Mary Frances was born in Dry Ridge, Kentucky back in 1931 to William and Sarah. Because of her boundless energy her grandfather gave her a nickname (more on that later). The family moved to Erlanger, Kentucky in 1947 where Mary met Betty Jack at Dixie Heights High School.
They sang together at Decoursey Baptist Church and later Detroit radio station WJR. In 1953 one of their songs make number 1 and spent 8 weeks on the country charts. In 1953 Mary and Betty were involved in a major car accident. The crask killed Betty. Betty’s sister Georgia took bettys place and they continued to record until in 1956 Mary decided to retire and get married thus ending the duet. She returned to music in 1958 and as they say the rest is history. So, for you music lovers of that time period I’m sure you’ve guessed I’m writing about Mary Frances Penick. The nickname her grandfather gave her was Skeeter, however you may know her better as Skeeter Davis. In 1959 she was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Set Him Free”, becoming the first female country singer to be nominated for a Grammy. The song for which I will always remember her for was the one she sang in 1962 “The End of the World.” So do you remember that song? Sadly she died in 2004 at 72.
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