Shelly West (born May 23, 1958) 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 Early life West was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 23, 1958.
1981–1987 West's career coincided with her mother Dottie's reinvention of herself as a country pop star. Shelly West is best known for her hit duets with David Frizzell, especially their number-one hit "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma". At the time of that song's release she was married to Allen Frizzell 1981-1983, the younger brother of her duet partner.Leach, Hugh, Can David avoid Frizzell overflow?, Lansing State Journal, November 5, 1983, page 21 West was also a successful solo artist, having her own number-one hit, "José Cuervo" in 1983. West was married to Garry Hood between 1985 and 2000.
1987–1992: Retirement West did reunite with Frizzell for a few shows in the late 1980s. West married Garry Hood in 1985 and had twin sons. 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, 1991, 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 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 Studio albums Title Album details Peakpositions US Country Carryin' On the Family NamesRelease date: April 1981 Label: Warner Bros. Records 6 The David Frizzell & Shelly West AlbumRelease date: January 1982 Label: Viva Records 8 Our Best to YouRelease date: November 1982 Label: Viva Records 24 West by WestRelease date: March 1983 Label: Viva Records 6 Red HotRelease date: November 1983 Label: Viva Records 26 In SessionRelease date: December 1983 Label: Viva Records 33 Don't Make Me Wait on the MoonRelease date: December 1984 Label: Viva Records 28
Compilations Title Album details Peakpositions US Country Golden Duets (The Best of Frizzell & West) Release date: August 1984 Label: Viva Records 45 Greatest Hits: Alone & TogetherRelease date: November 17, 1994 Label: K-tel — The Very Best of David Frizzell & Shelly WestRelease date: June 23, 2009 Label: Varèse Sarabande — The Very Best of Shelly WestRelease date: November 10, 2009 Label: Varèse Sarabande — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Singles 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 — rowspan="2" "Love Don't Come Any Better Than This" 55 — "—" denotes releases that did not chart
Singles with David Frizzell 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 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 Dottie West (1932–1991; West's mother) David Frizzell (West's duet partner)
References
External links
CMT.com: Shelly West