Today starts the showing of several videos from Louise's trip to Africa. Check out the preview video below and then visit the above link, 'Africa 2011', to view Africa: Part 1!
My dear friend, Lucy Gray, passed away this afternoon in Nashville after a stroke earlier this week. Many of you knew her as my fan club president during my early touring days. I will always remember her love of country music and devotion to promoting my career. Her funeral is Friday and in lieu of flowers, donations are being made to help cover funeral and medical expenses. Donations may be sent to: Beverly Scott 3402 Mary Ave. Murfreesboro, TN 37217
[Fresno Bee - 12/2/2011] Climb the stairs backstage at Roger Rocka's Dinner Theater and you'll find just two dressing rooms: one for men, the other for women. Fresno's Good Company Players might be a theater from which performers go on to become big stars – think Audra McDonald and Chris Colfer – but the company, true to its community-theater roots for the past 38 seasons, prides itself as a fiercely egalitarian experience. All cast members receive the same compensation: $6 a show for expenses.
That "no star" tradition will continue even when country-music star Louise Mandrell comes to Fresno to embark on an eight-week run as the title character in the musical comedy "Calamity Jane." The Good Company show will run July 19-Sept. 16.
The singer vaulted to fame in the early 1980s TV series "Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters" and had a string of country hits in that decade, including the Top 5 song "I Wanna Say Yes."
Though she has logged thousands of hours of stage and TV experience – and headlined a theater bearing her name – this will be Mandrell's musical theater debut.
"I can't wait," Mandrell says, speaking Friday from her home outside Nashville as she took a walk with Bobbie Sue, her prized Chinese Crested puppy, named after her older sister, Barbara.
"I've always surrounded myself with very talented people, and I'm very excited to be a part of this production."
The musical, based on the popular 1953 movie, is loosely based on tales from the life of Martha Jane Cannary, an Old West sharpshooter who slowly sheds her "tomboy" image as she falls in love with the famed "Wild Bill" Hickok.
[Click here to view the full announcement and interview.]
Louise has decorated another tree for Gaylord Opryland's 'Hall of Trees' this year that you have a chance at winning. Proceeds from the winning bid as well as one-time donations on the following link will go towards Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.
My new baby, Bobbie Sue, is 11 weeks old. She has the perfect name. Named after Barbara and Sally Sue, she's bossy like Barbara and sweet like Sally Sue.
You can visit the photos section to view several new photos including more of Bobbie Sue!
"Maybe My Baby" & "Louise Mandrell" released to CD
Many requests for Louise's earlier releases have been made and as of December 27th you will be able to own two of those albums, "Maybe My Baby" and "Louise Mandrell" on one CD [import].
Great news! Not only can you find Louise on Facebook, but now you can follow her official twitter [@OfficialLouiseM] to keep up to date with the latest news, contests, photos & more.
Also, October's contest is now up, and the prize is Louise's red dress from her "Joy to the World" Christmas Dinner Shows! Check out the Contests section for more information on how to win!
Each month Louise answers some of your questions! If she had one wish, what would it be? What would she be doing if she wasn't an entertainer? Click the link below to find out and submit your question for Louise!
