Vinnie Barrett

Vinnie Barrett
Birth name Gwendolyn Hines Woolfolk
Born 1945 (age 70–71)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Associated acts

Vinnie Barrett (born Gwendolyn Hines Woolfolk; 1945) is an American songwriter and musician.

Career

Barrett graduated from Armstrong High School in Washington, D.C. She studied music at Howard University and the University of the District of Columbia. She started the singing group Vinnie Barrett and the Unlimits in local clubs around Washington D.C., and sang with the Flowerettes, a back up group for Phil Flowers. Syreeta Wright, Valerie Simpson, Diane Warren and Carly Simon were her inspiration for becoming a songwriter. She started writing music at the age of nineteen.

Barrett went to Philadelphia in 1969 where she was privileged to work with Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell (Philadelphia International Records). Her first solo-written song, "Just Can't Get you Out Of My Mind", appeared on the album Spinners.

She wrote popular songs such as, "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" (Ronnie Dyson); "Sideshow" and "Three Ring Circus", both performed by Blue Magic; "Love Won't Let Me Wait" performed by Luther Vandross, Major Harris, and other artists (Number 1 record on the Billboard R&B Music Charts); and "Just as Long As We Have Love", performed by Dionne Warwick, and several other artists.[1][2] Barrett was listed in "Who's Who for Songwriting."

Barrett's last hit song of the late 1990s was "Tranquility", performed by Al Johnson.

Awards

Barrett won 5 Gold and 4 Platinum records; 4 Gold Albums and a Diamond album (10,000,000) by Super Artist,"Shaggy". Barrett received an AFTRA award in 1975; Best Rhythm and Blues award for "Love Won't Let Me Wait"; 7 Broadcast Music Inc, awards for airplay; The BMI Millionaires award for "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (1,000,000 airplays for songwriter). The BMI Millionaires award for "Sideshow" (1,000,000 airplays for songwriter). The BMI Millionaires award for "Sideshow" (1,000,000 airplays for publisher).

RIAA Certified Platinum Video Award "Luther Vandross: Live at Wembley"

Platinum Album, CD, cassette for "Luther Vandross: The best of Love"

Platinum Album, CD, cassette for "Luther Vandross: Any Love"

RIAA Certified Gold Album for Pick of the Litter by The Spinners

Nominated for two Grammy awards for "Love Won't Let Me Wait" and "Sideshow".

Singles

Columbia records

Atlantic records

Cheri records

ATCO records

WEA Musik GmbH

RCA Victor

MGM records

CBS

On-U Sound

Casablanca records

Germain records

Rhino records

Frituna Reggae 92 (Cass, Dol) Side Show, Just Don't (1992)

Jimco records

Disky

Jive records

Edsel records

Collectables

Notable songs

Notes

  1. ↑ Jackson, John A. (2004). A House on Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul. Oxford University Press. p. 176. ISBN 978-0195149722.
  2. ↑ Lonergan, David F. (2005). Hit Records: 1950-1975. Scarecrow Press. p. 227. ISBN 978-0810851290.

References

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