Jeanne Pruett
BORN: January 30, 1937
2023 AMHOF Inductee
“Satin sheets to lie on, satin pillows to cry on,
Still, I’m not happy don’t you see.
Big long Cadillac, tailor-mades upon my back
Still, I want you to set me free”
It all started when…
Jeanne Pruett was born Norma Jean Bowman in Pell City, Alabama in 1937. At a young age, she listened to the Grand Ole Opry, harmonized with her siblings, and sang in high school music programs. After high school, she married her childhood sweetheart, Jack Pruett; and in 1956, the couple moved to Nashville, TN. Pruett’s husband was a guitarist and joined legendary country artist Marty Robbins’ band. While Jack was on the road with Robbins’ band, Jeanne began writing songs.
In 1963, she started recording a lot of her own songs like, “Count Me Out” for RCA Records, her first label. She also was appearing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry. Pruett switched to Decca/MCA Records in 1969, and by 1972 she was hitting the Top 40 with her self-penned “Love Me” (later a big hit for Marty Robbins). Pruett was established as a songwriter, writing for Marty Robbins Publishing Co., and for artists Robbins, Tammy Wynette, Nat Stuckey, and Conway Twitty. But her own recording, “Satin Sheets,” was about to make Jeanne Pruett a household name.
In 1973, after the release of “Satin Sheets,” Pruett was a CMA nominee for Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Single of the Year. Also in 1973, Pruett was a Music City News nominee for Top Female Vocalist and nominee for Single of the Year. That same year, Pruett was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. She was the 63rd member of the Opry, and the last female artist to join the Opry while it was located in the world-famous Ryman Auditorium.