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Crystal Gayle

October 16, 2023

Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb; January 9, 1951)[2] is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister, Loretta Lynn. Not finding success with the arrangement after several years, and with Lynn's encouragement, Gayle decided to try a different approach. She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds. Gayle's new sound was sometimes referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop, and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience. Subsequently, Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s.[3][4] She is known for her floor-length hair.[5]

Crystal Gayle
Gayle in 2007
Born
Brenda Gail Webb

(1951-01-09) January 9, 1951 (age 72)
Paintsville, Kentucky, U.S.
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1969–present
Known for"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue"
Spouse
Vassilios “Bill” Gatzimos[1]
​
​
(m. 1971)​
Children2
Relatives
AwardsFull list
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)
  • Vocals
Labels
Websitecrystalgayle.com

Gayle was said to have begun her career in the 1960s performing as a background singer in Lynn's band (although Gayle says this actually never happened).[6] Lynn helped her sign a recording contract with Decca Records in 1970. Having minor success, she was encouraged to develop her own musical identity. Under the direction of producer Reynolds at United Artists Records, Gayle shifted towards a country pop style that was more successful. In 1975, "Wrong Road Again" became Gayle's first major hit. However, it was in 1977 when Gayle achieved her biggest success with "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". The single topped the Billboard country chart, crossed over to the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 and became a major international hit.

Gayle continued having success from the late 1970s and through late 1980s. Her biggest hits included "Ready for the Times to Get Better" (1977), "Talking in Your Sleep" (1978), "Half the Way" (1979) and "You and I" (1982). In the 1990s, Gayle shifted artistic directions by recording various genres of music. This included an album of inspirational music titled Someday (1995) and an album of standards called Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael (1999). During the decade she also owned and operated a fine arts shop called Crystal's Fine Gifts and Jewelry. Her most recent studio release was in 2019 and Gayle has since continued to tour throughout the world.

Gayle has won one Grammy Award and has been nominated for several others since the 1970s. She has also won five Academy of Country Music awards; those awards include receiving the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 2016. In addition, she has won two Country Music Association awards and three American Music Awards. Rolling Stone ranked her among the 100 greatest country artists of all time and CMT ranked her within their list of the 40 greatest women of country music. Gayle has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.

Early life Edit

 
Webb family home

Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb in Paintsville, Kentucky. She was the last of eight children born to Clara Marie "Clary" (née Ramey; May 5, 1912 – November 24, 1981) and Melvin Theodore "Ted" Webb (June 6, 1906 – February 22, 1959). Unlike sister Loretta and her other siblings, Gayle was the only child born at the Paintsville hospital, and not at home. Through her matriline, Gayle is a distant cousin of singer Patty Loveless.[7] Gayle and her siblings claim Irish and Cherokee descent, although she is not enrolled with any Native tribe.[8] Gayle's father was a coal miner who developed black lung disease. In search of better medical treatment, the family moved to Wabash, Indiana, when Gayle was four years old. They lived in a retired miner's community and Clara Webb worked as a nurse's aide.[9][10] Ted Webb died from a stroke in 1959.[11] From early age, Gayle had an interest in singing. She noted that she could sing before she could walk.[10] The family's new home in Wabash was in an urban setting. She was exposed to diverse cultural groups and norms and in turn to various styles of music.[12] She sang along frequently to songs she heard on the radio and was inspired by the music of her sister Loretta Lynn.[13]

Gayle's musical interests were shaped further in her teenage years. She started singing in church, performed folk songs, and recorded demonstration tapes.[14][13] With encouragement from Lynn, she began touring during summers in high school.[13] At age 16, Gayle performed on the Grand Ole Opry in replacement of her sister who had gotten ill. She performed a cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "Ribbon of Darkness".[15] After graduating from high school in 1970, she signed her first recording contract with her sister's label: Decca Records. Upon signing with Decca, the label insisted that Gayle change her first name from "Brenda" to another name. The conflict was due to the fact that Brenda Lee was already signed to Decca at the time. Shortly thereafter, Lynn drove past a sign for the Krystal fast-food restaurant and said to Gayle, "That's your name. Crystals are bright and shiny, like you."[16] It was then that she changed her name professionally to "Crystal Gayle", with "Gayle" taken from her middle name (Gail).[13]

Career Edit

1969–1976: Decca Records and musical shifts Edit

Gayle was first managed by Oliver Lynn (Loretta Lynn's husband) after signing with Decca Records. Among her first professional gigs was routine appearances on Jim Ed Brown's television show The Country Palace. On the program, Gayle performed original songs written by Loretta Lynn including "Sparklin' Look of Love" and "Mama, It's Different This Time".[16] Her debut single was released in 1970 titled "I've Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes)". Also written by Lynn, the song peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[13] The song was followed by other singles that reached minor positions on the country songs chart: "Everybody Oughta Cry" (1972) and "I Hope You're Havin' Better Luck Than Me" (1972).[16] Gayle's career stalled while at the Decca label.[13][16] This was due to the fact that the label wanted Gayle to record in the same style as her sister. Steve Huey of AllMusic criticized her early singles, calling them "little Loretta records".[13] Writers Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann noted that Gayle was "probably stigmatized" for being the sibling of Loretta Lynn.[11] In a 2019 interview with Forbes, Gayle reflected on the experience, "It didn't take me long to realize I was only there because I was Loretta's sister."[17] During this period, Lynn gave Gayle advice that prompted her to expand her musical styles. Lynn said, "quit singing my songs...We have one Loretta Lynn and we don't need another." The conversation led Gayle to ultimately leave Decca in 1974.[10]

 
Krystal burgers, inspiration for Crystal Gayle's stage name

Gayle signed a new recording contract with United Artists Records in 1974. Under the direction of producer Allen Reynolds, her musical style shifted.[13] Reynolds (who had recent success producing Don Williams) encouraged Gayle to record in a softer, mellower format. He also helped market her music towards a crossover audience.[12] Gayle also released her first United Artists single in 1974, "Restless". Mary Bufwack and Robert Oermann called the song "assertive" and "sexy".[7] The song peaked at number 39 on the Billboard country songs chart.[18] The same year, Gayle's self-titled debut album was issued,[13] reaching number 25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums survey.[19] The following year, she had her first top ten hit on the country chart with "Wrong Road Again", also written by Allen Reynolds.[13] She had minor hits with the singles "This Is My Year for Mexico" (1975) and "Beyond You" (1975). The latter song was co-written by Gayle and her husband, Bill Gatzimos. Her second studio album Somebody Loves You spawned a second top 10 hit: the title track.[20]

Gayle's shift towards country pop was received better than her earlier recordings with Decca. Kurt Wolff of Country Music: The Rough Guide praised the new style, calling it a "pleasant, easygoing sort of country-folk blend – a close cousin to music of Emmylou Harris."[12] Encyclopedic writer Collin Larkin called her new music approach to have the "easygoing charm" of records by Don Williams.[20] Oermann and Bufwack called the new style "ear-catching" and praised Allen Reynolds's "gentle rhythm productions."[7]

Reynolds had limited time to write material for Gayle. Instead, he arranged for songwriters Bob McDill and Richard Leigh to help compose music.[20] This arrangement proved successful when in 1976, Gayle had her first number 1 hit on country songs chart with "I'll Get Over You", written by Leigh. This was followed by a second number 1 hit, "You Never Miss a Real Good Thing (Till He Says Goodbye)", and the number 2 hit, "I'll Do It All Over Again".[21] Her third studio album, Crystal, was released in 1976, peaking at number 7 on the Top Country Albums chart.[22]

1977–1979: Crossover breakthrough Edit

Producer Allen Reynolds believed Gayle was poised to have crossover pop success if the right song were found.[20] In 1977, Richard Leigh had composed a tune called "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". The song was originally intended for British singer Shirley Bassey.[23] When Reynolds heard the song he said to Leigh, "You're not sending that song anywhere."[24] Gayle recorded the track in one single take. "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" was released as a single in 1977, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard country songs chart and crossing over to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. Internationally, it became a hit in several countries including the United Kingdom, where it reached the number 5 position. Since its release, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" has been received positively by music critics and fans. They have also considered it her signature song.[23] Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised Gayle's vocals, commenting, "She never stressed it too heavily, nor were her vocals cloying — they were pretty and straightforward, making the song quite alluring."[25]

