Crystal Gayle Biography
Crystal Gayle, an American country music performer best remembered for her 1977 single “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” was born Brenda Gail Webb on January 9, 1951. At first, Gayle shared management and a record business with her older sister, Loretta Lynn. After using the arrangement unsuccessfully for a while, Gayle made the decision to pursue a different strategy with Lynn’s support. She agreed to a new record deal and started working with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds on her recordings. Gayle’s new sound, which was part of a larger musical tendency by many country singers of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience, was frequently referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop.
Gayle went on to become one of the most popular crossover performers of the 1970s and 1980s. Her hair is famous for being floor-length.
Gayle claims that this technically never happened, but Gayle is credited with having started her career in Lynn’s band in the 1960s. In 1970, Lynn assisted her in securing a recording deal with Decca Records. She experienced modest success, which inspired her to forge her own musical identity. Gayle changed to a more successful country pop sound under the tutelage of producer Reynolds at United Artists Records.
“Wrong Road Again” became Gayle’s first big success in 1975. Gayle’s greatest success, nevertheless, came in 1977 with the song “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” The song reached the top of the Billboard country chart, peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100, and quickly gained popularity around the world.
From the late 1970s through the late 1980s, Gayle maintained her success. The songs “Ready for the Times to Get Better” (1977), “Talking in Your Sleep” (1978), “Half the Way” (1979), and “You and I” (1982) were some of her biggest hits.
Gayle changed her artistic focus in the 1990s by releasing music in a variety of styles. This included the albums Someday (1995), which featured upbeat music, and Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael (1999), which featured standards. She also owned and ran “Crystal’s Fine Gifts and Jewelry” throughout the whole of the decade. Gayle’s most recent studio album was released in 2019, and since then, she has kept busy with international tours.
Since the 1970s, Gayle has been nominated for numerous Grammy Awards and has won one of them. Additionally, she has garnered five Academy of Country Music honors, including the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 2016.
She has also received three American Music Awards and two Country Music Association honors. She was listed among the top 100 country performers of all time by Rolling Stone and among the top 40 female country musicians by CMT. Gayle was inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member in 2017 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Crystal Gayle Early life
Brenda Gail Webb gave birth to Gayle in Paintsville, Kentucky. She was the eighth and final child to be born to Melvin Theodore “Ted” Webb (June 6, 1906 – February 22, 1959) and Clara Marie “Clary” Ramey (May 5, 1912 – November 24, 1981). Gayle was the sole child born at the Paintsville hospital and not at home, unlike sister Loretta and her other siblings. Gayle is a distant relative of singer Patty Loveless through her matriline. Gayle does not belong to any Native American tribe, although she and her siblings claim to be of Irish and Cherokee ancestry. Black lung disease struck Gayle’s father, a coal miner, when he was young.
When Gayle was four years old, the family relocated to Wabash, Indiana in pursuit of better medical care. Clara Webb was employed as a nurse’s assistant, and they resided in a neighborhood of retired miners. A stroke claimed Ted Webb’s life in 1959. Gayle developed a passion for singing from a young age. She remarked that singing came before walking. The family’s new residence was located in a city in Wabash. She was exposed to many cultural groups and conventions, which in turn exposed her to various musical genres. She frequently sang along to songs she heard on the radio and was influenced by her sister Loretta Lynn’s music.
Gayle’s adolescent years saw further development of her musical tastes. She began singing in church and has since performed folk songs and taped performances. Lynn encouraged her to start traveling during the summers of her senior year in high school. At the age of 16, Gayle took the place of her sister, who was ill, on the Grand Ole Opry. “Ribbon of Darkness” by Gordon Lightfoot was covered by her.
She signed her first singing contract with her sister’s record label, Decca Records, after graduating from high school in 1970. Decca asked that Gayle alter her first name from “Brenda” to another name after she signed a contract with the record company. Brenda Lee was already contracted to Decca at the time, which led to the conflict. Soon after, Gayle heard Lynn say, “That’s your name,” as she drove past a Krystal fast food restaurant sign. Crystals are sparkling and bright, just like you. At that point, she changed her name professionally to “Crystal Gayle,” using her middle name (Gail) as the inspiration for the “Gayle” part.
