Skeeter Davis

Skeeter Davis was born Mary Frances Penick in Dry Ridge, Kentucky in 1931. She started singing early and performed with her siblings in a family band called the Davis Sisters before going solo and signing with RCA Victor in 1953.

Her biggest hit came in 1959 with "The End of the World," written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. The song reached the top of both country and pop charts. She recorded other songs like "Fuel to the Flame" and "Angel of the Morning," and her voice had a clear, direct quality that carried emotion without much ornamentation.

Davis faced some resistance from country radio stations that favored male artists, which limited her airplay at times. She kept touring and recording through the 1960s and into later decades. Musicians who worked with her included Bob Moore on bass, Grady Martin on guitar, and Hargus "Pig" Robbins on piano.