Janie Fricke

Jane Marie "Janie" Fricke (born 19 December 1947) is an American country music singer.

She was a guest performer in Hee Haw.

Early Life
She was born in South Whitley, Indiana, and raised on a four-hundred-acre farm where her father taught her how to play guitar. Fricke began her career singing in a "little church up the road" where her mother played piano. She sang at local coffeehouses, high school events, as well as her way through college where she obtained her degree from Indiana University in elementary education.

Career
Fricke then chose a musical career, working in Memphis, Dallas and Los Angeles. There, as one of the marketing industry’s most successful jingle singers, her voice became known to millions as the voice for such advertising giants as United Airlines, Coca-Cola, 7-Up, and Red Lobster. Her voice led her to singing sessions for Country artists such as Loretta Lynn, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Milsap, Barbara Mandrell, Mel Tillis, Johnny Duncan and others. She has also been given the privilege to sing on albums for Charlie Rich and Elvis Presley, after their deaths. It was a line in Johnny Duncan’s single Stranger that ultimately gained the most attention for Fricke. When it hit the top of the charts in 1977, fans wanted to know who sang the line, "Shut out the light and lead me…" The music industry took notice as her voice was heard on duets with Merle Haggard, Moe Bandy and others, leading her to her first major recording contract.

Fricke soon began to dominate the country charts with smash hits such as "Don't Worry 'Bout Me Baby", "He's a Heartache", and "Your Heart's Not in It". It was only a matter of time before she started winning awards. Included among them are: Country Music Association's Female Vocalist of the Year, Music City News Female Vocalist of the Year, Billboard Top Country Female Vocalist, Cash Bed Top Country Female Vocalist, Academy of Country Music Female Vocalist of the Year, British-based Country Music Round Up Most Popular International Female Solo Act, and she was chosen to the Country Music Hall of Fame Walkway of Stars. Twice she has been nominated for the coveted (Grammy Award, once for her "It Ain't Easy Being Easy". In her recording career, Janie has released twenty-three albums and thirty-six hit singles.