Louise Mandrell

Thelma Louise Mandrell (born July 13, 1954) 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 in the 1980s.

Early life
Mandrell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. Although she never developed the iconic fan base of worldwide recognition that her older sister Barbara Mandrell gained in Country Music, Louise Mandrell is still credited as one of Country Music's most successful female vocalists of the 1980s. Her early life started off much like her sister's. Her family was always a musical family; her parents came from a musical background. Barbara started off working as a singer, and playing the steel guitar and other instruments — even working for Patsy Cline in the early 1960s. It would be no surprise Louise would pick up instruments as well. She played the guitar and bass. Soon, her parents founded their band called the Mandrell Family Band. The family band toured all over the United States and even Asia. The band jumpstarted Louise's professional career in music.

When her sister Barbara Mandrell got professional stardom in country music in the early 70s, with hits like "Treat Him Right", "Show Me" and "The Midnight Oil", it gave Louise oppurtunites to become successful. Mandrell started performing in her sister's band, The Do-Rights. She also toured with Merle Haggard in the early 70s. Her first time in the studio was on the recording "Always Wanting You," a #1 hit for Merle in 1975. In 1978, she signed with Epic Records.

Music career
The year 1978 was a great change for Mandrell. She didn't just sign on with Epic Records, but she also met and married country singer R.C. Bannon. She released her first single in 1978, called "Put It On Me". The single enterd the top 100 country singles. Her next single came the next year with a version of "Everlasting Love", which was again top 100 country singles. She started singing duets with her husband, as well beginning with "I Thought You Never Asked," which went Top 50 for them. That year, she also released another song, which was a cover of the number 1 smash by Peaches & Herb, "Reunited", which was another duet with her husband. The song went to #13 on the Country charts, and became her first significant hit. Her two other solo efforts in 1980, were not so successful. Another huge boost came in 1980, when she 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 on with RCA Records. In 1982, Mandrell had two Top 40 hits. Another song released that year, called "Some of My Best Friends Are Old Songs", broke the Top 20, and gave Louise a major hit.

The year, 1983, turned out to be her most successful year. Her one song "Runaway Heart" was a Top 15 hit. She struck gold that year with two Top 10 hits called "Save Me" (originally recorded by Northern Irish singer Clodagh Rodgers) and "Too Hot to Sleep". In 1984, Mandrell had two other Top 40 hits. She had her biggest hit in 1985 with the song "I Wanna Say Yes". The song was a Top 5 hit on the Country charts. Her songs at this time focused one the popular Countrypolitan sound that was coming out of Nashville from almost every successful Country artist. This style focused on more pop-oriented country music. This style of music was what made Barbara Mandrell so famous in the late 1970s. Her chart success fell rapidly in 1987 as her style became less fashionable. She had her last Top 40 hit that year called "Do I Have to Say Goodbye". Her last charted single came in 1988 with "As Long As We Got Each Other", a duet with Eric Carmen, and was the theme song of the TV show Growing Pains. She is performing at selected special occasions and corporate events. In December 2007, Mandrell performed in Washington DC with the National Army band.In 2008, Louise will be releasing an album of country classics with Time Life. The album will be sold on TV and in some stores. During Christmas 2008, Mandrell will be performing at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville for one month. The Louise Mandrell dinner show will feature her singing her hits and songs of the season.

Theater
In 1988, Mandrell parted ways with RCA Records and stayed away from recording country music. However, she continued to perform almost everyday on the road to packed houses. In 1991, TNN began re-airing the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell sisters show. From 1992 to 1994, she headlined the 4,000 seat Grand Palace theatre in Branson, Missouri along with Kenny Rogers. On occasion, she shared the stage with her sister 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 theater, The Louise Mandrell Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. It is in the heart of the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, where other theaters can be found, such as Lee Greenwood's theater. Louise starred in each and every performance and it was considered the most attended (non-dinner) show in the Smokies. The Louise Mandrell Theater had its last performance, to a sold out house, on December 31, 2005. Louise's show contained every type of music, from country to jazz to big band.