NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Grammy Award-winning country music star and Grand Ole Opry icon Jeannie Seely has died at 85, according to Music Row.
Seely, who was also known as “Miss Country Soul,” died in Hermitage from complications from an intestinal infection.
Jeannie Seely arrives at the 56th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)(Evan Agostini | Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Here are instructions on how to watch WSMV4 live on various platforms.
According to Music Row, Seely was a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1967 and performed on the legendary stage 5,397 times in her career.
Seely was the first Pennsylvania native to be inducted into the Opry and was the first woman to regularly host segments.
Jeannie Seely was the first woman to regularly host Grand Ole Opry segments.
Some of Seely’s hits include “I’ll Love You More (Than You Need),” “Can I Sleep in Your Arms,” and “Lucky Ladies.”
She was also a successful songwriter whose songs were recorded by other music legends like Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., Boyz II Men and Seal.
Country Music Association (CMA) CEO said this about Seely’s passing:
“While I’ve had the privilege of working with Jeannie Seely over the past 25 years, my immediate grief is deeply personal. Early in my tenure at CMA, I shared unforgettable lunches with Jeannie and Jo Walker Meador, full of stories that were occasionally irreverent but always fascinating. Jeannie was at the very first Fan Fair with Jack Greene and remained a beloved fixture for decades. She once told me a hilarious story about switching credentials with Dottie West just to keep people on their toes. When the CMA Board honored her with the Joe Talbot Award in 2023, it was for more than her music and fan relationships—it was for her spark. She mentored countless artists, especially women, and while they learned from her confidence and wit, she reminded us she was learning from them too. That humility was part of her magic.”
Music Row said Saturday night’s Grand Ole Opry show will be dedicated to Seely.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.
