Country-western singer and songwriter Jeannie Seely, 85, died on Aug. 1. Dubbed “Miss Country Soul,” she appeared at the Grand Ole Opry more than any other singer (5,397 times over 57 years). Born in Western Pennsylvania (“Pennsyltucky”), Seely was working in a Beverly Hills bank (Mr. Drysdale’s?) when she wrote her 1966 hit “Don’t Touch Me,” which won her the Best Female Country Vocal Performance Grammy. She also wrote the ‘60s hits "A Wanderin' Man,” “Can I Sleep in Your Arms,” and "I'll Love You More Than You'll Need,” among others. Both as a soloist and with Jack Greene, Seely released 17 albums and hosted the podcast Sundays with Seely. She was married (1969-79) to songwriter Hank Cochran. Over the decades, she acted in such shows as Grease, The Vagina Monologues, Always Patsy Cline, Changing Hearts, and Could It Be Love. Singer Tim Atwood posted that “It doesn’t seem possible to know a world without Seely in it. The Opry spotlight will never shine as brightly without Jeannie in the center circle.”
“Don’t Touch Me” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DNvni6vO0I&list=RD3DNvni6vO0I&start_radio=1
