Barbara Ray - Somewhere between

Barbara Ray McKenzie Brown was born in Dalmellington, Scotland, as one of ten children. Her singing career started in her hometown when, aged 16, she sang with a band “Joe Duffy and the Squads”. While still a pupil at Dalmellington High School, friends dared her at a local dance hall to go up and ask to sing with the established group “Tommy Trousdale and the Sundowners”. She was an instant hit and so signed her first contract as vocalist with his band.
A stint on television followed and she was soon the singing star of the band, performing at many venues in Scotland and Britain. Tommy's band was voted Scotland's top semi-professional group and soon became one of Britain's top pop groups, sharing the stage with, among others, Freddie and the Dreamers, Billy Fury and Mr Acker Bilk. It was in Dalmellington that her South African husband-to-be, commercial artist and professional photographer, Jack Fenix, met her, while on a working holiday there in 1964. On leap year's day, 29th February 1964, Barbara and Jack were married and "Babs" as she was affectionately known, quit the band. The couple emigrated to South Africa in 1965 and settled in Brakpan.
She entered a major talent contest and won, and then started singing with various bands as Barbara Fenix, doing gigs around the country at various resorts, hotels and dance-halls. Her break came when she went to a popular local resort, Bapsfontein, to watch a show there. Friends egged her on to go up and sing. Compere Al Willox heard her singing and offered her a singing job which Barbara accepted on a part-time basis. She sang with Al and his band at the Hotel Germiston but kept her daytime job as a clerk for a fashion house.
Jody Wayne heard Barbara singing and offered to help her in getting a recording contract with a recording company. He convinced her that her voice was more suited to Country & Western music than the Pop and Dixieland that she was accustomed to. A successful audition at Teal followed and in August 1970 Barbara recorded a single “Like I Do” with the 5th Association, a band that had been backing her at some of her gigs.
Her recording success was immediate - “Like I Do” entered Springbok Radio's Top 20 hit parade, peaking at #4 in October 1970 and reached #9 on the LM hit parade in the same month. Her first album entitled “Like I Do” was also released in 1970. Her second single, “Happy Birthday Baby”, reached #10 on Springbok's Top 20 in May 1971. She was awarded the Springbok Award (mini Sarie) at the 1971 SARIE Awards as South Africa's Most Promising Female Vocalist. In 1973 “I Don't Wanna Play House” reached #1 on Springbok's Top 20 hit parade for six consecutive weeks.
This song is off the album "Made For Each Other" released in 1985. It's a cover of a Merle Haggard song from 1967. In South Africa a version by The Tumbleweeds reached number 3 on the Top 20 charts in 1975, charting for 15 weeks.

[@barbarapantalone7805]

Beautiful voice - always one of my favourite singers

[@JohanAckerman-uo8nk]

So beauty full

[@feyselshemsu7995]

I always love you the voice

[@user-lf5cp9bk6e]

Barbare Ray was maar een in haar soort, absoluut pragtig!!!!!!!!!

[@kybeekobus3288]

I'm a sinner a drug addict,but still after all that Gods providing me every day,and I thank you God for that amen

[@kathleenjoseph2623]

Always have loved Barbara's voice

[@kathleenjoseph2623]

Beautiful

[@wilsonstewart7938]

Great version Barbara

[@priscillavanwyk6111]

Barbara Ray pragtig die liedjie ,Some we're between you and me ,love it

[@priscillavanwyk6111]

Tears on my pillow Barbara Ray

[@babalwanonjaba9627]

What a beautiful voice thank u Barbara

[@sakkie3259]

Dankie Leon, vir al die ou memories..

[@patrysweideman9068]

True

[@veraprollius361]

SOMEWHERE ...........