Janie Fricke (August 2007)

Janie Fricke, a native of Whitley, Indiana was one of the most popular female country music artists of the 1980s.

After studying at the University of Indiana, she acquired a teaching degree in Memphis, where she started singing sessions.  After graduation, she moved to Los Angeles, back to Memphis, and finally to Nashville (in 1975), where she became one of the hottest session singers in Music City.

Janie sang jingles for Coors, Pizza Hut, American Airlines, 7-Up & Red Lobster, among others, but she also earned a reputation singing on records.

After joining the Lea Jane Singers, she started to tour, backing artists such as Johnny Rodriguez, which drew her to the attention of producer Billy Sherrill.  (It was Billy Sherrill who produced the Gene Watson album 'Honky Tonk Crazy' for Epic Records in 1987).

Janie Fricke received her first major exposure in 1976, when Billy Sherrill teamed her with Johnny Duncan for a series of duets, including 'Jo and the cowboy' (No.26, 1976) & 'Stranger' (No.4, 1976).

Janie also provided a supporting vocal role on Johnny Duncan's hits 'Thinkin' of a rendezvous' (No.1 for 2 weeks in December 1976), Ray Griff's 'It couldn't have been any better' (No.1 for 1 week in April 1977) & 'Come a little bit closer' (Top 5 in late 1977).

Janie's vocal presence can also be felt on 'On my knees', which was a hit for Charlie Rich in 1978 (No.1 for 1 week in December 1978).  It was also in 1978, under the guidance of Billy Sherrill, that Janie was signed to Columbia Records & enjoyed her first hit with a remake of Hank Locklin's classic ''Please help me, I'm falling.

Janie Fricke was also heavily involved as a session singer on many country music recordings throughout the course of the 1970s including TG Shepard's 'Devil in the bottle' (No.1 for 1 week in February 1975), Elvis Presley's 'My way' (No.2, 1978), Vern Gosdin's 'Til the end' (Top 5, 1978), Moe Bandy's 'It's a cheatin' situation' (No.2, 1979) & Conway Twitty's 'I'd love to lay you down' (No.1 for 1 week in March/April 1980).

Janie teamed up with producer Jim Ed Norman & enjoyed a succession of hits including 'Down to my last broken heart' (No.2, 1980), 'I'll need someone to hold me (when I cry)' (Top 5, 1981) & 'Do me with love' (Top 5, 1981).

Finally, 'Don't worry 'bout me baby' (co-written by Bruce Channel, Kieran Kane & Deborah Allen), featuring backing vocals from Ricky Skaggs, brought Janie Fricke to No.1 as a solo artist in 1982 (No.1 for 1 week in July 1982).

In 1982 & 1983, Janie was named as the 'Female Vocalist of the Year' by the Country Music Association (CMA).

In the period between November 1982 & October 1986, Janie Fricke was a major force on the Billboard country music singles charts; her successful hit songs during this period included the following amazing list of singles:

'It ain't easy bein' easy' (No.1 for week in November/December 1982)
'You don't know love' (No.4 in early 1983)
'He's heartache (looking for a place to happen)' (No.1 for 1 week in Aug 83)
'Tell me a lie' (No.1 for 1 week in December 1983)
'Let's stop talkin' about it' (No.1 for 1 week in March/April 1984)
'If the fall don't get you' (No.8 in the summer of 1984)
'Your heart's not in it' (No.1 for 1 week in December 1984)
'A place to fall apart' (with Merle Haggard) (No.1 for 1 week in Feb 1985)
'Always have, always will' (No.1 for 1 week in October 1986)

Janie Fricke's commercial momentum  slowed down in the late 1980s and, following the release of the highly acclaimed 'Labor of Love' album in 1989, she & CBS Records parted company.

Janie recorded two albums for the Branson label in 1992 & 1993 & she saw the release of the 'Hymns of Faith' gospel album on Intersound Records in 1996.

In 2000, Janie mounted a comeback tour with the issue of the 'Bouncin' Back' album.  In 2002, the concert set 'Live at Billy Bob's Texas' was released & featured many of Janie's old hits.

Janie recorded & issued 'The Bluegrass Sessions' in 2004 and, as the title suggests, this release featured bluegrass versions of her biggest hits from the 1980s.

Janie Fricke graciously provided the (above) quote about Gene Watson, so let's not forget that Janie provided exquisite background vocals to the track 'I don't know how to tell her (she don't love me anymore)'.

This track was included on Gene Watson's 'Reflections' album for Capitol Records in 1978.

Visit Janie Fricke's Official Site