Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Jean Shepard

Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville

Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member

Through her poignant lyrics and notable success, Jean Shepard has become a country legend and inspiration to women country singers throughout her career.  Beginning her career in the 1950s, Jean found herself in male-dominated field but managed to become one of the prominent female country legends.

Many of the songs Jean sung were direct and unadulterated concerning bad relationships and the ill treatment of women in them. For 1950s country music, Jean was indeed a controversial artist, but she managed to land a fulfilling career. From being a star on Ozark Jubilee to chart-topping singles and albums, Jean enjoyed success throughout the 1950s, -60s, and -70s and became an icon for country singers like Loretta Lynn, Jeannie C. Riley, and Wanda Jackson.

Background and Early Career

• Jean was born in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma one of 10 children to a family who all shared musical talents. The family moved to Viscalia, California, and this is where Jean was raised and discovered as a future country musician.
• Jean's talent was first discovered by Hank Thompson at age 14 when she was singing with a band she had formed, the Melody Ranch Girls. By 1952, she had obtained a recording contract with Capitol Records.

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• Jean was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry in 1955, which was a booming year for Jean's career. 1955 brought the success of the songs "A Satisfied Mind" and "I Thought of You" and her role on Ozark Jubilee.

Jean Shepard at the Grand Ole Opry

• Jean's fiftieth anniversary as an Opry member took place recently, and she was the first woman to be an Opry member for this many years. Jean still makes frequent appearances on the Opry stage, so if you would like to see when this living legend will be performing at the Grand Ole Opry next, check out our Grand Ole Opry Blog.

Notable Hits You Might Hear at the Grand Ole Opry

• "Slippin' Away"
• "I Thought of You"
• "A Satisfied Mind"
• "Beautiful Lies"
• "Taking Possession"
• "Have Heart, Will Love"
• "Second Fiddle to an Old Guitar"
• "Someone's Gotta Cry"
• "A Tear Dropped By"
• "A Real Good Woman"
• "I'll Take the Dog"

More Details

• Jean's first hit, "A Dear John Letter" sung with Ferlin Husky, was the first country record after World War II produced by woman to sell a million copies.
• See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!