Crystal Gayle

Brenda Gail Webb (born January 9, 1951), known professionally as Crystal Gayle, is an American country music singer widely known for her 1977 hit " Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". Initially, Gayle's management and record label were the same as that of her oldest sister, Loretta Lynn. Not finding success with the arrangement after several years, and with Lynn's encouragement, Gayle decided to try a different approach. She signed a new record contract and began recording with Nashville producer Allen Reynolds. Gayle's new sound was sometimes referred to as middle-of-the-road (MOR) or country pop, and was part of a bigger musical trend by many country artists of the 1970s to appeal to a wider audience. Subsequently, Gayle became one of the most successful crossover artists of the 1970s and 80s. She is known for her floor-length hair.

Gayle was said to have begun her career in the 1960s performing as a background singer in Lynn's band (although Gayle says this actually never happened). Lynn helped her sign a recording contract with Decca Records in 1970. Having minor success, she was encouraged to develop her own musical identity. Under the direction of producer Reynolds at United Artists Records, Gayle shifted towards a country pop style that was more successful. In 1975, " Wrong Road Again" became Gayle's first major hit. However, it was in 1977 when Gayle achieved her biggest success with "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". The single topped the ''Billboard'' country chart, crossed over to the top five of the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and became a major international hit.

Gayle continued having success from the late 1970s and through late 1980s. Her biggest hits included " Ready for the Times to Get Better" (1977), " Talking in Your Sleep" (1978), " Half the Way" (1979) and " You and I" (1982). In the 1990s, Gayle shifted artistic directions by recording various genres of music. This included an album of inspirational music titled '' Someday'' (1995) and an album of standards called '' Crystal Gayle Sings the Heart and Soul of Hoagy Carmichael'' (1999). During the decade she also owned and operated a fine arts shop called Crystal's Fine Gifts and Jewelry. Her most recent studio release was in 2019 and Gayle has since continued to tour throughout the world.

Gayle has won one Grammy Award and has been nominated for several others since the 1970s. She has also won five Academy of Country Music awards; those awards include receiving the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award in 2016. In addition, she has won two Country Music Association awards and three American Music Awards. ''Rolling Stone'' ranked her among the 100 greatest country artists of all time and CMT ranked her within their list of the 40 greatest women of country music. Gayle has her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2017.

Early life

Gayle was born Brenda Gail Webb in Paintsville, Kentucky on January 9, 1951. She was the last of eight children born to Clara Marie "Clary" (née Ramey; May 5, 1912 – November 24, 1981) and Melvin Theodore "Ted" Webb (June 6, 1906 – February 22, 1959). Unlike her sister Loretta and her other siblings, Gayle was the only child born at the Paintsville hospital, and not at home. Through her matriline, Gayle is a distant cousin of singer Patty Loveless. Gayle and her siblings claim Irish and Cherokee descent, although she is not enrolled with any Native tribe. Gayle's father was a coal miner who developed black lung disease. In search of better medical treatment, the family moved to Wabash, Indiana, when Gayle was four years old. They lived in a retired miner's community and Clara Webb worked as a nurse's aide. Ted Webb died from a stroke in 1959. From an early age, Gayle had an interest in singing. She noted that she could sing before she could walk. The family's new home in Wabash was in an urban setting. She was exposed to diverse cultural groups and norms and in turn to various styles of music. She sang along frequently to songs she heard on the radio and was inspired by the music of her sister Loretta Lynn.

Gayle's musical interests were shaped further in her teenage years. She started singing in church, performed folk songs, and recorded demonstration tapes. With encouragement from Lynn, she began touring during summers in high school. At age 16, Gayle performed on the Grand Ole Opry in replacement of her sister who had gotten ill. She performed a cover of Gordon Lightfoot's " Ribbon of Darkness". After graduating from high school in 1970, she signed her first recording contract with her sister's label: Decca Records. Upon signing with Decca, the label insisted that Gayle change her first name from "Brenda" to another name. The conflict was because Brenda Lee was already signed to Decca at the time. Shortly thereafter, Lynn drove past a sign for the Krystal fast-food restaurant and said to Gayle, "That's your name. Crystals are bright and shiny, like you." It was then that she changed her name professionally to "Crystal Gayle", with "Gayle" taken from her middle name (Gail).

