On this day (May 25) in 1943, Mirriam Johnson was born in Phoenix, Arizona. The world knows her better by her stage name, Jessi Colter. When some hear her name, their minds go directly to “Waylon Jennings’ wife.” While that is true, she and Jennings were married for more than 30 years. However, that is only a fraction of her story. She is a songwriter, recording artist, and inspiration to countless fans and artists alike.
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Johnson’s mother was a minister. So, she grew up in church, which is where she first discovered her musical talent. She began playing piano in her mother’s church when she was just five years old. “I was drawn to it,” she told PBS. “My mother was told by God that I would be a musician. She didn’t push it. She didn’t ask it. She had nothing to do with it. It was just in my veins…