Gene Watson's Peers: Mandy Barnett
Gene Watson's peers within the country music industry
believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much
so that Gene is regarded by many of them as 'the singer's singer' - and
rightly so!
All of Gene's Peers who were contacted in 2010 were most gracious with their
time & words. It is here, within this special part of gene-watson.com, that
you have an opportunity to read a quote from
Mandy Barnett, which she submitted to this site
on Sunday 17 January 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say 'thank you' to
Mandy Barnett
who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online
'celebration of a Lone Star Hero'.
Mandy Barnett
This quote was submitted on Sunday 17 January 2010
'Gene's interpretive skills are genius...he pours his heart into everything
he sings and boy does it show!'
Thank you,
Mandy Barnett
for your support of Gene Watson.
About Mandy Barnett...
Mandy Barnett,
who was born Amanda Carol 'Mandy' Barnett (on Sunday 28 September 1975) in
Crossville, Tennessee started singing at five years-old; she has been
singing ever since.
In 1994, Mandy starred as country music legend Patsy Cline in the stage show
'Always...Patsy Cline' at the celebrated Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
The performances were sold out nightly & received rave reviews across the
United States. Mandy, in role as Patsy, appears on the Decca Records
cast recording.
In 1996, Mandy Barnett signed with Asylum Records & saw the release of
'Mandy Barnett' (Asylum Records, 1996), her self-titled debut album, which
was produced by legendary producer Kyle Lehning.
The album received glowing reviews in major trade publications & magazines,
including 'Time' magazine, as well as praise from veteran country music
artists & fans.
When Seymour Stein launched Sire Records within the Warner Music Group,
Mandy Barnett was the first artist he signed to the label. Mandy's
Sire Records project paired her with the undisputed pioneer of the Nashville
Sound, producer Owen Bradley.
The album that they made together, 'I've Got a Right to Cry' (Sire Records,
1999), would be his final contribution to the country music community who
knew him through his work with legends Ernest Tubb, Brenda Lee, Loretta
Lynn, Patsy Cline & Kitty Wells.
Owen Bradley passed away four songs into the project (on Wednesday 7 January
1998), but not before leaving his unmistakable mark on the album.
Owen's brother & long-time production partner,
Harold Bradley, inherited the delicate task of completing the album with
Mandy.
A legal pad filled with Owen's handwritten notes for each song guided the
two through the rest of the sessions & what was to be Owen's farewell to the
world was poised to propel Mandy Barnett & her remarkable vocal talent once
again into the national limelight.
'I've Got a Right to Cry' (Sire Records, 1999) was a huge critical success.
'Rolling Stone' magazine named the album the 'Top Country Album' of 1999.
Other stellar reviews appeared in 'People', 'Newsweek', 'Interview' &
multiple national newspapers. Mandy appeared on 'The Late Show with
David Letterman' & 'The Tonight Show with Jay Leno' as a result of her
acclaim.
'I've Got a Right to Cry' (Sire Records, 1999) included a fine
reading of Porter Wagoner's 'Trademark'
(co-written with Gary Walker).
In addition to her own albums, Mandy Barnett has been featured on a variety
of movie soundtracks including the following:
Various Artists:
'Traveller' soundtrack (Elektra/WEA International Records, 1997)
Mandy Barnett performs (Bobby Darin's)
'Dream lover', 'Searching (for someone like you)', & 'Dark moon'
Various Artists:
'A Walk on the Moon' soundtrack (WEA International Records, 1999)
Mandy Barnett performs Gene Pitney's 'A Town
without pity'
Various Artists: 'Election' soundtrack (Sire/London/Rhino Records,
1999)
Mandy Barnett performs 'If you'll be the
teacher'
Various Artists: 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' (Sire/London/Rhino Records, 1999)
Mandy Barnett performs 'Beautiful dreamer'
Various Artists: 'Good Rockin' Tonight - The Legacy of
Sun Records' (Imports Records, 1999)
Mandy Barnett &
the Jordanaires perform Hank Williams' 'You
win again'
Various Artists: 'Space Cowboys' soundtrack (Warner Bros. Records, 2000)
Mandy Barnett performs 'I only have eyes for
you'
Various Artists: 'Caught in the Webb' (Audium/Koch Records, 2001)
Mandy Barnett performs 'Slowly', a song originally included on Webb Pierce's
'The Wondering Boy' (Decca Records, 1956)
Mandy Barnet also sang on the SpongeBob Squarepants album, 'The Best Day
Ever' (Nick Records, 2006), sharing the spotlight
with the likes of Brian Wilson, Tommy Ramone, Flaco Jimenez & NRBQ.
Mandy Barnett continues to play shows, both nationally & internationally and
is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry. Mandy reprised her role as
Patsy Cline in the acclaimed production 'Always...Patsy Cline' at the Ryman
Auditorium in Nashville during April & May 2009, in honour of the fifteenth
anniversary of the celebrated venue's extensive renovations & re-opening.
Gene Watson pictured with Mandy Barnett at
the Opry Country Classics Show in Nashville on Thursday 8 April 2010
Visit Mandy Barnett's Official Site
Visit Mandy Barnett's
Official MySpace Site
