Cristy Lane

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Cristy Lane
A photograph of Cristy Lane.
Born
Eleanor Johnston

(1940-01-08) January 8, 1940 (age 84)[1]
Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation
  • Singer
Years active1966–present
Spouse
Lee Stoller
​
(m. 1959)​
Children3
Musical career
Genres
Instrument(s)Vocals
Labels
Websitecristylane.com

Eleanor Johnston, known professionally as Cristy Lane (born January 8, 1940) is an American country music and gospel music singer, best known for a number of major country hits in the late 1970s and the early 1980s, including her cover version of the song "One Day at a Time".

Lane's career began to take shape in the mid-1970s, after beginning to record for her husband's record label. Her first singles, "Trying to Forget About You" and "Sweet Deceiver", were released in 1977 followed by "Let Me Down Easy", her first major hit, by the end of the year. After having a series of Top 10 and 20 country hits, she signed with United Artists Records, and had her biggest hit with "One Day at a Time", a gospel song, that peaked at No. 1 on the country charts.

Early life

Lane was born Eleanor Johnston in Peoria, Illinois to Andrew and Pansy Johnston.[2] She was one of 12 children born into the family.[1] The Johnston family lived in a two-bedroom home located in the nearby town of East Peoria, Illinois. She was given the nickname, "Ellie", by her father at an early age and was called it throughout her early years. During her childhood, Ellie developed an interest with the family's kitchen radio, which often played soap operas and popular songs of the era.[3] During her school-aged years, she took a specialized course for a speech impediment that she had developed as a young child.[4] Ellie was often bullied in school for her lisp and her small stature.[5] She eventually graduated from East Peoria High School in the late 1950s.[4]

She was introduced to country music from her husband, Lee Stoller, whom she met in her late teens. Her first country music artists of interest were Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves and Marty Robbins.[6] After marrying, the Stollers moved into an apartment in East Peoria before buying a converted garage in the same area with a 50-dollar per-month mortgage.[6] The couple soon had three children by 1964.[7] Now known as Ellie Stoller, she took employment at a printing company in East Peoria, while her husband was employed as a salesmen with Pepperidge Farms.[8][7] In 1965, Stoller overheard his wife singing Patti Page's "Tennessee Waltz" and was impressed by her voice. From then on, it was Stoller's idea that she could become a country music singing star[7] and began encouraging her to perform in front of people.[1]

Career

1966–1972: Career launch and touring overseas

A first attempt to launch her singing career began when Lee Stoller arranged for a tape to be made of his wife's vocals. The recording was made in the Stoller's living room, with Ellie standing in front a microphone taped to a chair. Stoller then arranged for a local nightclub owner to visit and hear Ellie sing.[9] Ellie's husband believed that she had the talent to become a professional performer, but she suffered from shyness.[1] After the nightclub organized Ellie's first public performance, she was reluctant to get up on stage. "What am I doing up here?" she recalled saying to herself. However, once the band started playing the song "Paper Roses," she was able to get through the tune. Following her performance, the audience applauded and she performed several more selections that evening.[10]

During this time, Lee changed her name from Ellie Stoller to "Cristy Lane" and had her dye her hair.[7] However, the pressures of performing publicly caused continued fear and anxiety for Lane. Stoller had her read several self-help books and see a psychiatrist, who gave her tranquilizers.[1][7] Nonetheless, the couple continued her singing career. She continued finding more nightclub work, sometimes changing out of her nightgown to perform last-minute dates.[11] She also was given a slot to perform on Chicago's local country music television program titled National Barn Dance.[7] The Stoller's also opened a pair of nightclubs in the late 1960s where Lane could perform on a regular basis. The first nightclub titled Cristy's Inc. was bought out by a nursing home company. Their second nightclub, The Flame, opened up shortly afterward.[12]

