“If You Could Call It That” shipped to radio
Classic country trailblazer and soon to be 54-year member of the Grand Ole Opry, Jeannie Seely, has released “If You Could Call It That” to radio off of her highly-acclaimed album, An American Classic, on Curb Records.
“If You Could Call It That” was recorded by Seely and singer/songwriter Steve Wariner and written from a song Dottie West started in a notebook before her death in 1991. Co-written by Curb/Word Music Publishing’s Bobby Tomberlin and Wariner, who toured with West, finished the song and gave Seely, who was a very close friend with West, the opportunity to record the tune.
“I am elated more fans will hear ‘If You Could Call It That’ through country radio. Jeannie Seely is a country legend, and she’s been reunited with her longtime friend Dottie West through the writing process of this song,” Wariner shares. “I am extremely honored and humbled to be a part of this.”
“Being a part of this song has been one of the highlights of my career. I didn’t know Dottie West, so when given the opportunity to work on a song that she started, I reached out to Steve, who had a long history with Dottie, to help finish it,” shares Tomberlin. “Then, to have Dottie’s friend, Jeannie, record the song was just icing on the cake. How cool to have a new Dottie West song out there!”
“I simply don’t know how I would have stood it to hear someone else do this song,” exclaims Seely. “I am so grateful they allowed me to record it. There were times in the studio I could almost feel Dottie’s presence, certainly I could hear her voice, and I think I just sang it for her.”
Seely has achieved chart topping songs as a solo artist, as a duet partner, and as a songwriter. Early in her career, Seely’s deeply moving vocals earned her the nickname of “Miss Country Soul,” a title that’s still used today. Seely’s biggest dream came true when she was inducted as a member of the world-famous Grand Ole Opry, becoming the first Pennsylvania native to do so. Seely takes much pride in her involvement and support of musicians’ rights. In 2017, she celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. From her 1966 Top 10 Billboard album The Seely Style to her recent self–produced album Written In Song, consisting entirely of songs she’s written, Seely’s recordings have spanned six decades and provided enjoyment to country music fans all around the world. In his 2003 book “Finding Her Voice: Women In Country Music,” music critic Robert K. Oermann wrote, “With her chin-out, tough/tender, heart-of-gold manner, Jeannie Seely remains one of country’s most completely modern female personalities,” and that statement still holds true.
