Name	Louise Mandrell
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Thelma Louise Mandrell
Alias	Louise Mandrell
Birth date	July 13, 1954
Origin	Corpus Christi, Texas
Instrument	vocals, Guitar, violin, Clarinet, drums, Accordion, Keyboard, Bass
Genre	Country
Occupation	Singer, Entertainer
Years active	1977–present
Associated acts	Barbara Mandrell, Merle Haggard, Eric Carmen, R.C. Bannon, Alabama, Crystal Gayle, Reba McEntire
Label	Epic Records RCA Records }}

Thelma Louise Mandrell, also known as Louise Mandrell, was born July 13, 1954 and is an American country music singer. She is the younger sister of country singer Barbara Mandrell, and older sister of actress Irlene Mandrell. Louise had a successful singing career in country music with a string of hits during the 1980s.

Early life

Mandrell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Although she never developed the scale of fan base or the worldwide recognition that her older sister Barbara Mandrell gained in country music, Louise Mandrell is still credited as one of country music's more successful female vocalists of the 1980s. With their parents coming from a musical background, Barbara started off working as a singer, and playing the steel guitar and other instruments, and worked for Patsy Cline in the early 1960s. Mandrell learned to play the guitar and bass. Soon, their parents founded the ''Mandrell Family Band'', which toured the United States and Asia.

Barbara's professional recognition in country music in the early 1970s with hits like "Treat Him Right", "Show Me" and "The Midnight Oil" gave Mandrell opportunities at success, and she started performing in Barbara's band ''The Do-Rights'', which toured with Merle Haggard in the early 1970s. Her first time in the studio was on the recording "Always Wanting You", a no. 1 hit for Haggard in 1975. In 1978, Mandrell signed with Epic Records.

Music career

Mandrell released her first single in 1978, called "Put It On Me", which entered the top 100 country music singles in the USA. In 1979 she released her next single, a version of "Everlasting Love", which also entered top 100. She started singing duets with her husband R.C.Bannon, such as "I Thought You Never Asked," which entered the top 50, and a cover of the number 1 song by Peaches & Herb, "Reunited", which went to number 13, her first significant hit. In 1980, following two more solo efforts that did not see the same success, she then joined her sister Barbara and younger sister Irlene on Barbara's TV variety show ''Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters''. This show showcased not only her singing, but her multi-instrumental and comedy talents as well. In 1981, she signed with RCA Records. In 1982, Mandrell had two top 40 hits, as well as the top 20 hit "Some of My Best Friends Are Old Songs".

1983 turned out to be her most successful year, entering the top 15 with "Runaway Heart" the two top 10 hits "Save Me" (originally recorded by Northern Irish singer Clodagh Rodgers) and "Too Hot to Sleep". In 1984, Mandrell had two other Top 40 hits "Goodbye Heartache" and "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet", and in 1985 the song "I Wanna Say Yes" entered the top 5.

In 1984, RCA released her first video for the hit single "Some Girls Have All The Luck". Her songs at this time focused one the popular Countrypolitan sound that was coming out of Nashville from many country artists, Barbara Mandrell included.

Mandrell's last studio album "Dreamin'" was released in 1987, with the single "I Want To Hear It From Your Lips" and having her last top 40 hit with the single "Do I Have To Say Goodbye". Her last charted single came in 1988, a cover of the song "As Long As We Got Each Other", a duet with Eric Carmen.

In 1988, Mandrell parted ways with RCA Records. During the 1990s she released the videos and songs "Jean Paul" and "Down Home Christmas".

Personal life

In 1978 Mandrell also met and married R.C. Bannon, who later co-wrote songs for Barbara. "One of a Kind, Pair of Fools" is a 1983 single written by Bannon and John Bettis and recorded by Barbara Mandrell and "Only One Love in My Life" was written by R.C. Bannon and John Bettis and would be Ronnie Milsap's tenth number one plus many more.

Theater and writing

After leaving RCA Records Mandrell she continued to perform almost every day to packed houses. In 1991, TNN began re-airing the ''Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters Show''.

From 1992 to 1994, she headlined at the 4,000 seat Grand Palace theatre in Branson, Missouri along with Kenny Rogers. On occasion, she shared the stage with Barbara, Sawyer Brown, Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings, and several other well known country and pop music entertainers at The Grand Palace.

On September 12, 1997, Mandrell opened up her own 1400 seat theater, ''The Louise Mandrell Theater'' in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in the heart of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, alongside other theaters such as Lee Greenwood's. Mandrell appeared in every performance there, encompassed numerous musical styles including Country, jazz, and big band. It was considered the most attended (non-dinner) show in the Smoky Mountains. The Louise Mandrell Theater had its last performance, to a sold out house, on December 31, 2005.

In 1983, Mandrell co-wrote the ''Mandrell Family Album'' with writer Ace Collins. Later, they produced a series of children's books.

Later career

Mandrell continues to perform at selected special occasions and corporate events. In December 2007, she performed in Washington DC with the National Army band.

In 2008, Country music singer Pam Tills recorded and released the song and video "Band In The Window', which mentions Mandrell in the lyrics.

