Page 18 - ION Indie Magazine JanFeb 2021 Issue

When I was in my teens, most kids my age were listening to rock and roll, but I was constantly
immersing myself in any traditional country music I could get my hands on. Merle Haggard and
George Jones were my "go to" artists at that time, and still are, for that matter! As I found more
and more old albums for my collection, one of those was called "Duets Country Style" by George
Jones and Margie Singleton. Now, most people will remember the famous duets that Jones did
with Tammy Wynette in the 1970s. However, the first female artist he did an album with was
Margie Singleton. The very first time I heard that album, I had no idea what a profound impact
Margie would have on my life as years went by.

I first got acquainted with Margie personally several years back when I first interviewed her for
my radio show. Somehow, we formed an instant bond and a friendship that has lasted to this
day. We have gotten together several times in person since then. She now considers myself,
along with my wife Sara and daughter Maret as part of her musical family. She affectionately
refers to us as "bonus kids.” Each time I am in touch with Margie, either in person or on the
phone, I feel so uplifted. She always has such a fabulous energy about her. She is always writing
songs and will often call me up to sing me her latest composition, eagerly awaiting my thoughts.
Margie is in every aspect a country music legend and pioneer and continues to stay relevant with
her music today. Her life journey and career in country music are nothing short of amazing.

Married at 13 and a mother a year later, the Louisiana native pursued music against almost
unbearable odds, and succeeded. During seven decades in the music industry, she has sung
nine Top 40 country hits and recorded duets with George Jones, Faron Young, and Leon Ashley.
She has recorded for several major labels, including Starday, Mercury, United Artists, Monument,
and Ashley Records. As a songwriter, Margie wrote and co-wrote numerous hits for others,
including “Lie to Me” (an R&B hit for Brook Benton), “She Understands Me” (a pop hit for Johnny
Tillotson), and Leon Ashley’s country hit, “Laura (What’s He Got That I Ain’t Got)?” Additionally,
her songs were recorded by Tammy Wynette, Claude King, Charley Pride, Lynn Anderson, Trini
Lopez, Jerry Lee Lewis, David Houston, The Newbeats, Dave Dudley, Brian Hyland, Red Sovine
and “The French Elvis,” Johnny Hallyday. She has performed as a backup vocalist on hundreds
of recording sessions, sung on the Louisiana Hayride, the Grand Ole Opry, and appeared in the
movie “Road to Nashville.” She is an inductee of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame (2017),
the Independent Country Music Hall of Fame (2017), and the North American Country Music Hall
of Fame (2018). She has been honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Academy
of Local Musicians (2017) and earned four B.M.I. airplay achievement awards (1962, 1967, 1968,
1969).

At 85, it’s obvious that Margie is still doing what she loves, and each of the five tracks on the new
EP resonates with the vigor of a woman still young at heart and spirit. From first listen, the
standout cut here is “Never Mind.” Not only cleverly crafted (“I was born in Coushatta, Louisiana
in nineteen-never mind, with a song in my heart and rhythm in my soul…”), this autobiographical
tale clips along with a lively beat and catchy refrain, filling in the gaps for those who may be less
familiar with the details of her long career; a bit swamp rock, a whole lotta country, honest and
true as the best music must be. The idea for the title came as Margie was walking through her
house singing the first line. Her original intent was to say the year she was born, but her son
Steve happened to walk by just as she was about to say, "1935,” and he said, "Never mind!"
That became the hook phrase and title for the song.