Renowned country music artist Melba Montgomery passed away at her Nashville, Tennessee home on January 15, 2025, following complications related to dementia. The news was confirmed by her daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett. Montgomery, who was pivotal in defining the male-female duet format in country music, was 86 years old.
Montgomery was born in 1938 in Iron City, Tennessee and grew up in Florence, Alabama. Her musical journey began in church, performing as part of a family trio with her brothers.
She started her professional career in 1958 when she joined Roy Acuff’s touring band, marking her foray into the professional world of country music. Her early experience with Acuff, a significant figure in country music, greatly influenced her traditional country style.
Montgomery’s distinctive Southern accent and high harmonies added a unique emotional depth to her collaborations, contributing greatly to her success. She gained recognition in 1963 when George Jones spotted her talent and signed her to United Artists. Their successful duets, such as “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds,” “Let’s Invite Them Over,” and “Party Pickin’,” helped popularize the country male-female duet format.
“She was a down-to-earth hard-core country singer,” Jones once said about Montgomery. Despite being initially typecast as a duet partner, Montgomery later demonstrated her versatility as a solo artist.
In addition to her collaborations with Jones, Montgomery had successful duets with Charlie Louvin and Gene Pitney. From 1963 to 1986, she had 30 singles on the country charts. Her unique Appalachian-influenced phrasing became a trademark of her performances and earned her the nickname “the female George Jones.”
Her most significant solo achievement was the 1974 hit “No Charge,” which topped the Billboard Country chart and crossed over to the pop Top 40. Other notable solo tracks included “Don’t Let the Good Times Fool You” and “Angel of the Morning.” Although her acclaim didn’t match contemporaries like Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, Montgomery’s impact on country music was substantial.
Montgomery always maintained a deep connection to her traditional country music roots. Her dedication to the genuine sound and storytelling traditions of the genre earned her respect within the music industry. Despite the evolution of country music over the decades, Montgomery remained true to her original musical style, contributing to the preservation of traditional country music styles.
In the 1990s, Montgomery shifted her focus more towards songwriting. Her songs were recorded by numerous prominent artists, including George Strait, Sara Evans, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt, and Terri Clark. Her songwriting catalog of over 100 compositions recorded by various country artists solidified her legacy as a performer and songwriter.
Montgomery continued to write and perform until 2015, when she retired following the death of her husband, Jack Solomon. Her family has requested that donations be made to Alive Hospice, the Shriners Hospital for Children, or The Dementia Society of America in lieu of flowers.
She is survived by her brother Earl, and her daughters Jackie Solomon Chancey, Tara Solomon Capps, Diana Lynn Cirigliano, and Melissa Solomon Barrett; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
