K. T. Oslin

K.T. was honored in 2018 with induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. She was famed for her self-composed country hits “80s Ladies,” “Hold Me,” “Do Ya,” “I’ll Always Come Back,” “Hey Bobby,” “This Woman” and “Come Next Monday.”

Her songs were recorded by Dusty Springfield, Anne Murray, Gail Davies, The Judds, Pam Tillis & Lorrie Morgan, Sissy Spacek, Dottie West, Dan Seals, Dorothy Moore, The Forester Sisters and others.

She was named the CMA Female Vocalist of the Year in 1988 and was the first woman to win the CMA Song of the Year award (for “80s Ladies”). K.T. was also the first woman to become a country star at age 45.

During her Nashville career she earned three Grammy Awards, four ACM honors and membership in the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame.

She was presented with Gold and/or Platinum Record awards for her albums ‘80s Ladies, This Woman and Love in a Small Town, as well as for a compilation of her videos. Her other albums included Greatest Hits: Songs From an Aging Sex Bomb, My Roots Are Showing, Live Close By, Visit Often and Simply.

As an actor, she appeared in such TV series as Evening Shade (1994) and Paradise (1990), and in such films as The Thing Called Love (1993) and Poisoned by Love: The Kern County Murders (1993). Her charming, feisty, witty personality made her a favorite on the TV shows of Carol Burnett, Johnny Carson, Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, Arsenio Hall, Ralph Emery, John Tesh and Larry King. She also starred on 20/20, in her own 1992 TNN special USO Celebrity Tour and on such music series as Hot County Nights, Hee Haw and American Music Shop.

K.T. was raised in Houston’s folk-music scene, then became a chorus girl in Hello Dolly, West Side Story, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Darling of the Day and Promises, Promises. In addition to her Broadway work, she acted in TV commercials and sang ad jingles during the 1970s and 1980s.

K.T. Oslin is survived by her aunt, Reba Byrd, of Austin, Texas;

by niece Michelle Oslin Kirkwood of Rowlett, Texas; by nephew Greg Oslin of Round Rock, Texas and by a small group of loving friends. The funeral will be private with a memorial event planned for a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, c/o The Vaden Group attn.: Marissa Carey, 1600 Division St. Ste. 225, Nashville, TN 37203.