Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2018, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Jeannie C. Riley, which she submitted to this site on Friday 13 April 2018.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Jeannie C. Riley who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Jeannie C. Riley
This quote was submitted on Friday 13 April 2018.
‘The Country Music Hall of Fame? Yes, by all means, I’d vote for Gene Watson!
Not only can he sing circles around most of his peers, but the man’s got heart and soul to go with it!
Thank you, Jeannie C. Riley, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Jeannie C. Riley…
Jeannie C. Riley, who was born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson in Stamford, Texas on Friday 19 October 1945, is an acclaimed American country music and gospel music singer, who is best known for her 1968 Billboard country music and pop music hit single ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021), which missed (by one week) becoming the Billboard country and pop No.1 hit single at the same time.
In subsequent years, Jeannie C. Riley had moderate chart success with country music, but never again duplicated the success of ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021). Jeannie C. Riley became a born-again Christian and began recording gospel music during the late 1970s.
As a teenager, Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson married Mickey Riley and gave birth to a daughter, Kim Michelle Riley, on Tuesday 11 January 1966. Later, they moved to Nashville, after receiving a letter from Weldon Myrick (Monday 10 April 1939 – Monday 2 June 2014), who heard a demo tape of Jeannie’s and believed she could be successful.
In Nashville, Jeannie C. Riley worked as a secretary for Passkey Music while recording demos on the side.
Jeannie C. Riley’s career was stagnant until former Mercury Records producer, Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009), received a demo tape of Jeannie’s voice.
Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009) was starting and succeeding with his own record label, Plantation Records, at the time.
Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009) worked with Jeannie C. Riley in the recording of the Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) demo song that Shelby Singleton saw potential in, ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021), which quickly became one of the best-known country music songs of all time.
‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) immediately became a hit single for Jeannie C. Riley and went to No.1 on both the Billboard country music singles chart and the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart, a feat not repeated by a woman until 1981 when Dolly Parton saw the release of ‘9 To 5’ (written by Dolly Parton) (No.1 in January 1981).
‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) is about a widowed woman by the name of Mrs. Johnson, who confronts a group of members of the PTA after her daughter brings home a note from school which is critical of her (Mrs. Johnson’s) habits of wearing miniskirts, going out with men, and other behaviour of which they do not approve.
The climax of ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) comes when Mrs. Johnson turns the tables on the PTA and exposes their hypocrisy, one member at a time, noting that their private behaviour is far worse than what their letter criticised her for.
Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) became an overnight sensation; the song earned her the Grammy Award for ‘Best Female Country Vocal Performance’ and the Country Music Association (CMA) ‘Single of The Year’ Award.
Jeannie C. Riley also became one of the few country music artists ever nominated in the major pop Grammy Award categories of ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Record of The Year’.
Globally, Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) sold over five and a half million copies, and was awarded a ‘Gold’ disc by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) just four weeks after the release of the song.
The album of the same name, ‘Harper Valley PTA’ (Plantation Records, 1968) sold over one million units to gain a further ‘Gold’ disc for Jeannie C. Riley.
Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) was a phenomenon which led to Jeannie C. Riley making country music history in 1969 as the first female vocalist to have her own major network variety special, ‘Harper Valley USA’, which she hosted along with Jerry Reed (Saturday 20 March 1937 – Monday 1 September 2008), and which featured performances by Mel Tillis (Monday 8 August 1932 – Sunday 19 November 2017) and the song’s writer, Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021).
Jeannie C. Riley’s recording of ‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) spawned a 1978 film and a 1981 – 1983 television series, both titled ‘Harper Valley PTA’ and both starring Barbara Eden as the widow Mrs. Johnson.
