Louise Mandrell
Thelma Louise Mandrell (born July 13, 1954)[1] 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 name | Thelma Louise Mandrell |
| Also known as | Louise Mandrell |
| Born | July 13, 1954 Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, entertainer |
| Instrument(s) | |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | Official website |
Early life
Thelma Louise Mandrell was born in 1954,[2] to Mary Ellen (née McGill; born 1931) and Irby Matthew Mandrell (October 11, 1924 – March 5, 2009) in Corpus Christi, Texas, United States.[3] 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.[4] 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 Louise opportunities at success. She started performing in Barbara's band The DoRites in 1969.[1] Her first time in the studio was on the recording "Always Wanting You", a no. 1 hit for Haggard in 1975.[citation needed] In 1978, she signed with Epic Records.[1]
Music career
Mandrell released her first single in 1978, called "Put It On Me", which appeared in the Billboard country music singles chart.[1] In 1979, she released her next single, a cover version of "Everlasting Love", another minor country hit.[1] 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.[1] 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.[1] 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".[1] 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".
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.[1]
RCA dropped Mandrell in 1988. During the 1990s, she released the videos and songs "Jean Paul" and "Down Home Christmas".
She was named the official 'Sweetheart of Tennessee.'
She was the unanimous choice of 50 Tennessee city managers -- the first time the city manager's association has so honored anyone. Miss Mandrell accepted 50 inscribed crimson hearts from the managers and in return entertained them with a few tunes. She also was named 1981's 'Yellow Rose of Texas' by the Texas state legislature, another first
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 divorced in 1978.
In 1978, Mandrell met R.C. Bannon. They married on February 26, 1979. He 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. "Only One Love in My Life," written by R.C. Bannon and John Bettis, was Ronnie Milsap's 10th number 1.
Mandrell and Bannon adopted Nicole Mandrell Shipley in 1986. The couple divorced in 1991 and she married, for a fourth time, to John Haywood on July 16, 1993.
She became a grandmother for the first time in 2013.
Theater and writing
After leaving RCA Records, Mandrell continued to perform. 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.[citation needed] 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.[5] 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.[citation needed] 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."[citation needed]
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 from July until September 15, 2019.[6]
Later career
Mandrell continues to perform at selected special occasions and corporate events.[citation needed] In December 2007, she performed in Washington, D.C., with the National Army band.[citation needed]
Over the Christmas and New Year 2008–2009, Mandrell performed at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville for one month.[citation needed] 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".[citation needed]
In 2009, she signed with Strouadavarious Records and announced her intention to release an album of country classics and a Christmas-themed album.[citation needed]
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.[citation needed]
Mandrell's final Christmas show at Gaylord Opryland titled "Louise Mandrell's Christmas Dinner Party" took place November 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.
2022 Louise and Irlene join the special Opry show on 7/30/2022 for the 50th year membership of sister Barbara Mandrell as a Opry member. Louise once again took to the Opry stage in the Country classics segment 10/13/2022.
Commercial spokesperson
Mandrell was the spokesperson for Sanderson Farms' Miss Goldy's Chicken for 20 years, RC Cola in the early 80's and White Rain in the mid-1980s. 2021-22 Louise, along with Jimmy Fortune, (of the Statler bros) filmed a series of infomercials for TIME LIFE. These can be seen randomly on different networks through out the country and online (Youtube).
Pop culture
In the 80's the Mandrell sisters were impersonated by the cast of Saturday Night Live on NBC. In 2007 Pam Tillis (country singer) released a song called "Band in the window" in the song she references Louise Mandrell. ("her name is Louise but not Mandrell, she has 80's hair and fringe") 2019 Canadian country artist Lisa Brokop released a video titled "who's gonna fill their heels" also references the Mandrell sisters.
Television appearances
- Louise Mandrell appeared in the following TV shows:
- Super stars and their moms
- Happy New Year 1985 w/Andy Williams Host
- The Mike Douglas Show
- The Today Show
- 700 club
- CNN
- Branson Country Christmas
- Bright Lights and Country Nights
- 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 1983–87
- 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
- Nashville on the road
- ACM Awards *
- CMA Awards *
- Lee Ann 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
- Solid Gold 1985
- Barbara Mandrell: Country's Do-Right Woman (TV special)
- National Easter Seal Telethon 1990
- Ralph Emery 2009
- Mike Huckabee show 2019
- Mr Nashville (Larry Ferguson) Web 2020
- Jerry Lewis telethon
- + was a guest many times
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Details | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||
| Close Up |
| 30 |
| Too Hot to Sleep |
| 26 |
| I'm Not Through Loving You Yet |
| 54 |
| Maybe My Baby |
| 60 |
| Dreamin' |
| — |
| Winter Wonderland |
| — |
| Personal |
| — |
| Playing Favorites |
| — |
Albums with R. C. Bannon
| Title | Details | Peak positions |
|---|---|---|
| US Country | ||
| Inseparable |
| — |
| Love Won't Let Us Let Go |
| — |
| Me and My R. C. |
| 20 |
| You're My Super Woman, You're My Incredible Man |
| 44 |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||
Compilations
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Louise Mandrell |
|
| The Best of Louise Mandrell and R. C. Bannon (with R. C. Bannon) |
|
| Best of Louise Mandrell |
|
| Anthology |
|
| Sisters in Song (with Barbara Mandrell) |
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | CAN Country | |||
| 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" | — | — | — |
| "—" 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
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Country Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 259. ISBN 0-85112-726-6.
- ^ "Celebrity birthdays for the week of July 10–16". WTOP. July 10, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ "Louise Mandrell". IMDb. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ "The First Families of Country Music". CMT News. Retrieved September 26, 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Categories". Rogerrockas.com. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ "New Videoclips" (PDF). Billboard. December 21, 1985.
- ^ "New Videoclips" (PDF). Billboard. December 21, 1985.
- ^ "New Videoclips" (PDF). Billboard. December 21, 1985.
Bibliography
- Bufwack, Mary A. (1998). "Louise Mandrell". In The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 324.
External links
- Louise Mandrell's official website
- Louise Mandrell at IMDb