Over the Christmas and New Year holiday period 2008-2009, Mandrell performed at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville for one month. The multi-instrumental dinner show was entitled "Joy To The World". Mandrell also announced her intention to create a new show in 2010, "The Gift".

In 2009, she signed with Strouadavarious Records and announced her intention to release an album of country classics and a Christmas-themed album.

During 2010 and 2011 Mandrell joined Lee Greenwood on selected tour dates.

Commercial spokesperson

Louise was the spokesperson for Sanderson Farms' Miss Goldy's Chicken for 20 years, and for White Rain in the mid 1980s.

Television appearances

*''The Mike Douglas show''

*''Pop! Goes the Country'' 1977-78-79*

*''Battle of the Network Stars X'' 1981

*''Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters'' 1980-1982

*''Hollywood Squares''

*''Austin City Limits'' 1985

*''Hee Haw'' 1980-82-87-89-90-91*

*''The Tonight Show'' 1987

*''Crook & Chase'' most recently 2009*

*''Children's Miracle Network''

*''Lifestyles of the rich and famous

*''Another World'' 1983

*''Crazy Like a Fox'' 1986

*''Vicki Lawrence Show''

*''Miller and Company (Dan Miller)''

*''Prime Time Country'' *

*''American Almanac with Willard Scott'' 1995

*''Nashville Now'' *

*''Louise Mandrell: Diamonds, Gold and Platinum'' TV special 1983

*''Barbara Mandrell Christmas'' 1986

*''New Country'' 1987

*''Country Music Spot Light'' 1994

*''Music City News Awards'' guest and host

*''Mike Hammer'' 1987

*''ACM Awards'' *

*''CMA Awards'' *

*''Leanne Womack Christmas Special'' 2003

*''The New Hollywood Squares'' 1987

*''This Is Your Life'' 1987

*''Superstars and Their Moms''

*''American Revolutions: Country Comedy'' 2005

*''Intimate Portrait'' 1999

*''Family Feud''

*''Grand Ole Opry'' *

*''The Tommy Hunter Show'' Canada

*''The Geraldo Rivera Show''

*''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' *

*''Merry Christmas From the Grand Ole Opry''

*''Branson Country Christmas''

*''Jerry Reed and Friends'' 1983

*''Louise Mandrell & Friends Salute the Boy Scouts''

*''Hee Haw 20th Anniversary Show''

*''Funny Business With Charlie Chase (11/06/91)''

*''Christmas in Hollywood''

*''CBS' Happy New Year America'' 1984 & 1985

*''Barbara Mandrell: Country's Do-Right Woman (TV Special)''

*''National Easter Seal Telethon'' 1990

*''Ralph Emery'' 2009

was a guest many times

Discography

Albums

! Year	! Album	Top Country Albums>US Country
1979	''Inseparable'' (with R. C. Bannon)
1980	''Love Won't Let Us Let Go''(with R. C. Bannon)
	''Me and My R.C.'' (with R. C. Bannon)
''Louise Mandrell''
	''Super Woman and Incredible Man''(with R. C. Bannon)
''Close Up''
	''Too Hot to Sleep''
''The Best'' (with R. C. Bannon)
1984	''I'm Not Through Loving You Yet''
1985	''Maybe My Baby''
1986	''Dreamin'''
1987	''The Best''
1997	''Winter Wonderland''
1998	''Anthology''
2001	''Personal''

Singles

Year	Single	Chart Positions		Album
		! width="50"	CAN Country
1975	"Armadillo"			single only
1978	"Put It on Me"
	"Everlasting Love"
"I Never Loved Anyone Like I Loved You"
	"Wake Me Up"
"Beggin' for Mercy"
"Love Insurance"
	"(You Sure Know Your Way) Around My Heart"			''Me and My R.C.''
"Some of My Best Friends Are Old Songs"
	"Romance"
			''Close Up''
	"Runaway Heart"
"Goodbye Heartache"
	"This Bed's Not Big Enough"
"Maybe My Baby"
"I Wanna Say Yes"
	"Some Girls Have All the Luck"
"I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips"
	"Do I Have to Say Goodbye"
"Tender Time"
1988	"As Long as We Got Each Other" (with Eric Carmen)			''The Best of Louise Mandrell''
1991	"Jean Paul"			single only

Collaborations with R. C. Bannon

Year	Single	Chart Positions		Album
		! width="50"	CAN Country
	"I Thought You Never Asked"
"We Love Each Other"
1981	"When There's Smoke There's Fire"
	"Our Wedding Band"
"Just Married"
1983	"Christmas Is Just a Song for Us This Year"			''Country Christmas''

References

Bufwack, Mary A. (1998). "Louise Mandrell". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 324.

Louise Mandrell's Official Web Site

Category:1954 births Category:Living people Category:American country singers Category:American female singers Category:National Rifle Association members Category:People from Corpus Christi, Texas

name	Tom Wopat
birth date	September 09, 1951
birth place	Lodi, Wisconsin, U.S.
occupation	Actor/Singer
yearsactive	1977–present
spouse	Vickie Allen (1984-?; divorced) }}

Tom Wopat (born September 9, 1951) is an American actor and singer. He first achieved fame as Luke Duke in the long-running 1979 television series ''The Dukes of Hazzard'', along with John Schneider. He also played Jeff, one of Cybill Shepherd's ex-husbands in the TV series ''Cybill''.