Crystal Gayle Career
1969–1976: Decca Records and musical shifts
After signing with Decca Records, Gayle was initially managed by Oliver Lynn (Loretta Lynn’s husband). Regular appearances on Jim Ed Brown’s television program The Country Palace were among her first paid jobs. Gayle sang original Loretta Lynn compositions including “Mama, It’s Different This Time” and “Sparklin’ Look of Love” on the show. 1970 saw the publication of her first song, “I’ve Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes)”. The song, which was also written by Lynn, reached its highest point on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
“Everybody Oughta Cry” (1972) and “I Hope You’re Havin’ Better Luck Than Me” (1972) were the next two singles to be released, both of which only made tiny appearances on the country songs list. While signed to the Decca label, Gayle’s career hit a wall. The label wanted Gayle to record in the same manner as her sister, which is why this happened. Her early singles were panned as “little Loretta records” by AllMusic’s Steve Huey. According to authors Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann, Gayle “probably stigmatized” herself because she was Loretta Lynn’s sibling. Gayle remarked on the incident in a 2019 interview with Forbes, saying, “It didn’t take me long to realize I was only there because I was Loretta’s sister.”
Gayle was advised by Lynn around this time to broaden her musical tastes. Stop singing my songs, Lynn commanded.There is already one Loretta Lynn; we do not require another. After the encounter, Gayle decided to quit Decca in 1974.
In 1974, Gayle agreed to a new recording deal with United Artists Records. Her musical taste changed under the influence of producer Allen Reynolds. Reynolds, a successful producer of Don Williams recently, pushed Gayle to record in a more laid-back style. Additionally, he assisted in promoting her songs to a crossover audience. In 1974, Gayle also issued “Restless,” her debut United Artists song. The song was described by Mary Bufwack and Robert Oermann as “assertive” and “sexy.”
The song’s position on the Billboard country songs chart peaked at number 39. Gayle released her self-titled debut album in the same year, which peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Top Country Albums list.[19] In the following year, she scored her first top ten country chart success with Allen Reynolds’ song “Wrong Road Again.”With the singles “This Is My Year for Mexico” and “Beyond You” from 1975, she found little success. Gayle and her husband Bill Gatzimos collaborated on the composition of the latter piece. The title single from her second studio album, Somebody Loves You, became her second top 10 smash.
More people like Gayle’s transition to country pop than her earlier Decca albums. The new sound was complimented by Kurt Wolff of Country Music: The Rough Guide, who described it as a “pleasant, easygoing sort of country-folk blend — a close cousin to music of Emmylou Harris.” According to encyclopedia author Collin Larkin, her new musical style has the “easygoing charm” of Don Williams records. The new approach was described as “ear-catching” by Oermann and Bufwack, who also appreciated Allen Reynolds’ “gentle rhythm productions.”
Reynolds had a short amount of time to provide content for Gayle. Instead, he made arrangements for Richard Leigh and Bob McDill to contribute to the songwriting. With “I’ll Get Over You,” penned by Leigh, Gayle earned her first number-one hit on the country songs chart in 1976, demonstrating the effectiveness of this arrangement. The number 2 smash “I’ll Do It All Over Again” and the second number 1 success “You Never Miss a Real Good Thing (Till He Says Goodbye)” came after this. In 1976, she released Crystal, her third studio album, which peaked at number seven on the Top Country Albums chart.
1977–1979: Crossover breakthrough
Allen Reynolds, the producer, thought Gayle had a chance to succeed in the crossover pop market with the right song. Richard Leigh wrote the song “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” in 1977. The British vocalist Shirley Bassey was the song’s intended recipient at first. Leigh was told by Reynolds, after hearing the song, “You’re not sending that song anywhere.” Gayle used only one take to record the song. When “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” was released as a single in 1977, it reached its highest point at the top of the Billboard country songs list and crossed over to the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 2.
