Jean Shepard (born November 21, 1933 in Paul's Valley, Oklahoma as Ollie Imogene Shepard)was one of the first female vocalists in the country music field to become a major star in the early 1950's. Shepard's family moved west to Visalia, California in hopes of a better life. In high school, Shepard formed the Melody Ranch Girls, which became locally famous. One night, Country star Hank Thompson saw Shepard performing at a show and liked what he heard. With Thompson's help, Shepard was able to get a recording contract with Capitol Records in 1952.

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