 
"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue"
Gayle's signature song and her first to become a major country pop crossover hit (1977).
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Gayle's fourth studio record, We Must Believe in Magic, was also released in 1977. The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard country albums chart and number 12 on the Billboard 200.[26][27] We Must Believe in Magic has received positive reviews since its initial release. AllMusic gave the record 3.5 out of 5 stars.[28] Paul Dennis of My Kind of Country gave the album a "Grade A" rating, calling it "an eclectic mix of songs ranging from pop standards to rock 'n' roll hits to songs by contemporary country songsmiths."[29] We Must Believe in Magic became the first album by a female country artist to certify platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America.[20][30] In 1978, Gayle earned the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", while Leigh won a Grammy for Best Country Song.[20]

In 1978, her fifth studio album When I Dream was released, also reaching number 2 on the country albums chart.[31] The album peaked at number 52 on the Billboard 200[32] and certified by platinum by the RIAA.[33] When I Dream also received positive reviews, garnering 3 out of 5 stars from AllMusic[34] and another "Grade A" rating from My Kind of Country.[35] Its lead single was the Roger Cook-penned "Talking in Your Sleep". It became a number 1 country single and crossed over to number 18 on the Hot 100. "Talking in Your Sleep" became Gayle's second international hit as well, peaking at number 11 in the United Kingdom. The album also included the hits "Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For" and the title track.[20] By the end of 1978, Gayle had won "Female Vocalist of the Year" from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.[36] Before departing from the United Artists label, her sixth studio album We Should Be Together (1979) was released. It featured two major hits: "Your Kisses Will" and "Your Old Cold Shoulder".[20]

1979–1989: Continued crossover success Edit

In 1979, Gayle moved to Columbia Records, bringing Reynolds with her.[37] Under Columbia, Gayle began recording more cover versions of songs. This decision received praise from music critics, who credited her for being "versatile".[7] Her seventh studio album, Miss the Mississippi was released in 1979 as well. It featured three major hits including "Half the Way", which became her third crossover pop hit.[38] Miss the Mississippi peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart[39] number 36 on the Billboard 200[40] and certified gold in sales from the RIAA.[41] Gayle's eighth studio release These Days (1980) spawned two more number 1 singles on the country songs chart: "If You Ever Change Your Mind" and "Too Many Lovers".[42] In 1981, Gayle's ninth studio album Hollywood, Tennessee peaked at number 5 on the country albums chart[43] and number 99 on the Billboard 200.[44] Although commercially successful, it received mixed critical reviews. Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann said that the album "symbolized her uptown inspirations"[7] and Jason Ankeny of AllMusic gave the album only 2.5 out of 5 stars.[45] Hollywood, Tennessee spawned three major hits on the Billboard country songs chart. This included the crossover hit, "The Woman in Me", and the social awareness tune, "Livin' in These Troubled Times".[11][45]

As Gayle's music crossed multiple genres, she made more appearances outside of the Nashville establishment. Among these was hosting two prime time television specials: The Crystal Gayle Special (1979) and Crystal (1980).[37] Both shows aired on CBS and were given critical acclaim. Gayle would also appear with Bob Hope on his 1979 television special called On the Road to China.[46] For the special, Gayle and Hope taped a performance on the Great Wall of China.[47] The special made Gayle the first artist to film a performance on the Great Wall.[48]

 
Gayle in Billboard magazine, 1977.

In 1982, Gayle collaborated with Tom Waits on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola's film One from the Heart.[49] Originally, Bette Midler was chosen for the project, however Midler could not fit it into her schedule. At first the soundtrack was delayed by Columbia Records due to a dispute with Coppola's Zoetrope Studios.[50] When it was released, the soundtrack received positive reviews. Thom Jurek of AllMusic gave the release 4.5 out of 5 stars, who called it "one of the most beautifully wrought soundtrack collaborations in history".[51] Steve Pond of Rolling Stone called it "a dreamy series of duets with Crystal Gayle that drift in and out of the film, comment on the action and supply some crucial transitions."[50]

Also in 1982, Gayle moved from Columbia to Elektra Records, which would later merge with Warner Bros. Among the first recordings was a duet with Eddie Rabbitt titled "You and I".[49] The song reached number 1 on the Billboard country singles chart and became her second top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.[13] Gayle's first studio album with Elektra would also be issued in 1982, True Love. First produced by Allen Reynolds, when the album was presented to Jimmy Bowen (Elektra's division head), he commented that it "rocked too much". For these reasons, Bowen decided to produce three additional tracks for the album.[52] The album would receive a mixed reception. In Billboard Magazine's initial review, they praised Gayle's vocals despite the use of "tougher arrangements".[53] Tom Roland of AllMusic praised Gayle's performance, notably on the tracks "Our Love Is on the Faultline" and "Deeper Than the Fire". Roland also criticized the production arrangements Bowen arranged for.[52] True Love spawned three singles that all reached the number 1 spot on the Billboard country chart: "Our Love Is on the Faultine", "Baby, What About You" and "'Til I Gain Control Again".[37]

In 1983, Gayle's released her next album called Cage the Songbird. It was the first of Gayle's to be produced entirely by Jimmy Bowen.[54] Cage the Songbird peaked at number 5 on the Top Country Albums chart[55] and number 171 on the Billboard 200.[56] Among its singles were the crossover hits "The Sound of Goodbye" and "Turning Away". Gayle had further hits from her next studio releases in 1985 and 1986. Among these were the number one hits, "Straight to the Heart" (1986) and "Cry" (1986). The latter was a song originally popularized by Johnnie Ray.[57][37] In 1983, she would also record the theme song for the television series Masquerade.[58] In 1984, she sang a duet with Hong Kong singer Danny Chan, titled "Tell Me What Can I Do",[59][60] it was largely unknown due to lack of promotional budget.[61]

Between 1985 and 1987, Gayle collaborated with country artist Gary Morris on a series of duets.[37] The first being the single "Makin' Up for Lost Time". The song reached number 1 on the Billboard country list in 1986.[62] "Makin' Up for Lost Time" was also used as the theme song for the CBS television series, Dallas.[63] The pair also recorded the theme song for Another World. The theme song was also titled "Another World" and became a top 10 hit. Gayle would also guest star in the show as herself.[37] The duo would release their collaborative studio album in 1986 titled, What If We Fall in Love?. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard country albums list in September 1987.[64] In 1988, Gayle released her final album of the decade. Titled Nobody's Angel the record featured two minor hits, including the single "Tennessee Nights".[65]

Also in 1987, Gayle opened a gift shop in Nashville called "Crystal's Fine Gifts and Jewelry". The store contained various gifts, such as jewelry and stones made by various European artisans.[66] The shop also included various types of crystals. In a 1994 interview, Gayle commented on her business: "The little shop turned into a much larger shop and it takes a lot of work, as anyone in retail well knows. But we have a lot of fun with it."[67] The shop officially closed in 2008.[68]

1990–present: Later career and recent years Edit

In 1990, Gayle signed a new recording contract with Capitol Records and reunited with producer Allen Reynolds. The same year she released seventeenth studio album, Ain't Gonna Worry.[37] Bill Carpenter of AllMusic gave the release 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "an excellent set of country pop".[69] The album spawned several singles, beginning with "Just an Old Love". In its initial review Billboard gave it a positive response, praising the production style of Reynolds.[70] Its third single, "Never Ending Song of Love", would become Gayle's last charting single to date, reaching number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[71] Her eighteenth studio album came in 1992 called Three Good Reasons. The album was produced by Buzz Stone.[37] The album's lead single of the same name spawned a music video. Bill Kohlhaase of the Los Angeles Times gave the song and video a positive review, saying, "The video, alternating between scenes of Gayle and her swirling tresses with sparsely staged visions of a single mother and her two children, is the kind of heartfelt, yet assertive statement that Gayle has parlayed into major success in the past."[5] AllMusic also gave the album 3 out of 5 stars.[72]

 
Crystal Gayle performing with Sherry Lynn at The Grand Ole Opry (2013)

As the 1990s progressed, Gayle recorded material for smaller labels and issuing specialty projects. Her first small label was the Branson Entertainment Group, where she released an album of re-recorded hits titled Best Always.[49] In 1995, she signed with Intersound Records and recorded a pair of gospel studio albums. The first was 1995's Someday, which she co-produced with Bobby Wood.[73] The album's first single included a music that was filmed in Greece. In a 1995 interview, she explained the message behind the title track, "There are songs in there that definitely you've lived. The title track is a song that I think a lot of people, the way it's written, definitely relate to."[74] In 1997, her second gospel collection was released titled Joy & Inspiration.[75]

