Billie Jo Spears (born Billie Jean Spears January 14, 1937, in Beaumont, Texas) is an American Country Music Singer. In the 1970s, Billie Jo Spears landed a few big Country hits. Her best known hit by far is the 1975 song "Blanket On the Ground". She is known for Bluesy voice. January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Jefferson County  - Mayor Guy Goodson Area    - City 222. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... Ercole de Roberti: Concert, c. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... United Artists Records was a record label founded by United Artists soon after its own founding in 1919 to distribute soundtracks from its movies. ... Margo Smith (Born April 9, 1942, Dayton, Ohio) is a country music singer. ... Tanya Denise Tucker (born October 10, 1958) is an American country music singer. ... January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Counties Jefferson County  - Mayor Guy Goodson Area    - City 222. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ...

Early Life & Rise to Fame

Although Billie Jo Spears had her biggest Country hits in the 1970s, she sounded more Earthly and more grounded on records than other singers trying to pass for Country Music during that time. This was because during the height of Spears' career in the 1970s, Country's sound moved more Pop-sounding. This new type of Country was called Countrypolitan, and the popular singers of this genre at the time were, Crystal Gayle, Lynn Anderson, Kenny Rogers, Ronnie Milsap, and Mac Davis. However, Spears, unlike so many of her contemporaries didn't follow the trends of the day, and proved to Nashville that Country Music can still have a more earthly sound. The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... This article includes a list of works cited but its sources remain unclear because it lacks in-text citations. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ... For popular music (music produced commercially rather than art or folk music), see Popular music. ... The Nashville sound in country music arose during the 1950s in the United States. ... Crystal Gayle (born Brenda Gail Webb January 9, 1951) is an American Country Music/Pop Music Singer. ... Lynn Anderson on the cover of her album The Bluegrass Sessions Lynn Anderson (born September 26, 1947 in Grand Forks, North Dakota) is an American country musician. ... Kenneth Donald Kenny Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman. ... Ronnie Milsap (born Ronnie Lee Milsap January 16, 1943 in Robbinsville, North Carolina) is an American Country/Pop Singer and Musician. ... Mac Davis (born Scott Davis, January 21, 1942, in Lubbock, Texas) is a country music singer and songwriter, who has enjoyed much pop music crossover success. ... For other cities named Nashville, see Nashville (disambiguation). ...

Spears was born in 1937 in Texas. She made her professional debut at only age 13, at a Country Music concert in Houston, Texas. She cut her very first single while she was still a teenager called "Too Old For Toys, Too Young For Boys". The single was released by the Indie label named Abbot. She relased her first single under the name "Billie Jean Moore". She also performed on Louisiana Hayride. After graduating high school, she sang in nightclubs and was looking for a record deal. Spears moved from Texas to Nashville in 1964. She got her first recording contract with United Artists Records, and worked with producer Kelso Herston. Her first singles brought her little or no success. Soon her producer moved over to Capitol Records, and Spears did the same. She earned a Capitol Records recording contract in 1968. 1937 (MCMXXXVII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will take you to calendar). ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Nickname: Location in the state of Texas Coordinates: Country United States State Texas Counties Harris County Fort Bend County Montgomery County Incorporated June 5, 1837 Government  - Mayor Bill White Area  - City  601. ... A separate article is about the punk band called The Adolescents. ... Abbots coat of arms The word abbot, meaning father, has been used as a Christian clerical title in various, mainly monastic, meanings. ... Main article: Secondary education High school is a name used in some parts of the world, and particularly in North America, to describe the last segment of compulsory education. ... A nightclub (often dance club or club, particularly in the UK) is an entertainment venue which does its primary business after dark. ... Official language(s) No Official Language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Nickname: Location in Davidson County and the state of Tennessee Coordinates: Country United States State Tennessee Counties Davidson County Founded: 1779 Incorporated: 1806 Government  - Mayor Bill Purcell (D) Area  - City  526. ... 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... United Artists Records was a record label founded by United Artists soon after its own founding in 1919 to distribute soundtracks from its movies. ... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... Capitol Records is a major United States-based record label, owned by EMI. // The Capitol Records company was founded by the songwriter Johnny Mercer in 1942, with the financial help of movie producer Buddy DeSylva and the business acumen of Glenn Wallichs, (1910-1971) (owner of Music City, at the... A recording contract (also commonly called a record deal) is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist (or group), where the artist makes a record (or series of records) for the label to sell and promote. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ...

She didn't have any success on the charts until the next year.

The Height of Her Recording Career

Spears finally struck gold in 1969, when her single "Mr. Walker It's All Over" became a big Country hit, reaching the Top 5. It even reached the Pop charts, at #80. The song was not just sassy, but also was full of spark. The song told of a secretary who was fed up of being discriminated while doing her job, and wasn't afraid to say so. She had a Top 20 hit in 1970 called "Marty Gray", however, none of other singles were Country hits. Her success while under Capitol, began to fade away, shortly after 1970. However, for Capitol, Spears recorded some cover versions of popular Country hits, like "Ode to Billie Joe" (originally by Bobbie Gentry) and "Harper Valley PTA" (originally by Jeannie C. Riley). She also recorded novelty songs, like "Get Me Behind Me Satan and Push". According to the book Country Music: The Rough Guide, her vocals in that song sounded similar to that of Loretta Lynn. Soon however, she decided she would have more success it she switched record companies. For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... A secretary is an administrative support position. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... For other uses, see Capitol (disambiguation). ... Ode to Billie Joe is a 1967 album written and performed by Bobbie Gentry, a singer-songwriter from Chickasaw County, Mississippi. ... Bobbie Gentry (b. ... Harper Valley PTA is a country music song written by Tom T. Hall. ... Jeannie C. Riley (born Jeanne Carolyn Stephenson on October 19, 1945 in Anson, Texas) to Oscar and Nora Stephenson is an American country and gospel music singer. ... Loretta Lynn (born April 14, 1934) is an American country singer who was the leading country female vocalist during much of the 1960s and 1970s. ...

