Crystal Gayle 

(Singer, Songwriter, Guitar) 

• Given Name: Brenda Gail Webb
• Date of Birth: January 9, 1951
• Place of Birth: Paintsville, Kentucky
• Married: Vassilios "Bill" Gatzimos
• Children: Catherine Claire, Christos James

Crystal Gayle has become associated with two images: a big ballad voice and an ankle-length mane of dark brown hair.

Sister of Loretta Lynn, Crystal's background was very different from her sister's. Also born in Kentucky, she was brought up in Wabash, Indiana, where her family had moved in 1955. Her father died in 1959 and her mother remarried. By the time Crystal had graduated from high school, Loretta's career was in full swing. In Wabash, Crystal was exposed to more urban musical influences.

Crystal was 16 when she became a part of Loretta's road show. In 1970, she was signed to Decca Records because of the family connection. Loretta came up with the stage name for Crystal and provided her first manager, her husband Mooney.

In 1972, after attaining a higher profile by appearing regularly on Jim Ed Brown's TV show, The Country Place, Crystal signed with United Artists, teaming with producer Allen Reynolds. Allen initiated a softer voice approach with middle-of-the-road material and her first UA album, in 1975, gave her three Country hits. That year Music City News named Crystal "Most Promising Female Artist." She achieved her first No. 1 in 1976 and that year was named "Outstanding Female Vocalist" by the ACM.

In 1977 she had a second No. 1 in Country, which also rose to No. 3 on the Pop chart and the album from which it came went Gold and the next year was Certified Platinum, making Crystal only the second female Country singer after Debby Boone to achieve this. Numerous awards followed including a Grammy for "Best Country Vocal Performance, Female," ACM's "Top Female Vocalist" and CMA's "Female Vocalist of the Year."

The success rate accelerated and the cross-over hits brought her international acclaim. For the next decade Crystal had hit after major hit. As a live performer, Crystal gives a captivating performance, wringing every ounce of emotion from her hallmark ballads.

Recordings include:

• • I'll Do It All Over Again
  • I'll Get Over You
  • Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue
  • Ready for the Times to Get Better
    
  • Talking in Your Sleep
  • Why Have You Left the One You Left Me For
  • Your Old Cold Shoulder
  • If You Ever Change Your Mind
  • Take It Easy
  • Til I Gain Control Again
  • Too Many Lovers