At the dawn of the new millennium, Gayle expanded her musical interests. In 1999, she released an album of jazz and American Standards called Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael.[13] It was as a tribute to Hoagy Carmichael, whom Gayle worked with shortly before his death in the early 1980s. It album featured covers of songs he composed, including "Stardust" and "Georgia on My Mind".[76] AllMusic's Thom Jurek gave the release 4 out of 5 stars in his review of Heart and Soul. Jurek called it, "a gorgeous set, one that reaffirms Gayle's artistry to be sure, but also one that offers the first really new hearing of Carmichael in at least a decade."[77] Billboard Magazine praised the lead single, "Two Sleepy People" (a duet with Willie Nelson), calling it "sweet" and "playful".[78] In 2000, she released a studio album of children's music titled In My Arms.[79] In 2003, she released her second album of American standards called All My Tomorrows.[13] Robert Daniels of Variety commented positively, saying, "Gayle's singing boasts directness and subtlety. There are no flashy or show-busy theatrics."[80] AllMusic gave the release 4 out of 5 stars, calling Gayle's singing "stunning" and "capable."[81] In January 2007, fugitive Christopher Daniel Gay escaped from custody at an Interstate 95 welcome center near Hardeeville, South Carolina, and made his way to Tennessee where he stole Gayle's tour bus. Gay was arrested the following day and the bus was returned to Gayle.[82]

For several years, Gayle spent time recording her next studio release. She stated the album would consist of covers of country music classics and would be produced by her son, Chris Gatzimos. The project was originally titled Am I That Easy To Forget.[83] In 2019, Gayle announced it would be re-titled You Don't Know Me: Classic Country.[84] It was officially released in September 2019 via Southpaw Productions and The Orchard.[85] You Don't Know Me became Gayle's first studio album to chart since 1988, reaching number 40 on the Billboard independent albums list.[86] The album received positive reviews from critics. AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the release 3 of 5 stars. Erlewine noted that her upper register is "a little diminished", but she still "sounds amiable".[87] Markos Papadatos of the Digital Journal gave it an "A" rating, commenting, "Overall, Crystal Gayle is sensational on her new album, You Don't Know Me, which is country as grits. Grab a bottle of wine and let this country queen lure you in with her timeless voice."[85]

Also during the 1990s, Gayle famously wrote and recorded “Midnight In The Desert” for Art Bell Coast to Coast AM radio show.

Personal life Edit

 
Gayle is the sister of country singer Loretta Lynn. They maintained a close relationship despite their nearly nineteen year age difference and having never lived at home together.

Gayle and her siblings claim Cherokee ancestry on their maternal and paternal lines.[8] In October 2001, she was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame in honor of her self-identified Cherokee linkage.[88][89]

Gayle has remained close to her seven siblings since childhood. Before signing a recording contract, she toured alongside her brother, Jay Lee Webb, in his band.[90] Included on her 2019 studio album is a cover of Webb's song "You Never Were Mine". In an interview with Rolling Stone, Gayle wished she had "done it a long time ago" because they spent a lot of time touring together.[3] Additionally, older sister Peggy Sue, has been an active member of Gayle's road show for several years. Peggy Sue performs background vocals on Gayle's show and does her own solo material too.[91]

Gayle also remained close to her oldest sister Loretta Lynn. Music writers and journalists have claimed the pair had "sibling rivalry". In an interview with People, Lynn explained that such a rivalry did not exist: "People try to make it like we compete, but that's all in their minds...We fight a little bit, but that's just sisters. And we never fight over the music business."[9] In a 2017 interview Gayle commented, "Of course, we're sisters. We can bicker... but we really didn't have a problem. You know, I look up to my sister...We both have flaws in different ways, but we're not gonna tell what they are, you know? But, I mean, we love each other."[92]

Gayle has been married to husband Bill Gatzimos since 1971.[93] The couple first dated in high school and while Gayle was signed to United Artists Records, Gatzimos attended law school at Vanderbilt University.[94] Following law school, Gatzimos became Gayle's manager and has since been president of the couple's company, Gayle Enterprises.[8] According to Gayle, their marriage has been successful because the couple pursues their "own interests" and lets each other "breathe".[95] The couple have two children: a daughter, Catherine (born 1983) and a son, Christos (born 1986).[11] Gayle's son is now a record producer and co-produced her 2019 album.[96]

When Gayle's first child was born, she continued working frequently. In 2003 she said, "When I was onstage, I remember coming off stage and breast-feeding and then doing another show." When the couple had their second child, Gayle stayed home with the children.[97] She also has two grandchildren named Elijah and Björn. Gayle spoke of her appreciation for grandchildren in a 2011 interview, "Holidays are so amazing with Elijah. We make cookies, which is great because I never really got much of a chance to do this with my own children. There's a pull when I go on the road when I'm not around him, and I want to be. He's just a bright spot that you want to see all the time. He loves life."[97]

Musical styles Edit

Gayle's musical style is rooted in country, but is also in pop and folk music.[66] Unlike her siblings (who mostly were raised in rural Kentucky), Gayle's formative years were spent in an urban environment. In this diverse atmosphere, Gayle was exposed to various styles of music. In 2003, she commented, "I've always enjoyed folk, pop, rock, gospel, country, everything..." As a child, she especially liked music by Lesley Gore, Brenda Lee and Patsy Cline. In her teen years, she developed a fondness for folk groups, most predominantly Peter, Paul and Mary.[66]

Yet, Gayle also was attracted to the traditional country sound of her oldest sister Loretta Lynn. However it was Lynn that encouraged Gayle to develop a unique style. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune Gayle remarked: "But she (Lynn) said, `No, you gotta go the middle of the road and have a different sound.' And I'd never have made it if I had been straight-ahead country..."[98] This perspective encouraged her to record different styles. In 2007, she commented that she likes to be called a singer: "I call myself a singer of songs. I love to sing, whether it's country, folk, pop or rock. I grew up singing all different styles, though definitely country is my roots."[47] Gayle also said that her priority was to find quality material, "I've had great producers. Allen Reynolds is one of them, and he is just fantastic. I would always find great songs that other people wrote, and I wanted to put out really really good songs."[99]

Music journalists and critics have also described Gayle as having a smooth vocal delivery, different from that of her sister's. AllMusic's Thom Jurek noted "her signature phrasing and sophisticated material" to be a factor.[81] Stephen L. Betts of Rolling Stone explained that Gayle had "a polished persona and singing style tailor-made for country-pop crossover."[100] Kurt Wolff of Country Music: The Rough Guide commented that she had a "sweet radio-friendly voice" that "made a picture-perfect pop-country star."[12]

Image Edit

Gayle's image has garnered her significant media attention. Notably, she is known for her floor-length hair.[5] As a child, Gayle's mother kept her hair short. She was inspired to grow her hair to her knees after seeing a woman with similar hair in Nashville.[97] When her hair increased in length by the late 1970s, Gayle's fan club also significantly increased.[93] By the early 1990s, her hair had reached floor's length. During that time, she considered significantly cutting her hair due to headaches and time spent maintaining it.[5] However, she ultimately decided not to cut it. Gayle credits her daughter for discouraging a haircut. Gayle's daughter told her, "You can't cut your hair — you won't be Crystal Gayle."[101] Gayle also stated that it is easier to have long straight hair, "I know some people think: 'Why does she keep it so long?' I'd probably love to try all the different styles, but I'm not a beautician. So, I keep it long. It's easy to wash and let it go."[102] However, according to Gayle, she still continues seeing a hairstylist. Within a year, she cuts 9 to 12 inches of hair.[95]

Gayle's physical appearance has also made her a sex symbol. Writers Robert K. Oermann and Mary A. Bufwack wrote in 2003, "Crystal Gayle will be forever recalled by music fans for the sexy toss of her head that sent waves of motion through her Godiva-like brunette tresses."[11] Author Kurt Wolff described Gayle as having "knockout good looks".[12] In 1983, People named her among the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World".[95]

Legacy Edit

Gayle has been credited as one of the most successful and important country pop crossover artists.[24][12][11] Gayle's music and career helped open doors for future female country pop artists, including Faith Hill, Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood.[36][4] Writer Kevin John Coyne described her successes and contributions: "... she had accumulated an astonishing eighteen No.1 hits, two more than her older sister had under her belt, and fourth among all women in country music history, behind Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire and Tammy Wynette.[103]