In 1968, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Sock & Soul’ (Little Darlin’ Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Price I Pay To Stay’, which was written by Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021) (No.35, 1968) / this track also reached No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Sock & Soul’ (Little Darlin’ Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘The Heart He Kicks Around’, which was written by Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003)
‘Neglected’ (written by Ray Buzzeo)
‘I’ll Be A Woman of The World’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Here’ (written by Dale Morris)
‘How Can Anything So Right Be So Wrong’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘You Write The Music, I’ll Write The Words’ (written by Ray Buzzeo)
‘What About Them’
‘Or Is It Love’ (written by Ray Buzzeo)
‘No One Ever Lost More’, which was written by Erwin William Reinking (25 May 1918 – Monday 2 May 1960) and Harry Carlson (28 December 1904 – Sunday 16 March 1986)
‘One Slightly Used Wedding Band’, which was written by Ray King and Rose Lee Maphis (Friday 29 December 1922 – Tuesday 26 October 2021)
‘Deaf, Dumb & Blind’, which was written by Faye Keys, Andrew Jackson ‘Jack’ Rhodes (12 January 1907 – Wednesday 9 October 1968) and Larry Grounds
In September 1968, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Harper Valley PTA’ (Plantation Records, 1968), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) (No.1 for three weeks in September / October 1968); this track also reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in early September 1968, and was certified ‘Gold’ by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), No.4 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart in 1968, and No.12 on the United Kingdom pop music singles chart in 1968
As a result of Jeannie C. Riley’s success with ‘Harper Valley PTA’, producer Jerry Kennedy persuaded Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) to sign a recording contract with Mercury Records, so that he would have an opportunity to record his own songs and become a recording artist in his own right.
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Harper Valley PTA’ (Plantation Records, 1968) also included the following tracks:
‘Widow Jones’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘No Brass Band’ ()written by Lenny Groah, Lucille Groah and Steve S. Singleton)
‘Mr. Harper’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘Run, Jeannie, Run’ (written by Clark Bentley and Jerri Clark)
‘Shed Me No Tears’ (written by Steve S. Singleton)
‘The Cotton Patch’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Sippin’ Shirley Thompson’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘Little Town Square’
‘The Ballad of Louise’, which was written by Naomi (Martino) Martin Yonts Gilbertson (Friday 16 September 1927 – Wednesday 31 May 2017)
‘Satan Place’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005) and Clark Bentley
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Harper Valley PTA’ (Plantation Records, 1968) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1968, No.12 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1968, and No.5 on the Canadian Albums Chart in 1968.
In January 1969, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Yearbooks & Yesterdays’ (Plantation Records, 1969), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘The Girl Most Likely’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.6, 1969) / this track also reached No.55 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1969, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Yearbooks & Yesterdays’ (Plantation Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘Yearbooks & Yesterdays’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘What Was Her Name’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Edna Burgoo’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘My Scrapbook’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023)
‘Part of Honey’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘Whatever Happened To Charlie Brown’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Back To School’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘That’s How It Is With Him & Me’ (written by Becki Bluefield)
‘Teardrops On Page 43’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘Box of Memories’
‘Taste of Tears’ (written by Paul Wyatt)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Yearbooks & Yesterdays’ (Plantation Records, 1969) reached No.9 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1969, and No.187 on the Billboard Top 200 Albums Chart in 1969.
In August 1969, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Things Go Better With Love’ (Plantation Records, 1969), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘There Never Was A Time’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.5, 1969) / this track also reached No.77 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1969, No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969, and No.76 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1969
‘The Rib’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.32, 1969)
‘The Back Side of Dallas’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) (No.33, 1969)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Things Go Better With Love’ (Plantation Records, 1969) also included the following tracks:
‘Sunday After Church’
‘Artist’
‘I’m Only A Woman’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Real Woman’ (written by Steve S. Singleton)
‘Things Go Better With Love’, which was written by Naomi (Martino) Martin Yonts Gilbertson (Friday 16 September 1927 – Wednesday 31 May 2017) / this track, which was the ‘B’ side of ‘The Back Side of Dallas’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) (No.33, 1969), reached No.34 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969, and No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969
‘I’m The Woman That Belongs To Her Man’
‘Wedding Cake’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Thin Ribbon of Smoke’
‘Our Minnie’
In 1969, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘The Songs of Jeannie C. Riley’ (Capitol Records, 1969), which included the following tracks:
