Louise Mandrell
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Thelma Louise Mandrell (born July 13, 1954) is an American
country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
singer Singing is the art of creating music with the voice. It is the oldest form of musical expression, and the human voice can be considered the first musical instrument. The definition of singing varies across sources. Some sources define singi ...
. She is the younger sister of fellow country singer Barbara Mandrell, and older sister of musician Irlene Mandrell. Louise had a successful singing career in
country music Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
from the 1970s, with a string of hits during the 1980s.


Early life

Thelma Louise Mandrell was born in 1954, to Mary Ellen (
née The birth name is the name of the person given upon their birth. The term may be applied to the surname, the given name or to the entire name. Where births are required to be officially registered, the entire name entered onto a births registe ...
McGill; born 1931) and Irby Matthew Mandrell (October 11, 1924 – March 5, 2009) in
Corpus Christi, Texas Corpus Christi ( ; ) is a Gulf Coast of the United States, coastal city in the South Texas region of the U.S. state of Texas and the county seat and largest city of Nueces County, Texas, Nueces County with portions extending into Aransas County, T ...
, United States. 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 World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
naval veteran and
Texas Texas ( , ; or ) is the most populous U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. It borders Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the we ...
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 Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
, 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 A steel guitar () is any guitar played while moving a steel bar or similar hard object against plucked strings. The bar itself is called a "steel" and is the source of the name "steel guitar". The instrument differs from a conventional guitar i ...
and other instruments, and toured with
Patsy Cline Patsy Cline (born Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American singer. One of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, she was known as one of the first country music artists to successfully Cross ...
in the early 1960s. 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 Country (also called country and western) is a popular music, music genre originating in the southern regions of the United States, both the American South and American southwest, the Southwest. First produced in the 1920s, country music is p ...
in the early 1970s with hits like " Tonight My Baby's Coming Home" and " The Midnight Oil" gave Louise opportunities at success. She started performing in Barbara's band The DoRites in 1969. Her first time in the studio was on the recording " Always Wanting You", a no. 1 hit for country singer-songwriter and Bakersfield sound pioneer
Merle Haggard Merle Ronald Haggard (April 6, 1937 – April 6, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and fiddler. Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential figures in country music, he was a central pioneer of the Bakersfield ...
in 1975. In 1978, she signed with
Epic Records Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony is a Japanese multinational conglomerate (company), cong ...
.


Music career

Mandrell released her first single in 1978, called "Put It On Me", which appeared in the lower reaches of ''
Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertis ...
'' magazine’s country music singles chart. In 1979, she released her next single, a cover version of " Everlasting Love", another minor country hit. 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 pop/R&B number 1 song by
Peaches & Herb Peaches & Herb is an American vocal duo. Herb Fame (born October 1, 1941) has remained a constant as "Herb" since the duo was created in 1966; seven different women have filled the role of "Peaches", most notably Francine Edna "Peaches" Hurd B ...
, " 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 RCA Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside Columbia Records (its former longtime rival), Arista Records and Epic R ...
. 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" (co-written by Holly Dunn), and in 1985 the song " I Wanna Say Yes" entered the top 5. In 1985, RCA released her first music video for the hit single " Some Girls Have All The Luck", a female-centric cover version of the 1973 hit song recorded by The Persuaders and
Rod Stewart Sir Roderick David Stewart (born 10 January 1945) is a British singer and songwriter. Known for his distinctive raspy singing voice, Stewart is among the List of best-selling music artists, best-selling music artists of all time, having sold ...
. 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 with a cover of the song "As Long As We Got Each Other", a duet with
Eric Carmen Eric Howard Carmen (August 11, 1949 – March 2024) was an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. He was the lead vocalist of the Raspberries, with whom he recorded the hit " Go All the Way" and four albums. He embarked on a so ...
. The latter was the theme song of the 1985-1992 television sitcom ''
Growing Pains ''Growing Pains'' is an American television sitcom created by Neal Marlens that ran on ABC for seven seasons from September 24, 1985, to April 25, 1992. The series follows the misadventures of the Seaver family, including psychiatrist and fathe ...
''. RCA and Mandrell parted ways in 1988. During the early 1990s, she released the videos and songs "Jean Paul" (written by R.C. Bannon) and "Down Home Christmas". Both songs are extremely hard to find, and “Jean Paul” appears in ''Anthology'', a 1998 compilation album containing many of her successful hits from the Epic and RCA years, which is ''also'' hard to find. Mandrell 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. 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 a few songs for Louise’s sister 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," also written by R.C. Bannon and John Bettis, was
Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Lee Milsap (born Ronald Lee Millsaps; January 16, 1943) is an American country music singer and pianist. He was one of country music's most popular and influential performers of the 1970s and 1980s. Nearly completely blind from birth, h ...
'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,
The Nashville Network The Nashville Network, usually referred to as TNN, was an American country music-oriented cable television network. Programming included music videos, taped concerts, movies, game shows, syndicated programs, and numerous talk shows. On September ...
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 Branson is a city in the U.S. state of Missouri. Most of the city is situated in Taney County, Missouri, Taney County, with a small portion in the west extending into Stone County, Missouri, Stone County. Branson is in the Ozarks, Ozark Mountain ...
along with
Kenny Rogers Kenneth Ray Rogers (born Kenneth Donald Rogers) (August 21, 1938 – March 20, 2020) was an American singer and songwriter. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013. Rogers was particul ...
. On occasion, she shared the stage with Barbara,
Sawyer Brown Sawyer Brown is an American country music band. It was founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by Mark Miller (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard (keyboards, vocals), Bobby Randall (lead guitar, vocals), Joe "Curly" Smyth (drums), an ...
,
Roger Miller Roger Dean Miller Sr. (January 2, 1936 – October 25, 1992) was an American singer-songwriter, widely known for his honky-tonk-influenced novelty songs and his chart-topping country hits " King of the Road", "Dang Me", and " England Swing ...
,
Waylon Jennings Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is considered one of the pioneers of the Outlaw country, outlaw movement in country music. Jennings started playing ...
, 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 Pigeon Forge is a mountain resort city in Sevier County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 6,343 at the 2020 census. Situated north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is a tourist destination that caters primarily t ...
, in the heart of the
Smoky Mountains The Great Smoky Mountains (, ''Equa Dutsusdu Dodalv'') are a mountain range rising along the Tennessee–North Carolina border in the southeastern United States. They are a subrange of the Appalachian Mountains The Appalachian Mountains, ...
in
Tennessee Tennessee (, ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders Kentucky to the north, Virginia to the northeast, North Carolina t ...
, alongside other theaters such as
Lee Greenwood Melvin Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942) is an American country music singer. Active since 1962, he won a Grammy Awards, Grammy Award and he has charted 33 singles on the Hot Country Songs with seven singles reaching the number one. He has ...
's. Mandrell appeared in every performance there and encompassed numerous musical styles, including country,
jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...
, and
big band A big band or jazz orchestra is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that usually consists of ten or more musicians with four sections: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section. Big bands originated during the early 1910s and ...
. 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 Fresno (; ) is a city in the San Joaquin Valley of California, United States. It is the county seat of Fresno County, California, Fresno County and the largest city in the greater Central Valley (California), Central Valley region. It covers a ...
through September 16, 2012. Mandrell reprised her role from July until September 15, 2019.


