She is an entertainment dynamo, Barbara Mandrell took her country style to the biggest showrooms of Las Vegas, ruled the country charts during the late 1970's and early 1980's.

A multi instrumentalist as well as a singer.  Raised in southern California, the blue eyed, blond was a child prodigy hence the title, "The Princess of the Steel."  By 1962, she was touring with Pasty Cline and Johnny Cash.  Named Miss Oceanside at age sixteen.

Her first top ten hit was 1971's, "Tonight My Baby's Coming Home."  Mandrell joined the Opry cast in 1972.  Her 1973 hit, "The Midnight Oil" is regarded as a female breakthrough because of the songs frank sexuality. Between 1978 and 1984 Mandrell ruled the charts with seventeen top ten hits.

George Jones put in a cameo appearance on, "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool" a number one hit for Babs in 1981.  Mandrell was named CMA's Female Vocalists of the Year in 1979 and 1981, and Entertainer of the Year in 1980 and 1981.

Mandrell had a major set back when she was involved in a serious auto accident on September 11, 1984.  The singer sustained multiple fractures in her right leg, a broken thigh bone, knee and ankle.  She also suffered lacerations and abrasions and a severe concussion.  After a year and a half of rehabilitation, she recovered and returned to recording and performing.

Barbara was born Christmas Day, December 25, 1948.  She married Ken Dudney on May 28, 1964, they had three children.

I hope you will join me Sunday morning for the life and music of Barbara Mandrell at 11 a.m. on October 14th as we shine the spotlight on Barbara Mandrell.  It's part of the 98 Country Classic Show 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on 98.1 FM 98 Country.

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