Career

1969–1976: Decca Records and musical shifts

Gayle was first managed by Oliver Lynn (Loretta Lynn's husband) after signing with Decca Records. Among her first professional gigs were routine appearances on Jim Ed Brown's television show ''The Country Palace''. On the program, Gayle performed original songs written by Loretta Lynn including "Sparklin' Look of Love" and "Mama, It's Different This Time". Her debut single was released in 1970 titled " I've Cried (The Blue Right Out of My Eyes)". Also written by Lynn, the song peaked within the top 40 of the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart. The song was followed by other singles that reached minor positions on the country songs chart: "Everybody Oughta Cry" (1972) and "I Hope You're Havin' Better Luck Than Me" (1972). Gayle's career stalled while at the Decca label. This was because the label wanted Gayle to record in the same style as her sister. Steve Huey of AllMusic criticized her early singles, calling them "little Loretta records". Writers Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann noted that Gayle was "probably stigmatized" for being the sibling of Loretta Lynn. In a 2019 interview with ''Forbes'', Gayle reflected on the experience, "It didn't take me long to realize I was only there because I was Loretta's sister." During this period, Lynn gave Gayle advice that prompted her to expand her musical styles. Lynn said, "quit singing my songs...We have one Loretta Lynn and we don't need another." The conversation led Gayle to ultimately leave Decca in 1974.

Gayle signed a new recording contract with United Artists Records in 1974. Under the direction of producer Allen Reynolds, her musical style shifted. Reynolds (who had recent success producing Don Williams) encouraged Gayle to record in a softer, mellower format. He also helped market her music towards a crossover audience. Gayle also released her first United Artists single in 1974, "Restless". Mary Bufwack and Robert Oermann called the song "assertive" and "sexy". The song peaked at number 39 on the ''Billboard'' country songs chart. The same year, Gayle's self-titled debut album was issued, reaching number 25 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums survey. The following year, she had her first top ten hit on the country chart with " Wrong Road Again", also written by Allen Reynolds. She had minor hits with the singles "This Is My Year for Mexico" (1975) and "Beyond You" (1975). The latter song was co-written by Gayle and her husband, Bill Gatzimos. Her second studio album '' Somebody Loves You'' spawned a second top 10 hit: the title track.

Gayle's shift towards country pop was received better than her earlier recordings with Decca. Kurt Wolff of ''Country Music: The Rough Guide'' praised the new style, calling it a "pleasant, easygoing sort of country- folk blend – a close cousin to music of Emmylou Harris." Encyclopedic writer Collin Larkin called her new music approach to have the "easygoing charm" of records by Don Williams. Oermann and Bufwack called the new style "ear-catching" and praised Allen Reynolds's "gentle rhythm productions."

Reynolds had limited time to write material for Gayle. Instead, he arranged for songwriters Bob McDill and Richard Leigh to help compose music. This arrangement proved successful when in 1976, Gayle had her first number 1 hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart with " I'll Get Over You", written by Leigh. This was followed by a second number 1 hit, " You Never Miss a Real Good Thing (Till He Says Goodbye)", and the number 2 hit, " I'll Do It All Over Again". Her third studio album, ''Crystal'', was released in 1976, peaking at number 7 on the Top Country Albums chart.

1977–1979: Crossover breakthrough

Producer Allen Reynolds believed Gayle was poised to have crossover pop success if the right song were found. In 1977, Richard Leigh had composed a tune called " Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". The song was originally intended for British singer Shirley Bassey. When Reynolds heard the song he said to Leigh, "You're not sending that song anywhere." As was common practice at the time, according to the documentary the track was recorded alongside a guide or scratch vocal, which Gayle recorded in one single take. Going back later to re-record the final production vocal, after several tries, she said she couldn't get the same feeling back as in the original, so this was kept as the master.

"Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" was released as a single in 1977, peaking at number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart and crossing over to number 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Internationally, it became a hit in several countries including the United Kingdom, where it reached the number 5 position. Since its release, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue" has been received positively by music critics and fans. They have also considered it her signature song. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of AllMusic praised Gayle's vocals, commenting, "She never stressed it too heavily, nor were her vocals cloying — they were pretty and straightforward, making the song quite alluring."

Gayle's fourth studio record, '' We Must Believe in Magic'', was also released in 1977. The album peaked at number 2 on the ''Billboard'' country albums chart and number 12 on the ''Billboard 200''. ''We Must Believe in Magic'' has received positive reviews since its initial release. AllMusic gave the record 3.5 out of 5 stars. Paul Dennis of ''My Kind of Country'' gave the album a "Grade A" rating, calling it "an eclectic mix of songs ranging from pop standards to rock 'n' roll hits to songs by contemporary country songsmiths." ''We Must Believe in Magic'' became the first album by a female country artist to certify platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America. In 1978, Gayle earned the Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue", while Leigh won a Grammy for Best Country Song.

In 1978, her fifth studio album '' When I Dream'' was released, also reaching number 2 on the country albums chart. The album peaked at number 52 on the ''Billboard 200'' and certified by platinum by the RIAA. ''When I Dream'' also received positive reviews, garnering 3 out of 5 stars from AllMusic and another "Grade A" rating from ''My Kind of Country''. Its lead single was the Roger Cook-penned " Talking in Your Sleep". It became a number 1 country single and crossed over to number 18 on the Hot 100. "Talking in Your Sleep" became Gayle's second international hit as well, peaking at number 11 in the United Kingdom. The album also included the hits " Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For" and the title track. By the end of 1978, Gayle had won "Female Vocalist of the Year" from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Before departing from the United Artists label, her sixth studio album '' We Should Be Together'' (1979) was released. It featured the two top-ten hits: " Your Kisses Will" and " Your Old Cold Shoulder".

