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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZCOLTER, Jessi(b Miriam Johnson, 25 May 1947, Phoenix AZ) Country singer, songwriter. Played piano in church age eleven; background singer with Duane Eddy, married him '61, separated '65; moved back to Phoenix and met Waylon Jennings, who encouraged her to concentrate on writing and singing. She wrote under the name Miriam Eddy; her songs were recorded by Eddy Arnold, Dottie West, Don Gibson, etc. She changed her name to Jessi Colter because her great-great-uncle was a member of Jesse James's gang. Signed to RCA '66, made LP A Country Star Is Born and several singles without much success. Married Jennings '69, recorded duets with him; 'Suspicious Minds' '70, 'Under Your Spell Again' '71 made charts. Signed with Capitol '74; with her own song 'I'm Not Lisa' made no. 1 country, top five pop. LP I'm Jessi Colter did well, including two-sided hit 'What's Happened To Blue Eyes'/'You Ain't Never Been Loved (Like I'm Goin' To Love You)'. She contributed to the RCA LP Wanted: The Outlaws '76, with Jennings, Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser. She toured with Jennings, recorded sporadically, devoted more time to their children. Other LPs included Jessi '76, Diamond In The Rough '77, Miriam '77, That's The Way A Cowboy Rocks'n'Rolls '78, Ridin' Shotgun '82 on Capitol; Leather And Lace '81 (duets with Jennings) on RCA; Rock'n'Roll Lullaby '84. She made a gospel LP '85 using her real name, as well as albums for children. Jennings died in 2002; then Jessi came back after 20 years with an album of mostly original material, some of it co-written by Ray Herndon or her son Waylon Albright 'Shooter' Jennings: Out Of The Ashes 2005 on Shout! Factory was produced by Don Was, with guests Tony Joe White and Shooter. She had been making demos at home on her ranch in Arizona, but recording of one of the songs had started a few years earlier: White’s 'Out Of The Rain' included a vocal chorus by Waylon. |