SHEPARD, JEAN
(*1933)
SHEPARD, JEAN (b. Paul's Valley, Okla., November 21, 1933) A no-frills 1950s-style tear-droppin' balladeer, Shepard was one of the first female country vocalists to break through, although it took a while for her career to develop. Born to an Okie family that relocated to the Bakersfield, California, area in search of a better life, Shepard began her career as a bass player in the all-female Melody Ranch Girls band in 1948. A few years later she was discovered by HANK THOMPSON , who recommended…