Born Brenda Mae Tarpley on December the 11th in 1944, in Atlanta Georgia. Brenda was born into a poor family, sharing a bed with her two siblings and living in a house with no running water. However, they did have a battery-powered radio which fascinated Brenda as a baby.
By the age of 2, she was whistling the melodies of the songs she had heard. This then lead Brendas sister and mother to take her to a local candy store, stand her on the counter and let her sing in which she would earn candy and coins in return.
At the age of 3 Brenda's sister entered her into a singing contest and she won.
By the time she was 5, her voice, pretty face and stage presence won her a bigger audience and by the age of six, was appearing on an Atlanta radio show.
At the age of 10, Brenda's father passed which meant Brenda had to support the family with the money she earned from singing events.
She regularly appeared on a country music show called ''Tv Ranch'' and was infact so small, that the host had to lower a microphone stand as low as it could go and stand her on a wooden crate in order for her to be able to reach it.
In 1955, Brenda had her first break at the age of 10 in which she turned down a gig to meet country and western singer Red Foley who was persuaded by a local Dj, who infact was the person who shortened Brenda's name to Brenda Lee, to hear her sing before his show that night.
Red Foley was blown away by Brenda and then let her perform on stage that night, without rehearsal.
In 1957, Manager Dub Allbritter and producer Owen Bradley took Brenda under their wing and then became loving father figures in her life.
In 1956 Decca Records offered her a contract and her first record was ''Jambayala''.
In 1959, Brenda's song ''Sweet Nothing'' went straight to number one.
In the same year, her stepfather deserted the family. This caused the 15 year old and her family to live in a trailer park on 75 dollars a month.
In 1960, ''Im Sorry'' hit the top of the charts which won Brenda a Grammy Nomination and a gold record.
Following Brenda's success in the US, she began to make a name for herself in many countries.
Being only 4 feet and 9 inches, a rumour developed in France that infact Brenda was a ''32 year old midget''.
Age 18, Brenda married Ronnie Shacklett and had two daughters.
In the mid 1960s, when the Beatles had taken over the music scene in America, Brenda became depressed and couldn't find a place for herself in the music industry.
However, in 1974 she returned to her country and western routes. She collaborated with songwriter Kris Kristopherson to record his first song ''Nobody wins''. It reached the top ten in the country charts and this got Brenda back on track with country and western hits.
Brenda then received awards and accolades from ''The Georgia music hall of fame'' and the ''National academy of recording arts and sciences''.
Following the new burst of life, she began touring at a relentless pace. In 1989, she appeared on K.D. Langs album shadowland and she received another grammy nomination.
In 1999, Brenda was diagnosed with cysts on her vocal chords, this halted her career and she took time to rest. Although this was not cured, she still continues to sing her heart out to audiences all over the world.
I choose to do my presentation on Brenda Lee because she is a huge inspiration from performing from such a young age, it's not very common for someone so young to take on the music industry. I also adore her child-like voice and tone.
I think my favourite song by Brenda Lee has to be I'm Sorry
By the age of 2, she was whistling the melodies of the songs she had heard. This then lead Brendas sister and mother to take her to a local candy store, stand her on the counter and let her sing in which she would earn candy and coins in return.
At the age of 3 Brenda's sister entered her into a singing contest and she won.
By the time she was 5, her voice, pretty face and stage presence won her a bigger audience and by the age of six, was appearing on an Atlanta radio show.
At the age of 10, Brenda's father passed which meant Brenda had to support the family with the money she earned from singing events.
She regularly appeared on a country music show called ''Tv Ranch'' and was infact so small, that the host had to lower a microphone stand as low as it could go and stand her on a wooden crate in order for her to be able to reach it.
In 1955, Brenda had her first break at the age of 10 in which she turned down a gig to meet country and western singer Red Foley who was persuaded by a local Dj, who infact was the person who shortened Brenda's name to Brenda Lee, to hear her sing before his show that night.
Red Foley was blown away by Brenda and then let her perform on stage that night, without rehearsal.
In 1957, Manager Dub Allbritter and producer Owen Bradley took Brenda under their wing and then became loving father figures in her life.
In 1956 Decca Records offered her a contract and her first record was ''Jambayala''.
In 1959, Brenda's song ''Sweet Nothing'' went straight to number one.
In the same year, her stepfather deserted the family. This caused the 15 year old and her family to live in a trailer park on 75 dollars a month.
In 1960, ''Im Sorry'' hit the top of the charts which won Brenda a Grammy Nomination and a gold record.
Following Brenda's success in the US, she began to make a name for herself in many countries.
Being only 4 feet and 9 inches, a rumour developed in France that infact Brenda was a ''32 year old midget''.
Age 18, Brenda married Ronnie Shacklett and had two daughters.
In the mid 1960s, when the Beatles had taken over the music scene in America, Brenda became depressed and couldn't find a place for herself in the music industry.
However, in 1974 she returned to her country and western routes. She collaborated with songwriter Kris Kristopherson to record his first song ''Nobody wins''. It reached the top ten in the country charts and this got Brenda back on track with country and western hits.
Brenda then received awards and accolades from ''The Georgia music hall of fame'' and the ''National academy of recording arts and sciences''.
Following the new burst of life, she began touring at a relentless pace. In 1989, she appeared on K.D. Langs album shadowland and she received another grammy nomination.
In 1999, Brenda was diagnosed with cysts on her vocal chords, this halted her career and she took time to rest. Although this was not cured, she still continues to sing her heart out to audiences all over the world.
I choose to do my presentation on Brenda Lee because she is a huge inspiration from performing from such a young age, it's not very common for someone so young to take on the music industry. I also adore her child-like voice and tone.
I think my favourite song by Brenda Lee has to be I'm Sorry