Country Music Singer. She is best known for her song "Blanket on the Ground" which became her only number one hit on the Country Music charts in 1975. She had an earthy sound to her voice which was not common with other Country Music singers at that time. Born Billie Joe Moore, she made her professional debut at the age of 13. After graduating from high school, she sang in nightclubs while pursuing a a record contract. She met up with famed songwriter Jack Rhodes who helped her find and record songs that eventually would lead her to a contract, and after moving to Nashville TN in 1964, she signed with United Artist Records. When her first singles brought her little success, she switched to Capital Records in 1968. Her first hit came in 1969 when her "Mr. Walker It's All Over" reached number 4 on the Country Music chart. In the next two years, she achieved four more top 40 country hits and then went four years without a hit. In 1975, she switched back to United Artists where, in addition to "Blanket on the Ground," she recorded three other songs that reached the top ten on the Country Music charts with "What I've Got in Mind" (1976), "Misty Blue" (1976), and "If You Want Me" (1977). In 1976 she was voted Most Promising Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. However, by the mid 1980s her overall musical success had tapered off in the United States but she did retain a strong following in England and remained a popular live performer there. After recovering from triple bypass surgery in 1993, she continued to tour and recorded her last album in 2005. At the time of her death from cancer, Spears had a 20-date UK tour scheduled for 2012.
Country Music Singer. She is best known for her song "Blanket on the Ground" which became her only number one hit on the Country Music charts in 1975. She had an earthy sound to her voice which was not common with other Country Music singers at that time. Born Billie Joe Moore, she made her professional debut at the age of 13. After graduating from high school, she sang in nightclubs while pursuing a a record contract. She met up with famed songwriter Jack Rhodes who helped her find and record songs that eventually would lead her to a contract, and after moving to Nashville TN in 1964, she signed with United Artist Records. When her first singles brought her little success, she switched to Capital Records in 1968. Her first hit came in 1969 when her "Mr. Walker It's All Over" reached number 4 on the Country Music chart. In the next two years, she achieved four more top 40 country hits and then went four years without a hit. In 1975, she switched back to United Artists where, in addition to "Blanket on the Ground," she recorded three other songs that reached the top ten on the Country Music charts with "What I've Got in Mind" (1976), "Misty Blue" (1976), and "If You Want Me" (1977). In 1976 she was voted Most Promising Female Vocalist by the Academy of Country Music. However, by the mid 1980s her overall musical success had tapered off in the United States but she did retain a strong following in England and remained a popular live performer there. After recovering from triple bypass surgery in 1993, she continued to tour and recorded her last album in 2005. At the time of her death from cancer, Spears had a 20-date UK tour scheduled for 2012.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
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