Ellie was often bullied in school for her lisp and her small stature. During her school-aged years, she took a specialized course for a speech impediment that she had developed as a young child. During her childhood, Ellie developed an interest with the family's kitchen radio, which often played soap operas and popular songs of the era. She was given the nickname, "Ellie", by her father at an early age and was called it throughout her early years.
The Johnston family lived in a two-bedroom home located in the nearby town of East Peoria, Illinois. She was one of 12 children born into the family. Lane was born Eleanor Johnston in Peoria, Illinois to Andrew and Pansy Johnston.
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. In 1979, Lane signed with United Artists Records, where she would record "One Day at a Time". It was followed by a series of top ten hits over the next several years. In 1977, she had her first major hit with "Let Me Down Easy". The company began releasing Cristy Lane singles in the mid 1970s. Facing rejection from every major record company, Stoller decided to form his own label, which he named LS Records. The family moved to Nashville, Tennessee in the early 1970s to restart Lane's country singing career. Traumatized by the experience, Lane considered nearly ending her career but ultimately decided to continue. In 1969, Lane and Stoller traveled the far east where she performed over 100 shows for American soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War. Lane recorded for a series of small labels during the decade with no success. Stoller soon became her full-time manager and by 1966 she released her first single on a small independent record label. One day, Stoller overheard his wife singing at home and got the idea that she could become a successful country music vocalist. She raised three children while Stoller worked a sales job in the Peoria area.
Lane was raised in Peoria, Illinois and married Lee Stoller at age 19. The latter recording inspired a book of the same name, which was sold on cable television and brought renewed interest to Lane's career. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, she had a series of hits on the North American country charts with songs like " Let Me Down Easy", " I Just Can't Stay Married to You" and the number one hit " One Day at a Time". Please support the artists by purchasing related recordings and merchandise.Cristy Lane (born Eleanor Johnston January 8, 1940) is an American Christian and country music singer. Lyrics and song provided for educational purposes only. Lyrics and song are property and copyright of their respective authors, artists and labels. After having a series of Top 10 and 20 country hits, she signed with United Artists Records, and had her biggest hit with "One Day at a Time", a Gospel song, that peaked at No. Her first singles, "Trying to Forget About You" and "Sweet Deceiver", were released in 1977 followed by her first major hit, "Let Me Down Easy", by the end of the year. Lane's career began to take shape in the mid-70s, after beginning to record for her husband's record label.
Eleanor Johnston, known by her professional name as Cristy Lane (born January 9, 1940) is an American country music and gospel music singer, best known for a number of major country hits in the late 70s and the early 1980s, including her cover version of the song, "One Day at a Time".