Life and career

Wopat was born in Lodi, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and made his television debut in the daytime drama ''One Life to Live''; however, he achieved television fame in the popular long-running television series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979–1985).

He also embarked on a music career. He has recorded eight albums. Musically he switches between rock and roll and country music styles, though his last two albums have been of classic pop standards. The latter recording, ''Dissertation on the State of Bliss'', is a collection of Harold Arlen songs.

Wopat first appeared on the Broadway stage as a replacement in the 1977 musical ''I Love My Wife'', as "Wally". He then appeared as a replacement in the stage musicals ''City of Angels'', and ''Guys and Dolls''. He finally appeared in the opening cast of the 1999 revival of ''Annie Get Your Gun'' opposite Bernadette Peters, Susan Lucci and Reba McEntire, who played Annie Oakley (in consecutive order). He was nominated for a Tony Award in 1999 for his performance as "Frank Butler". He has since appeared in the revivals of the musicals ''Chicago'' and ''42nd Street''.

In 1996, Wopat served as host for Dick Clark's new country music performance show on The Nashville Network, Prime Time Country, however his time on the show was short-lived; before the first season was over, Wopat was replaced by Contemporary Christian artist Gary Chapman as host.

In 2005, Wopat appeared in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play ''Glengarry Glen Ross'' as the browbeaten customer, James Lingk.

On November 3, 2005, a ''Smallville'' episode called "Exposed" reunited Tom Wopat and John Schneider. Wopat played Sen. Jack Jennings, an old friend of Jonathan Kent's who comes to Smallville to seek his help in an upcoming campaign.

Wopat starred in the North Carolina Theatre's production of ''The Music Man'', in the role of Harold Hill in November 2006.

In 2008, Wopat starred on Broadway as the father in the musical ''A Catered Affair'', written by Harvey Fierstein (book) and John Bucchino (score), which opened on April 17, 2008 at the Walter Kerr Theatre. He received his second Tony nomination for that performance.

Wopat starred as Detective Jones in the Independent Black Comedy, ''The Understudy''

Wopat has returned to the Madison area for various occasions, including performances at various area theatres.

Wopat also provided a minor voice part as a member of the "Bloodhounds" on the 2007 release, Manhunt 2 video game.

On May 26, 2008, Wopat sang the "Star Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" at the Milwaukee Brewers vs. Washington Nationals MLB game.

In 2009, he appeared opposite Kevin Bacon in ''Taking Chance'', the HBO production about the returning home of a young man named Chance Phelps, a United States Marine, who was killed in Iraq. Wopat plays Phelps' father in the movie, which is based on a true story.

On April 21 and 22, 2009, Wopat appeared at the Baltimore Lyric Opera House in the musical "Chicago" as the greedy lawyer Billy Flynn. He has played this part in national touring productions.

Wopat, along with Nathan Lane, took part in a workshop of a new musical, ''Catch Me If You Can'', in July 2007. It is based on the 2002 film directed by Steven Spielberg. In July 2009, Wopat originated the role of Frank Abignale, Sr. in the musical "Catch Me if You Can" from July 2009 to August 2009 at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Washington.

Wopat is featured in the new musical revue ''Sondheim on Sondheim'', conceived and directed by James Lapine, presenting the life and works of Stephen Sondheim. The revue premiered on Broadway at the Roundabout Theatre's Studio 54 on March 19, 2010 in previews and closed on June 27. The show was a hit with Wopat a highlight - alongside Barbara Cook.

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1979–85	''''	Luke Duke	Television series
1980	''Fantasy Island''	David Chilton	Episode: "Flying Aces/The Mermaid Returns"
1983	''''	Luke Duke	7 episodes
1984	''Story, Songs and Stars''		Television program
1984	''Burning Rage''	Tom Silver	Television program
1987	''Christmas Comes to Willow Creek''	Pete	Television program
1988	''Blue Skies''	Frank Cobb	Television series
1989	''''	Dr. Jed McFadden	12 episodes
1992	''Just My Imagination''	Bobby Rex	Television program
1995–98	''Cybill''	Jeff Robbins	Television seriesNominated — Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
1996	''Murder, She Wrote''	Bill Dawson	Episode: "Kendo Killing"
1997	''Contagious''	Sam	Television program
1997	''Crisis Center''	Chuck Goodman	Episode: "Someone to Watch Over Me"
1997	''''	Luke Duke	Television program
1997–98		Ian	Episodes: "Jill's Passion", "Taking Jill for Granite"
1998	''Meteorites!''	Tom Johnson	Television program
1999	''''	Luke Duke	Video game
2000	''''	Luke Duke	Television program
2001	''100 Centre Street''	Hanley Rand	Episode: "Lost Causes"
2001–02	''All My Children''	Hank Pelham	unknown episodes
2004	''''	Luke Duke	Video game
2005	''Smallville''	Senator Jack Jennings	Episode: "Exposed"
2006		Rick Keeslar
2006		Arlo
2007	''''		Voice role
2008	''''	Bill	Television program
2008	''''	Detective Jones
2009	''Taking Chance''	John Phelps	Television program
2010	''Phineas and Ferb''	Wilkins Brother #2	Episode: "Just Passing Through/Candace's Big Day"
2010		Colonel Slocum

