Norah Lee Allen (195? - March 31, 2024)

Biography

Norah Lee Stuart was a native of Bowling Green, Kentucky where she began performing with her sisters when she was still a toddler at the encouragement of her father, Noble Stuart. Norah Lee joined the Chuck Wagon Gang to sing soprano for a short time in 1968. She married Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen the following year.

Norah Lee worked for Benson Music during the early 1970s in a variety of roles. She began working as a background singer at the Grand Ole Opry in 1975. In 1978, she rejoined the Chuck Wagon Gang for another brief stint and recorded one album with them.

In 1979, country singer Hank Snow was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Part of his acceptance speech included the line, "I'd like to thank my wife, Mrs. Hank Snow." The comment struck both Duane and Norah Lee as funny, so Duane gave Norah Lee the nickname "Mrs. Hank Snow" (or "Mrs. Hank" for short) for the rest of their marriage.

In 1980, Norah Lee became a full-time member of the Opry staff, a position she held for more than forty years. She also worked as a studio session singer and performed with many of Nashville's biggest stars.