Vinnie Barrett | |
---|---|
Birth name | Gwendolyn Hines Woolfolk |
Born | 1945 (age 75–76) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
Associated acts |
Vinnie Barrett (born Gwendolyn Hines Woolfolk; 1945) is an American songwriter and musician.
Barrett graduated from Armstrong High School in Washington, D.C. She studied music at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. She started the singing group Vinnie Barrett and the Unlimits in local clubs around Washington D.C., and sang with the Flowerettes, a back up group for Phil Flowers. Syreeta Wright, Valerie Simpson, Diane Warren and Carly Simon were her inspiration for becoming a songwriter. She started writing music at the age of nineteen.
Barrett went to Philadelphia in 1969 where she was privileged to work with Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell (Philadelphia International Records). Her first solo-written song, "Just Can't Get you Out Of My Mind", appeared on the album Spinners .
She wrote popular songs such as, "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" (Ronnie Dyson); "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus", both performed by Blue Magic; "Love Won't Let Me Wait" performed by Luther Vandross, Major Harris, and other artists (Number 1 record on the Billboard R&B Music Charts); and "Just as Long As We Have Love", performed by Dionne Warwick , and several other artists. [1] [2] Barrett was listed in "Who's Who for Songwriting."
Barrett's last hit song of the late 1990s was "Tranquility", performed by Al Johnson. "Recipe for Love" (CD): songs are "Unconditional Love" performed by Ron Tyson (tenor of the Temptations) and "Before the Real Hurting Starts" performed by Ron Tyson and Freda Payne.
Barrett won 5 Gold and 4 Platinum records; 4 Gold Albums and a Diamond album (10,000,000) by Super Artist,"Shaggy". Barrett received an AFTRA award in 1975; Best Rhythm and Blues award for "Love Won't Let Me Wait"; 9 Broadcast Music Inc, awards for airplay; The BMI Millionaires award for "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (2,000,000 airplays for songwriter). The BMI Millionaires award for "Sideshow" (2,000,000 airplays for songwriter). The BMI Millionaires award for "Sideshow" (1,000,000 airplays for publisher).
The latest award given in March 2019 is a BMI millionaires award for 2,000,000 Airplays for "Love Won’t Let Me Wait".
RIAA Certified Platinum Video Award "Luther Vandross: Live at Wembley"
Platinum Album, CD, cassette for "Luther Vandross: The best of Love"
Platinum Album, CD, cassette for "Luther Vandross: Any Love"
RIAA Certified Gold Album for Pick of the Litter by The Spinners
Nominated for two Grammy awards for "Love Won't Let Me Wait" and "Sideshow".
Columbia records
Atlantic records
Cheri records
ATCO records
WEA Musik GmbH
RCA Victor
MGM records
CBS
On-U Sound
Casablanca records
Germain records
Rhino records
Frituna Reggae 92 (Cass, Dol) Side Show, Just Don't (1992)
Jimco records
Disky
Jive records
Edsel records
Collectables
Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is noted for his sweet and soulful vocals. Throughout his career, Vandross was an in-demand background vocalist for several artists including Todd Rundgren, Judy Collins, Chaka Khan, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, David Bowie, Ben E. King, Stevie Wonder, and Donna Summer.
"Let Me Hold You" is a song by American rapper Bow Wow. It was the first single off his fourth album, Wanted (2005). Released on March 11, 2005, the song features American R&B singer Omarion. It was co-written and co-produced by frequent producer Jermaine Dupri and No I.D. and uses a sample of Luther Vandross' 1985 version of Brenda Russell's "If Only for One Night".
Classic Soul Ballads is a 16-volume soul CD-set, released by Time–Life Records in 2005, featuring 264 songs from the 1960s through the 1990s. It was not sold in stores, but sold directly by Time–Life.
Any Love is the sixth studio album by American singer Luther Vandross. It was released by Epic Records on September 20, 1988 in the United States. Produced by Vandross and Marcus Miller, the album features a cover of Major Harris' hit single "Love Won't Let Me Wait" as well as "The Second Time Around," a re-recording of a song featured on Vandross's band Luther's 1976 album of the same name.
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