On a global scale, it became popular in a number of nations, including the UK, where it peaked at number 5. “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” has gotten favorable reviews from both music reviewers and fans since its release. They have also referred to it as her anthem. Gayle’s vocals were commended by Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic, who said, “She never stressed it too heavily, nor were her vocals cloying — they were pretty and straightforward, making the song quite alluring.”
We Must Believe in Magic, Gayle’s fourth studio album, was also made available in 1977. On the Billboard country albums list, the album peaked at number 2, while on the Billboard 200 chart, it reached at number 12. Since its debut, We Must Believe in Magic has garnered favorable reviews. The album received 3.5 out of 5 stars on AllMusic. The album received a “Grade A” rating from Paul Dennis of My Kind of Country, who described it as “an eclectic mix of songs ranging from pop standards to rock ‘n’ roll hits to songs by contemporary country songsmiths.”
The Recording Industry Association of America certified the female country artist’s album We Must Believe in Magic as the first to sell platinum records. Leigh won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 1978, while Gayle won the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”.
When I Dream, her fifth studio album, was released in 1978 and peaked at number two on the country albums list.The album was certified platinum by the RIAA and reached its top position of number 52 on the Billboard 200. Another “Grade A” rating from My Kind of Country and three out of five stars from AllMusic were given to When I Dream. The Roger Cook-penned song “Talking in Your Sleep” served as the album’s lead single. It reached number 1 in the country singles chart and number 18 on the Hot 100.
With a UK peak of number 11, “Talking in Your Sleep” became Gayle’s second international hit as well. The top tracks “Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For” and “Title Track” were also on the album. Gayle received “Female Vocalist of the Year” awards from the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music before the year’s conclusion in 1978.[36] She released her sixth studio album, We Should Be Together (1979), just before leaving the United Artists label. “Your Kisses Will” and “Your Old Cold Shoulder” were two of its major hits.
1979–1989: Continued crossover success
Reynolds followed Gayle when she changed record labels to Columbia Records in 1979. Gayle started to record more cover songs when she was signed to Columbia. Music journalists praised her for making this choice and praised her for being “versatile”. Miss the Mississippi, her sixth studio album, was also released in 1979. With “Half the Way” serving as her third crossover pop success, it contained three huge hits.[38] Miss the Mississippi received a gold sales certification from the RIAA and reached its peak at number three on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart[39], number 36 on the Billboard 200 chart. “If You Ever Change Your Mind” and “Too Many Lovers” were two more number-one singles on the country music chart that came from Gayle’s eighth studio album These Days (1980).
Hollywood, Tennessee, Gayle’s ninth studio album, reached its highest point in 1981 at position five on the country albums chart and position 99 on the Billboard 200. Even though it was financially successful, the reviews from critics were inconsistent. The album, according to Mary A. Bufwack, Robert K. Oermann, and Jason Ankeny of AllMusic, “symbolized her uptown inspirations. Jason Ankeny scored the album 2.5 out of 5 stars.[45] Three significant singles on the Billboard country music list were born in Hollywood, Tennessee. Included in this were the mainstream success “The Woman in Me” and the social commentary song “Livin’ in These Troubled Times.”
Gayle performed more outside of the Nashville establishment as her songs spanned various genres. Hosting the 1979 and 1980 television specials The Crystal Gayle Special and Crystal was one of them.Both programs were shown on CBS and received favorable reviews. On the Road to China, Bob Hope’s 1979 television special, Gayle would also make an appearance.Gayle and Hope recorded a performance on the Great Wall of China for the program. Gayle became the first performer to tape a performance on the Great Wall thanks to the special.
Gayle and Tom Waits worked together in 1982 to create the music for Francis Ford Coppola’s movie One from the Heart.[49] Bette Midler was initially selected for the project, however Midler was unable to fit it into her schedule. Due to a disagreement with Coppola’s Zoetrope Studios, Columbia Records initially postponed the soundtrack’s release. The soundtrack garnered favorable reviews after its debut. The album received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating from Thom Jurek of AllMusic, who referred to it as “one of the most beautifully wrought soundtrack collaborations in history.” Rolling Stone’s Steve Pond referred to it as “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.”
