What Happened to Barbara Mandrell & the Mandrell Sisters

um none of those negative things I was very happy but I was uh I was really thinking and contemplating that uh I'd really done all I could do to offer people because that's what we quote entertainers do is with a strong record of being the best in their time the legacy of the mandrel sisters Echoes to this day Barbara mandrel and her sisters Louise and erene were a popular singing group in country music during the 1970s and 1980s Barbara had so many songs that were very popular and won many awards the sisters had a TV show called Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters on NBC from 1980 to 1982 which made them even more famous when it seemed as though things were becoming great a tragedy struck what was this tragedy was the tragedy the end of The Mandrell Sisters join us as we discover what happened to Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters who is babara Mandrell Barbara Mandrell's Journey began on Christmas day in 1948 in Houston Texas she was the oldest of three girls in a family that loved music when Barbara was just six they moved to Oceanside California where her dad opened a music store her mom taught her piano and accordion while her dad taught her steel guitar Barbara was so good at it that people started calling her the princess of Steel when she was only 11 her Talent took her places even as a kid she toured with famous musicians like paty kleene and Johnny Cash her dad Irby decided to form a family band called The Mandrell family band Barbara played the steel guitar her mom played piano her dad played guitar and her sisters Louise and earlene also joined in with Louise on guitar and bass and Earle on drums and vibh they were like a musical Family Circus traveling around and entertaining people wherever they went when Barbara Mandrell was just 11 years old she got her big break thanks to Joe mafis who invited her to perform on his country music Show in Las Vegas she wowed the audience with her steel guitar skills and soon became a regular on the California television program Town Hall Party being one of the few female musicians in the industry at the time Barbara was surprised to discover other talented women at the Town Hall Party the mandrel family toured military bases across the country playing a mix of music genres including songs by The Beatles Barbara's musical Journey continued to evolve as she learned to play banjo and bass guitar while performing with the band In addition to her musical Pursuits she was also active in her community participating in activities like like the marching band chorus and student council in 1965 Barbara was crowned Miss Oceanside California showcasing her versatility Beyond just music she graduated from high school in 1967 marking the end of her teenage years and the beginning of her remarkable career in the music industry after graduating from high school Barbara Mandrell made a big decision she married Ken dudney and decided to focus on being a full-time housewife they first met when Barbara was just 14 and Ken was 21 But Ken was engaged to someone else at the time he later ended his engagement because of his feelings for Barbara they officially tied the knot in 1967 but her music career wasn't over just yet before fully retiring she and her family band went on a special trip to Vietnam to entertain the troops during the Vietnam War when they returned Barbara found out that her husband was sent overseas for his Navy pilot job leaving her feeling lonely to lift her spirits Barbara visited her parents in Nashville Tennessee there they went to see a show at the famous Grand old Opry watching the performers on stage reignited Barbara's passion for music she realized she didn't want to be just a spectator she wanted to be up there performing too with her dad managing her Barbara got the chance to Showcase her talents at a show in printer Alley Nashville she played the steel guitar and even sang a few songs her performance caught the attention of several record companies including Columbia Records who offered her a recording contract in 1969 Barbara signed with Columbia Records officially launching her career as a recording artist and setting the stage for her future success in the music industry Ken originally joined Mandrell's family band as the drummer Ken gave up his career as a Navy pilot to support Barbara's music career the couple welcomed their first child Matthew in 1970 followed by daughter haime in 1976 in 1985 they had their third child Nathan in 1988 Barbara and her family built a massive Log Cabin Mansion called the Fontanel Mansion it had six bedrooms 13 bathrooms two kitchens five fireplaces and even a helicopter landing pad it's known as one of the largest log cabin homes in the world Barbara sold the mansion in 2002 to downsize and it was auctioned off today it's a popular tourist attraction with a restaurant Hotel outdoor music venue and indoor shooting range Barbara's daughter haime was the human resources manager of the Mansion until February 2017 she later began working with a company that helps people with addiction issues find the right Rehabilitation Facilities Barbara Mandrell's singing voice has drawn the attention of writers and critics alike Mary buff and Robert man noted in 2003 that her smoking habit lent her vocals a distinctive horse quality which she skillfully utilized in her interpretations of R&B songs giving them A Soulful Edge a review of one of her concert performances in 1982 by The Washington Post