The original Queen of Country Music, Kitty Wells, has passed at the age of 92.  After writing a brief tribute, I was reminded of some great Kitty Wells memories.

Kitty Wells was one of the first national Country Music acts that I ever introduced on a concert stage. The picture above was taken on that historic night at the Glad Rag Saloon in Porter Corners, NY.  Then, after more emcee experience introducing the Statler Brothers, Hank Thompson, and several local acts like Al and Kathy Bain and Aged In The Hills, I had the honor of introducing the husband and wife duo once again.  Then, around 1999, towards the end of their touring career, I had the chance to see them one last time at Fan Fair, on a show hosted by Bill Anderson and Jean Shepard.

As I was getting into radio in the mid-'80s, Kitty Wells had stopped having radio hits, but was a well-respected legend in the Country Music Industry.  I was thrilled in 1988, when k.d. lang included Kitty Wells in a collaboration with Brenda Lee and Loretta Lynn on the song, 'The Honk Tonk Angels Medley.'  Although the record was not a radio hit,  the video became a fan favorite.

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