Gayle switched from Columbia to Elektra Records in 1982 as well; Elektra Records and Warner Bros. would ultimately merge. A duet called “You and I” with Eddie Rabbitt was one of the first recordings. The song became her second top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaked at number one on the Billboard country singles chart. True Love, Gayle’s debut studio album with Elektra, was also released in 1982. Jimmy Bowen, the head of Elektra’s division, said the record “rocked too much” when it was first delivered to him. Allen Reynolds had originally produced it.
Bowen made the choice to create three extra tracks for the CD in light of these factors.The album would meet with a variety of reactions. Even though “tougher arrangements” were used, Gayle’s vocals were commended in Billboard Magazine’s initial review. Gayle’s performance was lauded by Tom Roland of AllMusic, especially on the songs “Our Love Is on the Faultline” and “Deeper Than the Fire”. Bowen’s plans for the production were challenged by Roland as well. “Our Love Is on the Faultine“, “Baby, What About You” and “‘Til I Gain Control Again” are three of the singles from True Love that all peaked at number one on the Billboard country chart.
Cage the Songbird, Gayle’s subsequent album, was released in 1983. It was Gayle’s first album totally produced by Jimmy Bowen. On the Top Country Albums chart and the Billboard 200, Cage the Songbird peaked at number five and number seventeen, respectively. The crossover hits “The Sound of Goodbye” and “Turning Away” were included among its singles. Gayle’s 1985 and 1986 studio albums, which were her next, produced additional hits. The number one singles “Straight to the Heart” (1986) and “Cry” (1986) were among them.
The latter was a song that Johnnie Ray first made popular.She would also record the Masquerade TV show’s theme song in 1983. She performed a duet in 1984 called “Tell Me What Can I Do” with Hong Kong singer Danny Chan, but due to a lack of promotional funds, it received little attention.
Gary Morris and Gayle worked together on a number of duets between 1985 and 1987.The first is the song “Makin’ Up for Lost Time”. In 1986, the song peaked at number one on the Billboard country chart. Dallas, a CBS television series, also had “Makin’ Up for Lost Time” as its theme music.The song for Another World was also recorded by the duo. “Another World” was the title of the theme tune, which reached the top 10 of the charts. Gayle would also appear as a guest star on the program.
In 1986, the couple would release What If We Fall in Love?, their joint studio album. On the Billboard country albums chart, the album peaked at number 25 in September 1987. Gayle released her tenth and final album in 1988. The album, Nobody’s Angel, contained the single “Tennessee Nights” as well as two unimportant hits.
Additionally in 1987, Gayle founded “Crystal’s Fine Gifts and Jewelry” in Nashville. The shop included a variety of presents, including jewelry and stones created by different European artisans. Crystals of various kinds were also available at the store. The modest boutique grew into a much larger shop, and it takes a lot of labor, as anyone in retail well knows, Gayle said in a 1994 interview. However, we have a great time with it. In 2008, the store was formally shuttered.
1990–present: Later career and recent years
Gayle reconnected with producer Allen Reynolds in 1990 after signing a new recording deal with Capitol Records. Ain’t Gonna Worry, her sixteenth studio album, was released in the same year. The album received a 4 out of 5 star rating from Bill Carpenter of AllMusic, who called it “an excellent set of country pop.” Several singles from the album were released, with “Just an Old Love” being the first. Billboard gave it a favorable response in its initial assessment, complimenting Reynolds’ production values. Gayle’s third song off the album, “Never Ending Song of Love,” became her final single to chart, peaking at number 72 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles list.
] Three Good Reasons, her eighteenth studio album, was released in 1992. Buzz Stone oversaw the album’s production. A music video was made for the title track of the album. The song and music video received a favorable review from Bill Kohlhaase of the Los Angeles Times, who stated that “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.” The album received a 3 out of 5 star rating on AllMusic.
