The Beauty Of Song, Part Two: Country singer Crystal Gayle

The younger sister of the legendary Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle - born Brenda Gail Webb in 1951 - became famous in Nashville for two things: her large voice and her long hair.



Indeed, her hair is a great part of her identity. Crystal Gayle looks the part of one of those mythical Southern country girls with long pretty hair reaching down to their shoes, like the old Jodi doll from the 1970s.

Asked once by her record company to cut her hair, Gayle refused to, especially after getting feedback from her daughter about what would result if she did. "Mom," she told her, "you won't be Crystal Gayle."



Crystal Gayle is no lightweight as a singer, possessing a strong voice and an ability to use it well. She had a string of hit country singles on the pop charts in the late seventies, back when noted country music fan Jimmy Carter was president. Her hits included "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," "Talking In Your Sleep," and "Half The Way."