Country singer Billie Jo Spears, best known for her chart-topping hit ‘Blanket on the Ground,’ died on Wednesday morning. KCNE television in Waco, Texas reports that the singer died in her home in Vidor, Texas at the age of 73.

Spears first tried Nashville in the mid-’60s but didn’t enjoy her greatest success until the years following the 1975 release of ‘Blanket on the Ground.’ While the Beaumont, Texas native had charted a few songs prior to her No. 1 hit — most notably ‘Mr. Walker, It’s All Over’ in 1969 — 12 of her next 13 releases reached the Top 20, including ‘Misty Blue’ and ’57 Chevrolet.’

Her recording career tapered off in the ’80s, but Spears continued to tour across America and England until recently. In March 2005, she released her final album, ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry.’

Spears’ son Tim Pierce tells Taste of Country that she died peacefully in her sleep. There will be a celebration of her life on Jan. 14, 2012 at Louis Hall just outside of Vidor, Texas.

Watch Billie Jo Spears Sing ‘Blanket on the Ground’

More From 94.9 KYSS FM