Gayle recorded music for smaller labels and released specialized projects as the 1990s went on. The Branson Entertainment Group was her first indie label, where she published the hit-recorded album Best Always. She joined Intersound Records in 1995 and cut two gospel studio albums. The first was Someday, which she and Bobby Wood co-produced in 1995. The first single from the album featured music that was shot in Greece. There are songs in there that clearly you’ve lived, she said in an interview from 1995 when describing the meaning behind the album’s title tune. The song’s writing makes me believe that many individuals can undoubtedly relate to the title tune. Her second gospel album, Joy & Inspiration, was published in 1997. Gayle broadened her musical tastes as the millenium began. She released the jazz and American Standards CD Crystal in 1999. Gayle performs Hoagy Carmichael’s Heart and Soul. It was done as a memorial to Hoagy Carmichael, with whom Gayle had collaborated just before his passing at the start of the 1980s. “Stardust” and “Georgia on My Mind” were two of the songs he wrote that were covered on the album. Thom Jurek scored Heart and Soul’s album 4 out of 5 stars in his review on AllMusic. Jurek described it as “a gorgeous set, one that, while certainly reaffirming Gayle’s artistry, also offers the first truly fresh hearing of Carmichael in at least a decade.”
The lead song, “Two Sleepy People,” a duet with Willie Nelson, was acclaimed by Billboard Magazine, which described it as “sweet” and “playful.” She issued the children’s music studio album In My Arms in 2000. Her second collection of American standards, All My Tomorrows, was released in 2003. According to Variety’s Robert Daniels, Gayle’s voice “boasts directness and finesse. There are no too elaborate or showy theatrics. Gayle’s voice was praised as “stunning” and “capable” by AllMusic, who scored the album four out of five stars. Christopher Daniel Gay, a wanted felon, escaped from custody in January 2007 at a welcome station for Interstate 95 close to Hardeeville, South Carolina. He then traveled to Tennessee and stole Gayle’s tour bus there. The following day, Gay was detained, and the bus was returned.
Gayle spent several years working on the next studio album. She said that her son Chris Gatzimos would produce the album, which would feature tributes to country music classics. Am I That Easy To Forget was the first working title of the project. Gayle revealed that it would now be known as You Don’t Know Me: Classic Country in 2019. Southpaw Productions and The Orchard handled the official release in September of this year. Gayle’s first studio album to chart since 1988, You Don’t Know Me, peaked at number 40 on the Billboard independent albums chart.
The album was given favorable reviews by critics. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, an AllMusic writer, scored the album three out of five stars. Erlewine commented that she still “sounds amiable” despite her top register being “a little diminished”. The Digital Journal’s Markos Papadatos gave it a “A” rating and said of Crystal Gayle’s latest album, You Don’t Know Me, which is country as grits, “Overall, Crystal Gayle is sensational on the record. Grab a glass of wine, and let the ageless voice of this country queen entice you.
Gayle famously composed and recorded “Midnight In The Desert” for Art Bell’s Coast to Coast AM radio broadcast in the 1990s.
Crystal Gayle Personal life
Gayle and her siblings both claim maternal and paternal Cherokee ancestry. Due to her Cherokee ancestry, she was honored by being inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame in October 2001.
Since she was a little child, Gayle has remained close to her seven siblings. Prior to committing to a recording deal, she toured with her brother Jay Lee Webb’s band. A cover of the song “You Never Were Mine” by Webb can be found on her upcoming studio album. Gayle said she wished she had “done it a long time ago” in a Rolling Stone interview because they spend a lot of time on tour together. Additionally, Gayle’s older sister Peggy Sue has participated actively in the traveling show for a number of years. On Gayle’s show, Peggy Sue sings backing vocals in addition to performing her own solo stuff.
Gayle remained close with Loretta Lynn, her eldest sister. According to music critics and journalists, there was “sibling rivalry” between the two. In a People interview, Lynn clarified that there was no such rivalry: “People try to make it seem like we compete, but that’s all in their minds…We argue occasionally, but that’s normal for sisters. And we never argue about the music industry. Of course, we’re sisters, Gayle remarked in a 2017 interview. We can argue, but there wasn’t much of a conflict. You see, my sister is someone I look up to.We both have weaknesses in various ways, but we won’t disclose them, you know? However, we do love one another.
