Vinnie Barrett-Cedar Herald Index

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.

Vinnie Barrett

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.

Vinnie Barrett

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. Barrett was listed in "Who's Who for Songwriting."

Vinnie Barrett

Barrett's last hit song of the late 1990s was "Tranquility", performed by Al Johnson. "Recipe for Love" (CD): songs are "Unconditional Love" performed by Ron Tyson (tenor of the Temptations) and "Before the Real Hurting Starts" performed by Ron Tyson and Freda Payne.

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"; 9 Broadcast Music Inc, awards for airplay; The BMI Millionaires award for "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (2,000,000 airplays for songwriter). The BMI Millionaires award for "Sideshow" (2,000,000 airplays for songwriter). The BMI Millionaires award for "Sideshow" (1,000,000 airplays for publisher).

The latest award given in March 2019 is a BMI millionaires award for 2,000,000 Airplays for "Love Won’t Let Me Wait".

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

One Man Band (LP) Just Don't Want To Be (1973)

Atlantic records

The Detroit Spinners (LP, Album) Just Can't Get You Out (1973) After Loving You / Love Won't Let Me Wait (7", Single) Love Won't Let Me Wait (1974) Love Won't Let Me Wait / After Loving You (7", Single) Love Won't Let Me Wait (1974) My Way (LP) Love Won't Let Me Wait (1974) Then Came You (7", Single) Just As Long As We Have Love (1974) 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 "SPINNERS", "Pick of the Litter"

Cheri records

Brooklyn Express / Just Don't Want To Be Lonely (7") Just Don't Want To Be (1974)

ATCO records

The Magic of the Blue (LP, Album) Three Ring Circus, You (1974) Grateful / I Like You (7", Single) Grateful (1976)

WEA Musik GmbH

The Magic of the Blue (LP, Album, Promo) Three Ring Circus, You (1974)

RCA Victor

The Choice 4 (LP) Hook It Up, Is It Love (1975) Just Don't Want To Be Lonely (12") (1987)

MGM records

The Ultimate Musical Experience (LP, Album) Telling It Like It Is (1975)

CBS

With All My Love (LP, Album, Gat) Just As Long As We Have (1980) Love Attack (CD, Album) Love Won't Let Me Wait CBS Schallplatten GmbH (1988)

On-U Sound

Aiming at Your Heart (12") Just As Long As We Hav (1983)

Casablanca records

Casablanca Dance Classics (Street Edition) (12") Let's Go All The Way (1986)

Germain records

Just Don't Want To Be Lonely (12") (1987)

Rhino records

Soul Hits of The '70s – Didn't It Blow Your Mind Vol. 15 Love Won't Let Me Wait (1991). Can You Dig It? The '70s Soul Experience (Box + 6xCD, Comp, RM) Sideshow, Love Won't L (2001).