Who is known as The First Lady of country music

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A.� That particular accolade has been bestowed on Tammy Wynette, an artist who has played a large part in defining the approach and the status of female country artists today.

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Q.� In what way was Tammy Wynette a defining influence

A.� The presentation of female country music stars has always provided a large target for parody and ridicule. As one of the original stars of the genre, Tammy Wynette has had her fair share of critics, keen to poke fun at the sentimentality of her music, and the 'rhinestone' style with which she performed in concert. Parodies vary from the straightforwardly mocking variety�- Billy Connolly's version of her massive selling D.I.V.O.R.C.E., to the more gently affectionate acknowledgement of the style of country music, as in The Blues Brothers' version of Stand By Your Man. Because imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it is plain from the way that such disparate copying can touch an immediate chord in non-country audiences, that Tammy Wynette's music is instantly recognisable.

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Q.� Country music always seems to be sad and sentimental, is Tammy Wynette partly to blame for that

A.� Again, on a surface level, it appears that country music does veer towards the sadder aspects of the human condition: death, divorce, loneliness, and similar sentiments do account for a large segment of lyrical observation. But as with any musical style, it is easy to satirise�the broad overview and intentionally miss the finer points.�However, it's hard to dismiss�the massive worldwide�appetite for�country music albums and tours.

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Q. So how does Tammy Wynette fit into the overall picture

A.� A good deal of the emotion that Tammy Wynette brought to her music was the result of a genuinely tragic life, beset by more than an average number of heartaches and tribulations.�Her father died when she was just eight months old, and baby Tammy was raised by her grandparents.� At the age of 17, Tammy married for the first time; she was divorced, with three children, by the time she was 20. Her third child was diagnosed with spinal meningitis, resulting in some hefty medical expenses. To make some extra money, Tammy began performing in country clubs, using�the musical talent inherited from her late father. A recording contract followed, when Tammy moved to Nashville and was signed to Epic Records by legendary country producer Billy Sherrill.

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Q.� Did she find happiness later in life

A.� It seems that an easy and comfortable family life was not something Tammy Wynette was destined to enjoy. From 1968, her stormy on-off relationship with fellow country legend George Jones saw them married, but divorced by 1975 - �no doubt adding further to the poignancy of her on-stage delivery of her two biggest hits. Despite their difficult personal relationship, the two stars continued a recording studio relationship that lasted for the next�20 years.

Q.� So was Tammy Wynette the helpless victim her life story would suggest

A.� Absolutely not. For millions of American women, Tammy Wynette is a role model who proved that a woman could enjoy a successful and independent career in country music, which is certainly more of a 'man's world' than most. The sentiments expressed in Stand By Your Man point to the woman being the strong half of the relationship, a motto by which Tammy Wynette was happy to abide. Although her recording career did not sustain the level of success produced in the early years, she continued to tour the world and enjoy her reputation as a country music icon with few peers. Tammy Wynette was quite aware of the taunts and putdowns that followed her emotional concert outings�- she demonstrated a highly developed sense of irony by providing guest vocals on the massive chart single Justified And Ancient from art popsters�the KLF, which almost saw her back in the American pop charts.

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Q.� Wasn't she a hypochondriac

A.� The rumours always persisted that Tammy Wynette's frequent bouts of ill-health were mere a histrionic attention-seeking prop to ensure her life was filled with as much drama as possible.�But it seems�unlikely that�a woman with the strength to endure the heartaches and career problems which Tammy Wynette overcame��would play with a�'frail little woman' image. She did, though, have surgery�several times�for problems linked with her digestive system, and in fact she eventually succumbed to a recurring inflammation of her bile duct. She died in April 1998.

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Q.� What does Tammy Wynette leave behind

A.� A legacy of fine country music, and an ongoing example that women can survive and thrive if they possess the determination and talent to rise above the trials of life. With�her instantly recognisable voice, Tammy Wynette has now passed into country-music legend with�an effortless ease that evaded her in life.

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by� Andy Hughes