Barbara Mandrell is the first country performer, besides those low-cut blouse wearing girls on Hee Haw that really did it for me.  What a cutie!  Plus, she played banjo...and had 2 hot sisters! (who were also musically inclined.  The whole family actually toured together at one time.)  In fact, I remember watching them on their own televised variety hour.  Good times!

Now what you may not know about Barbara is that in addition to playing several musical instruments, she's a world-class pedal steel guitar player, who toured with Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and George Jones, from the age of 13.   To date she's still the only female to win the Country Music Association's "Entertainer of the Year" award, twice.  After producing decades of hits, Barbara's all but practically retired from country music and devotes herself to various causes and organizations.  Much of this stems from a severe automobile accident  in 1984, which she says made her readdress her priorities.

Barbara does continue to perform occasionally and promote herself, and her music through her website.

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