Discography

Albums

Year	Album
1983	''Tom Wopat''
1987	''A Little Bit Closer''
1990	''Don't Look Back''
1992	''Learning to Love''
1995	''Hands On''
2000	''In the Still of the Night''
2005	''Tom Wopat Sings Harold Arlen:Dissertation on the State of Bliss''
2009	''Consider it Swung''

Singles

Year	Single	Chart Positions		Album
		! width="50"	CAN Country
	"True Love (Never Did Run Smooth)"
"I Won't Let You Down"
	"The Rock and Roll of Love"
"Put Me Out of My Misery"
"Susannah"
	"A Little Bit Closer"
"Hey Little Sister"
"Not Enough Love"
	"Too Many Honky Tonks (On My Way Home)"
"Back to the Well"

References

External links

Tom Wopat's Official Site

Category:1951 births Category:Actors from Wisconsin Category:American male singers Category:American musical theatre actors Category:American television actors Category:Living people Category:People from Columbia County, Wisconsin Category:University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Category:American country singers

de:Tom Wopat es:Tom Wopat it:Tom Wopat nl:Tom Wopat sv:Tom Wopat

Ellen Irlene Mandrell (born January 29, 1956) is an American musician, actress and model. She is the younger sister of country singers Barbara Mandrell and Louise Mandrell.

Mandrell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. She first rose to prominence as a model for Cover Girl, and later appeared, from 1980 - 1982 with her siblings on the highly rated ''Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters''. After that show left the air, she appeared on ''Hee Haw'' for a number of years. She has also appeared on two episodes of ''The Love Boat'', and worked as a commercial spokesperson for a wide range of products. She has also competed in auto racing.

Since the late 1990s, Mandrell has hosted the annual Irlene Mandrell Celebrity Shoot to raise money for Wish Upon a Star, Inc. and the Boy Scouts of America. The event, previously held in Branson, Missouri, was held in Jennings, Louisiana in 2008.

Mandrell married Rob Pincus in 1994, with whom she has one child. They were divorced in 2004. She was previously married to Ric Boyer, whom she divorced in 1992. She and Boyer have two children.

Early life

Mandrell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Her early life started off much like her sisters'. Her family was always musical; her parents came from a musical background. It would be no surprise that Irlene would pick up instruments as well. She played the Drums as one of the first members of Barbara's band The Do Rights.

Irlene is the youngest of the famous Mandrell Sisters. Her family set the mark for generations of musical siblings to strive for. Though music has always been the Mandrell Sisters' mainstay, other entertainment forms appealed to Irlene. Irlene has enjoyed an extraordinarily varied career as an actress, model, and performer. She is probably most famous for her role on the hit NBC show Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. Irlene captured two awards for Comedy Act of the Year from Music City News and later sought opportunities in film, television, and video. Her many fans followed her talents as she joined the cast of Hee Haw where she had an eight-year starring run (until the close of the show.) Irlene has also made appearances on other television shows including The Love Boat, Oprah, The Tonight Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and many game shows. She co-hosted Bright Lights & Country Nights and This Week in Country Music, televised benefits with names such as George Lindsey, Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., and many more. Irlene has been a model for several companies including Cover Girl shoes, Lanne Skin Care products, and 9West shoes.

Television

Irlene and her sisters Louise & Barbara co-starred in the top rated Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters television variety show on NBC from 1980-82. The show had 40 millon viewers weekly and was the last successful prime-time TV variety show. Irlene was a member of the Hee Haw cast from 1983-1991. She also appeared as a celebrity panelist on Match Game in 1982.

Outdoors woman

Irlene is an accomplished hunter. She has hunted North America extensively(in the US and Mexico) and has taken hunting trips to South America and Africa. She has taken several animals that qualify for the SCI Record Book. Irlene is proficient with handgun, shotgun, rifle, and crossbow. She is very competitive in many sporting events even as a racecar driver! She is an active member of several outdoor groups including Quail Unlimited, Buckmasters, NRA, and Safari Club International. She is a life member of National Wild Turkey Federation and has served several years at the Sportsman Against Hunger banquet.

Irlene participates in several charities such as Pegasus, Special Olympics, American Heart Association, and Easter Seals but is closest to Wish Upon A Star and the Boy Scouts. The Irlene Mandrell Celebrity Shoot raises a large amount of money for both Wish Upon A Star and the Boy Scouts. As a 501c3 charity event, the Shoot has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to these two causes.

Today

Irlene is currently a celebrity spokesperson for several companies. If she endorses a product, you can be assured she believes in the product as well as uses it. She speaks for CZ-USA, She Safari, Horton Crossbows, DRT Ammo, Wild Ride Beef Jerky, and Deerassic. Irlene also has a segment on PBS's Tennessee's Wildside, which is titled "Irlene Mandrell Straight Shooter". She not only stars on several outdoor shows, but hosts them as well. Irlene Mandrell is many things including countrywoman, mother, glamorous star, and someone you feel comfortable with around your own kitchen table. She has one of the most recognizable faces of today. A devoted mother of three, Irlene still finds time to pursue her career. Actress, singer, dancer, comedian, percussionist, hunter, spokesmodel, and race car driver, Irlene does it all.

