K. T. Oslin (born Kay Toinette Oslin; May 15, 1942 – December 21, 2020) was an American country music singer–songwriter. Oslin had several years of major commercial success in the late 1980s after signing a record deal at age 45. She had four number one hits and placed additional singles on the Billboard country chart during that time span; in addition, she won three Grammy Awards and is an inductee of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Oslin was raised mostly in Houston, Texas by her widowed mother. She developed an appreciation for folk music while studying theater in college and later sang folk music in a trio with Guy Clark (1941-2016) as a young adult in her hometown. Both made their disc debuts on the local 1964 Jester Records compilation LP, Look, It’s Us! Oslin and duet partner Frank Davis subsequently recorded an unreleased album in Los Angeles.
After starring with Rudy Vallee in an equity production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, she auditioned for the road company of the musical Hello Dolly! in 1966. She toured with its star Carol Channing until the show returned to New York, and remained with the musical on Broadway when it starred Betty Grable. Settling in Manhattan, Oslin subsequently appeared in Promises, Promises, in the Lincoln Center revival of West Side Story, and in lesser-known musicals such as the Vincent Price vehicle Darling of the Day.
Oslin also performed in TV commercials for cleaning products, denture adhesives, soft drinks and other products. At the same time, she began songwriting as a hobby. After a demo recording was made of her music, Oslin briefly signed to Elektra Records in 1981 which issued “Clean Your Own Tables” and “Younger Men” as “Kay T. Oslin”. Neither made any waves. She remained in New York and worked as an extra in Bruce Springsteen’s 1985 video of “Glory Days,” in addition to singing ad jingles.
Meanwhile back in Nashville, her songs began attracting attention. They were successfully recorded by Gail Davies (“Round the Clock Lovin,’” 1982), Sissy Spacek (“Lonely But Only For You,” 1983), Dottie West (“Where Is a Woman to Go,” 1984), Judy Rodman (“Come Next Monday, 1985) and The Judds (“Old Pictures,” 1987).
K.T. Oslin was signed by RCA Records, which issued “Wall of Tears” as her debut single for the label in 1987. It became her first top-40 hit. “80’s Ladies” made her a star later that year. Fans were charmed by her down-home banter, brassy sense of humour, witty personality and breezy moxie. Millions of women identified with her unlikely rise to fame. She followed “80’s Ladies” with back-to-back No. 1 records, “Do Ya” and “I’ll Always Come Back” in 1988. Her third No. 1 hit was 1989’s “Hold Me,” which won two Grammy Awards.
She also hit No. 1 as the guest vocalist on Alabama’s 1988 hit “Face to Face.” “Hey Bobby” and “This Woman” continued her top-10 streak in 1989. In 1990, her singles “Didn’t Expect It To Go Down This Way” and “Two Hearts” were followed by her fifth chart topper, “Come Next Monday.” This was accompanied by a hilarious, “Bride-of-Frankenstein” music video. Her other six videos showcased her dramatic abilities, as well as her comedic timing.
Her stage background served her well as she easily made the transition to television acting. Oslin also became a huge favourite on the talk shows of Johnny Carson, Arsenio Hall, Joan Rivers, Ralph Emery, Oprah Winfrey and more. She was in the spotlight on ABC’s 20/20 and on her own TNN special USO Celebrity Tour.
In the early 1990s, she left her recording contract and went into a hiatus following several personal setbacks. She was also sidelined by quadruple coronary bypass surgery in 1995. In 1996, she returned with the studio effort "My Roots Are Showing..." and then in 2001 with Live Close By, Visit Often. In 2013, she celebrated the 25th anniversary of 80’s Ladies with a sold-out show at the Franklin Theater. She was also a hit at a sold-out 2015 show at The City Winery to salute the release of her final CD, titled Simply. She retired from performing and recording after that.
In June 2015, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. She moved into an assisted-living facility the following year. She died on December 21, 2020, a week after being diagnosed with COVID-19 in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 78.
(Edited from Music Row & Wikipedia)