R. C. Bannon (born Daniel Shipley; May 2, 1945) is an American country music singer. Active since 1977, Bannon has recorded for the Columbia and RCA labels. He was also married to singer Louise Mandrell from 1979 to 1991, and charted six duets with her in addition to 12 singles of his own. His highest-charting single was his 1979 cover of the Peaches & Herb hit "Reunited," recorded as a duet with Mandrell, that reached number 13 on the country music charts in 1979; his most successful solo single is "Winners and Losers" at number 26. In addition to recording as a solo artist and with Mandrell, Bannon co-wrote songs for Ronnie Milsap, Bobby G. Rice, his former sister-in-law Barbara Mandrell and Steve Azar.
Biography Bannon was born in Dallas, Texas. There, he sang in his family's church choir as a child, later taking interest in rock music as well as gospel. He also played guitar in several rock bands during the late 1950s and into the 1960s.
In the mid-1960s, Bannnon's family moved to Seattle, Washington, where he performed in nightclubs and sang on a local television program every morning, in addition to working as a disc jockey, for KUUU (today's KLFE), which aired an oldies format at the time. It was during his tenure as a disc jockey that he took the professional name R.C. Bannon. After opening for Marty Robbins, Robbins encouraged him to move to Nashville; Bannon declined at first, and attempted to sign to various labels near California. He briefly signed a contract with Capitol Records, but did not release anything for that label.
Musical career Finally, in 1976, Bannon moved to Nashville. There, he worked at a discotheque, and later began meeting other singers and songwriters, including one named Harlan Sanders. After signing to a songwriting contract, he had his songs recorded by Robbins, as well as singles released by Bobby G. Rice ("The Softest Touch in Town") and Ronnie Milsap (the Number One "Only One Love in My Life"). In 1977, he signed to Columbia Records, who released his debut album, R.C. Bannon Arrives. Three of the album's cuts made the Hot Country Songs charts, including the No. 33 "It Doesn't Matter Anymore." The album included several songs that Bannon co-wrote, most in collaboration with John Bettis. By 1979, he married Louise Mandrell, with whom he would chart six duets, including the No. 13 "Reunited," his highest-charting single. This led to Academy of Country Music nominations in 1980 for Vocal Group of the Year, Louise also was nominated for Best New Female Vocalist, and R.C. won the Best New Male Vocalist Award. The two released five duets albums between 1979 and 1982. He and Bettis also co-wrote "One of a Kind Pair of Fools" for Louise's sister, Barbara Mandrell. Bannon continued to perform as a musician in Mandrell's show, even after divorcing her in 1991. In the 2000s, Bannon co-wrote Steve Azar's "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)." He subsequently married Natalie McGill.
Discography
Albums Year Album information 1978 R.C. Bannon Arrives
— 1979 Inseparable
— 1980 Love Won't Let Us Go
— 1981 Me and My R.C.
20 1982 (You're My) Super Woman/(You're My) Incredible Man
44 1983 The Best
—
Singles YearSingleChart PositionsAlbum1977"Southbound"99R.C. Bannon Arrives"Rainbows and Horseshoes"90"It Doesn't Matter Anymore"331978"(The Truth Is) We're Livin' a Lie"64"Somebody's Gonna Do It Tonight"64singles only1979"Winners and Losers"261980"Lovely Lonely Lady"65"If You're Serious About Cheatin'"61"Never Be Anyone Else"361982"Til Something Better Comes Along"46Me and My R.C.
Duets with Louise Mandrell YearSingleChart PositionsAlbum1979"I Thought You'd Never Ask"46—Inseparable"Reunited"13—"We Love Each Other"48—1981"Where There's Smoke There's Fire"3545Me and My R.C.1982"Our Wedding Band"/"Just Married"5645
Other charted songs YearSingleChart PositionsAlbum1982"Christmas Is Just a Song for Us This Year"35Country Christmas
Notes
Awards and nominations YearOrganizationAwardNominee/WorkResult 1980Academy of Country Music AwardsTop New Male VocalistR.C. BannonAcademy of Country Music AwardsTop Vocal GroupR.C. Bannon & Louise Mandrell1982Academy of Country Music AwardsTop Vocal DuetR.C. Bannon & Louise Mandrell
References