References

Official Irlene Mandrell Website

Bio at Irlene Mandrell Celebrity Shoot

Irlene Mandrell Bio at CZ-USA Firearms

Category:1956 births Category:Living people Category:American country singers Category:American female singers Category:People from Corpus Christi, Texas

name	Meadowlark Lemon
alt	200px
birth name	Meadow Lemon
birth date	April 25, 1932
birth place	Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
residence	Scottsdale, Arizona
known for	The Harlem Globetrotters
height	6'6"
occupation	Minister
religion	Christianity
denomination	Non-denominational }}

Meadow "Meadowlark" Lemon (born April 25, 1932) is an American basketball player, actor, and minister. For 22 years, Lemon was known as the "Clown Prince" of the touring Harlem Globetrotters basketball team. He played in more than 16,000 games for the Globetrotters and is a 2003 inductee of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, and attended Florida A&M; University.

Career

Lemon first applied to the Globetrotters in 1954 at age 22, finally being chosen to play the following year (1955). In 1980, he left to form one of his Globetrotters imitators, the Bucketeers. He played with that team until 1983, then moved on to play with the Shooting Stars from 1984 to 1987. In 1988, he moved on to "Meadowlark Lemon's Harlem All Stars" team. Despite being with his own touring team, Lemon returned to the Globetrotters, playing 50 games with them in 1994.

In 2000, Lemon received the John Bunn Award, the highest honor given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame outside of induction. He was inducted into the hall three years later.

On May 18, 2009, it was announced that Lemon had become the new partial owner of the Smoky Mountain Jam of the American Basketball Association.

Personal life

Lemon has 10 children: Richard, George, Beverly, Donna, Robin, Jonathan, Jamison, Angela, Crystal and Caleb. George is currently an assistant football coach at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Lemon is married to Dr. Cynthia Lemon, a practitioner of naturopathy.

A born-again Christian, Lemon became an ordained minister in 1986 and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Vision International University in Ramona, California, in 1988. He resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, where his Meadowlark Lemon Ministries, Inc. and Meadowlark Lemon's Harlem All Stars maintain an office.

In popular culture

Meadowlark starred in the 1979 Educational geography film ''Meadowlark Lemon Presents the World''.

In the 2003 film ''I Spy'', the characters played by Eddie Murphy and Owen Wilson reference Lemon and other Globetrotters as a metaphor as to which of them would be the leader of their mission and which would take a sidekick role.

In the season one ''The Boondocks'' episode "The Itis", the character of Granddad mistakenly thinks Meadowlark Memorial Park is named for Meadowlark Lemon.

In a season six episode of ''How I Met Your Mother'', James (played by Wayne Brady) claims his mother once told him that Meadowlark Lemon was his biological father—though she also mentioned several other celebrities over the years.

References

External links

Official website

Category:1932 births Category:Living people Category:Basketball players from North Carolina Category:Florida A&M; University alumni Category:Harlem Globetrotters players Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Category:People from Wilmington, North Carolina Category:United States Army personnel

fr:Meadowlark Lemon it:Meadowlark Lemon

Name	Barbara Mandrell
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Barbara Ann Mandrell
Alias	The Sweetheart of Steel
Born	December 25, 1948
Origin	Houston, Texas, USA
Genre	country pop
Occupation	singer-songwriter, actress
Years active	1969–1997 (retired)
Label	Columbia ABC/Dot MCA Capitol Universal Direct records Hipo records
Associated acts	David Houston, Lee Greenwood, Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings, Louise Mandrell, Minnie Pearl
Website	Barbara Mandrell Official Site }}

Barbara Ann Mandrell (born December 25, 1948) is an American country music singer best known for a 1970s–1980s series of Top 10 hits and TV shows that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of the 1970s and 1980s. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.

She was the first performer and is currently the only female in country music history to win the Country Music Association's "Entertainer of the Year" award twice, and she has also won the Country Music Association's "Female Vocalist of the Year" twice.

Mandrell's first No. 1 hit was 1978's "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed", immediately followed by "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" in early 1979. In 1980, "Years" also reached No. 1. She added one more chart topper in each of the next three years. "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" (her signature song), then "'Till You're Gone" and "One of a Kind, Pair of Fools"— all hit number one between 1981 and 1983, a period during which Mandrell also received numerous industry awards and accolades.

Early life

Childhood

Born the oldest daughter into a musical family in Houston, Texas on Christmas Day of 1948, Barbara Mandrell was already reading music and playing accordion at age five. Six years later, she was so adept at playing steel guitar that her father brought her to a music trade convention in Chicago, where her talents caught the attention of Chet Atkins and Joe Maphis. Soon after, she became a featured performer in Maphis' Las Vegas nightclub show, followed by tours with Red Foley, Tex Ritter and Johnny Cash. Her network TV debut came on the NBC-TV series ''Five Star Jubilee'' in 1961.

