“You are about to hear a delightfully different Kitty Wells, Kitty Wells…today”.This is the beginning liner notes for the 1971 album, “Pledging My Love” that I had the pleasure of rendering the cover art. When Johnny Wright, Kitty’s husband, called he said they were “going in a different direction for Kitty with this new album” so the cover picture had to be different.
I had a lot of mixed feeling about this change. Here was Kitty Wells, The Queen of Country Music, that I had listed to since the age of five and now it was my job to put a new look to the image, but I was honored to be the one doing this cover.
I only had the one autographed copy of this album so when I came across it several years back in a local “oldies” record store I picked up a second copy for $75.00.
“Kitty Wells will always be the greatest female country singer of all times,” said Loretta Lynn in a statement released on her web site. “She was my hero. If I had never heard of Kitty Wells, I don’t think I would have been a singer myself. I wanted to sound just like her, but as far as I am concerned, no one will ever be as great as Kitty Wells. “She truly is the Queen of Country Music.”
As for me, I am thrilled to have been able to contribute a small part to her legacy. She will truly be missed.
You have always been one of the greatest country singers in the later 20th. and early 21st. It was with great sadness news of your passing.