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Shelly West

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shelly West
Born (1956-05-23) May 23, 1956 (age 68)
OriginCleveland, Ohio, U.S.
GenresCountry pop
OccupationSinger
InstrumentVocals
Years active1981–1992
2012–present
Labels

Shelly West (born May 23, 1956) is an American country music singer. Her mother was the country music star Dottie West, whose career spanned three decades. The younger West reached her peak in popularity during the 1980s before mostly retiring in the wake of her mother's death.

Biography

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1981–1987

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West was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and rose to prominence at the same time as her mother Dottie was reinventing herself as a country pop star, and Shelly's style was not significantly different from that of her mother's. West is best known for her hit duets with David Frizzell, especially their number-one hit "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma". She also was a successful solo artist, having her own number-one hit, "José Cuervo" in 1983. West was married to Gary Hood 1983-2000.

1987–1992: Retirement

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West did reunite with Frizzell for a few shows in the late 1980s. West married Garry Hood in 1983 and had twin sons.[1] In 1990, Shelly toured with her mother, Dottie; together, they were popular on the road. On August 30, 1991, Dottie was involved in a major car accident, eventually dying five days later, on September 4, from injuries sustained in the accident. West was a technical adviser for a television biopic about her mother's life, Big Dreams and Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story, produced by and starring actress Michele Lee. At that point, amid major changes in the country music industry that impacted the careers of many established country stars, the younger West retired to focus on her family.

Post-retirement

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In June 2005, CMT honored Shelly and her duet partner, David Frizzell, when they were voted number six on its 100 Greatest Duets Special. Although they did not perform any songs, Shelly West and David Frizzell appeared on the special, for which West was interviewed. West appeared on numerous episodes of Country Family Reunion on RFD-TV.

West has returned to performing occasionally since 2012. She reunited with David Frizzell for two shows on October 13, 2012, at the God and Country Theater in Branson, Missouri. The duo played another show on November 2, 2013 at the Americana Theater in Branson.

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Album details Peak
positions
US Country
Carryin' On the Family Names
(with David Frizzell)
6
The David Frizzell & Shelly West Album
(with David Frizzell)
8
Our Best to You
(with David Frizzell)
  • Release date: November 1982
  • Label: Viva Records
24
West by West
  • Release date: March 1983
  • Label: Viva Records
6
Red Hot
  • Release date: November 1983
  • Label: Viva Records
26
In Session
(with David Frizzell)
  • Release date: December 1983
  • Label: Viva Records
33
Don't Make Me Wait on the Moon
  • Release date: December 1984
  • Label: Viva Records
28

Compilations

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Title Album details Peak
positions
US Country
Golden Duets (The Best of Frizzell & West)
(with David Frizzell)
  • Release date: August 1984
  • Label: Viva Records
45
Greatest Hits: Alone & Together
(with David Frizzell)
  • Release date: November 17, 1994
  • Label: K-tel
The Very Best of David Frizzell & Shelly West
(with David Frizzell)
The Very Best of Shelly West
  • Release date: November 10, 2009
  • Label: Varèse Sarabande
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles

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Year Title Peak positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1983 "José Cuervo" 1 1 West by West
"Flight 309 to Tennessee" 4 8
"Another Motel Memory" 10 20 Red Hot
1984 "Now I Lay Me Down to Cheat" 56
"Somebody Buy This Cowgirl a Beer" 34
"Now There's You" 21 22 Don't Make Me Wait on the Moon
1985 "Don't Make Me Wait on the Moon" 46
"I'll Dance the Two Step" 64
"If I Could Sing Something in Spanish"
1986 "What Would You Do" 54
"Love Don't Come Any Better Than This" 55
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles with David Frizzell

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Year Title Peak positions Album
US Country CAN Country
1981 "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" 1 13 Carryin' on the Family Names
"A Texas State of Mind" 9
"Husbands and Wives" 16 38
1982 "Another Honky-Tonk Night on Broadway" 8 20 The David Frizzell & Shelly West Album
"I Just Came Here to Dance" 4 9
"Please Surrender" 43 Our Best to You
1983 "Cajun Invitation" 52
"Pleasure Island" 71 In Session
1984 "Silent Partners" 20 20
"It's a Be Together Night" 13 40 Golden Duets (The Best of Frizzell & West)
1985 "Do Me Right" 60
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Awards

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Year Award Award Program
1980 Academy of Country Music Awards Top Vocal Duo of the Year; (w/ David Frizzell)
1981 Song of the Year; "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma"
1982 Academy of Country Music Awards Top Vocal Duo of the Year; (w/ David Frizzell)
Country Music Association Awards Vocal Duo of the Year; (w/ David Frizzell)
Music City News Country Vocal Duet of the Year; (w/ David Frizzell)
1983 Most Promising Female Artist of the Year
Vocal Duet of the Year; (w/ David Frizzell)

See also

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References

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