Jean Shepard

Ollie Imogene "Jean" Shepard (November 21, 1933 – September 25, 2016) was an American honky-tonk singer-songwriter who is often acknowledged as a pioneer for women in country music. Shepard released a total of 73 singles to the Hot Country Songs chart, one of which reached the number-one spot. She recorded a total of 24 studio albums between 1956 and 1981, and became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955.

This article is about the honky-tonk singer and songwriter. For the American writer, raconteur, and radio host, see Jean Shepherd.

Jean Shepard
Shepard in June 2006
Background information
Birth nameOllie Imogene Shepard
Born(1933-11-21)November 21, 1933
Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedSeptember 25, 2016(2016-09-25) (aged 82)
Hendersonville, Tennessee, U.S.
GenresCountry, honky tonk
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active1952–2015
Labels

After Kitty Wells's 1952 breakthrough, Shepard quickly followed, and a national television gig and the Opry helped make her a star when few female country singers had enduring success. Her first hit, "A Dear John Letter", a 1953 duet with Ferlin Husky, was the first post-World War II record by a woman country artist to sell more than a million copies.

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