highlighted the versatility of her singing voice noting moments where her husky voice crackled with R&B inflections and gospel passion leaving a lasting impression on the audience similarly in 1984 the Oklahoman praised Mandrell's live singing stating that she could tackle almost any genre with her impressive vocal range the review even speculated that if she set her mind to it she could potentially excel in grand opera drawing a comparison to Linda Ron's versatility Greg Adams from all music said that Barbara's early recordings were some of her best ever however some critics felt her music at Columbia lacked uniqueness and sounded too much like other artists for example Steven Thomas erwine mentioned in a review that some of Barbara's songs didn't quite fit her style like a meral Haggard cover that lacked the emotion it needed Mandrell's decision to incorporate R&B sounds into her music marked a turning point in her career propelling her to new heights of success how was her career career Journey building the Legacy Barbara's first song released in 1969 was a cover of an R&B tune called I've been loving you too long At first she mixed country pop and soul in her music but soon she won over country music fans by becoming part of the opri in 1972 later on Barbara signed with abc dot records and hit it big in 1978 with a country chart topper called sleeping single in a double bed she followed that success with covers of classic R&B hits like If Loving You Is Wrong in 1979 and years in 1980 Barbara was known for her flashy concerts with lots of dancing costume changes and showing off her skills on instruments like steel guitar saxophone banjo and bass Barbara became Super Famous by singing fun songs about the funny parts of marriage she and her sisters Louise and ear got even more famous when they started hosting a TV show together called Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters on NBC from 1980 to 1982 her next single playing around with love in 1970 reached the top 20 on the country chart she also covered artha Franklin's Do Right Woman do right man and Roy head's treat him right in 1971 Barbara released her first studio album treat him right which featured her early hits and covers of songs by Ivory Joe Hunter and Joe South barbar's success earned her the top new female vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music In 1970 and a spot at the Grand old Opry in 1972 in 1971 her single tonight my baby's coming home became her first top 10 hit on the billboard country chart she followed it with a cover of Joe Tex's show me in 19 1972 which also did well on the charts during this time Barbara also recorded duets with country singer David Houston such as after closing time which reached number six on the billboard country chart and number four in Canada their collaborations continued to make waves on the charts until 1974 including the hit I love you I love you in 1973 their songs were collected on an album called a perfect match in 1973 Barbara Mandrell released a song called The Midnight Oil which turned out to be her big break the song was about a woman cheating on her husband and lying to him about it it became her second top 10 hit reaching number seven on the billboard country chart and number five on the RPM country chart the album with the same name also did well reaching number eight on the billboard country LP's chart in 19 1974 she had another hit with this time I almost made it which had a similar Country Soul style Barbara later talked about feeling unsure of herself during her time with Columbia Records but her dad always encouraged her to keep going in 1975 she left Colombia her first single with abc dot standing room only became her first top five hit on the billboard country chart she followed it up with more hits like that's what friends are for and Midnight Angel both reaching the top 20 with producer Tom Collins she started adding pop sounds to her music making it more appealing to a wider audience Collins also added R&B elements to Barbara's music which made her even more popular her covers of songs like Denise lal's married but not to each other and Shirley Brown's Woman to Woman became hits in both America and Canada with woman tooman even making it onto to the Billboard Hot 100 chart Barbara's career peaked in the late 1970s with songs about cheating and infidelity sleeping single in a double bed in 1978 became her first number one hit on the country charts followed by a cover of Luther Ingram's If Loving You Is Wrong I Don't Want to Be Right which also topped the charts these songs crossed over into the pop charts as well Barbara's albums during this time like moods and just for the rec record were also big hits on the Billboard charts with songs like fooled by a feeling and years showcasing her country pop crossover style at the peak of her career Barbara Mandrell became a big star headlining concerts with flashy shows featuring lots of dancing and costume changes and showcasing her skills on different musical instruments one of her concerts was even turned into a TV special called the lady is a champ she appeared on national TV and won the female vocalist of the Year award from the country music association in 1979 from 1980 to 1982 Barbara and her siblings hosted a TV show called Barbara mandrel and the mandrel sisters which helped her win back-to-back Entertainer of the Year Awards in 1980 and 1981 her songs continued to do well on the charts with hits like crackers and the best of strangers in 1982 she released her first l