The First Lady Of Country Music's Signature Song

This week we put Tammy Wynette in the Spotlight on the Saturday Morning Classic Country Hall of Fame Feature! 

Growing up in the cotton fields of Mississippi, Tammy found her way out by becoming a hair dresser and chasing her musical dream, while raising her kids as a single mom. Not only a musical treasure, she became a hero to single women everywhere.

Producer Billy Sherrill gave her a shot on Columbia Records.  After break through hits like 'Apartment Number Nine' 'Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad' and 'DIVORCE', she hit it big in 1968 with “Stand By Your Man”. Tammy admits that she and Billy Sherrill wrote the song in less than 20 minutes.  Quite impressive, as it can take weeks or months for an artist to create 'the perfect song'.

The single was released at the height of the Women’s Liberation Movement and feminists hated the song! According to Tom Roland's 'Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits', Tammy later responded by saying “I wanted a song for the truly liberated woman! One who is secure enough in her identity to enjoy it.  Even though to some skeptics it may hint of chauvinism— as fas as I’m concerned, ‘Stand By Your Man’ is just another way of saying ‘I Love You’—- without reservations". In many interviews, Tammy often said it took her 15 minutes to write the song, and a lifetime to defend it!

By the way, Tammy earned the title of 'The First Lady of Country Music' after she became the first woman to sell one million copies of single album.  That project was Tammy Wynette's Greatest Hits Album from 1970.

Hidden Gems: Download the albums 'Without Walls' 'Your Love' and 'One' with George Jones

Recommended: Watch the Showtime Series George & Tammy 

Fun Fact: Tammy Wynette and George Jones' daughter, Georgette Jones, continues to tour and perform in tribute to her parents

The Saturday Morning Classic Country Hall of Fame Airs on Big Country 104.9 and 97.9 every Saturday Morning 6-10am. Listen Live at www.bigcountrylegends.com