Induct Leona Williams Into The Country Music Hall Of Fame

Leona Williams was destined to become a Country Music Entertainer. She landed her first radio show at the age of 15, simply called "Leona Sings" in Jefferson City, Missouri. That journey would take her all over the world and allow her to sing before thousands and thousands of Country Music fans.

Leona moved to Nashville in the late 1960s from a small town in Missouri called Vienna, and was soon recording for Hickory Records with such hits as “Once More” and “Yes Ma'am, He Found Me In A Honky Tonk”. Since then, Leona has traveled worldwide and opened shows for some of country music's top entertainers and made numerous personal appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

Leona later teamed up with Merle Haggard for a top ten duet called “The Bull and the Beaver” and a duet album followed called HEART TO HEART. During this time, she would write some of Merle’s biggest hits including “You Take Me For Granted” and “Someday When Things Are Good.” You can hear her harmony vocals on some of Merle's hits such as “The Way I Am” “The Roots Of My Raising” and “Big City.” Leona has also teamed up with other artists on recordings such as Gene Watson's "Cold summer day in Georgia", Vince Gill's "Living the way I do", Jimmy Martin's "If teardrops were pennies", and George Jones' "Best Friends" among others. Leona recently released a "duets" album in 2009 which featured such artists as George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Bush, Frankie Miller, Floyd Tillman, Ferlin Husky and others.

While spending the better part of the last decade headlining some of Branson's most successful shows, Leona continues to wow her fans in concerts across the nation and abroad. She recently returned from her 5th consecutive annual tour, entertaining thousands of country music fans from all over Europe.

Leona has had her songs recorded by some of Country music's most popular artists including George Jones, Moe Bandy, Randy Travis, Hank Thompson, The Forester Sisters, Tammy Wynette, Gene Watson, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Ray Price, Johnny Bush, Willie Nelson, Connie Smith and many others.

Leona, a Missouri native, was inducted into the Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame in 1999. She was also honored with the prestigious George D. Hay Award in 2002 and was also inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2011, Leona was with the Entertainer of the Year award by R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers). In 2012 Leona released her latest CD, "By George, It's Leona" paying homage to one of country music greatest voices, The Possum, George Jones.

Whether in a recording studio, dance or concert hall or on stage at the Grand Ole' Opry, Leona Williams always gives her very best to her fans and her music. She definitely presents a special class to the world of Country Music.