‘The Price I Pay To Stay’, which was written by Ed Bruce (Friday 29 December 1939 – Friday 8 January 2021) (No.35, 1968) / this track also reached No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1968
‘Neglected’ (written by Ray Buzzeo)
‘I’ll Be A Woman of The World’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘How Can Anything So Right Be So Wrong’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘No One Ever Lost More’, which was written by Erwin William Reinking (25 May 1918 – Monday 2 May 1960) and Harry Carlson (28 December 1904 – Sunday 16 March 1986)
‘One Slightly Used Wedding Band’, which was written by Ray King and Rose Lee Maphis (Friday 29 December 1922 – Tuesday 26 October 2021)
‘You’ve Got Me Singing Nursery Rhymes’
‘What About Them’
‘The Heart He Kicks Around’, which was written by Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 – Wednesday 19 February 2003)
‘I Don’t Know What I’m Doing Here’ (written by Dale Morris)
‘Deaf, Dumb & Blind’, which was written by Faye Keys, Andrew Jackson ‘Jack’ Rhodes (12 January 1907 – Wednesday 9 October 1968) and Larry Grounds
‘You Write The Music, I’ll Write The Words’ (written by Ray Buzzeo)
In April 1970, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Country Girl’ (Plantation Records, 1970), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Country Girl’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.7, 1970) / this track also reached No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Country Girl’ (Plantation Records, 1970) also included the following tracks:
‘Change of Heart’, which was written by Gene Weldon Evans (Sunday 14 December 1941 – Monday 27 May 2013)
‘Am I That Easy To Forget’, which was written by Carl Robert Belew (Tuesday 21 April 1931 – Wednesday 31 October 1990) and Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009)
‘That’s A No No’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘We Were Raised On Love’ (written by Donald L. Hill and Fred B. Burch)
‘I Almost Called Your Name’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Darling Days’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Wish You Were Here’ (written by Becki Bluefield and Celia Bass)
‘Your Old Love Letters’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978)
‘I Love Him’ (written by Fred B. Burch)
‘Wherever You Are’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Country Girl’ (Plantation Records, 1970) reached No.25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1970.
In October 1970, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘The Generation Gap’ (Plantation Records, 1970), which included two tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Duty, Not Desire’ (written by Becki Bluefield) (No.21, 1970) / this track also reached No.13 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘My Man’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.60, 1970)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘The Generation Gap’ (Plantation Records, 1970) also included the following tracks:
‘The Generation Gap’, which was written by Betty Craig and Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) / this track reached No.62 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
‘Fine Feathered Friend’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Words, Names, Faces’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘My Man’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘He Made A Woman Out of Me’ (written by Fred B. Burch and Donald L. Hill)
‘Games People Play’, which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012)
‘Darkness Falls’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Holdin’ On’, which was written by Lee Emerson Bellamy (Sunday 15 May 1927 – Saturday 2 December 1978)
‘Okie From Muskogee’, which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 – Wednesday 6 April 2016)
‘To The Other Woman’ (written by Gary US Bonds and Jerry Williams Jr.)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘The Generation Gap’ (Plantation Records, 1970) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1970.
In April 1971, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Jeannie C. Riley’s Greatest Hits’ (Plantation Records, 1971), which included the following tracks:
‘Harper Valley PTA’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) (No.1 for three weeks in September / October 1968) / this track also reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in early September 1968
‘Things Go Better With Love’, which was written by Naomi (Martino) Martin Yonts Gilbertson (Friday 16 September 1927 – Wednesday 31 May 2017) / this track, which was the ‘B’ side of ‘The Back Side of Dallas’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) (No.33, 1969), reached No.34 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1969, and No.3 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969
‘The Rib’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.32, 1969)
‘Duty, Not Desire’ (written by Becki Bluefield) (No.21, 1970) / this track also reached No.13 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘My Man’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.60, 1970)
‘There Never Was A Time’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.5, 1969) / this track also reached No.77 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1969, No.12 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969, and No.76 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1969
‘The Back Side of Dallas’, which was written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice (Wednesday 19 April 1939 – Saturday 28 October 2023) (No.33, 1969)
‘Country Girl’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.7, 1970) / this track also reached No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970
‘The Girl Most Likely’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.6, 1969) / this track also reached No.55 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1969, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1969
‘The Generation Gap’, which was written by Betty Craig and Charlie Craig (Friday 30 September 1938 – Friday 1 July 2011) / this track reached No.62 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1970
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Jeannie C. Riley’s Greatest Hits’ (Plantation Records, 1971) reached No.22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1971.
