Skeeter Davis was a country musician performing for over fifty years, beginning in the early 1950s. Born Mary Frances Penick in Dry Ridge, Kentucky on December 30, 1931, Davis first performed as half of the duo, the Davis Sisters. In 1953, Davis's singing partner Betty Jack Davis was killed in an automobile accident in which Skeeter Davis was also injured. Skeeter then began to perform with Betty Jack's sister, Georgia. In 1956, Davis began her solo career and enjoyed a series of hit records, including "The End of the World." She became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1959 and performed with a number of famous country musicians, including Chet Atkins (also her first producer), Bobby Bare, and Porter Wagoner. She died of breast cancer on September 19, 2004.
From the description of Skeeter Davis papers, 1949-ca.1979 1950-1959 (Filson Historical Society, The). WorldCat record id: 69186403
