Biography and Career
Brenda Gail Webb was born in Paintsville, Kentucky to Melvin "Ted" Webb (1906–1959) and Clara Marie (Ramey) Webb (1912–1981). The youngest of eight children of a poor family, she was the only child born in a hospital. Brenda is one quarter Cherokee Indian. Her family moved north to Wabash, Indiana when she was four. She sang along with country and pop songs on the radio, and though a shy child, she was encouraged by her mother to sing for visitors to the house. Inspired by her sister Loretta Lynn's success, she learned to play the guitar and sing backup in her brothers' folk band. While still in high school, she began to tour with her sister for a few weeks each summer.
After graduating from Wabash High School, Brenda Webb signed with Decca Records, her sister's label. Since there was a singer named "Brenda Lee" with Decca Records, she was asked to change her first name. Loretta Lynn suggested the name 'Crystal', after seeing a sign for the Krystal hamburger restaurant chain. Brenda Gail Webb thus became 'Crystal Gayle'.
Read more about this topic: Crystal Gayle
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