Louise Mandrell

Louise Mandrell
Louise Mandrell in 1993
Background information
Birth name	Thelma Louise Mandrell
Also known as	Louise Mandrell
Born	(1954-07-13) July 13, 1954
Origin	Corpus Christi, Texas
Genres	Country
Occupations	Singer, Entertainer
Instruments	vocals, Guitar, fiddle, Clarinet, drums, Saxophone, Accordion, Keyboard, Bass
Years active	1977–present
Labels	Epic Records RCA Records R&J Records
Associated acts	Barbara Mandrell, Lee Greenwood, Eric Carmen, R.C. Bannon, Alabama, Reba McEntire
Website	[Site] http://www.LouiseMandrell.com [Facebook] http://facebook.com/LouiseMandrell [Twitter] http://twitter.com/OfficialLouiseM

Thelma Louise Mandrell (known by her middle name "Louise") 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.^{[citation needed]} 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 DoRites, which toured with Merle Haggard in the early 1970s.^{[citation needed]} 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, 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.^{[citation needed]} 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 on the popular Countrypolitan sound that was coming out of Nashville from many country artists,^{[citation needed]} 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

Her marriage to Ronald Shaw on July 1, 1971 ended in divorce in 1973 and subsequent marriage to Gary Lamar Buck of the country music group, the Four Guys July 23, 1975 also ended in divorce in 1978.

In 1978 Mandrell also met and married R.C. Bannon, February 26, 1979 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. Bannon and Mandrell have one child Nicole.

In 1991, Louise was divorced from Bannon and two years later married John Haywood on July 16, 1993.

Theater and writing

After leaving RCA Records Mandrell she continued to perform almost every day to packed houses.^{[citation needed]} 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.^{[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 up her own 1400 seat theater, The Louise Mandrell Theater (now the Smoky Mountain Opry) 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.^{[citation needed]} The Louise Mandrell Theater had its last performance, to a sold out house, on December 31, 2005.^{[citation needed]}

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

Now, In 2012 she is performing the title role of "Calamity Jane" at Roger Rockas Dinner Theatre in Fresno, CA through September 16, 2012

Later career

Mandrell continues to perform at selected special occasions and corporate events.^{[citation needed]} In December 2007, she performed in Washington DC with the National Army band.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Country music singer Pam Tillis recorded and released the song and video "Band In The Window', which mentions Mandrell in the lyrics. ^{[citation needed]}

Over the Christmas and New Year holiday period 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 & 2012 Mandrell joins Lee Greenwood on selected tour dates, including a 6 week Branson run at the Welk Resort Theatre from September 12-October 22.^{[citation needed]}

Louise's final Christmas Show at Gaylord Opryland titled "Louise Mandrell's Christmas Dinner Party" took place Nov 18-Dec 25 of 2011.

She is currently playing the title role of Calamity Jane at Roger Rockas Dinner Theatre in Fresno, CA through September 16th, 2012

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 *
  • 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
• was a guest many times

Discography

Studio albums

Albums with R. C. Bannon

Compilations

Singles

Singles with R. C. Bannon

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
• Louise Mandrell at the Internet Movie Database