In 1975, she left Capitol and returned back to United Artists Records, which was now the home to some of Country Music's Pop-based acts, like Kenny Rogers. In 1975, came the single "Blanket On the Ground", and it hit #1 that year, and her career took off shortly after that. The song hit number one on the country charts in the United States. The song did well in the United Kingdom, as well; the song climbed into the top five in the UK Singles Chart. An album of the same name was released that year, which was also a success. Spears' followed up "Blanket on the Ground" with the Top Ten "What I've Got In Mind." The track did even better across the Atlantic, turning out to be a second top 5 British hit. Spears had successes with "Misty Blue" (a song covered by numerous other artists, including Wilma Burgess in the 60s, who made the song a Top 10 Country hit), "'57 Chevrolet," "Love Ain't Gonna Wait For Us," "If You Want Me," and others. 1981's cover version of Tammy Wynette's 1960s hit, "Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad," was Spear's last voyage into America's country top 20. Her Greatest Hits album was a Top Ten best seller, and furthered her fan base. 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... For other uses, see Capitol (disambiguation). ... United Artists Records was a record label founded by United Artists soon after its own founding in 1919 to distribute soundtracks from its movies. ... Kenneth Donald Kenny Rogers (born August 21, 1938, in Houston, Texas) is a prolific American country music singer, photographer, producer, songwriter, actor and businessman. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... A song is a relatively short musical composition. ... In popular music, a chart-topper is an extremely popular recording, identified by its inclusion in a ranked list—a chart—of top selling or otherwise judged most popular releases. ... A record chart, also known as a music chart, is a method of ranking music according to popularity during a given period of time. ... The UK Singles Chart is currently compiled by The Official UK Charts Company (OCC) on behalf of the British record industry. ... A top 10 list is a generic term used to indicate a list of items, usually ten in number, which are considered to be best, worst, or notable in some other way, typically a record chart. ... “Atlantic” redirects here. ... In popular music, a chart-topper is an extremely popular recording, identified by its inclusion in a ranked list—a chart—of top selling or otherwise judged most popular releases. ... Album cover for Ella Fitzgeralds Misty Blue. ... Wilma Burgess (born June 11, 1939; died August 26, 2003) is a country vocalist best known for her rendition of Bobby Montgomerys Misty Blue, which became a significant hit at country radio upon its 1966 release. ... In popular music, a cover version, or simply cover, is a new rendition (performance or recording) of a previously recorded song. ... Tammy Wynette (May 5, 1942 – April 6, 1998) was a country singer and songwriter. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... An album is a collection of related audio tracks distributed to the public. ...

Later Career & Life Today

By the mid 1980s, her success in the United States had tapered off. However, she retained a following in the UK, and remains a popular live performer there. Spears has recorded a number of albums for the British market that had limited, or even no release, in the U.S. This level of fame in the UK was summed up by the magazine, Country Music People, during the 1990s when their article described Spears as "The Queen Mother of country music." She continued releasing albums in the United States throughout much of the 1980s. However, by the late 80s, she didn't record as much. She recovered from triple bypass surgery in 1993, and continues to tour. The 1980s refers to the years of and between 1980 and 1989. ... Motto: (Out Of Many, One) (traditional) In God We Trust (1956 to date) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington D.C. Largest city New York City None at federal level (English de facto) Government Federal constitutional republic  - President George Walker Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence from... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... For the band, see 1990s (band). ... HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother (née Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth Angela Marguerite) (4 August 1900 - 30 March 2002) was the Queen consort of George VI of the United Kingdom from 1936 to 1952. ... The 1980s refers to the years of and between 1980 and 1989. ... Centuries: 1st century BC - 1st century - 2nd century Decades: 30s - 40s - 50s - 60s - 70s - 80s - 90s - 100s - 110s - 120s - 130s 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 Note: Sometimes 80s is used as shorthand for the 1980s, the 1880s, or other such decades in different centuries. ... Early in a coronary artery bypass surgery during vein harvesting from the legs (left of image) and the establishment of bypass (placement of the aortic cannula) (bottom of image). ... A cardiothoracic surgeon performs a mitral valve replacement at the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center. ... 1993 (MCMXCIII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar and marked the Beginning of the International Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination (1993-2003). ...

In 2005, Spears released the album I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry. 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Discography

Charted Singles

Hot Country Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Album cover for Ella Fitzgeralds Misty Blue. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Del Reeves (born July 14, 1933) is a country singer, best known for his girl-watching novelty-type songs of the 1960s. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Del Reeves (born July 14, 1933) is a country singer, best known for his girl-watching novelty-type songs of the 1960s. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... I Will Survive is a song by Gloria Gaynor, released in 1978. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1984 (MCMLXXXIV) was a leap year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Albums

Hot Country Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday. ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... For the Stargate SG-1 episode, see 1969 (Stargate SG-1). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... Del Reeves (born July 14, 1933) is a country singer, best known for his girl-watching novelty-type songs of the 1960s. ... 1976 (MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... For the song by the Smashing Pumpkins, see 1979 (song). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• Billie Jo Spears Discography with Cover Sleeve & Lyrics
• Billie Joe Spears biography at the All Music Guide website
• http://www.throwingknives.com/blanket_on_the_ground.htm

The All Music Guide (AMG) is a metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. ... A website (or Web site) is a collection of web pages, images, videos and other digital assets and hosted on a particular domain or subdomain on the World Wide Web. ...

Reference

• Guinness Book of British Hit Singles - 19th Edition - ISBN 1-904994-10-5