When Tammy Wynette died in 1998, she was known as the First Lady of Country Music. She was born in 1942, as Virginia Wynette Pugh, in a rural county of Mississippi. By the time she was in her mid-20s, the hairdresser-turned-glittering-country-superstar was on her way to being the first artist in the genre to go platinum. Wynette had more than 20 No. 1 hits, though she's still most widely remembered for signature songs of the late 1960s and early '70s, such as "I Don't Wanna Play House" and "Stand By Your Man."

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Jimmy McDonough wasn't one of Tammy Wynette's lovers. He didn't know her, except from afar. Yet he has managed to arrange a tryst with her in some No-Tell Motel of the spirit, achieving an intimacy that many biographers covet but few enjoy. For evidence of what happens when biographer and subject don't click so perfectly, compare Mr. McDonough's sweeping yet uneasy portrait of Neil Young, "Shakey," an authorized book eager to please its subject, with his freewheeling approach in "Tammy Wynette" to the late, lamented, conveniently elusive "Tragic Country Queen."

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NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 4, 2010-The entire collection of professional memorabilia documenting the stellar career of Tammy Wynette has arrived at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum. The move was facilitated by George Richey, Wynette's widower, and Wanda Williams, after numerous discussions with the Museum.

Among the 14 ultra-feminine stage costumes, all dating from the latter years of her career, are the red jacket trimmed in gold brocade that Wynette wore when she sang "Stand by Your Man" with Lyle Lovett on NBC's Tonight Show in 1993. The collection includes her trademark beaded jackets, gowns and jumpsuits, most created by fashion designers Jeff Billings and Lillie Rubin.

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