album which included her hit song I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool Barbara's success carried on into the early 1980s with albums like in black and white and spun gold which both reached the top 10 on the country charts she had number one singles like till you're gone and one of aind pair of fools Barbara also recorded a gospel album in 1982 which earned her Grammy Awards she teamed up with Lee Greenwood for Duets in 1984 including the hit to me even though Barbara was popular some critics had mixed feelings about her music in the early 1980s some thought her attempts to stay true to her country Roots fell short While others found her blend of country with glitzy production Styles a bit odd despite this her songs continued to resonate with fans telling stories of Heartache resilience and pride in being country however she got involved in a deadly accident Barbara had to undergo many surgeries which left her in a lot of pain and feeling depressed she even doubted if she would ever sing or be herself again however in May 1985 she bravely went back to the recording studio and released a new song called There's No Love in Tennessee which became a hit it was featured on her greatest hits album released that same year in 198 86 Barbara made her come back to the stage performing at the Los Angeles Universal Amphitheater with Dolly Parton as her opening act her album get to the heart from 1985 produced more top 10 hits like Fast Lanes in Country Roads and angel in your arms her last album with MCA titled moments came out in 1986 and included the hit no one mends a broken heart like you in 198 87 Barbara Mandrell signed a new recording contract with Emi America and released her album sure feels good although the album received positive reviews only one of its singles child support made it to the top 20 on the country charts over time as new country artists with a more traditional sound gained popularity Barbara's chart positions started to decline however she continued to tour and remained a popular concert performer throughout the 1980s and 1990s later in 1987 Barbara signed with Capital Records her first single with capital a cover of Ray prices I Wish I Could Fall In Love Today did well on both the American and Canadian charts her album I'll be your jukebox tonight from 1988 had a traditional country sound and included hits like my train of thought and Mirror Mirror Barbara stayed with capital until 1991 releasing albums like Morning Sun and No Nonsense in 1991 she signed a commercial deal with the non-nonsense panty hose brand her Capital recordings received positive reviews praised for their strong lyrics and contemporary country sound despite her success in music Barbara decided to retire from touring recording and performing in 1997 she wanted to focus on Act acting fulltime how well did she perform could it be acting Barbara Mandrell started appearing regularly on national TV shows like The Tonight Show American Bandstand and Bob Hope specials she had memorable moments like guest starring on The Rockford Files in 1979 and co-hosting the Academy of Country Music Awards the same year in a holiday special called skinflint A Christmas Carol Barbara played Emmy in a Southern Twist on the classic story even though the special got mixed reviews Barbara's star power was Rising NBC wanted Barbara to host her own show but she kept turning them down until producer Marty Croft saw a photo of her and her sisters playing musical instruments inspired he convinced Barbara to host a variety show with her sisters erene and Louise in 1980 they debuted Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters on NBC Barbara learned choreography for the show and often played different musical instruments The Mandrell Sisters also did comedy sketches with Barbara as the serious one and earlene as The Sassy one Barbara had to fight against NBC's ideas of what a country show should be like saying they expected her to be barefoot and ignorant at its peak the show had around 40 million viewers each week and Barbara was even nominated for a Golden Globe for her acting despite the success of her NBC show Barbara mandrel found herself overwhelmed by the constant demands of work balancing both her TV and music careers the hectic schedule often left her exhausted leading her to take extra naps on her tour bus parked outside the TV studio to ease the strain on her vocal cords she even needed cortisone shots before tapings doctors warned Barbara that continuing at this pace could cause permanent damage to her voice urging her to consider quitting the show in 1982 after a 2-year run Barbara made the difficult decision to end the program she reflected later on leaving the show despite having a 5-year contract showing that her health and well-being came first after her NBC show ended Barbara Mandrell transitioned into acting her first major role came in 1984 with the television film burning rage in the film she portrayed a geologist investigating coal mining fires beneath a Tennessee Town while Mandrell's acting received praise for its naturalness and likeability the film itself garnered mixed reviews Joe Brown of the Washington Post described it as a lukewarm drama and noted that Mandrell's character had little to do Beyond looking concerned or engaging in mild romantic encounters following the car accident in 1984 CBS aired a television special titled Barbara Mandrell something special showcasing Mandrell's resilience and continued presence in the entertainment industry throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s Mandrell made guest appearances on talk shows and network programs demonstrating her versatility beyond music additionally she starred in commercials for various food products expanding her reach into television advertising in the early 1990s Mandrell took on a recurring role on the television series empty nest she also guest starred on ABC's the commish in 1994 playing a less sympathetic character than her usual roles according to the Baltimore Sun during the mid1 1990s Mandrell broadened her television portfolio with appearances on popular shows such as Touched by an Angel Dr Quinn's Medicine Woman and even the iconic bayat by 1997 Mandrell made the decision ision to prioritize acting over her music career signing with the creative artists agency she actively pursued television roles including a recurring character on the soap opera Sunset Beach in 1999 Mandrell starred in the television movie the wrong girl as the mother of a deceased son at odds with his controlling girlfriend the film aired on NBC and showcased Mandrell's continued commitment to her acting career Mandrell's last acting role was in the 2000 TV movie stolen from the heart marking the end of her television acting career the challenges she faced during that time took a toll on her but how severe were they the escape death moment on September 11th 1984 Barbara Mandrell and her two oldest children were driving home from shopping in Tennessee when another driver crashed into them headon tragically the driver of the other car 19 y- old college student Mark White was killed instantly when his vehicle crossed the center line and collided headon with Mandrell's Jaguar XJ Mandrell's children fortunately suffered only minor injuries and were quickly discharged from the hospital Barbara Mandrell's resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to her strength and determination despite facing tragedy at the peak of her success in 1984 when she was involved in a devastating Car Act accident caused by a drunk driver Mandrell demonstrated remarkable courage and perseverance the accident resulted in severe injuries including a broken leg a damaged knee and Lasting back and ankle pain Mandrell also experienced temporary memory loss due to brain swelling which altered her personality in addition to enduring the pain of her injuries mandrel faced the challenging task of navigating legal proceedings to ensure her medical bills were covered by insurance despite The Unwanted publicity and stress associated with the legal process mandrel persevered driven by her determination to overcome adversity just 8 months after the accident Mandrell returned to the stage to perform alongside Dolly Parton for a tour and relief concert her ability to bounce back from such a traumatic event speaks volumes about her strength of character and unwavering dedication to her craft she explained in interviews that her head injury in particular required 3 years for complete recovery and she continues to experience pain in her ankle to this day Mandrell credited wearing a seat belt with saving her and her children's lives and became a vocal advocate for seat belt usage appearing in television commercials and campaigning for increased awareness despite Mandrell's reluctance and regret over the legal necessity Tennessee state law mandated that she sue the white family for damages in order to collect from her insurance company this decision stirred controversy among Mandrell's fans but she emphasized that she held no ill will toward the family and solely pursued legal action for insurance purposes her final musical performance took place at the Grand Old opery House in October 1997 and was aired on television as Barbara Mandrell and the do writes the last dance on TNN since retiring Barbara has sold all her musical instruments and now dedicated Ates her time to her family and home life despite stepping back from the spotlight her Heritage lives on fueled by the numerous Awards she has received an array of achievements her rise to prominence in the early 1980s was marked by her dominance of the country music charts fueled in part by her exposure on national television with over 30 Billboard top 10 country singles and multiple number one hits like I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool she solidified her position as one of country music's top female vocalists her success extended Beyond just chart topping singles Mandrell also made history by winning the CMA Entertainer of the Year award twice a feat matched only by Taylor Swift her ability to draw massive crowds to Arena concerts with her energetic stage performances was unparalleled this era also saw a shift in country music towards pop country Styles and Mandrell's chart domination reflected this trend her versatility and Innovation earned her recognition as both an artist and a Trailblazer with consecutive wins for ACM and AMA female vocalist honors and a Grammy award for her gospel album Barbara Mandrell's impact on country music and entertainment at large is widely recognized she's often hailed as one of the most successful artists and all-around entertainers in the genre known for her unparalleled work ethic and charismatic stage PR presence Mandrell could outshine virtually anyone in show business as noted by Mary a buff and Robert K Orman her influence extended Beyond her own era shaping the careers of future artists like Terry Clark Reba mckintyre and Carly Pierce McIntyre in particular expressed gratitude for Mandrell's