In 1966, the Stollers took a trip to Nashville where Lane recorded several selections supervised by businessman Cliff Parnum. In her first recording sessions, Lane cut Jeanne Pruett's "Janie Took My Place". She also cut "I'm Saving My Kisses", "Stop Fooling with Me" and "Heart in the Sand".[13] Yet Lane's songs were rejected by every major country record label. Although Stoller met with major-label producers Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins, the companies had no interest in his wife. The independent K-Ark Records took interest and signed Lane to a recording contract.[14] In 1966, K-Ark issued "Janie Took Place" as her debut single.[15] Stoller paid one thousand dollars to manufacture her record and he promoted 500 single records by himself.[13]

Lane's early material was described by music writer Greg Adams as a style that "pointed towards the country-pop sound with which she would eventually find success.[16] Stoller billed her as "the female Jim Reeves" and the "Sweetest Voice This Side of Heaven".[7] Despite his early efforts, Lane's country career did not yield any commercial success.[1] She recorded several more singles for K-Ark in the mid 1960s and cut material for several more independent labels through 1972. Yet, further material proved unsuccessful.[16]

In 1969, Lane and her husband traveled to Vietnam to perform for the American troops stationed there for the war.[1] The engagement was planned in a span of two weeks and was nearly cancelled due to hired-band backing out last minute.[13] The 120-concert tour took Lane to the front lines of American combat.[7] At times, Lane performed despite hearing bombs and fighter jets less than a mile away.[17] During other performances, Lane had to shelter in place to avoid being killed.[18] In a car headed to Saigion, Lane witnessed the soldier sitting beside her get shot and killed. "Bullets were ripping through his body, their impact jerking him back. He slumped over the gun he had been strapped to. He was dead," Lane's biography book recalled in 1983.[19] Because several shows had to be cancelled, the Stollers lost an estimated twelve thousand dollars during their trip.[7] Following her return to the United States, Lane recorded her first album titled Cristy Lane Salutes G.I.'s of Viet Nam. The project was released in 1969 and was dedicated to the soldiers fighting overseas.[20][16]

Lane became increasingly unhappy following her return home from Vietnam. She continued regularly performing at "The Flame", but found her schedule too busy and unfulfilling. She was also reliving the experiences of watching warfare day after day.[21] In 1970, Lane overdosed[7] on Valium medication.[22] Following the experience Lane considered the idea of giving up a career in music. However, after contemplating it for several days, she reconsidered. "I’m not going to let every little thing build up inside me. I’ve got to quit carrying everyone else’s problems—especially my own family’s—around on my shoulders. I want to go back to singing," she said.[21] In 1972, the Stoller's moved to Nashville, Tennessee in a second attempt to launch Lane's country music career.[1][16]

1977–1983: Breakthrough in country music and "One Day at a Time"

Following their Nashville move, Lee Stoller began learning more about the country music industry to help further Lane's career.[16][23] He arranged for several recording sessions for his wife, paying a reported three thousand dollars, per session.[23] He also made regular trips to major record labels where he would shop Lane's material.[16] However, her recordings were rejected by the Nashville record labels. Ultimately, Stoller decided to form his own record label.[1] To fund the project, he collaborated alongside a private detective who wished to establish his own company. However, after several months, the company failed and left Stoller financially unstable. Stoller then collaborated in another business venture where he joined law enforcement on fundraising projects.[24] Shortly after finalizing business decisions, Stoller established his newly-formed LS Records in a small office located in Madison, Tennessee. He also arranged for a photography business to operate from the office.[25] LS began releasing singles by Lane in 1976, starting with a cover of Melissa Manchester's "Midnight Blue".[26] Her next two single releases were Lane's first to make the American country charts: "Tryin' to Forget About You" and "Sweet Deceiver".[1]