Bill Gatzimos and Gayle have been wed since 1971. The pair started dating while they were still in high school, and Gatzimos attended Vanderbilt University’s law school while Gayle was signed to United Artists Records. Gatzimos managed Gayle after graduating from law school, and he has subsequently taken over as president of Gayle Enterprises, the couple’s business. Gayle claims that the reason her and her husband’s union has been successful is because they each follow their “own interests” while allowing the other to “breathe.” A son named Christos was born in 1986, and a daughter named Catherine was born in 1983. Gayle’s son, who is currently a record producer, worked on her 2019 album with her.
Gayle kept working a lot after the birth of her first kid. “When I was onstage, I remember coming off stage and breastfeeding and then doing another show,” she recalled in 2003. Gayle took care of the children at home after the couple had their second child. Björn and Elijah are the names of her other two grandchildren. In an interview from 2011, Gayle expressed her gratitude for grandchildren, saying, “Holidays are so beautiful with Elijah. We bake cookies, which is wonderful because I didn’t get much of an opportunity to do this with my own kids. When I’m not with him and I’m driving, there’s a pull, and I want to be. He simply stands out as someone you want to see all the time. His love Life
Crystal Gayle Musical styles
Gayle’s music has a strong country influence, but it also incorporates pop and folk elements. Gayle’s early years were spent in an urban setting, unlike her siblings, who were largely raised in rural Kentucky. Gayle was exposed to a wide range of musical genres in this multicultural environment. She remarked in 2003, “I’ve always enjoyed folk, pop, rock, gospel, country, everything…” She particularly enjoyed the songs of Lesley Gore, Brenda Lee, and Patsy Cline when she was younger. She grew to love folk music during her adolescence, especially Peter, Paul, and Mary.
Gayle, though, was equally drawn to her elder sister Loretta Lynn’s traditional country sound. But Lynn was the one who pushed Gayle to find her own style. Gayle stated in a conversation with the Chicago Tribune: “But she (Lynn) responded, ‘No, you have go the middle of the road and have a different sound.’ And if I had been straight-ahead country, I would have failed to succeed. This viewpoint inspired her to record many genres. She stated in 2007 that she enjoys being referred to as a vocalist: “I call myself a singer of tunes. Whether it’s country, folk, pop, or rock, I enjoy singing.
Although I have roots in many other musical genres, country is where I grew up. Gayle added that finding high-quality material was her top priority: “I’ve had terrific producers. One of them is Allen Reynolds, who is really great. I was constantly discovering fantastic tunes written by others and wanted to release only the best music.
In contrast to her sister, Gayle has been praised by music critics and journalists for her silky vocal delivery. Thom Jurek of AllMusic pointed out that “her signature phrasing and sophisticated material” were contributing factors.According to Rolling Stone’s Stephen L. Betts, Gayle has “a polished persona and singing style tailor-made for country-pop crossover.” She was described as having a “sweet radio-friendly voice” by Kurt Wolff of Country Music: The Rough Guide, who added that she “made a picture-perfect pop-country star.”
Crystal Gayle Image
Gayle has received a lot of media attention thanks to her appearance. She is famous for having hair that is floor length. Gayle’s mother had her hair short when she was a kid. She was motivated to grow her hair long enough to reach her knees after spotting a woman in Nashville with hair like that. By the late 1970s, Gayle’s hair had grown considerably, and so had her fan base. She had floor-length hair by the early 1990s. She had headaches throughout that time and thought about drastically cutting her hair to save time.
She finally chose not to trim it, though. Gayle gives her daughter the credit for opposing a haircut. She received a message from Gayle’s daughter saying, “You can’t cut your hair — you won’t be Crystal Gayle.” As for having long, straight hair, Gayle added, “I know some people think: ‘Why does she keep it so long?'” I would definitely adore to experiment with every single style, but I am not a beautician. I do so for a long time. It’s simple to wash it off and go on. Gayle claims that she yet keeps going to the hairdresser. She trims 9 to 12 inches of hair per year.
