![]() ![]() ![]() Although not cured, the damage has been halted. Facing surgery that may permanently damage her vocal cords, Lee chose instead to take time off and rest. In 1999, Lee was diagnosed with cysts on her vocal cords. She mustered every fiber in her being to sing "There Will Be Peace In the Valley" at his funeral. In 1998, Owen Bradley died, and Lee was completely devastated. Lang's album Shadowland gave her yet another Grammy nomination. Lee continued to perform and tour at a relentless pace. She received awards and accolades from The Georgia Music Hall of Fame and The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In late 1974, she recorded songwriter Kris Kristofferson's first song, "Nobody Wins." It hit the top ten on the Country Charts, and Lee was back on top with a string of C&W hits. Eventually, Lee returned to her country and western roots. In 1974, Lee was rushed to hospital with life-threatening blood clots. And the years on the road caught up with her. Lee became depressed and could not find a place for herself in the music industry that she loved so much. Her longtime manager and father figure Dub Allbritten died. It was the mid-1960's, and the Beatles had taken over the North American music scene. Mildred Stalman-the same doctor who had attended the births of the Kennedy Children. Her life was saved by the brilliance of Dr. She was born with a Hyalin Membrane disease and was not expected to live. Against the wishes of her manager and her mother, they were married. She had fans all over the world.Īt the age of 18, she met and fell in love with Ronnie Shacklett (6'4" tall). The normally blase French press compared her to the legendary Judy Garland. ![]() A rumor began circulating in France that she was a "32- year-old midget." Her tour in France at the tender age of 15 led to over-engagements. Lee with her huge singing voice and her diminutive stature (she was only 4'9" tall) was confusing for the foreign press who had not seen her in person. She won and bought her mom a house, which subsequently burned down. She petitioned the court to let her have a little more money and get her family out of the trailer park. In 1960, Lee hit the top of the charts with "I'm Sorry." It was her biggest hit to date and won her both a Grammy nomination and a gold record. Even though 15-year-old Lee was touring the world and singing her heart out, Lee, her mother, her brother and two sisters were forced to live in a trailer park on 75 dollars a month. In 1959, Brenda's stepfather deserted the family leaving them broke. In September 1959, Lee rocketed to number one on the Rock and Roll charts with, "Sweet Nothings." Although Lee was making good money, most of it was held in trust until she was 21 due to the Jackie Coogan Law. By 12, she starred at the Grand Ole Opry and in Vegas. Young Lee toured the country with stars like Patsy Cline, Mel Tillis and George Jones. These two men were both very loving father figures in her life. In 1957, the family eventually moved to Nashville where Lee was taken under the wing of manager Dub Allbritten and the legendary producer Owen Bradley. Foley put her on his popular country music television show, Ozark Jubilee, "The Junior Jamboree" edition, and Lee was a sensation when she sang songs like "Jambalya" and the explosive, "Dynamite." From that day on, Lee was nicknamed, Little Miss Dynamite. He was blown away by the little girl's incredibly powerful voice. She turned down a performing gig in order to meet Country & Western star Red Foley. Her first break came in 1955 when she was only ten. Lee's mother remarried a man named Jay Rainwater who opened a record store where Lee sang on weekends. A local DJ named Peanuts Fairclough shortened her name from Brenda Mae Tarpley to Brenda Lee saying that it would be easier to remember when she was famous. Lee and her mother Grayce worked tirelessly getting Lee singing jobs. Lee's singing jobs became necessary for the financial survival of her family. When she was only eight years old, Lee's loving father was tragically killed in a construction accident. She continued to sing at local halls and baseball games. When her sister entered her into a talent contest when she was three, Lee won. Lee's parents, Grayce and Reuben, were poor but managed to support their children through carpentry and long hours in the Georgia cotton mills. Early Lifeīrenda Lee was born Brenda Mae Tarpley on December 11, 1944, in Atlanta Georgia. Along the way, she has received awards and accolades from the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. By the time she was fifteen, singer Brenda Lee was being compared to the legendary Judy Garland and had fans all over the world. ![]()
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