hello Vietnam” which went all the way to #1 .  In 1968, he and Wells began recording and touring together, which they continue to do through the early ’80s.  In 1983, the couple opened the Family Country Junction Museum and Recording Studio near their home, and operated it until the museum’s closing in 2000.  Their grandson continued to operate the recording studio.  Wright and Wells went on the record and perform for special occasions until their farewell concert in 2000.  According to The Tennessean, Johnnie Wright passed away in his home on September 27, 2011.  He was 97.  Kitty Wells died nine months later.

Thanks to Henk de Bruin at 2+ Printing for the assist.




Died On This Date (March 8, 1963) Jack Anglin / Died In Car Accident En Route To Patsy Cline’s Funeral

Jack Anglin
May 13, 1916 – March 8, 1963

anglinJack Anglin began his music career along with his brothers, performing as the Anglin Brothers, billing themselves as “The South’s Favorite Trio.”  When the group disbanded in 1939, Anglin joined up with Johnnie Wright, then husband of Kitty Wells, to for Johnnie & Jack. With their popularity rising, they were asked to join the Grand Ol Opry in 1952.   The duo continued to enjoy success until March 8, 1963 when Anglin was killed in a single car accident en route to Patsy Cline’s funeral.  Wright passed away in 2011.