Betty Jean Robinson Explained

Betty Jean Robinson
Birth Name:Betty Jean Rhodes
Birth Date:17 June 1933
Birth Place:Hyden, Kentucky, U.S.
Death Place:Franklin, Tennessee, U.S.
Origin:Kentucky, United States
Instrument:Vocals
Genre:Country, gospel
Occupation:Singer, songwriter
Years Active:1964–2021
Label:Metromedia, Decca Records, MCA records, 4 Star Records and Melody Mountain

Betty Jean Robinson (born Betty Jean Rhodes; June 17, 1933 – November 25, 2021) was an American country and Christian music singer and songwriter.[1]

Biography

Rhodes was born in Hyden, Kentucky, on the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. She lived in poverty until she was old enough to make her way to Nashville. She married William Harold Robinson and started writing songs in the country music field. She would later be voted Billboard Magazine's songwriter of the year.[2] Robinson was signed to Metromedia Records and later to Decca Records where she wrote many hit songs including, "All I Need is You" and "Hello Love." recorded by Hank Snow. Robinson was also noted as a singer and did several duets with country music star Carl Belew.[3]

Personal life

Robinson lived in the hills of Tennessee on what she called Melody Mountain. She had a television program that aired regularly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and wrote a book by the same name.[4] Betty Jean's two daughters predeceased her – Elizabeth Kimberly Nauman (4/6/2006) and Rebecca Lynn Mullins (11/7/2009); her husband did as well. She had five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and continued to live in mountains of Franklin, Tennessee, until her death on November 25, 2021, at the age of 88.[5] [6]

Albums

Robinson recorded a total of thirty-six albums and over six hundred songs.[7] She is most noted for Christian music anthems such as "Jesus Is Alive and Well", "On the Way Home", "Ride Out Your Storm", and "He is Jehovah".

Television

Robinson started broadcasting almost immediately upon the development of the Trinity Broadcasting Network a show entitled, "Up On Melody Mountain." The program is a depiction of Robinson in what looks like her Tennessee mountain home in which she sings and shares inspirational moments with her audience.[8]

Awards and honors

Robinson has been decorated for her songwriting by various organizations. In 1968 she was named "Billboard Magazines Female Country Songwriter of the Year" for the hit song, "Baby's Back Again" performed by Connie Smith and "Hello Love" performed by Hank Snow.[9] Most recently, Robinson was honored by the Artists Music Guild with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award on November 10, 2012.[10]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Betty Jean (Rhodes) Robinson . November 28, 2021 . Williamson Herald . 14 January 2022.
  2. Web site: Robinson. Betty Jean. Robinson Bio. Christianbook. November 18, 2012. August 28, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160828165512/http://www.christianbook.com/up-on-melody-mountain/betty-robinson/9780884194538/pd/4194531. dead.
  3. Web site: Robinson. Betty Jean. Country Music Discography. Country Discography. November 18, 2012.
  4. Book: Robinson, Betty Jean. Up On Melody Mountain. 1997 . Christianbook.com. 9780884195412 . November 18, 2012.
  5. Web site: Betty Jean (Rhodes) Robinson June 17, 1933 — November 25, 2021. April 26, 2023. williamsonmemorial.com.
  6. Web site: Robinson. Betty Jean. Robinson's daughters passed away. Betty Jean Robinson. November 18, 2012.
  7. Robinson. Betty Jean. Album Discography. Billboard. November 18, 2012.
  8. Web site: Robinson. Betty Jean. Up On Melody Mountain. Trinity Broadcasting Network. November 20, 2012.
  9. Web site: Smith. Connie. Baby's Back Again. Lyric Chord. November 20, 2012.
  10. Web site: Robinson. Betty Jean. Robinson receives Lifetime Achievement Award. Artists Music Guild. November 20, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130502020521/http://artistsmusicguild.com/content/2012-amg-award-recipients. May 2, 2013.