mentorship and inspiration highlighting the profound impact she had not only musically but Also spiritually in recognition of her groundbreaking career a tribute album titled She Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool a tribute to Barbara Mandrell was released in 2006 featuring remakes of her songs by contemporary country stars Mandrell's accolades speak volumes about her impact and talent she's one of the few women to win the country music association's Entertainer of the Year award and the only woman alongside Taylor Swift to win it twice her achievements were further recognized when she received the Triple Crown Accolade from The Academy of Country Music in 2005 her lasting contributions to country music were cemented with her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 2009 a well-deserved honor celebrating her remarkable career and influence Barbara Mandrell's Legacy continues to evolve and reach new audiences through various mediums her autobiography get to the heart my story published in 1990 provided an intimate look into her life and career this Memoir later served as the basis for a television movie titled get to the heart the Barbara Mandrell story in 1997 with Moren McCormack portraying Mandrell in 2020 Mandrell collaborated with DJ and producer Dave odd to remix her 1978 hit sleeping single in a double bed this initiative marked an effort to introduce Mandrell's music to a digital audience with plans for her entire discography to be reissued on digital and streaming platforms this move allows her timeless music to reach new listeners and ensures her enduring influence in the digital age in July 2022 Mandrell celebrated a remarkable Milestone of 50 years as a member of the grand o Opry this significant achievement was commemorated with a special event featuring per performances by fellow Opera members and country artists highlighting Mandrell's enduring impact on the genre artists such as Susie bogas jeie cely and Carrie Underwood paid tribute to Mandrell's remarkable Legacy underscoring her lasting influence on country music Barbara Mandrell's enduring star power has continued to shine even during periods out of the public Spotlight in 2009 she was rightfully inducted into the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame a testament to her lasting impact on the genre contemporary artists such as Faith Hill Shania Twain and Carrie Underwood have consistently acknowledged Mandrell's influence on their own careers highlighting her enduring Legacy while Mandrell enjoys a quieter Family Life her Legacy lives on through the ongoing musical work of her sisters Louise and erene as well as through the autonomous Fontanel Mansion attraction the Fontanel Mansion once Mandrell's sprawling Log Cabin estate has been transformed into a popular country music themed hotel and event venue in Nashville featuring concerts Shooting Sports unique dining experiences and more it serves as a vibrant tribute to Mandrell's Legacy Mandrell's story is set to be revived for modern audiences through a new Broadway aimed musical titled I was there When Country Wasn't Cool inspired by by her signature song as today's female artists enjoy paths paved by Mandrell's barrier-breaking career she continues to inspire Innovation even in retirement through her inheritors and Endeavors bearing the mandrel name despite Barbara Mandrell's unparalleled Fame her sisters Louise and erene have also carved out successful music and entertainment careers within her orbit The Mandrell family band fostered tight-knit bonds among the siblings from an early age Louise the middle sister initially toured playing guitar in Barbara's backing band The do writes during the 1960s and 1970s she later secured solo record deals showcasing her versatility across country Jazz and big band genres and earning over a dozen entries on the hot country songs chart Louise Mandrell has ventured Beyond her musical career authoring two books and head Ling her own theater show for a decade in Pigeon Forge Tennessee she continues to perform selectively when not overseeing her restaurant erene the youngest of the Mandrell Sisters initially toured as Barbara's drummer before transitioning to success as both a model and comedic actress like Louise erene also charted a few minor country singles beyond their hit 1980s NBC variety show fans encountered Arlene on other programs such game shows and hehaa where she appeared for 8 years despite Barbara's retirement erene remains active hosting charity events and indulging in Hobbies like hunting car racing and singing the National Anthem at public events this enduring presence has been crucial in maintaining the family's Legacy while individual accomplishments May Fade with time the Trio's recordings and memories endure through Louise and earlene's ongoing work and a dedicated Mandrell exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville this ensures their rightful place in the genre's history thank you for watching comment to share what you think in the comment section below remember to like And subscribe to see more videos

Channel: The Ultimate Expedition

Views: 67,615

Keywords: What Happened, Barbara Mandrell, Mandrell Sisters, Mandrell, best in their time, Barbara, Louise, Irlene, popular singing group, country music, 1970s and 1980s, Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, TV show, tragedy, end of Mandrell sisters, ultimate expedition, ultimate, expedition

Id: 8w3MzkUaFY0

Length: 31min 49sec (1909 seconds)

Published: Sun Jun 09 2024