Later career

Mandrell continues to perform at selected special occasions and corporate events. In December 2007, she performed in
Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly known as Washington or D.C., is the capital city and federal district of the United States. The city is on the Potomac River, across from Virginia, and shares land borders with ...
, with the National Army band. Over the Christmas and New Year seasons in 2008 and 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 fellow 80s country superstar
Lee Greenwood Melvin Lee Greenwood (born October 27, 1942) is an American country music singer. Active since 1962, he won a Grammy Awards, Grammy Award and he has charted 33 singles on the Hot Country Songs with seven singles reaching the number one. He has ...
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 on November 18 – December 25, 2011. After 30 years, she released ''Playing Favorites'', her most recent studio album consisting of country standards, on October 4, 2019. It was produced by Buddy Cannon. 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 performed on the Grand Ole Opry live from the Ryman on November 30, 2019. On July 30, 2022, Louise and Irlene joined the special Opry show celebrating 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 on October 13, 2022, December 4, 2022, and March 9, 2023.


Commercial spokesperson

Outside of her musical career, Mandrell served as spokesperson for Sanderson Farms' Miss Goldy Chicken, appearing in several television commercials and print ads for two decades. She also participated in a series of commercials for
RC Cola RC Cola (short for Royal Crown Cola) is a carbonated cola beverage owned in the United States by Keurig Dr Pepper and internationally by RC Global Beverages, Inc. History In 1901, the Cole-Hampton-Hatcher Grocery Store was established in Col ...
in the mid-1970s, singing the famous "Me and My RC" jingle. Most recently, Mandrell, along with
Jimmy Fortune Jimmy Fortune (born March 11, 1955) is an American country music singer from Nelson County, Virginia. Fortune sang tenor for The Statler Brothers for 21 years, and wrote the song " Elizabeth" for the group. When the Statler Brothers disbanded, h ...
of
The Statler Brothers The Statler Brothers (sometimes simply referred to as The Statlers) were an American country music, gospel, and vocal group from Staunton, Virginia. The quartet was formed in 1955 performing locally, and from 1964 to 1972, they sang as opening a ...
, appeared in a half-hour infomercial for
Time-Life Time Life, Inc. (also habitually represented with a hyphen as Time-Life, Inc., even by the company itself) was an American multi-media conglomerate company formerly known as a prolific production/publishing company and Direct marketing, direct ...
, promoting the box set ''Classic Country'' (2022 edition).