In recent years, Gayle has been given several awards and accolades for her accomplishments. In 2003, she was included by Country Music Television on their list of the "40 Greatest Women of Country Music".[104] In 2008, she was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum.[105] In 2009, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was joined by artist Tanya Tucker and her family for the ceremony.[106] In 2016, she was presented with the "Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award" from the Academy of Country Music. Gayle commented in 2016, "It's nice to think maybe your music has influenced other artists who are out there."[107]

In November 2016 almost 50 years after making her debut as a guest artist, Gayle was asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Carrie Underwood. The two performed "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" before Underwood announced the invitation. Gayle was officially inducted by Loretta Lynn in January 2017.[108] In 2017, Gayle was included in Taste of Country's list of "Country Music's Most Powerful Women".[4] In 2019, she was among a dozen performers chosen to open the Country Music Association Awards as part of recognizing the women of country music. In the show's opening, Gayle performed "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue".[109]

Discography Edit

Main articles: Crystal Gayle albums discography and Crystal Gayle singles discography

Studio albums

Filmography Edit

Title Year Role Notes Ref.
Dean Martin's Christmas in California 1977 Herself television special [110]
Bob Hope on the Road to China 1979 Herself television special [47]
The Crystal Gayle Special Herself television special [37]
Crystal 1980 Herself television special [37]
Second City Television 1983 Esther Blodgett [111]
Bob Hope's Happy Birthday Homecoming 1985 Herself television special [110]
Another World 1987 Herself [37]
The Country Mouse and the City Mouse: A Christmas Tale 1993 Emily voice only [112]

Awards Edit

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Crystal Gayle

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ Gregory, Andy, ed. (2002). The International Who's Who in Popular Music – 2002. Psychology Press. p. 187. ISBN 978-1857431612.
  2. ^ "UPI Almanac for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020". United Press International. 9 January 2020. Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 16 January 2020. ... country singer Crystal Gayle in 1951 (age 69)
  3. ^ a b Betts, Stephen L. (26 October 2019). "Crystal Gayle Sings With Loretta Lynn, Interprets Country Staples on 'You Don't Know Me'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Country Music's Most Powerful Women". Taste of Country. 10 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d "SHORT TAKES: Hair Harasses Crystal Gayle". Los Angeles Times. 19 September 1990. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  6. ^ "Country music icon Crystal Gayle blows through Texas once again for renewed tour". CultureMap San Antonio. Retrieved 15 April 2022.
  7. ^ a b c d e Oermann & Bufwack 2003, p. 344.
  8. ^ a b c Whiteley, Jenni (6 October 2017). "Country music star Crystal Gayle coming to Fort Hall Oct. 13". Associated Press. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  9. ^ a b Windeler, Robert. "Loretta Lynn & Crystal Gayle: Sister Rivalry". People. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  10. ^ a b c Osborn, Dave. "Crystal Gayle brings sweet sound to Bonita Springs on Friday". Naples Daily News. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e f Oermann & Bufwack 2003, p. 345.
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Books Edit

  • Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712--595-8.
  • Oermann, Robert K.; Bufwack, Mary A. (2003). Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music: 1800–2000. Nashville, TN: The Country Music Press & Vanderbilt University Press. ISBN 0-8265-1432-4.
  • Wolff, Kurt (2000). Duane, Orla (ed.). Country Music: The Rough Guide. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-534-8.

Further reading Edit

  • Flippo, Chet. (1998). "Crystal Gayle." In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Ed. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 156–7.

External links Edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crystal Gayle.

