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Title: Little Miss Dynamite: The Life and Times of Brenda Lee by Brenda Lee, Robert K. Oermann, Julie Clay ISBN: 0786866446 Publisher: Hyperion Pub. Date: 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.62
Rating: 4
Summary: Little Mrs. Shacklett
Comment: Many a celebrity autobiography--especially in recent years--has been little more than a braggadocio tale of sordid bravado. So many Hollywood hot shots seem compelled to gleefully describe their amoral lasciviousness and mock the virtues millions of Americans hold dear.
Fans of that sort of salacious shock should avoid Brenda Lee's memoirs at all costs. Her salubrious life is just what would be expected from the effervescent chanteuse who's now enjoying her fifth decade of stardom. Although she tells many interesting show biz stories from her days of prepubescent renown to her current status as music industry veteran, readers clearly see that her proudest accomplishments have been her successful roles as wife (nearing 40 years married), mother, and grandmother. Unlike the sleazy conquests that fill other celebrity tell-alls, Little Miss Dynamite boasts, "I never wore my 'Brenda Lee' hat at home; I was 'Mrs. Shacklett;' I was Julie and Jolie's mother; I was the obnoxious cheerleader with the cowbell at the basketball games; I became a master at helping with school projects." Fame and fortune were welcome bonuses accentuating her fulfilled life.
While glitz and glamour have been the undoing of several immature stars, Brenda had her priorities straight from the beginning. As a teenage bride of seven months she learned that she was to become a mother. Those in charge of her career were dismayed by how this development could negate her star. Brenda herself had a different reaction; "I never had one thought of the career, of the consequences, or what it might mean to my future." She was too thrilled establishing a family to worry about her job.
Her life was far from a bed of roses, but from early childhood she received solid grounding. Born into penury, her father died before her early-blooming career budded. Describing the rare luxuries of her childhood she sites oranges which they usually only had at Christmas and concedes, "looking back now, I can't believe that I didn't know we were poor...at that time I was happy; I had people around me who cared about me and loved me."
Another contrast from the Hollywood status quo was seen during the Vietnam War. Unlike the perpetually protesting celebrities, Brenda--who had serious reservations about the conflict--wanted to perform for the troops in Vietnam, but it was ruled too dangerous. She did manage to entertain many wounded soldiers including once on a tour of a military hospital in the Philippines with General Westmoreland. Describing her visit to many soldiers who had lost limbs she states "a lot of people wouldn't want to see that, but I felt it was the least I could do for these men who were giving their lives and limbs for America." Many soldiers asker her to contact loved ones back home, and she reveals "there were dozens of families, and I called every single one."
Unquestionably the most poignant vignette that additionally shows the power of wholesome music to touch the soul concerns the tale of a little girl whose stepmother balefully banished her to a mental institution where she was unjustly confined for years. Upon her release she contacted Brenda to say access to her music had sustained her through those nightmare years. Brenda felt blessed by meeting this incredible woman and said that by her travails, "she taught me never to feel sorry for myself or for whatever bad situation I was in."
Distancing herself even further from the Hollywood notables, Brenda is not shy in admitting her reverent faith. Once her daughter's cancer diagnosis was found to be in error--after the girl was prepped for surgery--Brenda attributed it to a miracle brought about by the prayers of so many.
Those looking for show biz tidbits won't be disappointed. Since Brenda Lee's career has encompassed so many styles, her path crossed with a cornucopia of performers. She shares her encounters with the diverse likes of Judy Garland, Elvis Presley, Barbara Mandrell, Jimmy Durante, Tanya Tucker, Burt Reynolds, Art Garfunkle and scores of others.
At one point, Brenda admits, "I wasn't the new Judy Garland. I wanted something else out of life. I wanted roots stability and normalcy." It's easy to see that she achieved her goal, and has a very interesting and lucrative career providing icing to her cake.
Rating: 5
Summary: Waited For This One For a Long Time!
Comment: A life-long fan of Brenda Lee, I bought this book the day that it hit first hit the bookstore ... I have always felt that Brenda's story should be told and have known it was in the works ... Written in a style that was highly "conversational," the book makes the reader feel that they are sitting at a table in an informal chat with the author. Having followed her career for at least 35 years, I found the book fascinating. I had my nose in it for three straight days, every time that I had a free minute, until it was finished. The stories that dealt with Dub Albritton, her manager, who used every piece of energy he had to promote her and then, was found to have mismanaged her funds; her statements about extreme poverty as a child, even when her early image screamed "success"; and the telling of how her marriage to Ronnie Shacklett has stayed strong from her late teens until present day all were total highlights of an excellent read. I plan to read it again within the month. The true and avid fan of Brenda Lee can't afford to miss this one!
Rating: 5
Summary: Reply to Twiggy76 ( Little Miss Ego)
Comment: I dont think you have to be a fan to really enjoy this book. Any one who grew up during the great era of rock n roll knows Brenda Lee and appreciates her music. ...The book will hold your interest from beginning to end. Give it a read, you will be pleasantly surprised.
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Title: Still Woman Enough: A Memoir by Loretta Lynn, Patsi Bale Cox ISBN: 0786866500 Publisher: Hyperion Pub. Date: 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Nashville Wives: Country Music's Celebrity Wives Reveal the Truth about Their Husbands and Marriages by Nancy Jones, Tom Carter ISBN: 0061030066 Publisher: Cliff Street Books Pub. Date: 2000 List Price(USD): $6.50 |
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Title:20th Century Masters: The Best Of Brenda Lee (Millennium Collection) ASIN: B00000JT6E Publisher: Mca Pub. Date: 17 August, 1999 List Price(USD): $11.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $10.99 |
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Title: Merle Haggard's My House of Memories: For the Record by Merle Haggard, Tom Carter ISBN: 0061097950 Publisher: Harper Mass Market Paperbacks Pub. Date: 02 April, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.50 |
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Title: The Facts of Life and Other Dirty Jokes by Willie Nelson ISBN: 0375507310 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 08 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
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