In 1977, Lane recorded her next single release titled "Let Me Down Easy".[27] The song was produced by Charlie Black, a Nashville songwriter, who had also been working as an independent producer. For the song's promotion, LS Records made an arrangement for the GRT label to distribute the product.[28] "Let Me Down Easy" became Lane's first major country hit, climbing to number seven on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.[29] Lane's commercial success continued with her next three single releases. Between 1977 and 1978 she had top ten hits with "I'm Gonna Love You Anyway" and "Penny Arcade". Additionally, her cover of Marion Worth's "Shake Me I Rattle", reached the country top 20 on the Billboard.[29][30] The latter songs were included on her second album titled Cristy Lane Is the Name. The LP was released on LS Records in February 1978[31] and was reviewed favorably by Billboard magazine, who named it among its "Top Album Picks".[32]

Cristy Lane in Billboard magazine, 1977

In November 1978, the Charlie Black-penned "I Just Can't Stay Married to You" was issued as a single[33] and reached the top five of the Billboard country chart.[30][29] It also became her second top ten hit in Canada, reaching number four on the RPM Country Tracks survey.[34] Her third studio LP, Love Lies, was issued in December 1978 on LS.[35] With her growing popularity, Lane's recordings were receiving attention from music critics and journalists. Greg Adams of AllMusic described her voice as "light", "pretty" and "distinctive".[30] He also rated Love Lies four stars in his AllMusic album review and called it "among her best efforts".[36] Writers Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann called her vocal delivery "whispery", and characterized her songs as having "whimpering heartache material".[7] Her success was recognized by the Academy of Country Music Awards, who named her their "Top New Female Vocalist" in 1979.[1]

After Lane won country music award, Lee Stoller faced the possibility of declaring bankruptcy after losing GRT Records as his label distributor. Stoller arranged for Lane to sign with General Talent in Hollywood, California, who made arrangements to find a major record label interested in signing her.[37] She had several offers from major labels before choosing to sign with United Artists Records in 1979. The label picked up her 1979 single, "Simple Little Words".[38] The song became her fifth top ten hit on the Billboard country chart.[29] United Artists agreed to use the LS record label logo in Lane's recording and chose to compile several selections from her previous album release to put into her next studio project, Simple Little Words.[39] Three new recordings were also included on the album project, which was released in September 1979 on United Artists.[40] It became her second LP to reach the Billboard Top Country Albums list, peaking at number 38.[41] The album also spawned the top 20 Billboard country singles, "Slippin' Up, Slippin' Around" and "Come to My Love".[29]

The next year, United Artists balked at releasing her next single "One Day at a Time", written by Kris Kristofferson and Marijohn Wilkin, which was previously a country hit by Marilyn Sellars. Before Lane's release of the song, Lena Martell had a No. 1 hit in the United Kingdom with her version. Stoller predicted the song would have a successful impact on the charts, and decided that Lane's version would be released in early 1980. "One Day at a Time" became Lane's biggest hit, peaking at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Chart.[42]

The single's follow-up, "Sweet Sexy Eyes", made the country top 10 the same year, becoming her final entry in the Top 10.[43] She had a top 20 hit in 1981 with a cover of ABBA's "I Have a Dream", followed by a top 25 hit with "Love to Love You" from the same album. While serving eight months of a three-year prison sentence on bribery charges, Stoller collaborated with Pete Chaney to write Lane's biography. The book was published and self-promoted on television. The biography, also titled One Day at a Time, was sold in large amounts after being promoted.[44] Stoller promoted more of Lane's music and material on television in the mid-1980s, releasing new compilation albums along with the book, and her revenues greatly increased, as high as ten to one.[clarification needed] Lane's material was soon promoted constantly on television and eventually sold on the world wide web in the 1990s, helping her record sales increase worldwide.[42]

1984–present: Later career

In the late 1980s, Lane opened her own theater in Branson, Missouri, called The Cristy Lane Theatre, which helped revive her career. In 1989, she also performed at the Hershey Park Amphitheatre in Pennsylvania, and also recorded a version of "Lean on Me" with Michael Jackson, Terri Gibbs, and Tom T. Hall for Willie Nelson's Farm Aid Benefit.

