It’s easy to be enamored by Crystal Gayle’s voice. Even in a just over 15 -minute phone interview on a Wednesday morning, her voice is warm, kindhearted. She’s shy. Even her laugh is elegant. Gayle is as real as they get – you would find her making her own cup of coffee at home before paying more than she needs to at a store. For over 50 years, audiences have come to know Gayle for her gorgeous vocals and shimmering floor-length hair. They feel a closeness to Gayle just by listening to any of the 68 singles she’s released.
For Gayle, music and family have woven into each other throughout her career. Released in 2019, You Don’t Know Me is Gayle’s first album in 15 years and is produced by her son Christos Gatzimos. It’s also her first solely dedicated to the classic county songs she grew up listening to, and became inspired by while growing up in Wabash, Indiana. The youngest sibling of fellow-country music icon, Loretta Lynn, Gayle grew up singing with her brother Jay Lee Webb (and co-wrote his hit “I Come Home A-Drinkin” (1967) ) and co-wrote sister Peggy Sue’s “I’m Dynamite” in 1969.
A crossover artist like none had ever witnessed, Gayle topped five separate Billboard Charts with 1977’s “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue”. The hits kept coming and climbing: “Ready For The Times to Get Better”, “Half The Way”, “You And I” (with Eddie Rabbit), “Making Up For Lost Time” (with Gary Morris) and a slew of others.
One wonders what is still on this legend’s bucket list.
“I’m so very lucky to have done a lot in my career,” Gayle said, who also has the distinction of being the first country artist to perform in China. “Just even visiting Egypt would be amazing. I’d like to go to Antarctica, when it’s a little warmer. I keep saying I want to go there because I think they have tours and stuff. I’ve never done it yet. Within my career I’ve been lucky to have performed all over, and lucky that my music was played all over the world.”
Among the songs on You Don’t Know Me is a recording of Jim Reeves’ 1973 classic “Am I That Easy To Forget” (written by Carl Belew and W.S. Stevenson). Gayle said this one was one of the first songs she chose. She has many fond memories of Reeves, including being around him at Ryman Auditorium.
“Being backstage at that time, I’d be there because my sister was on, and I would sometimes roam backstage with Karen Tubb, Ernest Tubb’s daughter,” Gayle said. “We weren’t supposed to bother anybody, so we tried not to. Jim Reeves was such a nice person. A great, great person. I just remember how great he was in every aspect.”
Besides producing the record, Gayle’s son also mixed and engineered the legendary hits.
“I wanted him to hear that I grew up hearing and loving,” she said, also complimenting Gatzimos’ ear and talent for music. “We did a lot of different things. It’s hard to choose so many songs on one album. I do think we will have songs for another record.”
Other tracks on You Don’t Know Me include “Ribbon of Darkness” (written by Gordon Lightfoot; recorded by Marty Robbins in 1965, Lightfoot in 1966 and Connie Smith in 1969), “Walkin’ After Midnight” (written by Alan Block and Don Hecht; recorded by Patsy Cline in 1957 and Lynn in 1977) and the album’s only trio performance of Lynn, Peggy Sue and Gayle, “Put It Off Until Tomorrow” (written by Bill Owens and Dolly Parton; recorded by Bill Phillips in 1966, Parton in 1967 and The Kendalls in 1980).
Lynn is 19-years older than Gayle.
“My sister gave me the best advice ever and that was to quit singing her songs,” Gayle laughed. “And she said, don’t record anything I would. She said you will only be compared and that’s true. I think if I went that route and done the things that followed in her footsteps and just done the types of music she did, which I love, I probably would not have had the success that I’ve had.”
Gayle’s fans might already feel like they know her, certainly from her music, but also her dozens of TV appearances on award shows, Hee Haw, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Solid Gold, American Bandstand and many more.
Fans might be surprised to learn a few things about her. Just a few.
“I am left-handed,” Gayle said, laughing. “I think a lot of times when you’re out and about and in your jeans and some people are ‘oh, aren’t they supposed to be in their gown’ but no, I like my sweatshirts and t-shirts. I love to doodle, so you have to be careful what paper you put in front of me. My husband learned the hard way.”
While she can’t claim to surprise her fans with a secret basketball talent (she did grow up in the Hoosier State known for basketball and other sports), she said depending on the year, she had a few favorite school subjects.
“Loved taking French,” Gayle, an honor roll student, said. “I had my little recorder and recorded how to say things, that of course really helped in learning songs, too. I also enjoyed Home Ec (economics). I think they should still teach kids this. They should show people how to put a button on. I tried to show my daughter and she said to leave her alone (laughs). Not just for girls, but the guys too, but learning a little bit of baking and cooking goes a long way.”
April and beyond will be busy touring for Gayle. With the news pouring in on the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) postponing the majority of live events, it’s unknown at this time when her next shows will be. News of the health pandemic had not been reported at the time of this interview. In the meantime, Gayle said she still very much enjoys touring and has her routine down to the beauty details.
“Typical show day – washing my hair,” Gayle said. “We do soundcheck, my makeup the longer I travel, the more I put on. When you’re on the road, travel is one of the biggest parts. It always seems more glamorous that it is, but it’s fun and I enjoy it. You should enjoy it if you want to be in it.
She’s learned quite a few lessons over the years that she’d like to share with other musicians. For Nashville-based singers, because of allergies, she said it’s important to warm up their voices, even just a little every day. Anything else?
“Don’t eat too close to the show,” she laughs.