October 16, 2023
crystal, gayle, born, brenda, gail, webb, january, 1951, american, country, music, singer, widely, known, 1977, make, brown, eyes, blue, initially, gayle, management, record, label, were, same, that, oldest, sister, loretta, lynn, finding, success, with, arran. Crystal Gayle born Brenda Gail Webb January 9 1951 2 is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue Initially Gayle s management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister Loretta Lynn Not finding success with the arrangement after several years and with Lynn s encouragement Gayle decided to try a different approach She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds Gayle s new sound was sometimes referred to as middle of the road MOR or country pop and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience Subsequently Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s 3 4 She is known for her floor length hair 5 Crystal GayleGayle in 2007BornBrenda Gail Webb 1951 01 09 January 9 1951 age 72 Paintsville Kentucky U S OccupationsSinger songwriterYears active1969 presentKnown for Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue SpouseVassilios Bill Gatzimos 1 m 1971 wbr Children2RelativesLoretta Lynn sister Jay Lee Webb brother Peggy Sue sister AwardsFull listMusical careerGenresCountry country pop folk gospel jazzInstrument s VocalsLabelsDecca United Artists Columbia Elektra Warner Bros Capitol Liberty Intersound Madacy The Orchard SouthpawWebsitecrystalgayle wbr comGayle was said to have begun her career in the 1960s performing as a background singer in Lynn s band although Gayle says this actually never happened 6 Lynn helped her sign a recording contract with Decca Records in 1970 Having minor success she was encouraged to develop her own musical identity Under the direction of producer Reynolds at United Artists Records Gayle shifted towards a country pop style that was more successful In 1975 Wrong Road Again became Gayle s first major hit However it was in 1977 when Gayle achieved her biggest success with Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue The single topped the Billboard country chart crossed over to the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 and became a major international hit Gayle continued having success from the late 1970s and through late 1980s Her biggest hits included Ready for the Times to Get Better 1977 Talking in Your Sleep 1978 Half the Way 1979 and You and I 1982 In the 1990s Gayle shifted artistic directions by recording various genres of music This included an album of inspirational music titled Someday 1995 and an album of standards called Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael 1999 During the decade she also owned and operated a fine arts shop called Crystal s Fine Gifts and Jewelry Her most recent studio release was in 2019 and Gayle has since continued to tour throughout the world Gayle has won one Grammy Award and has been nominated for several others since the 1970s She has also won five Academy of Country Music awards those awards include receiving the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 2016 In addition she has won two Country Music Association awards and three American Music Awards Rolling Stone ranked her among the 100 greatest country artists of all time and CMT ranked her within their list of the 40 greatest women of country music Gayle has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2 1 1969 1976 Decca Records and musical shifts 2 2 1977 1979 Crossover breakthrough 2 3 1979 1989 Continued crossover success 2 4 1990 present Later career and recent years 3 Personal life 4 Musical styles 5 Image 6 Legacy 7 Discography 8 Filmography 9 Awards 10 See also 11 References 11 1 Books 12 Further reading 13 External linksEarly life Edit nbsp Webb family homeGayle was born Brenda Gail Webb in Paintsville Kentucky She was the last of eight children born to Clara Marie Clary nee Ramey May 5 1912 November 24 1981 and Melvin Theodore Ted Webb June 6 1906 February 22 1959 Unlike sister Loretta and her other siblings Gayle was the only child born at the Paintsville hospital and not at home Through her matriline Gayle is a distant cousin of singer Patty Loveless 7 Gayle and her siblings claim Irish and Cherokee descent although she is not enrolled with any Native tribe 8 Gayle s father was a coal miner who developed black lung disease In search of better medical treatment the family moved to Wabash Indiana when Gayle was four years old They lived in a retired miner s community and Clara Webb worked as a nurse s aide 9 10 Ted Webb died from a stroke in 1959 11 From early age Gayle had an interest in singing She noted that she could sing before she could walk 10 The family s new home in Wabash was in an urban setting She was exposed to diverse cultural groups and norms and in turn to various styles of music 12 She sang along frequently to songs she heard on the radio and was inspired by the music of her sister Loretta Lynn 13 Gayle s musical interests were shaped further in her teenage years She started singing in church performed folk songs and recorded demonstration tapes 14 13 With encouragement from Lynn she began touring during summers in high school 13 At age 16 Gayle performed on the Grand Ole Opry in replacement of her sister who had gotten ill She performed a cover of Gordon Lightfoot s Ribbon of Darkness 15 After graduating from high school in 1970 she signed her first recording contract with her sister s label Decca Records Upon signing with Decca the label insisted that Gayle change her first name from Brenda to another name The conflict was due to the fact that Brenda Lee was already signed to Decca at the time Shortly thereafter Lynn drove past a sign for the Krystal fast food restaurant and said to Gayle That s your name Crystals are bright and shiny like you 16 It was then that she changed her name professionally to Crystal Gayle with Gayle taken from her middle name Gail 13 Career Edit1969 1976 Decca Records and musical shifts Edit Gayle was first managed by Oliver Lynn Loretta Lynn s husband after signing with Decca Records Among her first professional gigs was routine appearances on Jim Ed Brown s television show The Country Palace On the program Gayle performed original songs written by Loretta Lynn including Sparklin Look of Love and Mama It s Different This Time 16 Her debut single was released in 1970 titled I ve Cried The Blue Right Out of My Eyes Also written by Lynn the song peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart 13 The song was followed by other singles that reached minor positions on the country songs chart Everybody Oughta Cry 1972 and I Hope You re Havin Better Luck Than Me 1972 16 Gayle s career stalled while at the Decca label 13 16 This was due to the fact that the label wanted Gayle to record in the same style as her sister Steve Huey of AllMusic criticized her early singles calling them little Loretta records 13 Writers Mary A Bufwack and Robert K Oermann noted that Gayle was probably stigmatized for being the sibling of Loretta Lynn 11 In a 2019 interview with Forbes Gayle reflected on the experience It didn t take me long to realize I was only there because I was Loretta s sister 17 During this period Lynn gave Gayle advice that prompted her to expand her musical styles Lynn said quit singing my songs We have one Loretta Lynn and we don t need another The conversation led Gayle to ultimately leave Decca in 1974 10 nbsp Krystal burgers inspiration for Crystal Gayle s stage nameGayle signed a new recording contract with United Artists Records in 1974 Under the direction of producer Allen Reynolds her musical style shifted 13 Reynolds who had recent success producing Don Williams encouraged Gayle to record in a softer mellower format He also helped market her music towards a crossover audience 12 Gayle also released her first United Artists single in 1974 Restless Mary Bufwack and Robert Oermann called the song assertive and sexy 7 The song peaked at number 39 on the Billboard country songs chart 18 The same year Gayle s self titled debut album was issued 13 reaching number 25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums survey 19 The following year she had her first top ten hit on the country chart with Wrong Road Again also written by Allen Reynolds 13 She had minor hits with the singles This Is My Year for Mexico 1975 and Beyond You 1975 The latter song was co written by Gayle and her husband Bill Gatzimos Her second studio album Somebody Loves You spawned a second top 10 hit the title track 20 Gayle s shift towards country pop was received better than her earlier recordings with Decca Kurt Wolff of Country Music The Rough Guide praised the new style calling it a pleasant easygoing sort of country folk blend a close cousin to music of Emmylou Harris 12 Encyclopedic writer Collin Larkin called her new music approach to have the easygoing charm of records by Don Williams 20 Oermann and Bufwack called the new style ear catching and praised Allen Reynolds s gentle rhythm productions 7 Reynolds had limited time to write material for Gayle Instead he arranged for songwriters Bob McDill and Richard Leigh to help compose music 20 This arrangement proved successful when in 1976 Gayle had her first number 1 hit on country songs chart with I ll Get Over You written by Leigh This was followed by a second number 1 hit You Never Miss a Real Good Thing Till He Says Goodbye and the number 2 hit I ll Do It All Over Again 21 Her third studio album Crystal was released in 1976 peaking at number 7 on the Top Country Albums chart 22 1977 1979 Crossover breakthrough Edit Producer Allen Reynolds believed Gayle was poised to have crossover pop success if the right song were found 20 In 1977 Richard Leigh had composed a tune called Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue The song was originally intended for British singer Shirley Bassey 23 When Reynolds heard the song he said to Leigh You re not sending that song anywhere 24 Gayle recorded the track in one single take Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue was released as a single in 1977 peaking at number 1 on the Billboard country songs chart and crossing over to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Internationally it became a hit in several countries including the United Kingdom where it reached the number 5 position Since its release Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue has been received positively by music critics and fans They have also considered it her signature song 23 Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised Gayle s vocals commenting She never stressed it too heavily nor were her vocals cloying they were pretty and straightforward making the song quite alluring 25 nbsp Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue source source Gayle s signature song and her first to become a major country pop crossover hit 1977 Problems playing this file See media help Gayle s fourth studio record We Must Believe in Magic was also released in 1977 The album peaked at number 2 on the Billboard country albums chart and number 12 on the Billboard 200 26 27 We Must Believe in Magic has received positive reviews since its initial release AllMusic gave the record 3 5 out of 5 stars 28 Paul