Crystal Gayle
“Before country was ‘cool,’ Crystal was ‘classic’…”
Never has one reviewer captured a platinum clad, Grammy Award winning career so beautifully in so few words.
Crystal encapsulates everything that the dazzling qualities of her name implies, although that name came to her in quite an unusual fashion. “Crystal” came at the suggestion of Brenda Gayle Webb’s older sister, Loretta Lynn—who knows there was already a ‘Brenda Lee’ currently successful in the music industry—suggested her younger sibling adopt the name ‘Crystal’ when she began recording.
Once re-named, her musical boundaries have since been seemingly limitless—as proven by her latest much anticipated project—“All My Tomorrows”—a mood influenced collection of American standards. Songs such as “Cry Me A River,” “Sentimental Journey,” “It Had To Be You,” and “Smile” somehow reach the heights their songwriter’s have dreamed of. “These are songs any artist loves to sing,” said Crystal in a recent interview. “They’ve endured to become timeless.”
Strange to think of anyone so young and vibrant as the artist in question as a “timeless classic” herself—but that indeed describes the course Crystal Gayle’s career has taken.
In the mid ‘70’s, Crystal was the focal point of her own one hour prime time special on CBS television—a special that earned the glowing praise of viewers and critics alike. Chic, hip, and cool with flowing hair that swept around her ankles, in one evening of television, Crystal Gayle enhanced country music to the highest platform it had yet reached in the eyes of the viewing and listening nation.
The blue eyed beauty from the Appalachian coal mining town of Paintsville, Kentucky, would never again linger in the shadow of being Loretta’s baby sister. She took country music to town on her arm in the ‘70’s and introduced it to mainstream audiences.
Country, folk, pop, rock ‘n roll, Broadway show tunes, gospel…all found equal place in her heart, growing up as the youngest of eight children. Like sister Loretta, Crystal too was a “coal miners daughter” before she was a platinum selling singer and a world class entertainer.
While still in school, she signed her first recording contact. Her debut single, “I’ve Cried The Blue Right Out Of My Eyes,” was written by Loretta (already a star) and reached the Top 20 on the national country music charts. Three more singles were released over the next three years—all making an impact on radio and listeners.
What next emerged was unique Crystal. Her warm, resonant vocal styling, individual as a fingerprint, captured the imagination and attention of audiences who are not usually tuned in and turned on by country music. There was an undeniable sophistication and a beguiling charm about her look and her voice that was a memorable imprint on every listener.
The glamour and the mystique of the Crystal Gayle phenomena made her an instantly “in demand” artist. From symphony halls to Carnegie Hall…from the best kept stages in Las Vegas to the prestige of the London Palladium... one word—“Crystal”—crossed musical genres and oceans.
Success swept around her as gracefully as her trademarked long hair. Her inspirational album, “Someday,” was nominated for a Grammy. With the advent of the new millennium, Crystal recorded “In My Arms,” an enduring collection of children’s lullabies. The project was an outgrowth of her love for the littlest of listeners, and of her visit to “Sesame Street” to sing with Big Bird to a new generation of music lovers.
Always gracious and generous with her time and talents, Crystal has been awarded the coveted “Celebration of Light Award” in recognition of her myriad humanitarian efforts—among them the Make-A-Wish Foundation (for whom she has recorded the official theme song) and the Arthritis Foundation, for whom she has served as telethon co-host for several years. Fittingly, the “Celebration of Light Award” was a presentation in Waterford Crystal.
One of the most fitting honors in her career came in 1999 when “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” was recognized by ASCAP as one of the ten most performed songs of the 20th century.
Like fine wine…time has been nothing but kind to Crystal Gayle
Everyone was ever young but only art is eternal. Actually this has described Crystal Gayle’s career. It is no doubt that she has charming appearance and her voice has left every audience indelible impression. Here are 18 songs straight from the heart, with love from Crystal to you…
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