Judy Lynn Kelly

Judy Lynn Kelly (b. Judy Lynn Voitus, April 16, 1936, Boise, Idaho – d. Jeffersonville, Indiana, May 26, 2010) – Singer and songwriter. Judy Lynn (as she was known throughout her career) grew up in Boise, Idaho, and had a passion for riding horses and competing in rodeos. As a youth, she also pursued singing (beginning at age ten), beauty competitions, and was a national champion yodeler in 1954. In 1955, she became Miss Idaho and also joined the Grand Ole Opry, which made a stop in Boise. Later as a solo artist, she worked mainly in Reno, Lake Tahoe, and Las Vegas – sometimes sharing the bill with Elvis Presley. Like Elvis, she was known for her extravagant rhinestone costumes. From 1962 to 1965, she released seven albums on United Artists, including one with George Jones and Melba Montgomery. Her highest charting album was The Judy Lynn Show (#14 on the U.S. Country charts), but Judy Lynn at the Golden Nugget (1962) included three hit singles. Her later albums came out on Musicor, Amaret, Columbia, Sunset, and Warner Brothers. In 1980, she left the music business and moved to Jeffersonville, Indiana, to become the minister of Christ Gospel Church.