Celebrated country music artist and songwriter Melba Montgomery, known for her significant contributions to the duet format in country music, passed away at the age of 86 on January 15, 2025. As announced by her daughter, Melissa Solomon Barrett, Montgomery died of complications from dementia at her residence in Nashville, Tennessee.
Montgomery was born in Iron City, Tennessee, in 1938 and grew up in Florence, Alabama. She started singing in church and performing as a family trio with her brothers.
Her career in professional music began in 1958 when she became a member of Roy Acuff’s touring band. This initial exposure to Acuff, a pivotal figure in the country music scene, played an instrumental role in shaping Montgomery’s traditional country style.
She gained prominence in 1963 when George Jones recognized her talent and introduced her to United Artists. They recorded multiple successful duets, including their hit “We Must Have Been Out of Our Minds.” Their collaborations throughout the 1960s, with songs like “Let’s Invite Them Over” and “Party Pickin’,” left a lasting impression on the country music duet format.
“She was a down-to-earth hard-core country singer,” Jones said of Montgomery. Although initially perceived only as a duet partner, Montgomery proved her versatility throughout her career.
Montgomery’s success was not limited to her duets with Jones. She also collaborated successfully with Charlie Louvin and Gene Pitney. Between 1963 and 1986, she charted 30 singles. Her unique Appalachian-influenced style became a signature of her performances, earning her the nickname “the female George Jones.”
Her biggest solo success came in 1974 with the song “No Charge,” which topped the Billboard Country chart and made it to the Pop Top 40. Other notable solo recordings include “Don’t Let the Good Times Fool You” and “Angel of the Morning.” Despite not receiving the same recognition as her contemporaries like Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette, Montgomery’s impact on country music was significant.
She stayed true to her roots in traditional country music throughout her career. Her dedication to the genre’s authentic sound and narrative traditions was respected within the music industry. Even as country music changed over the years, she remained steadfast in her original style, helping preserve traditional country music.
In the 1990s, Montgomery shifted her focus to songwriting. Her songs were recorded by high-profile artists, including George Strait, Sara Evans, Patty Loveless, Travis Tritt, and Terri Clark. Her catalog of over 100 compositions recorded by different artists solidified her legacy in country music.
She continued writing and performing until 2015 when she retired following the death of her husband, Jack Solomon, to whom she had been married for 46 years. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Alive Hospice, the Shriners Hospital for Children, or the Dementia Society of America.
She is survived by her brother Earl and her daughters Jackie Solomon Chancey, Tara Solomon Capps, Diana Lynn Cirigliano, and Melissa Solomon Barrett, along with five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.