Cristy Lane[1][2] (born Eleanor Johnston; January 8, 1940)[2] is an American Christian and country music singer.

The latter recording inspired a book of the same name, which was sold on cable television and brought renewed interest to Lane's career.

One day, Stoller overheard his wife singing at home and got the idea that she could become a successful country music vocalist.

In 1969, Lane and Stoller traveled the far east where she performed over 100 shows for American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War.

The single would become her biggest hit in her career and prompted Lane to record a series of albums tailored to the Christian market in the 1980s.

The criminal conviction halted Lane's career, but when he was released, he published her biography also titled One Day at a Time (1983).

Marketing the book on cable television in combination with her record albums, One Day at a Time sold over a million copies.

Over the next several decades, Lane's biography and recordings were sold over television commercials, the worldwide web and through other major distributors.

During her childhood, Ellie developed an interest with the family's kitchen radio, which often played soap operas and popular songs of the era.

[7] After marrying, the Stollers moved into an apartment in East Peoria before buying a converted garage in the same area with a 50-dollar per month mortgage.

From then on, it was Stoller's idea that she could become a country music singing star[1] and began encouraging her to perform in front of people.

[2] A first attempt to launch her singing career began when Lee Stoller arranged for a tape to be made of his wife's vocals.

[11] She also was given a slot to perform on Chicago's local country music television program titled National Barn Dance.

Although Stoller met with major-label producers Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins, the companies had no interest in his wife.

[13] Lane's early material was described by music writer Greg Adams as a style that "pointed towards the country-pop sound with which she would eventually find success.

[2][16] Following their Nashville move, Lee Stoller began learning more about the country music industry to help further Lane's career.

[25] LS began releasing singles by Lane in 1976, starting with a cover of Melissa Manchester's "Midnight Blue".

The LP was released on LS Records in February 1978[31] and was reviewed favorably by Billboard magazine, who named it among its "Top Album Picks".

[32] In November 1978, the Charlie Black-penned "I Just Can't Stay Married to You" was issued as a single[33] and reached the top five of the Billboard country chart.

[36] Writers Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann called her vocal delivery "whispery", and characterized her songs as being "whimpering heartache material".

[2] After Lane won the ACM award, Lee Stoller faced the possibility of declaring bankruptcy after losing GRT Records as his label distributor.

[42] Composed by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson, "One Day at a Time" had first been a hit for Marilyn Sellars and again for Lena Martell.

[41] Lane continued to record "straight country music and secular pop", according to writer Greg Adams.

[41] In 1982, Lane's country music commercial success began to wane and her singles reached progressively lower positions on the charts.

[47] Songs such as "The Good Old Days" and "I've Come Back (To Say I Love You One More Time)" reached chart positions outside the country top 40.

[2][38] His usual responsibilities of promotional and management were put aside and "caused a negative effect on Lane's organization," according to writer Greg Adams.

[43] Advertisements for Lane's music and life story were also placed inside magazines, such as the National Enquirer and TV Guide.

[53] In 1987, a pair of singles released on the label reached minor Billboard country chart positions, including a cover of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands".

[5] With the introduction of the World Wide Web in the late 1990s, Lane and Stoller started selling her music through an official website.

[56] In August 2003, she was honored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars in San Antonio, Texas, for her recognition to the military, and was inducted into its hall of fame.