NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country music icon Jeannie Seely won Song of the Year at the Arkansas Country Music Awards as the songwriter for “Yours” recorded by duo Joe and Diane (Joe Wade Smith and Diane Berry).
The ceremony’s co-hosts, country music journalist and historian Charles Haymes and Miss Arkansas 2014 Ashton Gill, presented the award to Seely and Joe and Diane.
During the ceremony, the nearly 55-year Grand Ole Opry® member also performed “The End Of The World” with Joe and Diane in honor of Lifetime Achievement recipient Floyd Cramer who played on the Skeeter Davis hit.
“Never give up on a song! I wrote ‘Yours’ in the early ‘80s and Diane Berry recorded the original demo for me! I’m so glad she still believed in the song enough to do it as a duet with Joe. Their performance literally brought the song to life,” Seely shared.
“I have worked with Jeannie in the past and consider her one of my dearest and most precious friends. Jeannie wrote this song in the early ’80s and I sang the original demo. I loved the song then and still do! It is a beautifully written song about love. It was our honor to be the first to record this song. A traditional country music love song all the way!” expressed Diane.
“I first heard ‘Yours’ when Diane sang it for me and told me her history with the song. We both agreed it would be a beautiful duet. We went into the studio with some of the finest musicians and cut our version that Jeannie really enjoyed!” added Joe. “Diane and I both feel honored to be the first to record ‘Yours,’ and we knew for sure that song was meant to be ours.”
Stay in touch with Jeannie Seely on her website, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.