Jenny wondered if I could feature her favorite singer this week. In these stories I always look for the gift artists gave us in addition to their music. If you grew up listening to Leann Rimes, Taylor Swift, Scotty McCreery or even Kippi Brannon (in the early 1980's) you know they were all very young teens with country recording deals and songs. But before any of them, long before, there was the incredible Tanya Tucker. She has been recording since 1973 when she was 14, and is still a musical force and winning awards at 60 plus. I grew up with Tanya Tucker, in some way most of us did. Yeah, you know Delta Dawn, but there is way more to Tanya.
First Number One 1973 She was about 14 - Arrangement and Song Indicative Of The Era
Tanya Tucker is one of the best, most unique singers ever. Blessed with a voice that cuts through any kind of music and arrangement, and was light years more mature than most at 14. A voice so distinctive, so different, so - her. Over her career, especially early on she was on and off the country charts with her music, and with her image. One of her many gifts was she was Outlaw Country and proud of it. Pretty rare for a woman then. She then dumped the long dresses and gigantic hair most of the stars were wearing then, and invented a new image for herself. Shortly there after, most of the rest dumped the huge dresses and bouffant hair. She changed that game. In short, there were many, many stages of her career, and personal life, just like the rest of us. Difference is, the world didn't watch every move we made.
This Song Is Long - But Watching The Video, You'll Get A Sense Who She IS
Tanya's 9th album, TNT raised tons of eyebrows in 1978. (BTW, she was 20 and had 9 albums and tons of hits songs already.) It was country-rock, it was new and very different, plus this album cover, (that would be pretty tame by today's standards) caused a real stir. It was very racy for its time and was not really accepted by the country world. Her career hit a wall, and chart success was slipping. Her personal life was the stuff of tabloids and she was tied or rumored to be in romantic relationships with Merle Haggard, Don Johnson, Andy Gibb, and Glen Campbell over the course of a number of years. She became more known for all of this - sometimes more than her music. But a massive reinvention was coming.
From TNT - Big Song! Controversial Album Cover
In 1986 Tucker began a long run of the best music she ever recorded. She was working with great people and rattled off a line of huge hit songs that went on for about the next 12 years. Many of these songs are country classics and are still loved today. Downloading a Greatest Hits album from her is a very good idea. She has recorded, sung and collaborated with about everyone you can think of. She performed at halftime of the 1996 Superbowl, and has played about every venue there is to play. In short, Tanya Tucker is a star. I've played every Tanya Tucker song she put on the country charts and proud of it.
This Song Is Universally Loved
Yes, we feature her music in this article, but she's more than that. Tanya Tucker was, and is a star. She's known by generations of people. And she has managed to keep herself relevant and out front. Some remember Delta Dawn, some remember her romance with Glen Campbell, some remember her TV days, her tumultuous days, and now others are discovering the Grammy Winning music she records today. You see, that's a star. When everyone knows your name. And everyone does. In one way or another, you know who she is. She's a game changer. She was the first to be so young and really make it. She, about single-handedly changed the image for women in country. Granted, it was not instant, but the change did come, and the fashion of Loretta was gone forever, never to return.
Mid 80's - Sounds Great Even With A More Pop Sound
And her voice. Her sensational, distinct, a few notes lower than most voice. When everything around Tanya was changing, or confusing, successful, or going fast or slow for her or the rest of us, there was that constant of her gift - her voice. She still sounds great, and there is still no doubt who is singing, even with your eyes closed. She was also famous for being who she is. She's Tanya Tucker by God. 88 singles, 40 in the top 10, 15 number one songs, and 25 million albums sold over a career that has lasted her lifetime. And she needs to be in the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Even though her road was tough at times, she's on a short list of being one of the biggest difference makers we've ever had.
Big Song - During Her Great 80's - 90's Run
We watched her grow up right in front of us, not many have to endure that, but she did. She blazed a trail that wasn't even there, and in the end, she got it right, rewarding us with decades of amazing versatile music and clearly it was not always easy.
But true greatness seldom is. Someone always has to be first, and she was.
Read About A Whole Lot Of Other Great Country Women Right Here!
