barbara mandrell

It's been nearly 25 years since she disappeared. Why?

Just like big hair and Spandex, country music was alive and well in the '80s, celebrating true love, simple pleasures and American pride.

In some respects, the Country Music Association has always done better than a lot of organizations within the "Nashville machine" at incorporating women into its mission.

Born on Dec. 15, 1948 in Houston, Texas, Mandrell was raised around country music.