Queen of Country Music, Kitty Wells Dead at 92

The Queen of Country Music' and Country Music Hall of Fame member Kitty Wells died earlier today in Nashville at age 92.  Wells passed on after complications following a stroke. 

Kitty Wells was the first woman to reach #1 on the country chart in 1952 with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels," which was the 'answer song' to Hank Thompson's 'Wild Side of Life'.

Kitty Wells was a primary influence on everyone from Loretta Lynn to Tammy Wynette, and Kellie Pickler name checked Wells as one of the inspirations behind her latest album, 100 Proof, as well.

Kitty Wells was born Ellen Muriel Deason in 1919 in Nashville, TN.  She was married to Johnnie Wright of the country duo Johnnie & Jack for 74 years until his death last September. Wells was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976 and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 1991.