These Facts Prove Barbara Mandrell Was Destined to Be a Country Music Legend
From a young age, Barbara Mandrell performed in her family band and alongside such giants as Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline. To the surprise of record labels, her music career got off to a rocky start, but hat didn't stop her from persevering and eventually becoming the first artist to receive the Entertainer of the Year award two times in a row!
Continue reading to see some striking vintage photos that evoke just how much of a powerhouse this country music icon has always been.
Barbara Mandrell Was Born on Christmas Day
Barbara Mandrell was born on Christmas Day! She's the oldest of her siblings, so we can only imagine how much of a gift it must have felt to her first-time parents to welcome their adorable baby on a major holiday. Little did they know she'd eventually go on to become the biggest star in the family!
It Was a Family Affair
Barbara Mandrell's father created the successful Mandrell Family Band, and many of her relatives were also involved in the music industry. Their talent was such that they were soon rubbing shoulders with some of the industry's biggest and brightest, including the one and only Dolly Parton!
She Toured With Legendary Musicians From a Young Age
Barbara's career started when she was young, so she was around prominent celebrity musicians throughout her upbringing. When she was just 13-years-old, she toured with the Johnny Cash Show. Some of her fellow performers at that time included June Carter, Patsy Cline and George Jones.
Barbara Met Her Husband Through the Band
Barbara's husband, Ken Dudney, was also a musician, and he fit right in with the rest of the family. Her father was the one who'd hired Ken as a drummer for the band. That's what we call fatherly approval!
The pair fell for one another and got hitched, making Ken a true member of the family band.
Her Father Was Her Manager
The entertainment industry can be a rough place, but Barbara was lucky enough to have her father's protection from the start. He not only started the band that gave her and her sisters performance experience, but he also became his daughter's manager.
Since representatives can be harsh and money-driven, being backed by someone you know has your best interest in mind is imperative.
Pursuing Music When Her Husband Joined the US Navy
One thing that makes Barbara and her husband such a power couple is they both unabashedly pursued their individual interests. When Ken joined the US Navy, Barbara decided to move to Nashville to become a solo artist.
It was at this point that Barbara's father became her manager, and the rest is history!
Multiple Record Labels Wanted to Represent Her
In 1969, Barbara kicked off her music career by recording with producer Billy Sherrill. Once labels caught wind of this new talent, they competed to earn her loyalty. After receiving offers from six different labels, Barbara went with Columbia.
A Multitalented Performer
Since she's been doing it for practically her whole life, it's second-nature for Barbara to perform in front of a crowd. To top it off, she has a plethora of talents she's cultivated for decades. Not only can the star sing and act, but she also knows how to play a handful of instruments. These include the banjo, accordion, and saxophone!
She's Only 5'2"
The mighty Barbara Mandrell only stands at just over five feet tall - in fact, she's just five-foot, two-inches in height! We can only imagine how itty bitty and adorable she must have been in real life! However, her voice and stage presence were far from small.
Barbara's Career Got Off to a Rocky Start
While labels immediately saw Barbara's potential, they began to lose interest when she didn't climb the charts right away. In the early '70s, she struggled to make it and was dropped from Columbia Records in 1975.
Fortunately, her next label, ABC/Dot, made up for the lost time. By the end of the decade, she topped the charts with songs like "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed," and in the years to follow Barbara established herself as one of the top country singers of her time.
She's Been a Member of the Grand Ole Opry Since 1972
Barbara became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1972. The young star was just 23 years old at the time, and while this may seem young by today's standards, we have to remember that she'd already been a professional performer for more than a decade by this point.
It's as though Barbara was born ready to take on massive crowds!
Her Signature Song
Many consider Barbara's hit, "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," to be her signature song. Not only did it reach number one on the Billboard charts, but it also was certified gold. Perhaps the success is due to how the lyrics reflect Barbara's authenticity.
From fighting to make it in Nashville to being one of the most successful country singers of her time, there's something sincere in Barbara's eyes that makes her likeable.
1981 Was Her Year
Barbara earned dozens of awards over the years, but 1981 stands out. She earned a whopping eight accolades that year, ranging from Comedian of the Year to Instrumentalist of the Year. It's no wonder that People placed her on their 25 Most Interesting People list that year.
She Was Entertainer of the Year Twice
Any celebrity will tell you having music talent is only part of the equation. Barbara proved she wasn't only a great singer, but also a captivating performer, and that's why it's no surprise she landed the Entertainer of the Year award two years in a row!
The honors came in 1980 and '81 and made Barbara the first to receive the award back-to-back. The only person who's since attained the award two years in a row is Taylor Swift!
She Survived a Car Accident in the 1980s
Throughout the 1980s, Barbara maintained a charismatically suave disposition that attracted fans like a moth drawn to light. That's what makes it so surprising that, amid her fame, she went through a tragic event. A car accident left Barbara with several fractures and abrasions, and even a concussion that impaired her speech and memory.
Despite the setback, the professional emerged after 18-months of rehabilitation looking and sounding as incredible as ever.
Barbara Hosted a Variety Show Alongside Her Sisters
Barbara's entire family was in the limelight. Her sisters, Louise and Irlene, even joined the country star for the variety show Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. The fact they didn't simply name the show "The Mandrell Sisters" is a testament to Barbara's individual success.
Starring in 'Burning Rage'
Barbara's sketch show alongside her sisters was so successful that it earned her a People's Choice Award and TV Land and Golden Globe nominations! The hilarious series proved she wasn't just a great singer, but that she could also act.
She went on to star in the 1984 thriller Burning Rage and guest-star in hit shows like Touched by an Angel and Baywatch.
Inducted Into the Country Music Hall of Fame
Known for hits like "(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want To Be Right" and "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool," Barbara's been a legendary musician for decades.
While she'd been performing since childhood, it wasn't until over a decade into retirement that Barbara was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Seven years later, she was also inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Years before these accolades, she'd received the Pioneer Award, the Academy of Country Music’s highest honor.
Her Autobiography Was a 'New York Times' Bestseller
Barbara told her life story in her autobiography, Get to the Heart: My Story. The book was such a success that it spent half a year on the New York Times Bestseller list! Even more impressive is that it first made the list just four days after being released!
It's no wonder the film version debuted seven years later.
Her Nashville Mansion is a Tourist Attraction
There's something effortlessly elegant about Barbara Mandrell, so of course fans want to see her home. Following in the footsteps of Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton, investors transformed Barbara Mandrell's former mansion into a tourist attraction.
The Mandrells sold the 27,000-square foot-estate in 2002, and over the next eight years it was made into a retreat. As of 2010, the home's been repurposed as an inn, music venue, record label studio and more.
Karyn Bailey