In October 1971, Jeannie C. Reilly saw the release of ‘Jeannie’ (Plantation Records, 1971), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Oh, Singer’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.4, 1971) / this track also reached No.74 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1971, No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971, and No.62 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1971
‘Good Enough To Be Your Wife’, which was written by Ralph Murphy (1944 – Tuesday 28 May 2019) (No.7, 1971) / this track also reached No.97 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1971, No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971, and No.67 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1971
‘Roses & Thorns’, which was written by Naomi (Martino) Martin Yonts Gilbertson (Friday 16 September 1927 – Wednesday 31 May 2017) (No.15, 1971) / this track also reached No.15 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971
Jeannie C. Reilly’s ‘Jeannie’ (Plantation Records, 1971) also included the following tracks:
‘I’ve Done A Lot of Living Since Then’ (written by Becki Bluefield and Celia Bass)
‘Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up’ (written by Donald L. Hill and Will Young)
‘Light Your Light’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘If You Could Read My Mind’, which was written by Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023)
‘Children’, which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012)
‘One Toke Over The Line’ (written by Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley)
‘Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024)
Jeannie C. Reilly’s ‘Jeannie’ (Plantation Records, 1971) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1971.
It was also in 1971 when Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘The Lion’s Club’, a non-album single, which reached No.36 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart, in 1971.
In 1972, Jeannie C. Riley departed the roster at Plantation Records, and signed a recording contract with MGM Records, where she saw the release of ‘Give Myself A Party’ (MGM Records, 1972), which included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Houston Blues’ (written by Bobby Bond) (No.47, 1971)
‘Give Myself A Party’, which was written by Don Gibson (Tuesday 3 April 1928 – Monday 17 November 2003) (No.12, 1972) / this track also reached No.37 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1972
‘Good Morning Country Rain’ (written by Eddy Raven) (No.30, 1972)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Give Myself A Party’ (MGM Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘How Hard I’m Trying’, which was written by B. Eldridge and Red Sovine (Wednesday 17 July 1918 – Friday 4 April 1980)
‘Untie Me’, which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012)
‘This Is For You’ (written by Susan Taylor)
‘Me & Bobby McGee’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024)
‘Break Away’, which was written by Jan Crutchfield (Saturday 26 February 1938 – Thursday 1 November 2012)
‘Not Looking Back’ (written by Frank Myers and B. McKee)
‘Six Guns & Popsicles’ (written by G. Cash and J. Halfacre)
‘Why You Been Gone So Long’, which was written by Mickey Newbury (Sunday 19 May 1940 – Sunday 29 September 2002)
In October 1972, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Down To Earth’ (MGM Records, 1972), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘One Night’ (written by D. Bartholonew and P. King) (No.57, 1972)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Down To Earth’ (MGM Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:
‘Without You’ (written by Chris Smith)
‘Good Morning Country Rain’ (written by Eddy Raven)
‘I’m Walkin’ (written by A. Domino and D. Bartholonew)
‘Love’s Gotta Have A Little Breathing Room’, which was written by Jerry Donald Chesnut (Thursday 7 May 1931 – Saturday 15 December 2018)
‘Manhattan, Kansas’ (written by Joe Allen)
‘Big City Blues’
‘Mama, Call Me Home’
‘Small Country Towns’ (written by Eddy Raven)
‘Thou Shall Not Kill’ (written by J. Houston)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Down To Earth’ (MGM Records, 1972) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1972.
In March 1973, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘When Love Has Gone Away’ (Plantation Records, 1973), which included one track, which was a hit single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘When Love Has Gone Away’ (No.44, 1973)
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘When Love Has Gone Away’ (Plantation Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:
‘Everyday With You’
‘If You Just Win One Time’
‘Telling Lies’
‘I’ll Sing For You’
‘I Take It Back’
‘Kiss An Angel Good Morning’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘If This Is Love’
‘This Is For You’
‘Thou Shalt Not Kill’
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘When Love Has Gone Away’ (Plantation Records, 1973) reached No.40 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1973.