While growing up, she was taught the pedal steel and lap steel guitars and many other instruments, including the accordion, saxophone and banjo. She played steel guitar for the legendary Patsy Cline. Cline once wrote to a friend in a letter that Mandrell was, "a 13 year old blonde doll that plays the steel guitar out of this world! What a show woman!" Mandrell toured as a 13-year-old with Cline, Johnny Cash and George Jones. She also played guitar for Joe Maphis in Las Vegas and on the ''Town Hall Party'' show in Los Angeles. A couple of years later, Barbara and her sisters Louise and Irlene, as well as her parents, founded the Mandrell Family Band. They toured across the United States and Asia. The drummer in the band, Ken Dudney became Mandrell's husband shortly after graduating from Oceanside High School.

Career discovery

Dudney later enlisted in the Navy, serving as a pilot, and was sent overseas. Mandrell decided that she would become a country singer and moved to Nashville. Her father was then her manager and with his help, she signed with Columbia Records in 1969. Over the next couple of years, Mandrell had a few minor hits. Her producer at the time was Billy Sherrill, known for producing other well-known singers in country music such as Tammy Wynette, Charlie Rich and Tanya Tucker.

Country music career

1969–1974: Country beginnings

Within 48 hours of a nightclub appearance near the Grand Ole Opry, she received offers for recording contracts from six record companies. After signing with Columbia in 1969, she notched her first chart hit, a remake of the Otis Redding classic "I've Been Loving You Too Long". In 1970, Mandrell scored the first of many Top 40 hits with "Playin' Around With Love". In the same year, she began performing with singer David Houston, and their partnership also generated considerable chart success. Mandrell's first releases earned respect from her country peers, but her first big breakthrough with fans came in 1973 with the single "The Midnight Oil".

While with Columbia Records, Mandrell worked with legendary country producer Billy Sherrill, who also produced Charlie Rich and Tammy Wynette. Under Sherrill's direction, Mandrell recorded country-soul material, which never gained her widespread success. Her early hits included 1971's "Tonight My Baby's Comin' Home" and 1970's "After Closing Time" (a duet with David Houston). Her records barely sold on the Columbia label. Sherrill later said in the book, ''How Nashville Became Music City'', that he was continually asked every year by the other Columbia executives why he was keeping Mandrell because she wasn't selling records. Sherrill kept Mandrell with the label until 1975.

1975–1984: Country-pop

In 1975, Mandrell jumped to the ABC/Dot label, and under the guidance of producer Tom Collins reached the Top Five for the first time with the single "Standing Room Only". After a series of successive hits, she earned her second No. 1 with 1978's "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed", immediately followed by another chart-topper, "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" in early 1979. "If Loving You Is Wrong" was also a major crossover smash, becoming Mandrell's only single to reach the Top 40 on the pop chart, peaking at No. 31. The song also peaked in the Top 10 on Adult Contemporary radio stations.

During the 1980s Mandrell had more hits, including "Crackers" and "Wish You Were Here". All of these singles and more reached the country Top 10 and some also hit No. 1, including "Years". Three more singles hit No. 1—"I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool", "'Till You're Gone", and "One of a Kind, Pair of Fools"— between 1981 and 1983, a period during which Mandrell also received many industry awards and accolades. "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" is one of Mandrell's best-known songs. The best-known version is the live version featuring George Jones. In 1983, she won a Grammy award for "Best Inspirational Performance" for the song, "He Set My Life to Music".

In 1980 Mandrell became the third woman to win the "Entertainer of the Year" award from the Country Music Association. She repeated history in 1981 by winning the award for the second time. This was unprecedented, as in prior to her, it was presumed that it only went to an artist once—but she nabbed it a second year in a row with her non-stop touring, hit records, and popular TV show. This began the huge array of awards and she would win: several CMA, ACM, and MCN awards, seven American Music Awards, and nine People's Choice, making her one of the most awarded country acts in history.

A collection of duets with Lee Greenwood, ''Meant for Each Other'', followed in 1984. From the duet album, Greenwood and Mandrell had a series of hits on the country chart between 1984 and 1985, including the Top 5 hit, "To Me", and the Top 20 "It Should Have Been Love By Now".

Also in 1984, she opened a fan-based attraction across from the Country Music Hall of Fame in the heart of Music Row in Nashville called Barbara Mandrell Country.

1984: Motor vehicle accident

While Mandrell was at the peak of her popularity, she had a major setback when she was involved in a serious automobile accident on September 11, 1984. According to Toni Reinhold in ''Redbook'' magazine, the singer "sustained multiple fractures in her right leg, including a broken thigh bone, knee and ankle. She also suffered lacerations and abrasions and a severe concussion that caused temporary memory loss, confusion and speech difficulties." Though after a year-and-a-half of rehabilitation, she recovered and returned to recording and performing. Mandrell told interviewers that the accident made her reassess her priorities; thus she retired in November 1997 and now spends more time with her family. She no longer performs or makes public appearances. Mandrell is now a confirmed seat belt advocate, especially because prior to the accident, neither she nor her two children Matthew and Jaimie (also involved in the accident) were normally seat belt wearers. Mandrell saw a truck in front of her with children not being restrained in the back and felt the need to tell her children to buckle up just before the crash.