Dennis of My Kind of Country gave the album a Grade A rating calling it an eclectic mix of songs ranging from pop standards to rock n roll hits to songs by contemporary country songsmiths 29 We Must Believe in Magic became the first album by a female country artist to certify platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America 20 30 In 1978 Gayle earned the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue while Leigh won a Grammy for Best Country Song 20 In 1978 her fifth studio album When I Dream was released also reaching number 2 on the country albums chart 31 The album peaked at number 52 on the Billboard 200 32 and certified by platinum by the RIAA 33 When I Dream also received positive reviews garnering 3 out of 5 stars from AllMusic 34 and another Grade A rating from My Kind of Country 35 Its lead single was the Roger Cook penned Talking in Your Sleep It became a number 1 country single and crossed over to number 18 on the Hot 100 Talking in Your Sleep became Gayle s second international hit as well peaking at number 11 in the United Kingdom The album also included the hits Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For and the title track 20 By the end of 1978 Gayle had won Female Vocalist of the Year from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association 36 Before departing from the United Artists label her sixth studio album We Should Be Together 1979 was released It featured two major hits Your Kisses Will and Your Old Cold Shoulder 20 1979 1989 Continued crossover success Edit In 1979 Gayle moved to Columbia Records bringing Reynolds with her 37 Under Columbia Gayle began recording more cover versions of songs This decision received praise from music critics who credited her for being versatile 7 Her seventh studio album Miss the Mississippi was released in 1979 as well It featured three major hits including Half the Way which became her third crossover pop hit 38 Miss the Mississippi peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart 39 number 36 on the Billboard 200 40 and certified gold in sales from the RIAA 41 Gayle s eighth studio release These Days 1980 spawned two more number 1 singles on the country songs chart If You Ever Change Your Mind and Too Many Lovers 42 In 1981 Gayle s ninth studio album Hollywood Tennessee peaked at number 5 on the country albums chart 43 and number 99 on the Billboard 200 44 Although commercially successful it received mixed critical reviews Mary A Bufwack and Robert K Oermann said that the album symbolized her uptown inspirations 7 and Jason Ankeny of AllMusic gave the album only 2 5 out of 5 stars 45 Hollywood Tennessee spawned three major hits on the Billboard country songs chart This included the crossover hit The Woman in Me and the social awareness tune Livin in These Troubled Times 11 45 As Gayle s music crossed multiple genres she made more appearances outside of the Nashville establishment Among these was hosting two prime time television specials The Crystal Gayle Special 1979 and Crystal 1980 37 Both shows aired on CBS and were given critical acclaim Gayle would also appear with Bob Hope on his 1979 television special called On the Road to China 46 For the special Gayle and Hope taped a performance on the Great Wall of China 47 The special made Gayle the first artist to film a performance on the Great Wall 48 nbsp Gayle in Billboard magazine 1977 In 1982 Gayle collaborated with Tom Waits on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola s film One from the Heart 49 Originally Bette Midler was chosen for the project however Midler could not fit it into her schedule At first the soundtrack was delayed by Columbia Records due to a dispute with Coppola s Zoetrope Studios 50 When it was released the soundtrack received positive reviews Thom Jurek of AllMusic gave the release 4 5 out of 5 stars who called it one of the most beautifully wrought soundtrack collaborations in history 51 Steve Pond of Rolling Stone called it a dreamy series of duets with Crystal Gayle that drift in and out of the film comment on the action and supply some crucial transitions 50 Also in 1982 Gayle moved from Columbia to Elektra Records which would later merge with Warner Bros Among the first recordings was a duet with Eddie Rabbitt titled You and I 49 The song reached number 1 on the Billboard country singles chart and became her second top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 13 Gayle s first studio album with Elektra would also be issued in 1982 True Love First produced by Allen Reynolds when the album was presented to Jimmy Bowen Elektra s division head he commented that it rocked too much For these reasons Bowen decided to produce three additional tracks for the album 52 The album would receive a mixed reception In Billboard Magazine s initial review they praised Gayle s vocals despite the use of tougher arrangements 53 Tom Roland of AllMusic praised Gayle s performance notably on the tracks Our Love Is on the Faultline and Deeper Than the Fire Roland also criticized the production arrangements Bowen arranged for 52 True Love spawned three singles that all reached the number 1 spot on the Billboard country chart Our Love Is on the Faultine Baby What About You and Til I Gain Control Again 37 In 1983 Gayle s released her next album called Cage the Songbird It was the first of Gayle s to be produced entirely by Jimmy Bowen 54 Cage the Songbird peaked at number 5 on the Top Country Albums chart 55 and number 171 on the Billboard 200 56 Among its singles were the crossover hits The Sound of Goodbye and Turning Away Gayle had further hits from her next studio releases in 1985 and 1986 Among these were the number one hits Straight to the Heart 1986 and Cry 1986 The latter was a song originally popularized by Johnnie Ray 57 37 In 1983 she would also record the theme song for the television series Masquerade 58 In 1984 she sang a duet with Hong Kong singer Danny Chan titled Tell Me What Can I Do 59 60 it was largely unknown due to lack of promotional budget 61 Between 1985 and 1987 Gayle collaborated with country artist Gary Morris on a series of duets 37 The first being the single Makin Up for Lost Time The song reached number 1 on the Billboard country list in 1986 62 Makin Up for Lost Time was also used as the theme song for the CBS television series Dallas 63 The pair also recorded the theme song for Another World The theme song was also titled Another World and became a top 10 hit Gayle would also guest star in the show as herself 37 The duo would release their collaborative studio album in 1986 titled What If We Fall in Love The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard country albums list in September 1987 64 In 1988 Gayle released her final album of the decade Titled Nobody s Angel the record featured two minor hits including the single Tennessee Nights 65 Also in 1987 Gayle opened a gift shop in Nashville called Crystal s Fine Gifts and Jewelry The store contained various gifts such as jewelry and stones made by various European artisans 66 The shop also included various types of crystals In a 1994 interview Gayle commented on her business The little shop turned into a much larger shop and it takes a lot of work as anyone in retail well knows But we have a lot of fun with it 67 The shop officially closed in 2008 68 1990 present Later career and recent years Edit In 1990 Gayle signed a new recording contract with Capitol Records and reunited with producer Allen Reynolds The same year she released seventeenth studio album Ain t Gonna Worry 37 Bill Carpenter of AllMusic gave the release 4 out of 5 stars calling it an excellent set of country pop 69 The album spawned several singles beginning with Just an Old Love In its initial review Billboard gave it a positive response praising the production style of Reynolds 70 Its third single Never Ending Song of Love would become Gayle s last charting single to date reaching number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart 71 Her eighteenth studio album came in 1992 called Three Good Reasons The album was produced by Buzz Stone 37 The album s lead single of the same name spawned a music video Bill Kohlhaase of the Los Angeles Times gave the song and video a positive review saying The video alternating between scenes of Gayle and her swirling tresses with sparsely staged visions of a single mother and her two children is the kind of heartfelt yet assertive statement that Gayle has parlayed into major success in the past 5 AllMusic also gave the album 3 out of 5 stars 72 nbsp Crystal Gayle performing with Sherry Lynn at The Grand Ole Opry 2013 As the 1990s progressed Gayle recorded material for smaller labels and issuing specialty projects Her first small label was the Branson Entertainment Group where she released an album of re recorded hits titled Best Always 49 In 1995 she signed with Intersound Records and recorded a pair of gospel studio albums The first was 1995 s Someday which she co produced with Bobby Wood 73 The album s first single included a music that was filmed in Greece In a 1995 interview she explained the message behind the title track There are songs in there that definitely you ve lived The title track is a song that I think a lot of people the way it s written definitely relate to 74 In 1997 her second gospel collection was released titled Joy amp Inspiration 75 At the dawn of the new millennium Gayle expanded her musical interests In 1999 she released an album of jazz and American Standards called Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael 13 It was as a tribute to Hoagy Carmichael whom Gayle worked with shortly before his death in the early 1980s It album featured covers of songs he composed including Stardust and Georgia on My Mind 76 AllMusic s Thom Jurek gave the release 4 out of 5 stars in his review of Heart and Soul Jurek called it a gorgeous set one that reaffirms Gayle s artistry to be sure but also one that offers the first really new hearing of Carmichael in at least a decade 77 Billboard Magazine praised the lead single Two Sleepy People a duet with Willie Nelson calling it sweet and playful 78 In 2000 she released a studio album of children s music titled In My Arms 79 In 2003 she released her second album of American standards called All My Tomorrows 13 Robert Daniels of Variety commented positively saying Gayle s singing boasts directness and subtlety There are no flashy or show busy theatrics 80 AllMusic gave the release 4 out of 5 stars calling Gayle s singing stunning and capable 81 In January 2007 fugitive Christopher Daniel Gay escaped from custody at an Interstate 95 welcome center near Hardeeville South Carolina and made his way to Tennessee where he stole Gayle s tour bus Gay was arrested the following day and the bus was returned to Gayle 82 For several years Gayle spent time recording her next studio release She stated the album would consist of covers of country music classics and would be produced by her son Chris Gatzimos The project was originally titled Am I That Easy To Forget 83 In 2019 Gayle announced it would be re titled You Don t Know Me Classic Country 84 It was officially released in September 2019 via Southpaw Productions and The Orchard 85 You Don t Know Me became Gayle s first studio album to chart since 1988 reaching