Pop culture

In the 1980s, the Mandrell sisters were impersonated by the cast of ''
Saturday Night Live ''Saturday Night Live'' (''SNL'') is an American Late night television in the United States, late-night live television, live sketch comedy variety show created by Lorne Michaels and developed by Michaels and Dick Ebersol that airs on NBC. The ...
'' on
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. In 2007,
Pam Tillis Pamela Yvonne Tillis (born July 24, 1957) is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is the eldest child of country singer Mel Tillis. After recording unsuccessful pop material for Elektra Records, Elektra ...
released a song called "Band in the Window", which name-checks Louise Mandrell ("her name is Louise but not Mandrell, she has 80's hair and fringe"). In 2023, Canadian country artist Lisa Brokop released her female-centric cover version of the
George Jones George Glenn Jones (September 12, 1931 – April 26, 2013) was an American Country music, country musician, singer, and songwriter. He achieved international fame for a long list of hit records, and is well known for his distinctive voice an ...
country hit "
Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes ''Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes'' is the 45th studio album by United States of America, American country music artist George Jones, released in 1985 on the Epic Records label. The album is best known for the title track and its classic video, whi ...
" (as "Who's Gonna Fill Their Heels"), and it is where the Mandrell sisters are mentioned among the names of country’s greatest female artists.


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 Mike Douglas Show'' is an American daytime television talk show that was hosted by Mike Douglas. It began as a local program in Cleveland in 1961 before being carried on other stations owned by Westinghouse Broadcasting. The show went i ...
'' **''
The Today Show ''Today'' (also called ''The Today Show'') is an American morning television show that airs weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on NBC. The program debuted on January 14, 1952. It was the first of its genre on American television ...
'' **'' 700 club'' **''
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'' **'' 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 ''Hollywood Squares'' (originally ''The Hollywood Squares'', later stylized as ''H2: Hollywood Squares'') is an American game show in which two contestants compete in a game of tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The show originally aired as a ...
'' **''
Austin City Limits ''Austin City Limits'' is an American Concert, live music Television show, television program recorded and produced by KLRU, Austin PBS. The show helped Austin become widely known in the United States as the "Live Music Capital of the World", an ...
'' 1985 **''
Hee Haw ''Hee Haw'' is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with the fictional rural "Kornfield Kounty" as the backdrop. It aired from 1969 to 1993, and on TNN from 1996 to 1997. Reruns of the series were broadcast on ...
'' 1980-82-87-89-90-91 + **''
The Tonight Show ''The Tonight Show'' is an American late-night talk show that has been broadcast on NBC since 1954. The program has been hosted by six comedians: Steve Allen (1954–1957), Jack Paar (1957–1962), Johnny Carson (1962–1992), Jay Leno (1992–2 ...
'' 1983–87 **'' Crook & Chase'' most recently 2009 + **''Children's Miracle Network'' **''Lifestyles of the rich and famous'' **'' Another World'' 1983 **''
Crazy Like a Fox Insanity, madness, lunacy, and craziness are behaviors caused by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity can manifest as violations of societal norms, including a person or persons becoming a danger to themselves or to other ...
'' 1986 **''Vicki Lawrence Show'' **''Miller and Company (Dan Miller)'' **''Prime Time Country'' + **''American Almanac with Willard Scott'' 1995 **''
Nashville Now ''Nashville Now'' is an American talk show that focused on country music performers in the style of ''The Tonight Show''. The show aired live on weeknights on TNN from 1983–1993. The program was hosted by Nashville TV/radio personality Ralph ...
'' + **''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 ''Family Feud'' is an American television game show created by Mark Goodson. Two families compete on each episode to name the most popular answers to survey questions in order to win cash and prizes. The show has had three separate runs, the ...
'' **''
Grand Ole Opry The ''Grand Ole Opry'' is a regular live country music, country-music Radio broadcasting, radio broadcast originating from Nashville, Tennessee, Nashville, Tennessee, on WSM (AM), WSM, held between two and five nights per week, depending on the ...
'' * **'' The Tommy Hunter Show'' Canada **''
The Geraldo Rivera Show ''Geraldo'' is an American first-run syndicated talk show that was hosted by Geraldo Rivera. The show ran for eleven seasons from September 7, 1987, to May 8, 1998, in which it broadcast 2,163 episodes. The show premiered as a tabloid talk sh ...
'' **''
The Oprah Winfrey Show ''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' is an American first-run syndicated talk show that was hosted by Oprah Winfrey. The show ran for twenty-five seasons from September 8, 1986, to May 25, 2011, in which it broadcast 4,561 episodes. The show was taped i ...
'' * **''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


Albums with R. C. Bannon


Compilations


Singles


Singles with R. C. Bannon


Music videos


References


Bibliography

* Bufwack, Mary A. (1998). "Louise Mandrell". In ''The Encyclopedia of Country Music''. Paul Kingsbury, Editor. New York:
Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the publishing house of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world. Its first book was printed in Oxford in 1478, with the Press officially granted the legal right to print books ...
. p. 324.


External links


Louise Mandrell's official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mandrell, Louise 1954 births Living people American country singer-songwriters American women country singers Musicians from Corpus Christi, Texas RCA Records Nashville artists Singer-songwriters from Texas Country musicians from Texas 21st-century American women