During the recuperation period, Mandrell was unable to work and therefore needed to collect on her insurance to pay for medical bills and to keep her band paid. Mandrell was informed that under Tennessee law, she had to sue the estate of Mark White, 19, of Lebanon, Tennessee in order to collect. It went misunderstood for years, until she was allowed to clarify it in 1990 on ''The Oprah Winfrey Show''.

1985–1989: Return to music

Mandrell returned in 1985, and continued to have hits among the Top 10 on the country chart, including "There's No Love In Tennessee", "Angel in Your Arms", and "Fast Lanes and Country Roads". In 1986, she teamed up with the Oak Ridge Boys for a duet "When You Get to the Heart", which reached the Top 20. Later that year, she released the album ''Moments'', spawning the noticeably more traditional-sounding Country #6 single "No One Mends A Broken Heart Like You".

Beginning in 1986, the country music landscape had changed dramatically, with the "new traditionalist" movement gaining dominance with artists like George Strait, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis and Patty Loveless, while the glitzier, more pop-influenced music Mandrell released began falling out of favor. Her popularity began to fade by the end of the decade. At the end of 1986, she ended her long association with MCA Records and signed with EMI America Records. In the summer of 1987, she released her debut album with this label, ''Sure Feels Good'', which had a #13 hit with the lead-off single "Child Support". The two subsequent singles, the title track and "Angels Love Bad Men (which featured the song's writer, Waylon Jennings, on the closing chorus), failed to crack the Top 40 Country Singles Chart, peaking at #48 and #49 respectively.

Mandrell had her last charting country Top 40 singles from the album, ''I'll Be Your Jukebox Tonight'', "I Wish That I Could Fall In Love Today" (No. 5) in the autumn of 1988, and "My Train of Thought" (No. 19) in the spring of 1989.

1990–present: Current music career

As the 1990s began, she began focusing almost exclusively on live performing, where she remained a significant draw. In 1990, she released the album Morning Sun (album), which featured a duet performance of "Crazy Arms" with Ray Price and a remake of Price's "You Wouldn't Know Love if It Looked You in the Eye". By contrast, on the same album, she covered a then-recent R&B; hit for newcomer Karyn White, "I'm Not Your Superwoman". Although she did not achieve her earlier chart success, Mandrell continued to release albums and singles until 1992. In 1997, she released her last studio album to date, ''It Works for Me'' after a five-year hiatus. Also that year she shocked fans by stating she was leaving her country music career and moving more into acting. She held her last concert at the ''Grand Ole Opry'' in October 1997, and it was televised on TNN to huge ratings. The title of the show was "The Last Dance." She remains a member of the Opry.

In October 1999 she was inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame with other artists, Andy Griffith, Loretta Lynn, Gary S. Paxton, David L Cook, Lulu Roman and Jimmie Snow.

On October 17, 2006 Mandrell was honored with the release of a new tribute album titled ''She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool: A Tribute To Barbara Mandrell'' on BNA Records. The album debuted on ''Billboard's'' Country Albums chart at No. 25, her first album to chart since 1991's ''Key's In The Mailbox''. The album featured country artists (Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, LeAnn Rimes, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Blaine Larsen, Terri Clark, Gretchen Wilson, Randy Owen, Lorrie Morgan, Shelby Lynne & Willie Nelson). GAC (Great American Country channel) had several specials throughout October to promote the album. Mandrell also hosted the Grand Ole Opry live on October 28, where several of the artists on the album sang many of her classics.

On November 6, 2006, Mandrell made an appearance on the 40th Annual CMA Awards. She presented the same award she won two consecutive years, "Entertainer of the Year", to Kenny Chesney to close the show.

Time-Life recently released a DVD collection called ''The Best of Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters'' on May 1, 2007 which features more than 40 guest musical performances including country superstars Johnny Cash, Alabama, Marty Robbins, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, The Statler Brothers, Ray Charles, John Schneider, Glen Campbell and many more, as well as comedy legends such as Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller and Andy Kaufman. Many fans of the original series have expressed disappointment over the fact that the DVD release is heavily edited and omits most of the opening numbers and family oriented sketch comedy which rounded out the series.

On November 5, 2007, Mandrell, along with Vince Gill and Rodney Crowell, was awarded a star on Nashville's Walk of Fame. On May 17, 2009, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame along with Roy Clark and Charlie McCoy.

Acting career

In 1980, the TV program ''Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters'' premiered on NBC. In addition to hosts Barbara, Louise, and Irlene Mandrell, the show featured musical guests and comedy sketches. Each broadcast also closed with a gospel song, and in 1982 Mandrell released her own inspirational album, ''He Set My Life to Music''. As a result of her busy schedule, she began suffering from vocal strain, and on doctor's orders pulled the plug on the television program in 1982. In 1983, she premiered ''The Lady Is a Champ'', a Las Vegas stage show.

Mandrell had the starring role in ''Burning Rage'' alongside Tom Wopat in 1984 just prior to her car accident. Later, she also had guest star roles on hit shows such as ''Empty Nest'', ''Diagnosis: Murder'', ''Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman'', ''The Commish'', ''Baywatch'', ''Walker, Texas Ranger'' Rockford Files '' . She even had a recurring featured role in the late 1990s on Aaron Spelling's daytime drama, ''Sunset Beach''.