number 40 on the Billboard independent albums list 86 The album received positive reviews from critics AllMusic critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the release 3 of 5 stars Erlewine noted that her upper register is a little diminished but she still sounds amiable 87 Markos Papadatos of the Digital Journal gave it an A rating commenting Overall Crystal Gayle is sensational on her new album You Don t Know Me which is country as grits Grab a bottle of wine and let this country queen lure you in with her timeless voice 85 Also during the 1990s Gayle famously wrote and recorded Midnight In The Desert for Art Bell Coast to Coast AM radio show Personal life Edit nbsp Gayle is the sister of country singer Loretta Lynn They maintained a close relationship despite their nearly nineteen year age difference and having never lived at home together Gayle and her siblings claim Cherokee ancestry on their maternal and paternal lines 8 In October 2001 she was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame in honor of her self identified Cherokee linkage 88 89 Gayle has remained close to her seven siblings since childhood Before signing a recording contract she toured alongside her brother Jay Lee Webb in his band 90 Included on her 2019 studio album is a cover of Webb s song You Never Were Mine In an interview with Rolling Stone Gayle wished she had done it a long time ago because they spent a lot of time touring together 3 Additionally older sister Peggy Sue has been an active member of Gayle s road show for several years Peggy Sue performs background vocals on Gayle s show and does her own solo material too 91 Gayle also remained close to her oldest sister Loretta Lynn Music writers and journalists have claimed the pair had sibling rivalry In an interview with People Lynn explained that such a rivalry did not exist People try to make it like we compete but that s all in their minds We fight a little bit but that s just sisters And we never fight over the music business 9 In a 2017 interview Gayle commented Of course we re sisters We can bicker but we really didn t have a problem You know I look up to my sister We both have flaws in different ways but we re not gonna tell what they are you know But I mean we love each other 92 Gayle has been married to husband Bill Gatzimos since 1971 93 The couple first dated in high school and while Gayle was signed to United Artists Records Gatzimos attended law school at Vanderbilt University 94 Following law school Gatzimos became Gayle s manager and has since been president of the couple s company Gayle Enterprises 8 According to Gayle their marriage has been successful because the couple pursues their own interests and lets each other breathe 95 The couple have two children a daughter Catherine born 1983 and a son Christos born 1986 11 Gayle s son is now a record producer and co produced her 2019 album 96 When Gayle s first child was born she continued working frequently In 2003 she said When I was onstage I remember coming off stage and breast feeding and then doing another show When the couple had their second child Gayle stayed home with the children 97 She also has two grandchildren named Elijah and Bjorn Gayle spoke of her appreciation for grandchildren in a 2011 interview Holidays are so amazing with Elijah We make cookies which is great because I never really got much of a chance to do this with my own children There s a pull when I go on the road when I m not around him and I want to be He s just a bright spot that you want to see all the time He loves life 97 Musical styles EditGayle s musical style is rooted in country but is also in pop and folk music 66 Unlike her siblings who mostly were raised in rural Kentucky Gayle s formative years were spent in an urban environment In this diverse atmosphere Gayle was exposed to various styles of music In 2003 she commented I ve always enjoyed folk pop rock gospel country everything As a child she especially liked music by Lesley Gore Brenda Lee and Patsy Cline In her teen years she developed a fondness for folk groups most predominantly Peter Paul and Mary 66 Yet Gayle also was attracted to the traditional country sound of her oldest sister Loretta Lynn However it was Lynn that encouraged Gayle to develop a unique style In an interview with the Chicago Tribune Gayle remarked But she Lynn said No you gotta go the middle of the road and have a different sound And I d never have made it if I had been straight ahead country 98 This perspective encouraged her to record different styles In 2007 she commented that she likes to be called a singer I call myself a singer of songs I love to sing whether it s country folk pop or rock I grew up singing all different styles though definitely country is my roots 47 Gayle also said that her priority was to find quality material I ve had great producers Allen Reynolds is one of them and he is just fantastic I would always find great songs that other people wrote and I wanted to put out really really good songs 99 Music journalists and critics have also described Gayle as having a smooth vocal delivery different from that of her sister s AllMusic s Thom Jurek noted her signature phrasing and sophisticated material to be a factor 81 Stephen L Betts of Rolling Stone explained that Gayle had a polished persona and singing style tailor made for country pop crossover 100 Kurt Wolff of Country Music The Rough Guide commented that she had a sweet radio friendly voice that made a picture perfect pop country star 12 Image EditGayle s image has garnered her significant media attention Notably she is known for her floor length hair 5 As a child Gayle s mother kept her hair short She was inspired to grow her hair to her knees after seeing a woman with similar hair in Nashville 97 When her hair increased in length by the late 1970s Gayle s fan club also significantly increased 93 By the early 1990s her hair had reached floor s length During that time she considered significantly cutting her hair due to headaches and time spent maintaining it 5 However she ultimately decided not to cut it Gayle credits her daughter for discouraging a haircut Gayle s daughter told her You can t cut your hair you won t be Crystal Gayle 101 Gayle also stated that it is easier to have long straight hair I know some people think Why does she keep it so long I d probably love to try all the different styles but I m not a beautician So I keep it long It s easy to wash and let it go 102 However according to Gayle she still continues seeing a hairstylist Within a year she cuts 9 to 12 inches of hair 95 Gayle s physical appearance has also made her a sex symbol Writers Robert K Oermann and Mary A Bufwack wrote in 2003 Crystal Gayle will be forever recalled by music fans for the sexy toss of her head that sent waves of motion through her Godiva like brunette tresses 11 Author Kurt Wolff described Gayle as having knockout good looks 12 In 1983 People named her among the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World 95 Legacy EditGayle has been credited as one of the most successful and important country pop crossover artists 24 12 11 Gayle s music and career helped open doors for future female country pop artists including Faith Hill Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood 36 4 Writer Kevin John Coyne described her successes and contributions she had accumulated an astonishing eighteen No 1 hits two more than her older sister had under her belt and fourth among all women in country music history behind Dolly Parton Reba McEntire and Tammy Wynette 103 In recent years Gayle has been given several awards and accolades for her accomplishments In 2003 she was included by Country Music Television on their list of the 40 Greatest Women of Country Music 104 In 2008 she was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum 105 In 2009 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame She was joined by artist Tanya Tucker and her family for the ceremony 106 In 2016 she was presented with the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music Gayle commented in 2016 It s nice to think maybe your music has influenced other artists who are out there 107 In November 2016 almost 50 years after making her debut as a guest artist Gayle was asked to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry by Carrie Underwood The two performed Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue before Underwood announced the invitation Gayle was officially inducted by Loretta Lynn in January 2017 108 In 2017 Gayle was included in Taste of Country s list of Country Music s Most Powerful Women 4 In 2019 she was among a dozen performers chosen to open the Country Music Association Awards as part of recognizing the women of country music In the show s opening Gayle performed Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue 109 Discography EditMain articles Crystal Gayle albums discography and Crystal Gayle singles discography Studio albums Crystal Gayle 1975 Somebody Loves You 1975 Crystal 1976 We Must Believe in Magic 1977 When I Dream 1978 We Should Be Together 1979 Miss the Mississippi 1979 These Days 1980 Hollywood Tennessee 1981 True Love 1982 Cage the Songbird 1983 Nobody Wants to Be Alone 1985 What If We Fall in Love with Gary Morris 1986 Straight to the Heart 1986 A Crystal Christmas 1986 Nobody s Angel 1988 Ain t Gonna Worry 1990 Three Good Reasons 1992 Best Always 1993 Someday 1995 Joy amp Inspiration 1997 Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael 1999 In My Arms 2000 All My Tomorrows 2003 You Don t Know Me Classic Country 2019 Filmography EditTitle Year Role Notes Ref Dean Martin s Christmas in California 1977 Herself television special 110 Bob Hope on the Road to China 1979 Herself television special 47 The Crystal Gayle Special Herself television special 37 Crystal 1980 Herself television special 37 Second City Television 1983 Esther Blodgett 111 Bob Hope s Happy Birthday Homecoming 1985 Herself television special 110 Another World 1987 Herself 37 The Country Mouse and the City Mouse A Christmas Tale 1993 Emily voice only 112 Awards EditMain article List of awards and nominations received by Crystal GayleSee also EditList of country music performers List of Grand Ole Opry MembersReferences Edit Gregory Andy ed 2002 The International Who s Who in Popular Music 2002 Psychology Press p 187 ISBN 978 1857431612 UPI Almanac for Thursday Jan 9 2020 United Press International 9 January 2020 Archived from the original on 15 January 2020 Retrieved 16 January 2020 country singer Crystal Gayle in 1951 age 69 a b Betts Stephen L 26 October 2019 Crystal Gayle Sings With Loretta Lynn Interprets Country Staples on You Don t Know Me Rolling Stone Retrieved 30 December 2019 a b c Country Music s Most Powerful Women Taste of Country 10 September 2017 Retrieved 30 December 2019 a b c d SHORT TAKES Hair Harasses Crystal Gayle Los Angeles Times 19 September 1990 Retrieved 1 January 2020 Country music icon Crystal Gayle blows through Texas once again for renewed tour CultureMap San Antonio Retrieved 15 April 2022 a b c d e Oermann amp Bufwack 2003 p 344 a b c Whiteley Jenni 6 October 2017 Country music star Crystal Gayle coming to Fort Hall Oct 13 Associated Press Retrieved 2 January 2020 a b Windeler Robert Loretta Lynn amp Crystal