The music world is mourning the loss of singer/songwriter Donna Summer, better known as the Queen of Disco.   Donna lost her battle with cancer yesterday at 63.  Although her specialty was pop, she dabbled in country music as well.   Bet you didn't know she penned "Starting Over Again," a heartbreaking tale of divorce which she wrote with husband Bruce Sudano.   It was a number hit on the charts for Dolly Parton back in 1980, and reached the top 20 for Reba McEntire in 1995.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fi6ZdH9dqU

In 1983, Emmylou Harris put a country spin on Donna's "On the Radio."   Although she never recorded "Starting Over Again," herself, The Boot says Donna described Dolly's recording of it as a life-changing experience.   "I loved it," she said. "It was so exciting to me. You can cut it, but it's not the same as when someone else cuts your song. The ability to transform another person's life or to enter their being is so profound."   In 94, the Boston born Disco Queen moved to Music City.  "My parents listened to country music, R&B music and gospel music," she said of her upbringing in a 2003 interview with this writer for Country Music Today magazine. "They listened to Willie Nelson as much as they would Nat King Cole or Frank Sinatra. I grew up loving country music.  My daddy used to play Patsy Cline. We used to watch the [country music] programs on television when we were little."    As a Nashville resident, Donna became a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.      Read more here.   Dolly remembered Donna, telling People Magazine, she had "one of the greatest voices ever."  "I loved her records.  She was the disco queen, and will remain so. I knew her and found her to be one of the most likable and fun people ever. She will be missed and remembered."     R.I.P. Donna Summer :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27-TM3q5-Cc