Many of these performances can be seen on late-night television or on the DVD box sets of the respective shows. In 1990, she wrote an autobiography called ''Get to the Heart: My Story'', which was a New York Times Bestseller for more than three months, and in 1997 became a highly rated CBS TV Movie of the Week starring Maureen McCormick (Marcia on "The Brady Bunch"). Mandrell promoted her autobiography on shows such as ''Sally Jessy Raphaël show'', ''Geraldo'', and ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'', with whom she shared the "Woman of the World" honor in 1992. In primetime, she appeared on ''The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson'', Ralph Emery's ''Nashville Now'', and she even "rapped" during one of her three ''Arsenio'' visits.

Personal life

Barbara Mandrell married Ken Dudney on May 28, 1967. Dudney had been the drummer in the Mandrell Family Band. Mandrell and Dudney have three children, Kenneth Matthew Dudney (b.1970), Jaime Nicole Dudney (b.1976), and Nathaniel Mandrell Dudney (b.1986).

Mandrell's daughter, Jaime Dudney, was Miss Tennessee Teen USA 1993 and placed in the semi-finals at Miss Teen USA 1993. Jaime was Miss Golden Globe in 1996, following a tradition where one son and one daughter of famous parents present the Golden statues. Following this, Jaime played her aunt, Irlene Mandrell, in ''Get to the Heart (The Barbara Mandrell Story)'', and was seen on the long-running CBS daytime drama, ''As The World Turns'', from June 1998–January 2000. Mandrell's oldest son Kenneth "Matthew" Dudney is a gourmet chef who has worked in the Nashville area for many years. After several bouts with alcoholism, Matthew overcame the problem and married Christian recording artist Christy Sutherland. He now travels with her as her personal manager. Mandrell's youngest son, Nathan Dudney, graduated from The University of Mississippi and shortly thereafter married his wife Hannah.

Awards

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category |- | 2009 | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Inductee |- | 2008 | People Magazine | Ranked in "100 Most Beautiful at any age" list |- | 2007 | People Magazine | Ranked in "100 Most Beautiful" list |- | 2005 | Academy of Country Music | Triple Crown Award |- | 2002 | CMT's "40 Greatest Women of Country Music" | Rank - #38 |- | 2001 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Pioneer Award |- | 1999 | Country-Gospel Music Hall of Fame | Elected to the Country-Gospel Hall of Fame |- | 1992 | Woman of the World | Woman of the World Award (tied w/ Oprah Winfrey) |- | 1991 | TNN/Music City News Awards | Minnie Pearl Award |- | 1987 | People's Choice Award | All-Around Female Performer |- | 1987 | American Music Awards | Favorite Female Country Artist |- | 1986 | People's Choice Awards | All-Around Female Performer |- | 1985 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite All-Around Female Performer |- | 1985 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Female Musical Performer |- | 1985 | American Music Awards | Favorite Female Country Artist |- | 1985 | Music City News Country | Living Legend Award |- | 1984 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite All-Around Female Musical Performer |- | 1984 | American Music Awards | Favorite Female Country Artist |- | 1984 | Grammy Awards | Best Soul Gospel Duo Performance - "I'm So Glad We're Standing Here Today" (w/ Bobby Jones) |- | 1983 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite All-Around Female Performer |- | 1983 | American Music Awards | Favorite Female Country Artist |- | 1983 | Grammy Awards | Best Inspirational Performance - "He Set My Life to Music" |- | 1982 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite All-Around Female Performer |- | 1982 | People's Choice Awards | Favorite Female Personality |- | 1982 | People's Choice Awards |Favorite Female Musical Performer |- | 1982 | Music City News Country | Female Artist of the Year |- | 1982 | Music City News Country | Instrumentalist of the Year |- | 1981 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Female Vocalist |- | 1981 | Country Music Association Awards | Entertainer of the Year |- | 1981 | Country Music Association Awards | Female Vocalist of the Year |- | 1981 | American Music Awards | Favorite Female Country Artist |- | 1981 | Music City News Country | Comedian of the Year |- | 1981 | Music City News Country | Female Artist of the Year |- | 1981 | Music City News Country | Instrumentalist of the Year |- | 1981 | People Magazine | 25 Most Intriguing List |- | 1980 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Entertainer of the Year |- | 1980 | Country Music Association Awards | Entertainer of the Year |- | 1980 | American Music Awards | Favorite Country Single - "Sleeping Single In a Double Bed" |- | 1979 | Music City News Country | Female Artist of the Year |- | 1979 | Country Music Association Awards | Female Vocalist of the Year |- | 1978 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top Female Vocalist |- | 1976 | Music City News Country | Most Promising Female Artist of the Year |- | 1971 | Academy of Country Music Awards | Top New Female Vocalist |}

Discography

References

External links

Barbara Mandrell official Web site

Category:1948 births Category:Living people Category:American actors Category:American country singers Category:American female singers Category:American gospel singers Category:Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Category:People from Houston, Texas Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Grand Ole Opry members Category:Steel guitarists Category:Dot Records artists Category:Epic Records artists

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