Page 19 - ION Indie Magazine SeptOct 2020

The album, “An American Classic,” marks
Jeannie's return to a major label. Curb
Records released the project August 14th.
That is quite an accomplishment for an
artist who just celebrated her 80th
birthday!

Jeannie enlisted longtime friend and fellow
Opry member Bill Anderson for a rendition
of his 1960s co-write with Roger Miller,
"When Two Worlds Collide." The duet is so
fitting to the title of the album. Bill is a
Country Music Hall of Fame member and
one of the most successful songwriters in
country music history. He, too, is an
American classic! As a side note, it is a
major travesty that Seely is not yet in the
Hall, an oversight that I hope will be
rectified soon!

Jeannie has recorded new versions of two of her signature songs as well. "Don't Touch Me" and
"Can I Sleep In Your Arms Tonight, Mister" are both written by her one-time husband and legendary
songwriter, Hank Cochran. These updated versions sound incredible, as Jeannie sings them with
such emotion and passion that comes from living with these songs for all these years.

"That's How I Roll," is an infectious and fun rockabilly flavored tune that features Lorrie Morgan on
vocals and Vince Gill on guitar. The song was co-written by Tim Atwood, who in his own right is a
fabulous musician and singer and long-time member of the Grand Ole Opry staff band.

On the track "If You Could Call It That," Jeannie pays tribute to Dottie
West, her longtime friend who died in 1991 following a car wreck while
en route to an Opry performance. Nashville songwriters Steve
Wariner and Bobby Tomberlin completed the song using unfinished
lyrics that Dottie left behind. The hook line says, "I just go on livin', if
you could call it that," which is a phrase that Jeannie remembers West
often reciting during tough times.

As she was growing up, Jeannie listened and learned from many
female pop singers, such as Rosemary Clooney and Kay Starr, and
always wanted to record a song in that style. Producer Don Cusic
brought her the song "Peaceful Waters,” and it reminded Jeannie of
those songs from the 40s. The end-product features very lush musical
arrangements and incredible background voices. There are even
bagpipes in the song, something rarely featured on a country album.
Another song in this vein that Jeannie had always wanted to sing
since she was a teenager is "Teach Me Tonight,” which she cites as
a favorite on this project.