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!

Dedicated, talented, honest and humble describes him to a 'T'!

Let’s vote him in...he deserves 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.



Jeannie C. Riley and Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 - Friday 20 August 2021)

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.

Jeannie C. Riley: 1968

Jeannie C. Riley: 1968

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:

'Heart He Kicks Around', which was written by Johnny Paycheck (Tuesday 31 May 1938 - Wednesday 19 February 2003)
'Neglected'
'I'll Be A Woman of The World' (written by Jeannie C. Riley)
'I Don't Know What I'm Doing Here'
'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'
'No One Ever Lost More'
'One Slightly Used Wedding Band' (written by R. Lee)
'Deaf, Dumb & Blind'



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 (certified 'Gold' by the Recording Industry Association of America), 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'
'Mr. Harper', which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 - Friday 20 August 2021)
'Run, Jeannie, Run'
'Shed Me No Tears' (written by Steve S. Singleton)
'Cotton Patch'
'Sippin' Shirley Thompson', which was written by Tom T. Hall (Monday 25 May 1936 - Friday 20 August 2021)
'Little Town Square'
'Ballad of Louise' (written by Naomi Martin)
'Satan Place'

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.

Jeannie C. Riley: 1969

Jeannie C. Riley: 1969

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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith) (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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith)
'What Was Her Name' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith)
'Edna Burgoo' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith)
'My Scrapbook' (written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice)
'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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith) (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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith) (No.32, 1969)

'The Back Side of Dallas' (written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice) (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' (written by Naomi Martin) / this track, which was the 'B' side of 'The Back Side of Dallas' (written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice) (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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith)
'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'
'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'
'One Slightly Used Wedding Band' (written by R. Lee)
'You've Got Me Singing Nursery Rhymes'
'What About Them'
'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'
'Deaf, Dumb & Blind'
'You Write The Music, I'll Write The Words' (written by Ray Buzzeo)

Jeannie C. Riley: 1970

Jeannie C. Riley: 1970

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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith) (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'
'Am I That Easy To Forget', which was written by Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 - Wednesday 7 October 2009)
'That's A No No'
'We Were Raised On Love'
'I Almost Called Your Name' (written by Margaret Lewis and Velma Smith)
'Darling Days'
'Wish You Were Here'
'Your Old Love Letters'
'I Love Him' (written by Fred Burch)
'Wherever You Are'

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' (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'
'Words, Names, Faces'
'My Man' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith)
'He Made A Woman Out of Me' (written by Fred Burch and Don Hill)
'Games People Play', which was written by Joe South (Wednesday 28 February 1940 - Wednesday 5 September 2012)
'Darkness Falls'
'Holdin' On'
'Okie From Muskogee', which was written by Merle Haggard (Tuesday 6 April 1937 - Wednesday 6 April 2016)
'To The Other Woman'

Jeannie C. Riley's 'The Generation Gap' (Plantation Records, 1970) reached No.34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1970.

Jeannie C. Riley: 1971

Jeannie C. Riley: 1971

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' (written by Naomi Martin) / this track, which was the 'B' side of 'The Back Side of Dallas' (written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice) (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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith) (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' (No.60, 1970)

'There Never Was A Time' (written by Margaret Lewis and Myrna Smith) (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' (written by Jerry Foster and Bill Rice) (No.33, 1969)

'Country Girl' (written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith) (No.7, 1970) / this track also reached No.16 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1970

'The Girl Most Likely' (written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith) (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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith) (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' (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' (written by Naomi Martin) (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 Loving Since Then'
'Will The Real Jesus Please Stand Up'
'Light Your Light' (written by Margaret Lewis and Velma Smith)
'If You Could Read My Mind' (written by Gordon Lightfoot)
'Children'
'One Toke Over The Line' (written by Michael Brewer and Tom Shipley)
'Tell The Truth & Shame The Devil' (written by Margaret Lewis and Velma Smith)
'Help Me Make It Through The Night' (written by Kris Kristofferson)

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.

Jeannie C. Riley: 1972

Jeannie C. Riley: 1972

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' (No.47, 1971)

'Give Myself A Party' (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'
'Untie Me'
'This Is For You'
'Me & Bobby McGee' (written by Kris Kristofferson)
'Break Away'
'Not Looking Back'
'Six Guns & Popsicles'
'Why You Been Gone So Long'



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' (No.57, 1972)

Jeannie C. Riley's 'Down To Earth' (MGM Records, 1972) also included the following tracks:

'Without You'
'Good Morning Country Rain' (written by Eddy Raven)
'I'm Walkin'
'Love's Gotta Have A Little Breathing Room'
'Manhattan, Kansas' (written by Joe Allen)
'Big City Blues'
'Mama, Call Me Home'
'Small Country Towns' (written by Eddy Raven)
'Thou Shall Not Kill'

Jeannie C. Riley's 'Down To Earth' (MGM Records, 1972) reached No.43 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1972.

Jeannie C. Riley: 1973

Jeannie C. Riley: 1973

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'
'Soft Texas Rain'
'Baptism of Jesse Taylor'
'Mama, Can You Tell Me'
'Why Me'
'Mother America'
'Billy Joe, The Seeker'
'Sam' (written by Eddy Raven)

Jeannie C. Riley: 1976

Jeannie C. Riley: 1976

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'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1977

Jeannie C. Riley: 1977

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'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1979

Jeannie C. Riley: 1979

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'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1979

Jeannie C. Riley: 1979

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 Bing Crosby, Dean Martin (Thursday 7 June 1917 - Monday 25 December 1995), Bette Davis, Tom Jones, Ed Sullivan, and others, on various television shows.

In 1980, Jeannie C. Riley saw the publcation 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' (written by Margaret Lewis and Mira Smith) (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' (written by Gordon Lightfoot) / this track was an album track from 1971

'Children' / 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' (written by Kris Kristofferson) / this track was an album track from 1971

'I've Done A Lot of Living Since Then' / this track was an album track from 1971

'Roses & Thorns' (written by Naomi Martin) (No.15, 1971) / this track also reached No.15 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1971

Jeannie C. Riley: 1981

Jeannie C. Riley: 1981

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' / 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:

'Don't Have To Die To Get Into Heaven'
'Safely In The Arms of Jesus'
'Look Down'
'You're My Best Friend'
'Bigger Than Any Mountain'
'Lemonade'
'I've Got It All'
'Taking A Walk In The Sun'
'God'll Get You For That'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1984

Jeannie C. Riley: 1984

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'
'Love Vacation'
'Country Girl's Lament'
'Limousine Lovers'
'Soakin' Wet'
'Gone With The West Texas Wind'
'David, Play Your Harp'
'He Took Me To The Cleaners'
'I'm Making Tracks'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1986

Jeannie C. Riley: 1986

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'
'Diamond'
'I Tell It Like It Used To Be'
'You Can Win The World With Love'
'Perpetual Care'
'Love Is A Winding Road'
'Goin' Home'
'Oh, Singer'
'Gotta Go Get It'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1991

Jeannie C. Riley: 1991

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)' / 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'
'Rockin' Pneumonia & The Boogie Woogie Flu'
'Tennes-See Me'
'Just Comin' Down With Love'
'Words'
'Hang Up Your Rhinestone Suit'
'Silver Eagle Breakdown'

Jeannie C. Riley: 1993

Jeannie C. Riley: 1993

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).

Jeannie C. Riley: 1996

Jeannie C. Riley: 1996

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).

• Visit Tom T. Hall's Official Site at tomthall.net