If Lovin' You Is Wrong (I Don't Wanna Be Right) - Barbara Mandrell - 1978
Released before my time on country radio but I played this for many years on great radio stations across the country. This was a big hit for Barbara Mandrell, that catapulted her squarely into the brightest mainstream spotlight. Mandrell had been around for a good while in Nashville but this huge country and crossover pop hit was career changing. This was number one in 1972 for Luther Ingram on the R And B charts. Mandrell took this to number one country and number six on the Adult Contemporary charts. This song was perfect for her, and was a very intrumental in getting many new fans to sample country. This was a precursor to Urban Cowboy, and was a very important song for country at the time. (Read- Three Big Songs, Three Great Women). Mandrell went on to incredible heights in country, TV and pop culture. From her incredible musical and singing talent, performing, and the dozen instruments she played at a world class level, she is overall among the most talented people we have ever had in country. (My Barbara Mandrell Profile) (The Influencers Series)
