Louise Mandrell

Thelma Louise Mandrell (born July 13, 1954) is an American country music singer. She is the younger sister of fellow country singer Barbara Mandrell, and older sister of actress Irlene Mandrell. Louise had a successful singing career in country music from the 1970s, with a string of hits during the 1980s.

Louise Mandrell
Background information
Birth nameThelma Louise Mandrell
Also known asLouise Mandrell
Born (1954-07-13) July 13, 1954
Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
GenresCountry
Occupation(s)Singer, entertainer
Instruments
Years active1977–present
Labels
Associated acts
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life

Thelma Louise Mandrell was born July 13, 1954,[1] to Mary Ellen (née McGill; born 1931) and Irby Matthew Mandrell (October 11, 1924 – March 5, 2009) in Corpus Christi, Texas.[2] She is the second of three daughters. Sister Barbara is five and a half years older; sister Irlene is one and a half years younger. Her mother, Mary, was a homemaker and musician hailing from rural Wayne County, Illinois. Her father Irby was a World War II naval veteran and Texas police officer from Garland County, Arkansas. Irby Mandrell was an accomplished musician and entrepreneur as well. He used his impeccable social skills and knowledge of the music industry to manage all three of his daughters' careers for over three decades.

Although Louise Mandrell never developed the scale of fan base or the worldwide recognition that her older sister Barbara gained in country music, she 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 toured with Patsy Cline in the early 1960s.[3] Louise 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 Louise opportunities at success. She started performing in Barbara's band The DoRites, 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, Louise 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 cover version of "Everlasting Love", which also entered top 100. She started singing duets with her husband R.C. Bannon, such as "I Thought You'd Never Ask," 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 joined sisters Barbara and Irlene on the 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. She entered the top 15 with "Runaway Heart," and had 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 1985, RCA released her first video for the hit single "Some Girls Have All The Luck". Her songs at this time focused on 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 Wanna 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.

RCA dropped Mandrell in 1988. During the 1990s, she released the videos and songs "Jean Paul" and "Down Home Christmas".

Personal life

Her marriage to Ronald Shaw on July 1, 1971, ended in divorce in 1973. She subsequently married Gary Lamar Buck of the country music group The Four Guys on July 23, 1975. They later divorced in 1978.

In 1978, Mandrell met R.C. Bannon. They married on February 26, 1979. He would later co-write 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. "Only One Love in My Life," written by R.C. Bannon and John Bettis, would be Ronnie Milsap's tenth number one.

Louise and R.C. adopted Nicole Mandrell Shipley in 1986. Louise was divorced from R.C. in 1991 and married John Haywood on July 16, 1993.

Louise became a grandmother for the first time in 2013.

Theater and writing

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

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 her own 1,400-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.[4] Mandrell appeared in every performance there and encompassed numerous musical styles, including country, jazz, and big band. It was considered the most attended (non-dinner) show in the Smoky Mountains. The Triumphant Quartet, formerly known as the Integrity Quartet, was the in-house Southern gospel group and back-up singers for Louise. The Louise Mandrell Theater had its last performance, to a sold-out house, on December 31, 2005. Mandrell sold the theater afterwards and it has changed hands twice since. The theater is now home to the "Smoky Mountain Opry."

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

In 2012, she performed the title role of "Calamity Jane" at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theatre in Fresno, California through September 16, 2012. Mandrell reprised her role July thru September 15, 2019.[5]

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.

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 2011 and 2012, Mandrell joined Lee Greenwood on selected tour dates, including a six-week Branson run at the Welk Resort Theatre from September 12 – October 22.

Mandrell's final Christmas show at Gaylord Opryland titled "Louise Mandrell's Christmas Dinner Party" took place Nov 18 – December 25, 2011.

After 30 years, she released Playing Favorites, her 11th studio album of country standards on October 4, 2019.

Mandrell appeared on the Opry's country classic show in Nashville. The last time she performed on that stage was 50 years ago. the show was broadcast live on the radio program, Opry Country Classics at the Ryman Auditorium, October 3, 2019. She is scheduled to perform on the Grand Ole Opry live from the Ryman on November 30, 2019.