In October 1973, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Just Jeannie’ (Plantation Records, 1973), which included two tracks, which were released as singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Hush’ (No.51, 1973)
‘Missouri’ / this track was released as a single in 1974, but it did not chart
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Just Jeannie’ (Plantation Records, 1973) also included the following tracks:
‘Sing, Jeannie, Sing’ (written by Gayle Barnhill and T. Beatty)
‘Soft Texas Rain’ (written by Cathy Manzer)
‘The Baptism of Jesse Taylor’, which was written by Dallas Frazier (Friday 27 October 1939 – Friday 14 January 2022) and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019)
‘Mama, Can You Tell Me’ (written by Gayle Barnhill)
‘Why Me’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024)
‘Mother America’ (written by M. Smith and M. Lewis)
‘Billy Joe, The Seeker’ (written by Helen Cornelius)
‘Sam’ (written by Eddy Raven)
In 1976, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Country Queens’ (Plantation Records, 1976), which included the following tracks:
‘Deception’
‘Before The Next Teardrop Falls’, which was written by Ben Peters (Tuesday 20 June 1933 – Wednesday 25 May 2005)
‘Pages of My Mind’
‘I Can’t Put My Arms Around A Memory’
‘In A Moment of Weakness’
‘Ex-Mrs. Jones’
‘That’s How It Is With You & Me’
‘Love Me ‘Til The Morning Comes’
‘I Can Help’
‘I Can’t Cry Enough To Stop Me Loving You’
In 1977, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘From Nashville With Love’ (Plantation Records, 1977), which included the following tracks:
‘We’re Pioneers’
‘Street Singer’
‘Most People Get Married’
‘Macon Georgia Bad Girl’
‘To The Other Woman’
‘I Didn’t Mean To Care’
‘If I Could’
‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’
‘Wonderful’
‘Hold Me’
In 1979, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Wings To Fly’ (Cross Country Records, 1979), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘It’s Wings That Make Birds Fly’ / this track was released as a single in 1979, but it did not chart
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Wings To Fly’ (Cross Country Records, 1979) also included the following tracks:
‘I Have’
‘Home Never Looked So Good To Me’
‘Traveling Man’
‘One of These Days’
‘Diamonds In The Rain’
‘Tramp For The Lord’
‘Be Not Afraid’
‘Light The Light’
‘Reach Out’
In the late 1970s and the early 1980s, Jeannie C. Riley’s great success brought a number of offers from Hollywood, and she appeared with Harry Lillis ‘Bing’ Crosby Jr. (3 May 1903 – Friday 14 October 1977), Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 – Monday 25 December 1995), Ruth Elizabeth ‘Bette’ Davis (5 April 1908 – Friday 6 October 1989), Tom Jones, Ed Sullivan, and others, on various television shows.
In 1980, Jeannie C. Riley saw the publication of her autobiography, ‘From Harper Valley To The Mountain Top’, which told Jeannie’s story of stardom in country music and pop music to moving more into gospel music.
In 1981, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (Plantation Records, 1981), which included the following tracks:
‘Oh, Singer’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.4, 1971) / this track also reached No.74 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1971, No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971, and No.62 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1971
‘Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up’ / this track was an album track from 1971
‘If You Could Read My Mind’, which was written by Gordon Lightfoot (Thursday 17 November 1938 – Sunday 1 May 2023) / this track was an album track from 1971
‘Children’, which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 – Wednesday 5 September 2012) / this track was an album track from 1971
‘Good Enough To Be Your Wife’, which was written by Ralph Murphy (1944 – Tuesday 28 May 2019) (No.7, 1971) / this track also reached No.97 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1971, No.22 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971, and No.67 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1971
‘Help Me Make It Through The Night’, which was written by Kris Kristofferson (Monday 22 June 1936 – Saturday 28 September 2024) / this track was an album track from 1971
‘I’ve Done A Lot of Living Since Then’ (written by Becki Bluefield and Celia Bass) / this track was an album track from 1971
‘Roses & Thorns’, which was written by Naomi (Martino) Martin Yonts Gilbertson (Friday 16 September 1927 – Wednesday 31 May 2017) (No.15, 1971) / this track also reached No.15 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971
In September 1981, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘From Harper Valley To The Mountain Top’ (MCA Records, 1981), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘From Harper Valley To The Mountain Top’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley) / this track was released as a single in 1981, but it did not chart
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘From Harper Valley To The Mountain Top’ (MCA Records, 1981) also included the following tracks:
‘I Don’t Have To Die To Get Into Heaven’, which was written by Tim Daniels, Eugene David Dobbins (Monday 19 March 1934 – Sunday 23 November 2008) and Tommy Rocco
‘Safely In The Arms of Jesus’ (written by Sonny Throckmorton)
‘Look Down’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘You’re My Best Friend’, which was written by Wayland D. Holyfield (Sunday 15 March 1942 – Monday 6 May 2024)
‘Bigger Than Any Mountain’ (written by Gordon Jensen)
‘Lemonade’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘I’ve Got It All’, which was written by Dave Kirby (Sunday 10 July 1938 – Saturday 17 April 2004)
‘Taking A Walk In The Sun’ (written by Hugh Moffatt)
‘God’ll Get You For That’ (written by Michael Garvin and Walter Klocko)
In 1984, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Total Woman’ (Sapphire Records, 1984), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Return To Harper Valley’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021) and Jeannie C. Riley / this track was released as a single in 1982, but it did not chart
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Total Woman’ (Sapphire Records, 1984) also included the following tracks:
‘Total Woman’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘Love Vacation’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘A Country Girl’s Lament’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘Limousine Lovers’ (written by D. Hampton and L. Perry)
‘Soakin’ Wet’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘Gone With The West Texas Wind’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘David, Play Your Harp’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘He Took Me To The Cleaners’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘I’m Making Tracks’ (written by D. Hampton and L. Perry)
In 1986, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Jeannie C. Riley’ (Dot Records / MCA Records, 1986), which included the following tracks:
‘Harper Valley P.T.A.’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021)
‘Crying My Heart Out Over You’, which was written by Lester Flatt (Friday 19 June 1914 – Friday 11 May 1979), Earl Scruggs (Sunday 6 January 1924 – Wednesday 28 March 2012), Carl Butler (Thursday 2 June 1927 – Friday 4 September 1992) and Earl Sherry
‘Diamond’ (written by T. Gammans and J. Mehaffey)
‘I Tell It Like It Used To Be’ (written by Ron Hellard, Michael Garvin and Mark D. Sanders)
‘You Can Win The World With Love’ (written by R. Cassity, J. Mehaffey and R. Strange)
‘Perpetual Care’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘Love Is A Winding Road’ (written by Lisa Silver, Lisa Palas and Mark D. Sanders)
‘Goin’ Home’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘Oh, Singer’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989) (No.4, 1971) / this track also reached No.74 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 1971, No.5 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971, and No.62 on the Canadian RPM Tracks Chart in 1971
‘Gotta Go Get It’, which was written by Margaret Ann Lewis (1941 – Friday 29 March 2019) and Myra Ann Smith (1926 – 1989)
In 1991, Jeannie C. Riley saw the release of ‘Here’s Jeannie C.’ (Playback Records, 1991), which included one track, which was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart:
‘Here’s To The Cowboys (Who Don’t Ride Away In The Sunset)’ (written by David Brackan) / this track was released as a single in 1991, but it did not chart
Jeannie C. Riley’s ‘Here’s Jeannie C.’ (Playback Records, 1991) also included the following tracks:
‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’, which was written by Bill Monroe (Wednesday 13 September 1911 – Monday 9 September 1996)
‘Free’ (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
‘Rockin’ Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu’ (written by Huey Smith)
‘Tennes-See Me’ (written by Steve Scott)
‘Just Comin’ Down With Love’ (written by Michelle Venet)
‘Words’ (written by Don King and Mike Anthony)
‘Hang Up Your Rhinestone Suit’, which was written by Ray Griff (Monday 22 April 1940 – Wednesday 9 March 2016)
‘Silver Eagle Breakdown’ (written by Annie Foutz)
In 1993, in the CBS documentary, ‘The Woman of Country’, Jeannie C. Riley noted that, during the ‘Harper Valley P.T.A.’ (written by Tom T. Hall) period, it was largely her publicist and manager who was responsible for creating and playing up her sexy image (replicating somewhat the look of the protagonist in the song).
On Monday 1 January 1996, Billy Ray Cyrus saw the release of ‘Trail of Tears’ (Mercury Records, 1996); one of the included tracks was ‘Harper Valley P.T.A.’, which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 – Friday 20 August 2021).
On Sunday 29 April 2018, between 3:00pm and 5:00pm, Jeannie C. Riley hosted a special ‘meet & greet’ event at Heart of Texas Country Music Museum in Brady, Texas.
As part of the event, Jeannie C. Riley signed albums, photos and CDs which fans brought along.
It was a free event at 1701 South Bridge in Brady, Texas.
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