Country Music Legend Jan Howard Has Passed Away
Country music legend and long-time Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard has passed away at the age of 91. Howard died on Saturday, March 28th peacefully in her sleep in Gallatin, Tennessee near Nashville. A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly 50 years, news broke of her passing as the storied country music institution was broadcasting its 4,917th consecutive Saturday night episode despite the Coronavirus to an empty Opry House.
“We were all so lucky so many nights to hear her voice on stage and to catch up with her backstage. We’re all better for having had her in our lives,” said Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers while confirming the news. “A force of nature in country music, at the Opry, and in life.”
Vince Gill, who along with wife Amy Grant and daughters Jenny Gill and Corrina Grant Gill comprised the evening’s entertainment said that he and Howard “spent an awful lot of time over on that side of the stage, telling jokes and having a great friendship for over 30 years.”
Born Lula Grace Johnson in West Plains, Missouri on March 13th, 1929, Jan Howard was a child of the Depression who grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry with her father. Howard lived a legendarily tragedy-filled life that fueled her music. She married her first husband even before finishing high school, worked many odd jobs, and lost two of her three sons—one to suicide, and another in the Vietnam War, which became the inspiration for her 1968 hit, “My Son.”
A firebrand and strong supporter of the military, her recount of when anti-war protesters came to her door, and she told them she 100% respected their right to protest, but if they ever came back, “I’ll blow your head off with a .357 Magnum,” is a legendary anecdote of country music history.
After many years of struggle in her early life, Jan Howard’s music career began after meeting aspiring country music songwriter Harlan Howard in 1957. The couple was soon married, and after discovering Jan could sing, Harlan began using her as a studio demo singer, including performing on the first recording of the Patsy Cline hit, “I Fall To Pieces.”
After her success behind-the-scenes in the studio, Jan Howard got her own shot as a performer, scoring her first hit with “The One You Slip Around With” in 1960. Her biggest solo success came in 1966 with the songs “Evil On Your Mind” and “Bad Seed,” which cemented her place in country music, and one as a strong-willed woman willing to speak her mind in song. Into the late 60’s and early 70’s, her collaborations with Bill Anderson became legendary, recording five Top 5 hits with him, including the song “For Loving You” that went #1 in 1967.
Howard worked as a songwriter as well, penning tunes for other country women such as Kitty Wells and Connie Smith. Even as her commercial career began to slow, Jan Howard remained a fixture in country music, and especially at the Grand Ole Opry. She also made numerous appearances in the recent documentary on country music by Ken Burns.
Jan Howard is survived by her remaining son, Carter A. Howard and his wife Pamela, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Mack McKenzie
March 28, 2020 @ 9:35 pm
This woman holds a special place in my heart. She was a friend and very kind to me in my strangest hour while deployed.
Brian B
March 29, 2020 @ 5:02 am
Have often wondered if Ms. Howard’s support for the military continued or was reversed once her son was taken from her.
JT
March 29, 2020 @ 5:48 am
Yes, her support continued.
Tom R.
March 30, 2020 @ 5:51 pm
Her comments in the Ken Burns Country Music documentary made it quite clear she was very much pro-military and was quite offended when anyone suggested she use her personal tragedy for any anti-war event.
Kathy Martinez
March 29, 2020 @ 10:23 am
I grew up watching Jan Howard and Bill Anderson on saturday night’s. Love the lady. So sad.
TwangBob
March 29, 2020 @ 2:45 am
And, sadly, another Opry legend passes… Godspeed on Angel Wings!
Dan McPhail
March 29, 2020 @ 4:18 am
I was a dj air personality at KVEG Radio in Las Vegas in the summer of ’68. Needing a little confidence as a 21 year old my boss Hal Blu asked Jan to record a promotional “liner” for me which we all used to like hearing on country radio “Hi I’m Jan Howard from Decca Records and the Grand Ol Opry. You’re listening to Dan McPhail on KVEG Las Vegas. Play one of mine won’t you Dan”. I spoke with her several times over the years. Having lost a son of my own i’m only now realizing the pain she must have gone through not once but twice. She was a classy soft spoken but tough true entertainer. So glad she had 91 years and a peaceful passing. Very few country music legends from the 50’s-70’s left. She was a true lady.
