Barbara Mandrell Has No Regrets As She Readies Herself For The Hall of Fame

Jim Malec | May 14th, 2009 Email Share

Barbara Mandrell - Hall of Fame

Barbara Mandrell has already achieved just about everything a person can achieve in country music. The iconic performer has sold millions of records, charted seven Top 10 albums, won a truckload of awards and has even twice claimed the coveted title of CMA Entertainer of the Year (1980 and 1981).

She is, in fact, the only woman to ever win the award more than once, and only three female artists have won since. But despite all of that success, on Sunday the highly poised artist will stand up at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville and do her best not to break down.

“I’m praying to have God help me with my composure,” Mandrell tells The 9513.

Alongside fellow inductees Roy Clark and Charlie McCoy, Mandrell will be surrounded by her family as she is honored with what she describes as the pinnacle accomplishment in her career–being inducted in country music’s Hallf of Fame.

One particular family member, however, will be missing. Mandrell’s father and longtime manager, Irby, passed away in March.

“We did it all together. I’ve been present at other induction ceremonies and it’s always a highly charged evening. It’s tremendously emotional anyway. I’m sure my emotions will be very full. I’m just thankful God let him stay long enough for the announcement. And when I learned I was going to be inducted, I called him and told him how wonderful it is that our name will be enshrined in the Hall forever.”

Mandrell performs under her maiden name.

A consummate entertainer in every sense of the word, Mandrell attributes her success, in part, to the rising opportunities for women in country music during her tenure at the top of the charts.

“It was the timing of the greatness of some of my peers,” she explains. “Loretta and Tammy and Dolly and me—we were the first women to headline, and that was a huge achievement. And then I had my show. Back then, of course, it was just the three networks, and we averaged 40 million viewers per week.”

But the stress of the show took a toll on Mandrell–she was working seven days a week in all areas of production–and the show ended its run after two dominating seasons.

“I cared a lot,” she says. “I was involved with editing, sweetening, music arranging. We were not playing characters in a sitcom. We were ourselves, and it was important to me that we could do things our way.”

Mandrell continued to have hits throughout the 1980s, even despite a devastating car accident that left her seriously injured and emotionally changed. By the 1990s, her success as a recording artist was fading, although she remained a major draw on TV and for live performances.

Then, in 1997, this immensely talented musician (she played steel guitar for Patsy Cline at age 13), decided to walk away from music.

“When I retired, I was at the top of my game. I had just performed for my largest live audience ever. I had worked in all 50 states and in 30 countries. I had danced in my live shows with four male dancers. I had done television specials and I had hosted the people’s choice awards—I had done all the awards shows. And I had won over 75 awards myself. I was at the top. I was not bored. I was happy. But it was on my mind that I wanted to spend more time with my family. And I started to pray about it. I decided I wanted to stop performing at the top of my game. And I quit. That was it. It came quickly and I’ve never been sorry. I have no regrets.”

On Sunday, she’ll walk back into country music’s spotlight. And, although she carries a heavy heart, it’s a fair bet that the singer who so famously proclaimed her country heritage will be just as cool as ever.

  1. J.R. Journey
    May 14, 2009 at 9:09 pm Permalink

    Nice write up. There’s nobody more deserving of this honor than Barbara Mandrell.

  2. Razor X
    May 14, 2009 at 10:21 pm Permalink

    She’s probably more responsible than any other person for getting me interested in country music. A great ambassador for the genre and always a class act.

  3. Jaime
    May 15, 2009 at 5:25 am Permalink

    Great story, Jim.

  4. Jim Malec
    May 15, 2009 at 8:17 am Permalink

    Thanks for the comments, guys. It was really an honor to be invited to speak with Barbara. Unfortunately, I had a pretty serious technical glitch, so we only had a few moments to chat.I get the impression she is very humbled by this honor.

  5. Jewels
    May 15, 2009 at 12:54 pm Permalink

    I really enjoyed your article. I agree that Barbara is most deserving of this honor and I am so happy for her. I also agree with your comment,Jim, about Barbara being humbled by this honor. I have spoken to Barbara many times over the years. And, this is just the kind of person she is. I am so grateful that her father was able to learn of this honor and I fully understand why Barbara said this is for both of them. While I know Barbara will handle it well, I am sure she will have some emotional moments on Sunday evening when she thinks of her father not being there to share this with her. She had the comment earlier that the two of themwould look at her plaque in the HOF for the very first time together.

  6. Matt B
    May 17, 2009 at 9:18 am Permalink

    I talked with Barbara for Roughstock and Jim is right, she is extremely honored with the induction and is very candid about her career.

    Jim, Sorry that you had technical difficulties.

  7. Tammy G
    May 17, 2009 at 10:51 am Permalink

    Great article. Congratulations to Barbara and her family. Couldn’t have happened to anyone more deserving. She’s the best.

  8. Tim M
    May 17, 2009 at 2:18 pm Permalink

    Barbara is more than deserving this achievement in her life. I have been a hugh fan and still am of Barbara’s Congratualtions Barbara we the fans are very proud of you on this Honor.

  9. Paula_W
    May 18, 2009 at 8:48 am Permalink
  10. News Review
    May 18, 2009 at 10:16 am Permalink

    Three great artists are finally hall of famers.. This is a great news.. For new artists, I bet this would serve as an inspiration for them.. An inspiration for all of us.. In the end, we will always be rewarded with our efforts.. Congratulations..

  11. Jeff
    February 12, 2010 at 10:40 am Permalink

    I walked through the HOF this past December for the first time just to see Barbara’s name! There are many great singers and musicians in country music. But, in my opinion Barbara was the ultimate performer of music as a singer and musician. Not to mention she brought dancing to country music. What a package. not only did it well but with class. So many could follow her path a beacon of country music. There will never be another Barbara Mandrell…EVER!

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