“Always Have, Always Will” became the seventh number one solo hit for Janie Fricke, marking a significant achievement for a woman who, at one point, wasn’t even sure she wanted to pursue a recording career. In the early stages of her career, Janie was more than content to stay behind the scenes as a studio vocalist, working with the Lea Jane Singers. Her work there, which included singing on jingles and commercial recordings, earned her an impressive salary of over $100,000 per year. For Janie, it seemed like a sweet deal—she loved singing, and being a backup singer allowed her to do just that without the pressures that come with fame.
However, things started to change when she teamed up with Johnny Duncan for a few duet singles. The success of those songs brought her a lot of attention, catching the eye of CBS producer Billy Sherrill. He saw Janie’s potential and wanted to sign her as a solo artist. Even though this seemed like a great opportunity, Janie wasn’t completely sold on the idea. She was happy with her life as it was, and the thought of stepping into the spotlight didn’t really appeal to her at first.
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But CBS wasn’t about to take no for an answer. In fact, the company was so determined to sign her that its president, Bruce Lundvall, took matters into his own hands. While Janie was performing at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium during a convention, Lundvall made his move. As the story goes, Janie was backstage making a phone call when Lundvall approached her, tapped her on the shoulder, and asked point-blank, “Are you going to sign a contract with us or not?” His bold approach caught Janie’s attention, and she realized just how serious CBS was about her. It was at that moment she decided to take the leap and sign the contract, officially launching her solo career.
By 1986, Janie’s career was in full swing. She had already made a name for herself with several hits, but with her Black & White album, she was ready to make some changes. For one, she parted ways with Bob Montgomery, the producer who had helped her achieve five of her first six number one hits. It wasn’t an easy decision, but Janie was ready for something new. She teamed up with producer Norro Wilson, who brought a fresh, updated sound to her music. Wilson added a bluesy touch to her songs, which gave her a new edge and helped her climb back to the top of the charts. “Always Have, Always Will,” one of the standout tracks from Black & White, shot to number one on Billboard’s country singles chart on October 4, 1986. That very same day, the album itself also reached the number one spot on Billboard’s country albums chart—making it the only album of Janie’s career to achieve that milestone.
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There was another change happening around this time—one that was small but important for Janie. Throughout her career, her last name had always been spelled “Fricke.” But this often led to people mispronouncing it, with some calling her “Frick” instead. It became a bit of a problem, especially during award shows, where big names like Phil Collins and Charlie Daniels got it wrong. To solve the issue, Janie decided to add an extra “i” to her last name, changing it to “Frickie.” This simple change made it easier for people to say her name correctly, and from then on, she was no longer mispronounced.
While Janie was making waves in the music world, she also ventured into fashion. For years, she had enjoyed making her own stage outfits as a personal hobby, but in 1985, she decided to take it a step further. Janie launched her own line of clothing and accessories, and it quickly gained popularity. By 1988, her fashion line was being sold in nearly 300 stores across the country, showing that her creativity extended far beyond music.
Janie Fricke’s journey from a reluctant backup singer to a chart-topping solo artist and successful entrepreneur is a testament to her talent and determination. Although she started her career behind the scenes, she ultimately became a shining star in her own right, leaving a lasting mark on both the music and fashion worlds.