ADJ
March 29, 2020 @ 6:08 am
What a life…rest in peace!
John newcomb
March 29, 2020 @ 7:29 am
What a performer ,classic duets with Bill Anderson.Writer and performer.
Conrad Fisher
March 29, 2020 @ 7:40 am
She also sang the line “Momma sang tenor” on Johnny Cash’s “Daddy Sang Bass.” Most people assume it was June. Very sorry to read this.
Grace Mcguire
March 29, 2020 @ 8:01 am
I am so sorry at the passing of Jan Howard I was just watching family reunion and saw her sitting there she was a lovely lady
Chris Black
March 30, 2020 @ 6:05 am
Sad to hear about the passing of Jan Howard, now Joe Diffie with news coming through of the serious illness of John Prine andalso his wife Fiona wishing them well and rest in peace Jan and Joe. Good to have the Family Reunion to look back on country greats. Stay safe.
James Middaugh
March 29, 2020 @ 8:26 am
My thoughts and prayers are with the family. RIP Jan you will be greatly missed by all such a beautiful talented woman just loved her .
John harlow
March 29, 2020 @ 8:27 am
Rest in Peace
Ray Hansen
March 29, 2020 @ 9:19 am
R.I.P. Jan, You will be missed.
Susan Miller
March 29, 2020 @ 10:23 am
I remember Jan from the 70s n 80s when my teenage yrs n older years started to like country music. She was a beautiful lady n I will miss her. RIP Jan
Jeanette Norman
March 29, 2020 @ 10:37 am
R.i.P. Nd my prayers goes out 2 ur r family I kno wat it is like 2 lose ur mother I lost my mother on January 2 , 2020 and the loss of a parent doesn’t gt ne easier nd they say it gts harder the yr after there passing bt I’ll keep u all in my prayers nd my blessings r wit u all
Robert McLain
March 29, 2020 @ 11:30 am
I loved to hear her stories about her time with Harland and living in California with her boys.
Michael Linkous
March 29, 2020 @ 11:53 am
Lost another good one in Nashville
sbach66
March 29, 2020 @ 12:55 pm
I’m sure there will be a thread about it, but Joe Diffie passed away from complications from Covid. Damn.
Debra Clayton
March 29, 2020 @ 2:04 pm
I remember Jan when she sang w Bill Anderson…watched her on Country Family Reunion…I loved that Country Music..dont like the crap their singing now….RIP JAN ..you made a difference while you were in this world..
Michelle
March 30, 2020 @ 5:27 am
She also sang the “Mama sang tenor” line on the Cash recording of Daddy Sang Bass”.
Kev
March 30, 2020 @ 7:34 am
Sad news!
Billy Techer
March 30, 2020 @ 8:21 am
I love the old country one of my favorites. Is Hank Williams I have. Some old 78 records put away as far as I know they have never been played the female artists I love Dell Woods Kitty Wells Patsy Cline June Sterns
Cynthia
March 30, 2020 @ 3:22 pm
I will miss her forever!! I loved her singing and entertaining
Tom R.
March 30, 2020 @ 5:46 pm
Jan had absolutely one of the best female voices in country music and kept it well into her eighties. She was a class act through and through. RIP.
Lea Beaulne
January 2, 2021 @ 1:10 pm
Got to know more about Jan Howard as I watch country reunion on you tube
and I have read her book Sunshine and Shadow , One classy Lady.
I hope someone does a Tribute to Jan, she deserves the recognition
So bless that I got to know you a little thru you tube, wished I would have
known you in person, but others have, and I’m sure are truly thankful to have
know you.
RIP, heaven is a better place with you in it..,,
Nancy
March 29, 2024 @ 8:07 pm
Is there any way to receive a copy of the paper jan wrote on growing old. I’m 76 and I have been listening to her music forever. Loved her.