1979–1989: Continued crossover success

In 1979, Gayle moved to Columbia Records, bringing Reynolds with her. Under Columbia, Gayle began recording more cover versions of songs. This decision received praise from music critics, who credited her for being "versatile". Her seventh studio album, '' Miss the Mississippi'' was released in 1979 as well. It featured three major hits including " Half the Way", which became her third crossover pop hit. ''Miss the Mississippi'' peaked at number 3 on the ''Billboard'' Top Country Albums chart number 36 on the ''Billboard 200'' and certified gold in sales from the RIAA. Gayle's eighth studio release '' These Days'' (1980) spawned two more number 1 singles on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart: " If You Ever Change Your Mind" and " Too Many Lovers". In 1981, Gayle's ninth studio album '' Hollywood, Tennessee'' peaked at number 5 on the country albums chart and number 99 on the ''Billboard 200''. Although commercially successful, it received mixed critical reviews. Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann said that the album "symbolized her uptown inspirations" and Jason Ankeny of AllMusic gave the album only 2.5 out of 5 stars. ''Hollywood, Tennessee'' spawned three major hits on the ''Billboard'' country songs chart. This included the crossover hit, " The Woman in Me", and the social awareness tune, " Livin' in These Troubled Times".

As Gayle's music crossed multiple genres, she made more appearances outside of the Nashville establishment. Among these was hosting two prime time television specials: ''The Crystal Gayle Special'' (1979) and ''Crystal'' (1980). Both shows aired on CBS and were given critical acclaim. Gayle would also appear with Bob Hope on his 1979 television special called ''On the Road to China''. For the special, Gayle and Hope taped a performance on the Great Wall of China. The special made Gayle the first artist to film a performance on the Great Wall.

In 1982, Gayle collaborated with Tom Waits on the soundtrack of Francis Ford Coppola's film '' One from the Heart''. Originally, Bette Midler was chosen for the project, however Midler could not fit it into her schedule. At first the soundtrack was delayed by Columbia Records due to a dispute with Coppola's Zoetrope Studios. When it was released, the soundtrack received positive reviews. Thom Jurek of AllMusic gave the release 4.5 out of 5 stars, who called it "one of the most beautifully wrought soundtrack collaborations in history". Steve Pond of ''Rolling Stone'' called it "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."

Also in 1982, Gayle moved from Columbia to Elektra Records, which would later merge with Warner Bros. Among the first recordings was a duet with Eddie Rabbitt titled " You and I". The song reached number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart and became her second top 10 hit on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Gayle's first studio album with Elektra would also be issued in 1982, '' True Love''. First produced by Allen Reynolds, when the album was presented to Jimmy Bowen (Elektra's division head), he commented that it "rocked too much". For these reasons, Bowen decided to produce three additional tracks for the album. The album would receive a mixed reception. In ''Billboard Magazine''s initial review, they praised Gayle's vocals despite the use of "tougher arrangements". Tom Roland of AllMusic praised Gayle's performance, notably on the tracks " Our Love Is on the Faultline" and "Deeper Than the Fire". Roland also criticized the production arrangements Bowen arranged for. ''True Love'' spawned three singles that all reached the number 1 spot on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart: "Our Love Is on the Faultine", " Baby, What About You" and " 'Til I Gain Control Again".

In 1983, Gayle's released her next album called '' Cage the Songbird''. It was the first of Gayle's to be produced entirely by Jimmy Bowen. ''Cage the Songbird'' peaked at number 5 on the Top Country Albums chart and number 171 on the ''Billboard 200''. Among its singles were the crossover hits " The Sound of Goodbye" and " Turning Away". Gayle had further hits from her next studio releases in 1985 and 1986. Among these were the number one hits, " Straight to the Heart" (1986) and " Cry" (1986). The latter was a song originally popularized by Johnnie Ray. In 1983, she would also record the theme song for the television series '' Masquerade''. In 1984, she sang a duet with Hong Kong singer Danny Chan, titled "Tell Me What Can I Do", it was largely unknown due to lack of promotional budget.

Between 1985 and 1987, Gayle collaborated with country artist Gary Morris on a series of duets. The first being the single " Makin' Up for Lost Time". The song reached number 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles chart in 1986. "Makin' Up for Lost Time" was referred to as the "Lovers' Theme" on ''Dallas''. It became an anthem for supercouple Bobby (Patrick Duffy) and Pam Ewing (Victoria Principal

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