Barbara Wyrick

Last updated
Barbara Wyrick
Born1950
Dyersburg, Tennessee, United States
Occupation(s)Songwriter, singer
Years active1960s - ?
LabelsCalliope, Melodyland

Barbara Wyrick is an American singer and songwriter. She has written songs that became hits for James Brown, Candi Staton, Mac Davis, Janie Fricke, and others.

Contents

Background

The youngest of five children, Barbara Wyrick was born in Dyersburg, Tennessee on July 21, 1950. She learnt how to play piano at a young age. She wrote the song "This Question" at age ten. [1] At age twelve she entered into a competition and was introduced to Rick Hall. This also led to her being signed on to his production and publishing company. Also around that time she recorded her composition "Little Sailor-Boy" which was released on a record. [2]

She had success with an early composition "Lovin' You, Lovin' Me", which became a hit for Candi Staton. [3] [4]

She was named as one of the top five United States country writers in 1984. [5]

Career

1960s to 1970s

Following her graduation from high school in 1968, she attended Memphis State University and signed on as a staff writer with Fame Publishing. In 1972 she moved to Muscle Shoals.

Together with Mickey Buckins she wrote "Tell Me A Lie". Singer Sami Jo recorded the song in 1973 which was produced by Sonny Limbo. It became a hit and made it to no. 21 on the pop charts and no. 14 on the Easy Listening Charts. [6]

With Terry Woodford and Clayton Ivey, Wyrick composed "Give Out, But Don't Give Up" for The Supremes, the b-side of their single "He's My Man", later released on their 1975 self-titled album.

According to the August 27, 1977 issue of Cash Box, her debut album was due to come out in late Summer. [7] Her single "Left Over Love" was released on Calliope 8005. One of the Picks of the week by Cash Box, it was reviewed in the September 10, 1977 issue. The review was positive with the reviewer saying "the delicate quality of her voice is the strong point" and that it was for country and easy listening stations. [8]

She was a background vocalist on David Meece's 1978 Christian-themed album, Everybody Needs a Little Help. [9]

She wrote the song "One Man's Woman" with Tom Brassfield which was recorded by Kelly Warren and released in 1978 on RCA. It was reviewed in the December 9 issue of Cash Box with the reviewer saying that the vocals and string arrangements were very good. [10]

By the late 1970s, she was on the board of directors of the Muscle Shoals Music Association. [11]

It was reported by Cash Box in the October 20, 1979 issue that Wyrick had signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Intersong Music (ASCAP). [12]

1980s to present

James Brown recorded Wyrick's song "Regrets". Backed with "Stone Cold Drag", it was released on Polydor 2054 in 1980. [13] [14] It was reviewed by Cash Box in the magazine's January 19, 1980 issue. The reviewer referred to it as an easy ballad and said that it was nicely arranged. [15] It was already noted by Cash Box in that issue as a programmer, by Jerry Rushien of WEDR in Miami. [16] The single debuted at no. 92 on the Cash Box Top 100 on the week of February 23. [17]

"Tell Me a Lie" would be a hit again in 1983. This time the song was recorded by Janie Fricke. It spent a week at no. 1 on the Radio & Records chart (December 2, 1983). It also did well on Billboard, spending a week at no. 1. (December 10, 1983). [18] [19]

According to the October 13, 1984 issue of Cash Box, she was a backing singer for Ronnie Milsap and on tour with him. [20] She was also named as the number 4 award winner in the Cash Box Country Awards, top five composer section. [21]

She wrote the song "Sexy Young Girl" with Mac Davis who released it as a single. Davis took the song to no. 46 on the Billboard Country chart in 1986. [22]

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References

  1. ↑ Birmingham Record Collectors - Barbara Wyrick
  2. ↑ Cash Box, October 13, 1984 - Country Music 1984, Songwriters: Making The Music by Brenna Davenport-Leigh
  3. ↑ Birmingham Record Collectors - Barbara Wyrick
  4. ↑ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Barbara Wyrick, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Candi Staton, 1. 11/1972 ⑤ Lovin' You, Lovin' Me by Candi Staton
  5. ↑ Birmingham Record Collectors - Barbara Wyrick
  6. ↑ Birmingham Record Collectors - Barbara Wyrick
  7. ↑ Cash Box, August 27, 1977 - Page 79 Calliope/Festival Plans Late Summer Releases
  8. ↑ Cash Box, September 10, 1977 - Page 13 SINGLES REVIEWS, Picks of the week, BARBARA WYRICK (Calliope 8005)
  9. ↑ Christian Music Archive - DAVID MEECE, Everybody Needs a Little Help
  10. ↑ Cash Box, December 9, 1978 - Page 38 45 - REVIEWS - LP, KELLY WARREN
  11. ↑ Birmingham Record Collectors - Barbara Wyrick
  12. ↑ Cash Box, October 20, 1979 - Page 32 COUNTRY, THE COUNTRY COLUMN
  13. ↑ 45Cat - Record Details, James Brown Regrets
  14. ↑ Ultratop - James Brown – Regrets
  15. ↑ Cash Box, January 19, 1980 - REVIEWS SINGLES REVIEWS, SINGLES TO WATCH, JAMES BROWN
  16. ↑ Cash Box, January 19, 1980 - Page 47 BLACK CONTEMPORARY, PROGRAMMERS PICKS, Jerry Rushien WEDR/Miami Regrets — James Brown — Polydor
  17. ↑ Cash Box, February 23, 1980 - Page 27 CASH BOSX TOP 100, 92, 2/16 -, Weeks On Chart 1
  18. ↑ Birmingham Record Collectors - Barbara Wyrick
  19. ↑ Country Universe, July 13, 2023 - Every #1 Country Single of the Eighties: Janie Fricke, “Tell Me a Lie” - Kevin John Coyne
  20. ↑ Cash Box, October 13, 1984 - Country Music 1984, Songwriters: Making The Music by Brenna Davenport-Leigh
  21. ↑ Cash Box, October 13, 1984 - C-4 COUNTRY AWARDS, COMPOSER
  22. ↑ MusicVF.com - Songs written by Barbara Wyrick, Top Songs / Chart Singles Discography, Mac Davis 14. 02/1986 Sexy Young Girl by Mac Davis
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