Gayle’s attractive attributes have also elevated her to sex icon status. “Crystal Gayle will be forever remembered by music fans for the sexy toss of her head that sent waves of motion through her Godiva-like brunette tresses,” authors Robert K. Oermann and Mary A. Bufwack wrote in 2003. Gayle was described as having “knockout good looks” by author Kurt Wolff. She was ranked among the “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” by People in 1983.
Crystal Gayle Legacy
One of the most influential and successful country pop crossover musicians is Gayle. For upcoming female country pop musicians like Faith Hill, Shania Twain, and Carrie Underwood, Gayle’s songs and career helped open doors. She amassed an astounding 18 No. 1 hits, two more than her older sister had, and ranked fourth among all female artists in country music history, after Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and Tammy Wynette, according to author Kevin John Coyne.
Gayle has received a number of honors and awards recently for her achievements. She was listed as one of the “40 Greatest Women of Country Music” in 2003 by Country Music Television. She received admission to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2008. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. Artist Tanya Tucker and her family attended the ceremony with her. The Academy of Country Music honored her with the “Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award” in 2016. The year before, Gayle said, “It’s nice to think maybe your music has influenced other artists who are out there.”
Gayle has received a number of honors and awards recently for her achievements. She was listed as one of the “40 Greatest Women of Country Music” in 2003 by Country Music Television. She received admission to the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2008. She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2009. Artist Tanya Tucker and her family attended the ceremony with her. The Academy of Country Music honored her with the “Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award” in 2016. The year before, Gayle said, “It’s nice to think maybe your music has influenced other artists who are out there.”
Who is Crystal Gayle?
Brenda Gail Webb, also known as Crystal Gayle, was born in Paintsville, Kentucky, on January 9, 1951. Her parents were Clara Marie and Melvin Theodore Webb, a coal miner and farmer by trade.As the youngest of eight siblings, she spent her childhood in a large household. Herman Webb, Willie “Jay” Lee Webb, Peggy Sue Wright, Betty Ruth Webb, the famed singer Loretta Lynn, Melvin Webb (who died in 1993), Herman Webb, Donald Ray Webb (who died in 2017), and Willie “Jay” Lee Webb are among her siblings.She and her family relocated to Wabash, Indiana, when she was four years old.
A coalworker’s pneumoconiosis, widely known as the black lung illness among coal miners, claimed the life of her father four years later.She grew up listening to country music on the radio, and her mother always encouraged her to perform in front of visitors. She consequently developed a passion for the country-pop genre. Soon after, her sister Loretta began a singing career, greatly motivating little Brenda.Brenda completed her high school education at Wabash in 1970 and joined Decca Records, following in Loretta’s footsteps.
Loretta made the decision to give her sister a different identity because the firm had another artist listed with the same name. As a result of witnessing the Krystal Hamburger restaurant chain, she came up with the moniker “Crystal Gayle.”
Why is Crystal Gayle famous?
Three “Top Female Vocalist” statuettes at the Academy of Country Music Awards went to Crystal. Her honors increased as her music and professional path reached a wider audience. She has won three “American Music Awards,” and the public chose her as its “Favorite Female Artist.”
Why does Crystal Gayle not cut her hair?
She had floor-length hair by the early 1990s. Due to the headaches and the effort it took to manage it, she thought of drastically shortening her hair at that time. She finally chose not to trim it, though. Gayle gives her daughter the credit for opposing a haircut.
Where did Crystal Gayle graduate high school?
Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb on January 9, 1951 in Paintsville, Kentucky. When Brenda was 4 years old, she relocated to Wabash with her family. She spent a few weeks each summer touring with her sister while still a Wabash High School student.
How much money is Crystal Gayle worth?
Crystal Gayle has a net worth of $10 million. She performs country music in the United States. Gayle has enjoyed success as a singer since 1970, best remembered for her 1977 country-pop crossover smash song, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.”
Was Gayle nominated for a Grammy?
Meet the First-Time GRAMMY Nominee: GAYLE On “abcdefu,” Nashville Beginnings, And Taylor Swift’s Real-Life Pain. GAYLE received a GRAMMY nomination for Song Of The Year thanks to her very first label release, which went viral and became a smash.