Lane rented her theater in Branson into the 1990s, continuing to perform local concerts around the Branson area. However, in 1995, she was injured after falling from the top of the stage of the Jim Stafford Theatre where she was performing, temporarily suspending her music career. She then sold her theater, and later began performing again.[42] In the early 1990s, she released many compilation albums, including 20 Greatest Hits. Although it did not contain many of Lane's hits, it did garner positive reviews.[45]

Throughout the 1990s, she continued releasing more compilation albums, including releases such as Greatest Hits off the LS label, which included many of Lane's biggest hits as well as covers of other songs, including Christian and country music songs. The Greatest Hits album was given a positive review.[46] In August 2003, she was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in San Antonio, Texas for her recognition to the military, and was inducted into its hall of fame.[47]

Discography

Main article: Cristy Lane discography

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Manheim, James. "Cristy Lane: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 14.
  3. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 16.
  4. ^ a b Kendall, Jeanette. "Country/gospel star has roots in East Peoria". East Peoria Times Courier. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 24-25.
  6. ^ a b Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 42.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bufwack & Oermann 2003, p. 298.
  8. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 50-51.
  9. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 66-67.
  10. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 70-71.
  11. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 77-78.
  12. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 115.
  13. ^ a b c Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 95.
  14. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 95-98.
  15. ^ Lane, Cristy (May 1966). ""Janie Took My Place"/"Stop Foolin' with Me" (7" vinyl single)". K-ark Records. 686.
  16. ^ a b c d e f Adams 2005, p. 1.
  17. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 125-27.
  18. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 127.
  19. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 129.
  20. ^ Lane, Cristy (1969). "Cristy Lane Salutes G.I.'s of Viet Nam". Lane Records. L-101.
  21. ^ a b Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 159-64.
  22. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 160.
  23. ^ a b Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 169.
  24. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 169-170.
  25. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 171.
  26. ^ Lane, Cristy (June 1976). ""Midnight Blue"/"The Feeling of Love" (7" vinyl single)". LS Records. IRDA-068.
  27. ^ Lane, Cristy (August 1977). ""Let Me Down Easy"/"This Is The First Time I Saw The Last Time In Your Eyes" (7" vinyl single)". LS Records. LS-131.
  28. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 177-178.
  29. ^ a b c d e Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  30. ^ a b c Adams 2005, p. 1-2.
  31. ^ Lane, Cristy (May 1978). "Cristy Lane Is the Name (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". LS Records. LS GRT-8027.
  32. ^ "Top Album Picks: Country". Billboard. February 18, 1978. p. 72. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  33. ^ ""I Just Can't Stay Married to You"/"Rainsong" (7" vinyl single sleeve insert)". LS Records. November 1978. LS-169.
  34. ^ "Search results for "Cristy Lane" (Country Singles)". RPM. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  35. ^ Lane, Cristy (December 1978). "Love Lies (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". LS Records. LS-8029.
  36. ^ Adams, Greg. "Love Lies: Cristy Lane: Songs, reviews, credits". AllMusic. Retrieved May 12, 2021.
  37. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 204-205.
  38. ^ Adams 2005, p. 2.
  39. ^ Chaney & Stoller 1983, p. 206.
  40. ^ Lane, Cristy (September 1979). "Simple Little Words (LP Liner Notes and Album Information)". United Artists Records. UAG-30277.
  41. ^ Whitburn, Joel (1997). Joel Whitburn's Top Country Albums: 1967-1997. Record Research Inc. ISBN 0898201241.
  42. ^ a b c Manheim, James. "Cristy Lane biography". allmusic. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  43. ^ "Cristy Lane profile". Country Music Television. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  44. ^ "Cristy Lane page". Cristy Lane.net. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  45. ^ Campbell, Al. "20 Greatest Hits review for Cristy Lane". allmusic. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  46. ^ Adams, Greg. "Cristy Lane's Greatest Hits review". allmusic. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  47. ^ "Veterans name Cristy Lane into VFW hall of fame". IP press.com. Retrieved September 12, 2008.

Books

External links

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