Died On This Date (November 15, 2016) Holly Dunn / Had Numerous Country Hits
themusicsover Holly Dunn
August 22, 1957 – November 15, 2016
Holly Dunn is perhaps best remembered for her 1986 country hit, “Daddy’s Hands,” but she had several more hits throughout the late ’80s and early ’90s. After graduating from college where she played in a local band, Dunn moved to Nashville to follow her dreams of becoming a country singer and songwriter. initially finding work as a session singer and songwriter for CBS Records, Dunn began turning heads when her (and brother Chris Waters‘) “I’m Not Through Loving You Yet,” became a top 10 hit for Louise Mandrell. The following year, she signed with MTM Records who released her self-titled debut which spawned three moderate hit singles until the fourth, “Daddy’s Hands,” brought her national acclaim. Over the course of her career, she released 10 albums which contained 21 charting singles. Outside of making records and touring, Dunn found time to work as a popular morning DJ at WWWW in Detroit, MI. She also co-hosted Opry Backstage for TNN for about two years. In 2003, she announced her retirement so she could spend more time on her other hobby, art. Her paintings have been displayed in a gallery in Santa Fe, NM. In March of 2016, Dunn was diagnosed with ovarian cancer which ultimately took her life on November 15, 2016. She was 59.
What You Should Own
Irby Mandrell was the patriarch of the Mandrell family, making him the father of popular country singers, Barbara Mandrell, Irlene Mandrell, and Louise Mandrell. With a background in music himself, Irby and his wife taught all of their daughters from an early age to appreciate music. Oldest child, Barbara learned to play multiple instruments as a young child thanks to the tutelage of Irby, who owned a musical instrument shop at the time. By the time she was 11 Barbara landed her first gig. And from those early days on, Irby managed her successful career as one of country music’s first ladies. Their business partnership lasted the better part of three decades. On March 5, 2009, Irby Mandrell died following a stroke. He was 84.