Commercial spokesperson

Louise was the spokesperson for Sanderson Farms' Miss Goldy's Chicken for 20 years, RC Cola in the mid-1970s and White Rain in the mid-1980s.

Television appearances

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak
positions
US Country
Close Up 30
Too Hot to Sleep
  • Release date: August 1983
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette, CD
26
I'm Not Through Loving You Yet
  • Release date: May 1984
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
54
Maybe My Baby
  • Release date: May 1985
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette, CD
60
Dreamin'
  • Release date: 1987
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
Winter Wonderland
  • Release date: 1997
  • Label: Mandrell, inc.
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Personal
  • Release date: 1998
  • Label: Mandrell, Inc.
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Playing Favorites
  • Release date: October 4, 2019
  • Label: Time–Life
  • Formats: CD, digital download

Albums with R. C. Bannon

Title Details Peak
positions
US Country
Inseparable
  • Release date: 1979
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
Love Won't Let Us Let Go
  • Release date: October 1980
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
Me and My R. C.
  • Release date:
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
20
You're My Super Woman, You're My Incredible Man
  • Release date:
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
44
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Compilations

Title Details
Louise Mandrell
  • Release date: July 1981
  • Label: Epic Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
The Best of Louise Mandrell & R. C. Bannon
(with R. C. Bannon)
  • Release date: November 1983
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
The Best of Louise Mandrell
  • Release date: 1987
  • Label: RCA Records
  • Formats: LP, cassette
Anthology
  • Release date: October 13, 1998
  • Label: Renaissance Records
  • Formats: CD, cassette
Sisters in Song
(with Barbara Mandrell)
  • Release date: 2001
  • Label: Sony Special Products
  • Formats: CD, cassette

Singles

Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US Country CAN Country
1975 "Armadillo" N/A
1978 "Put It on Me" 77 Louise Mandrell
1979 "Everlasting Love" 69
"I Never Loved Anyone Like I Loved You" 72
1980 "Wake Me Up" 63
"Beggin' for Mercy" 82
"Love Insurance" 61
1982 "(You Sure Know Your Way) Around My Heart" 35 40 Me and My R. C.
"Some of My Best Friends Are Old Songs" 20 39 You're My Super Woman, You're My Incredible Man
"Romance" 22 35
1983 "Save Me" 6 2 Close Up
"Too Hot to Sleep" 10 26 Too Hot to Sleep
"Runaway Heart" 13 10
1984 "I'm Not Through Loving You Yet" 7 8 I'm Not Through Loving You Yet
"Goodbye Heartache" 24 29
"This Bed's Not Big Enough" 52
1985 "Maybe My Baby" 8 23 Maybe My Baby
"I Wanna Say Yes" 5 3
"Some Girls Have All the Luck" 22 37
1986 "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips" 35 41 Dreamin'
1987 "Do I Have to Say Goodbye" 28 57
"Tender Time" 74
1988 "As Long As We Got Each Other" (with Eric Carmen) 51 The Best of Louise Mandrell
1991 "Jean Paul" N/A
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles with R. C. Bannon

Year Single Peak chart
positions
Album
US Country CAN Country
1979 "I Thought You'd Never Ask" 46 Inseparable
"Reunited" 13
"We Love Each Other" 48
1981 "Where There's Smoke There's Fire" 35 45 Me and My R. C.
1982 "Our Wedding Band" / "Just Married" 56 45
1983 "Christmas Is Just a Song for Us This Year" 35 A Country Christmas
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Music videos

Year Single Director
1985 "Some Girls Have All the Luck"[6] Michael Lindsay Hogg

See also

References

  1. "Celebrity birthdays for the week of July 10–16". WTOP. July 10, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  2. "Louise Mandrell". IMDb. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  3. "The First Families of Country Music". CMT News. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
  4. Battle, Bob (December 17, 1996). "Louise Mandrell to add theater to Pigeon Forge". Nashville Banner. In the latest in a series of major entertainment features in the Smokies, singer Louise Mandrell plans to open her proposed 1,400-seat theater in the Music Road Entertainment Park at Pigeon Forge, Tenn., in the fall of 1997.
  5. "Categories".
  6. "New Videoclips" (PDF). Billboard. December 21, 1985.
  • Bufwack, Mary A. (1998). "Louise Mandrell". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 324.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.