Gayle Sister Rivalry People Retrieved 30 December 2019 a b c Osborn Dave Crystal Gayle brings sweet sound to Bonita Springs on Friday Naples Daily News Retrieved 30 December 2019 a b c d e f Oermann amp Bufwack 2003 p 345 a b c d e f Wolff 2000 p 439 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Huey Steve Crystal Gayle Biography amp History AllMusic Retrieved 30 December 2019 Zibart Evee The Platinum Crossover The Washington Post Retrieved 30 December 2019 Crystal Gayle to Be Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry Billboard Retrieved 1 January 2020 a b c d Larkin 2007 p 1353 Windsor Pam Crystal Gayle Sings Classic Country On New You Don t Know Me Album Forbes Retrieved 1 January 2020 Crystal Gayle Restless Chart History Billboard Retrieved 1 January 2020 Crystal Gayle Chart History Billboard Retrieved 1 January 2020 a b c d e f g h Larkin 2007 p 1354 DiMartino Dave 1990 Music in the 20th Century New York NY M E Sharpe pp 239 ISBN 0 7656 8012 2 Crystal Gayle Crystal Chart History Billboard Retrieved 1 January 2020 a b Betts Stephen L 23 June 2017 Flashback Crystal Gayle s Brown Eyes Blue Goes Global Rolling Stone Retrieved 2 January 2020 a b Betts Stephen L 22 September 2014 Crystal Gayle Reflects on Slick Country and Coal Miner s Family Rolling Stone Retrieved 2 January 2020 Erlewine Stephen Thomas Don t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue Crystal Gayle Song info AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Crystal Gayle We Must Believe in Magic chart history Country Albums Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Crystal Gayle We Must Believe in Magic chart history Billboard 200 Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 We Must Believe in Magic Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Dennis Paul 12 January 2017 Album Review Crystal Gayle We Must Believe In Magic My Kind of Country Retrieved 2 January 2020 Gold and Platinum We Must Believe in Magic Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved 2 January 2020 Crystal Gayle When I Dream chart history Country Albums Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Crystal Gayle When I Dream chart history Billboard 200 Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Gold amp Platinum When I Dream Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved 2 January 2020 When I Dream Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Album Review Crystal Gayle When I Dream My Kind of Country 13 January 2017 Retrieved 2 January 2020 a b Rosenberg Sari February 24 1977 Crystal Gayle Won Best Female Vocalist at the 12th Annual ACM Awards Lifetime Retrieved 2 January 2020 a b c d e f g h i j k Larkin 2007 p 1355 Ankeny Jason Miss the Mississippi Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Miss the Mississippi Crystal Gayle chart history Country Albums Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Miss the Mississippi Crystal Gayle chart history Billboard 200 Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Gold amp Platinum Miss the Mississippi Recording Industry Association of America Retrieved 2 January 2020 Ankeny Jason These Days Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Hollywood Tennessee Crystal Gayle chart history Country Albums Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Hollywood Tennessee Crystal Gayle chart history Billboard 200 Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 a b Ankeny Jason Hollywood Tennessee Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Crystal Gayle 2009 Davis Art Council 21 February 2009 Retrieved 3 January 2020 a b c Paulu Tom February 2007 Crystal Gayle blowin into town on Friday TDN Retrieved 3 January 2020 Ross Doug 29 February 2016 Crystal Gayle NWI Retrieved 3 January 2020 a b c Wolff 2000 p 440 a b Pond Steve April 1982 Tom Waits on One From the Heart Rolling Stone Retrieved 2 January 2020 Jurek Thom One from the Heart Tom Waits Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 a b Roland Tom True Love Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 2 January 2020 Billboard s Top Album Picks Billboard 1982 p 64 Crystal Gayle Cage the Songbird 1983 Vinyl Discogs 6 September 1983 Retrieved 2 January 2020 Cage the Songbird Chart History Country Albums Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Cage the Songbird Chart History Billboard 200 Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 Crystal Gayle Straight to the Heart chart history Billboard Retrieved 2 January 2020 About Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle com Archived from the original on 31 December 2019 Retrieved 3 January 2020 Tell Me What Can I Do EP US Australia Version album database Musicbrainz org Tell Me What Can I Do 7 Vinyl EP Photos Dannychan cn 28 June 2015 Tell Me What Can I Do Danny Chan Crystal Gayle Youtube WEA Records Makin Up for Lost Time chart history Billboard Retrieved 3 January 2020 Crystal Gayle February 13th 16th 2020 Riverside Resort Archived from the original on 3 January 2020 Retrieved 3 January 2020 What If We Fall in Love chart history Billboard Retrieved 3 January 2020 Ankeny Jason Nobody s Angel Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2020 a b c Oermann amp Bufwack 2003 p 343 Sweid Nancy Crystal Gayle Long Haired Country Girl s Hobby a Fragile One Nash Country Daily Archived from the original on 4 January 2020 Retrieved 4 January 2020 Nelson Dick 14 September 2012 Sunday Morning Classic Country Spotlight to Feature Crystal Gayle Minnesota s New Country Retrieved 4 January 2020 Ain t Gonna Worry Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2020 Billboard Magazine 1990 November 24 1990 PDF American Radio History Retrieved 3 January 2020 Crystal Gayle Chart History Country Airplay Billboard Retrieved 3 January 2020 Three Good Reasons Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2020 Stambler Irwin 2000 Country Music The Encyclopedia New York NY MacMillan pp 175 ISBN 0 312 15121 7 Stout Michael W Crystal Gayle Interview August 1995 Louisville Music News Retrieved 3 January 2020 Gayle Crystal 1997 Joy amp Inspiration Cassette insert Beautiful Music Company Warner Special Products Gray Michael Heart amp Soul Country Music Television Retrieved 3 January 2020 Jurek Thom Heart and Soul Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2020 American Radio History Single Reviews and Previews Billboard 11 December 1999 Retrieved 3 January 2020 Demasters Karen 10 December 2000 JERSEY FOOTLIGHTS A Familiar Country Voice The New York Times Retrieved 3 January 2020 Daniels Robert L 27 October 2003 Crystal Gayle All My Tomorrows Variety Retrieved 3 January 2020 a b Jurek Thom All My Tomorrows Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2020 Russell Steven August 2007 The Last Outlaw The Ballad of Christopher Gay Maxim 102 08 Christner Ryan 7 December 2016 Career not slowing for indomitable Crystal Gayle The Hutchinson News Retrieved 13 March 2017 Gayle Crystal 9 August 2019 My new cd YOU DON T KNOW ME is available for Pre Sale at my online store Ships on or around 9 6 19 Twitter a b Papadatos Markos 6 September 2019 Review Crystal Gayle releases amazing country album You Don t Know Me Digital Journal Retrieved 3 January 2020 Crystal Gayle chart history Independent Albums Billboard Retrieved 3 January 2020 Erlewine Stephen Thomas You Don t Know Me Crystal Gayle Songs Reviews Credits AllMusic Retrieved 3 January 2020 Gayle Honored at Native American Music Award Country Music Television Retrieved 4 January 2020 HALL OF FAME Native American Music Awards Retrieved 4 January 2020 Christner Ryan Career not slowing for indomitable Crystal Gayle The Hutchinson News Retrieved 4 January 2020 Lapann Paul Crystal Gayle to perform at Peoples Bank Theatre in Marietta The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Retrieved 4 January 2020 Liebig Lorie 2 March 2017 Crystal Gayle Discusses Her Rivalry with Sister Loretta Lynn Wide Open Country Retrieved 4 January 2020 a b Crystal Gayle Singer Biography TV program Retrieved 4 January 2020 Rockwell John 9 April 1978 Crystal Gale s Singing Career Is a Lot More Than Luck The New York Times Retrieved 4 January 2020 a b c Wylie Lorraine Country star Crystal Gayle on love of Northern Ireland singing with Daniel O Donnell and secret to long happy marriage Belfast Telegraph Retrieved 4 January 2020 Gayle announces new album first in 16 years Country Standard Time Retrieved 4 January 2020 a b c Crosby Christine 19 July 2011 A Glimmer of the Grammy winning Artist Crystal Gayle and Her Grandson Grand Magazine Retrieved 4 January 2020 Hurst Jack 24 October 1997 CRYSTAL GAYLE SEES HER MUSIC AS A SOURCE Chicago Tribune Retrieved 3 January 2020 Papadatos Markos 23 May 2017 Crystal Gayle talks Adelphi University Grand Ole Opry longevity Digital Journal Retrieved 3 January 2020 Betts Stephen L 15 June 2017 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time Rolling Stone Retrieved 3 January 2020 Kruh Nancy Country Pop Queen Crystal Gayle Returns to Her Roots Traditional Music Is in My Soul People Retrieved 4 January 2020 Violanti Anthony Crystal Gayle returns to Silver Springs The Ocala Star Banner Retrieved 4 January 2020 Coyne Kevin John 9 August 2018 100 Greatest Women Crystal Gayle 27 Country Universe Retrieved 4 January 2020 40 Greatest Women Announced Country Music Television Retrieved 7 September 2019 Crystal Gayle 2008 Inductions PDF Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Archived from the original PDF on 27 June 2019 Retrieved 4 January 2020 Appleford Steve Crystal Gayle Hollywood Star Walk Los Angeles Times Retrieved 4 January 2020 Van Vleet Janet Country pioneer Crystal Gayle brings her music to West Texas Fair amp Rodeo Abilene Reporter News Retrieved 4 January 2020 Martin Jeff 21 January 2017 Country star Crystal Gayle inducted in Grand Ole Opry WCVB TV Retrieved 22 January 2017 Leimkuehler Matthew Watts Cindy CMA Awards Show opening with one dozen female country artists is epic celebration USA Today Retrieved 4 January 2020 a b Terrrance Vincent 1985 Encyclopedia of Television Series Pilots and Specials Volume 2 New York NY New York Zoetrope p 108 ISBN 0 918432 61 8 Robbins Jeff 2014 Second City Television A History and Episode Guide Jefferson NC McFarland amp Company Inc p 210 ISBN 978 0 7864 3191 5 Bierbaum Tom 8 December 1993 Hbo Storybook Musicals the Country Mouse and the City Mouse A Christmas Tale Variety Retrieved 3 January 2020 Books Edit Larkin Colin 2007 The Encyclopedia of Popular Music London Omnibus Press ISBN 978 0 85712 595 8 Oermann Robert K Bufwack Mary A 2003 Finding Her Voice Women in Country Music 1800 2000 Nashville TN The Country Music Press amp Vanderbilt University Press ISBN 0 8265 1432 4 Wolff Kurt 2000 Duane Orla ed Country Music The Rough Guide London Penguin Books ISBN 1 85828 534 8 Further reading EditFlippo Chet 1998 Crystal Gayle In The Encyclopedia of Country Music Paul Kingsbury Ed New York Oxford University Press pp 156 7 External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Crystal Gayle Official website CMT com Crystal Gayle Crystal Gayle Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection 2017 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Crystal Gayle amp oldid 1176349813, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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