(AP) — Jean Shepard, "the grand lady of the Grand Ole Opry" who had a long recording career as an influential female in country music, died Sunday, according to an Opry spokeswoman. Shepard joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and helped set the standard for women in country music, choosing to tour as a solo act rather than as part of a group. According to the Grand Ole Opry website, Western swing musician Hank Thompson saw her at age 14, singing and playing bass in the Melody Ranch Girls, an all-girl band, and helped her begin recording.