Ask Lou: February 2010
Q: How is THE best live performer in Nashville doing? With the current flood issues, are you okay? - Jim
When I heard about the Cumberland overflowing it's banks, i immediately thought of you and your family.I want to express my love & concern for y'all. Is everybody doing okay? Cindy
Louise we are praying for you and everyone in Nashville, and if you can Please list charities you feel would be the best to donate too? B.Hack
• Jim, Cindy & B. Hack - I really appreciate you and the out pouring of caring country music fans. A lot of my friends were devastated by the flood. My family has been so fortunate that our home and belongings are fine. There are several wonderful charity organizations helping Nashville flood victims. If anyone wants to donate I would suggest Hands On Nashville.
Q: Do you enjoy being famous? -Joseph W
When you are in public, does it ever bother you when people stare or come up to you for pictures/autographs? -Leslie
• Yes Joseph, I am a middle child and I love the attention. Leslie, I really enjoy shopping and fine dining in restaurants like Cracker Barrel. The only thing that would top it is meeting you while finding bargains and eating fried pork chops and mashed potatoes.
My family takes signing autographs seriously. We do not allow anyone to sign our autographs and would never consider using a machine to duplicate our signatures. I learned from the best, my sister Barbara! She always insisted we sign our names where our fans could read them.
Q: In those early days your Mom made all of Barbara's clothes for the stage and record covers, I was wondering did she also make your outfits too back in the beginning?
• Yes, my mom made my costumes as well. I didn't have to get Barbara's hand me downs...haha!
Q: Of all these years since the Mandrell Sisters, what is one of the best memories you have about show business, and which is the darkest, most heartbreaking memory of show business? - Joe H.
• Joe - I have so many wonderful memories. After the first season of the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters TV show I was stunned by how much the series had changed my career. With the large crowds and long autograph lines I still was not completely satisfied because I wanted to make a difference in someone's life. One day after a matinee concert I had been signing autographs for more than two hours when a lady finally made it to the front of the line. She said she did not want an autograph but she did want to share a story. She shared that her nephew had been in a coma and she spent a lot of time at his bedside talking to him. She had a little TV to watch and during the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sister show she told her nephew, "I wish you could see these tight jeans Louise Mandrell is wearing." She rejoiced sharing "he did". With all of the rewarding long hours of charity work I've done I still cannot put a pair of jeans on without wondering if they are tight enough.
In my personal life I have had heart breaks but in business they are only set backs.
Q: What is the thing about Pigeon Forge you miss the most? My family & I are planning a trip this summer, what place would you recommend for us to visit while we are there? Always in my prayers! - Lisa H.
• Lisa H. - I miss everything in Pigeon Forge, but mostly my friends. When you visit do not miss Dollywood. It's the 25th anniversary of the park! Pedro Tomas, who is still my choreographer and director, has a show at WonderWorks called Hoot N Holler and former singer/dancer from the Louise Mandrell Theater, Jill Linn Smith, performs at the Smith Family Theater with her husband Charlie Bob. There are a lot of great shows and you will want to make several trips to see it all. Don't forget to tell everyone I said hi!!
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Q: I live in Cheatham County and I have to mention that everytime we pass your lovely home, my mother and I admire your Cross you have. How long have y'all had that cross and did you put it up in honor of your husband? - Beth
• Beth - The cross on our farm is 40 ft. tall. It was my husband that put the cross on the farm. He said it was a great reminder for people in the area to keep their hearts and minds where they should be. I told him it's a great reminder to keep his heart and mind where it should be..... haha!
Q: Over the years with all of your performances you have had several neat costumes/outfits. What do/did you do with those outfits? J. I.
• J.I.- Sometimes we donate them to different charities. Today I am on my way to Pigeon Forge to donate costumes to the music department of Walter State Community College where Pedro Tomas teaches.
Q: If you could change any thing about your self what would it be and why?- Debbie B
• Debbie - If I could change anything about myself I would change my name to Barbara and charge more money!
Q: Your hair always looks so beautiful, how do you keep it looking so silky and shiny?- Lisa H
• Lisa H.- I hire the best to help with my hair. Rick Probus, who owns Creations in Louisville, KY. He not only cuts and colors my hair but he also styles it for special occasions.
Q: Back in the day The Mandrells were big into the whole fan fair madness. I was wondering if there has been any talk of a Mandrell Family Fan event in the future? You all have a special place in all of our hearts! - Leland
• Leland - Barbara is totally retired and rarely leaves her flower garden. Irlene is performing at the Nashville Palace during CMAFest and I will be performing at the James K Polk Theater on the Sunday Mornin' Country Show this Sunday and I can't wait to see you there.
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