Juice Newton is a famous American singer, songwriter, and musician who has achieved success in both pop and country music genres. She is best known for her hit songs “Angel of the Morning”, “Queen of Hearts”, “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)”, and “Break It to Me Gently”. But who is Juice Newton related to? And what is her family background? In this article, we will explore the surprising family history of the country-pop star.
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Juice Newton’s Birth and Early Life
Juice Newton was born as Judith Kay Newton on February 18, 1952, in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Her father was a Navy officer and her mother was a homemaker. She has two older brothers, Jerry and Tom
When she was 13 years old, her mother gave her a guitar as a birthday present, which sparked her interest in music. She learned to play folk songs and performed in some local coffeehouses. She also sang in the church choir and participated in school musicals
She graduated from First Colonial High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1970. She then attended Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California, where she met Otha Young, a fellow guitarist and songwriter. They formed a folk-rock band called Dixie Peach and began playing in bars around Northern California
Juice Newton’s Musical Career
In 1975, Newton, Young, and Tom Kealey formed a band that would eventually be called Juice Newton & Silver Spur. They signed with RCA Records and released two albums, but they did not achieve much commercial success. They switched to Capitol Records in 1977 and released one more album before disbanding
Newton then embarked on a solo career, continuing to work with Young as her producer and co-writer. Her breakthrough came in 1981 with the album Juice, which spawned three hit singles: “Angel of the Morning”, “Queen of Hearts”, and “The Sweetest Thing (I’ve Ever Known)”. The album sold over two million copies and earned her several awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for “Break It to Me Gently”
She followed up with another successful album, Quiet Lies, in 1982, which featured the hits “Love’s Been a Little Bit Hard on Me” and “Heart of the Night”. She also collaborated with Eddie Rabbitt on the duet “Both to Each Other (Friends and Lovers)”, which topped the country charts in 1986
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Newton continued to record and tour, releasing albums such as Dirty Looks, Old Flame, Ain’t Gonna Cry, The Trouble with Angels, and American Girl. She also ventured into acting, appearing in films such as The Legend of the Ruby Silver and Duets. She also performed on Broadway in Pump Boys and Dinettes
In 2007, Newton released her first album of original material in 14 years, titled Duets: Friends & Memories. The album featured duets with Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, Frankie Valli, Dan Seals, Melissa Manchester, and others. In 2010, she released another album of duets with Young, who died later that year from cancer. The album was titled Otha Young: A Celebration of His Music & Life
Newton has been praised for her distinctive voice, versatile style, and crossover appeal. She has sold over 13 million records worldwide and has charted 14 Top-10 hits across the pop, country, and adult contemporary charts. She has also received five Grammy Award nominations, an ACM Award for Top New Female Artist, two Billboard Female Album Artist of the Year awards, a People’s Choice Award for Best Female Vocalist, and an Australian Music Media’s Number One International Country Artist award
Juice Newton’s Family Tree
So who is Juice Newton related to? According to Geneastar, a website that provides genealogical information on celebrities, Newton’s family tree can be traced back to several ancestors from different countries and backgrounds.
Some of her notable relatives include:
- John Calhoun (1844-1910), her great-grandfather on her father’s side, who was a farmer from Georgia.
- Thomas Charlton Lanier (1857-1935), her great-grandfather on her mother’s side, who was a merchant from North Carolina.
- Samuel Edward George (1851-1894), her great-grandfather on her mother’s side, who was a carpenter from Maryland.
- Pocahontas Hayman (1855-1943), her great-grandmother on her mother’s side, who was a housewife from Virginia.
- Charles Jenkins Newton (1911-1993), her father, who was a Navy officer and a civil engineer.
- Margaret Montague (1913-1970), her mother, who was a homemaker and a music lover.
Newton has two older brothers, Jerry and Tom, who are both musicians. She also has a son, Tyler, who was born in 1977 from her first marriage to Jeff Cohen. She is currently married to Tom Goodspeed, whom she wed in 1985. They live on a ranch in San Diego County, California, with their daughter, Jessica, who was born in 1988.
Conclusion
Juice Newton is a country-pop star who has a rich and diverse family history. She is related to several ancestors from different countries and backgrounds, who have influenced her musical style and personality. She is also a proud mother of two children and a wife of a supportive husband. She continues to make music and perform for her loyal fans, who appreciate her talent and charisma. Juice Newton is a living legend who has made her mark in the music industry and beyond.
