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 Howard University (Howard) is a private, federally chartered historically black research university in Washington, D.C. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and accredited by the Middle States Commissi ...

and the

University of the District of Columbia The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) is a public historically black land-grant university in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1851 and is the only public university in the city. UDC is a member school of the Thurgood Marshall ...

. 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 Syreeta Wright (February 28, 1946 – July 6, 2004), who recorded professionally under the single name Syreeta, was an American singer-songwriter, best known for her music during the early 1970s through the early 1980s. Wright's career heights we ...

Valerie Simpson Ashford & Simpson were an American husband-and-wife songwriting-production team and recording duo of Nickolas Ashford (May 4, 1941 – August 22, 2011) and Valerie Simpson (born August 26, 1946). Ashford was born in Fairfield, South Carolina, ...

Diane Warren Diane Eve Warren (born September 7, 1956) is an American songwriter. She has received several awards including a Grammy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three ''Billboard'' Music Awards and an Honorary Academy Award. Wa ...

and

Carly Simon Carly Elisabeth Simon (born June 25, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, memoirist, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records; her 13 Top 40 U.S. hits include "Anticipation" (No. 13), " The Right Thin ...

were her inspiration for becoming a songwriter. She started writing music at the age of nineteen. Barrett went to

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

in 1969 where she was privileged to work with

Kenny Gamble Kenneth Gamble (born August 11, 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Leon A. Huff (born April 8, 1942, Camden, New Jersey) are an American songwriting and production team credited for developing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as ...

Leon Huff Kenneth Gamble (born August 11, 1943, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) and Leon A. Huff (born April 8, 1942, Camden, New Jersey) are an American songwriting and production team credited for developing the Philadelphia soul music genre (also known as ...

and

Thom Bell Thomas Randolph Bell (January 27th, 1943 – December 22, 2022) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, arranger, pianist, and composer known as one of the creators of Philadelphia soul in the 1970s. He found success as a producer ...

(

Philadelphia International Records Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was an American record label based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1971 by songwriting and production duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff along with their longtime collaborator Thom Bell. ...

). 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 "Just Don't Want to Be Lonely" is a song written by Bobby Eli, John Freeman and Vinnie Barrett, originally recorded in 1973 by Ronnie Dyson and popularized internationally by The Main Ingredient. Dyson's version reached No. 60 in the US Pop char ...

" (

Ronnie Dyson Ronald Dyson (June 5, 1950 – November 10, 1990) was an American soul and R&B singer and actor. Early career Born in Washington, D.C., Dyson grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he sang in church choirs. At 18 years of age, he won a lead role ...

); "

Sideshow In North America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, carnival, fair, or other such attraction. Types There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions: *The Ten-in-One offers a program of ten ...

" and "Three Ring Circus", both performed by Blue Magic; "

Love Won't Let Me Wait "Love Won't Let Me Wait" is a hit 1975 single by Major Harris, a former member of R&B/soul group The Delfonics. Written by Vinnie Barrett and Bobby Eli, the single is considered to be a staple of classic soul playlists, and was Harris' only ent ...

" performed by

Luther Vandross Luther Ronzoni Vandross Jr. (April 20, 1951 – July 1, 2005) was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for his sweet and soulful vocals, Vandross has sold over 40 million records worldwide. He achieved eleven consecutive P ...

, Major Harris, and other artists (Number 1 record on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' R&B Music Charts); and "Just as Long As We Have Love", performed by ''

Dionne Warwick Marie Dionne Warwick (; born December 12, 1940) is an American singer, actress, and television host. Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest U.S. hit makers between 1955 and 1999, based on her chart history on ''Billboards Hot 100 pop singles cha ...

'', and several other artists. Barrett was listed in "Who's Who for Songwriting." 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 The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

for "

" and "

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 /

(7", Single) Love Won't Let Me Wait (1974) *

/ 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). Frituna Reggae 92 (Cass, Dol) Side Show, Just Don't (1992) Jimco records * Love Songs (CD, Album) Love Won't Let Me Wait (1993). Disky * Reggae Fieber (2xCD, Comp) Sideshow (1997). Jive records * Chris Brown (CD, Album) Young Love (2005). Edsel records * Life on Mars / What The World Is Coming To (CD) Together Once Again (2005) Collectables * The Magic of the Blue (CD) Three Ring Circus, You (2006)

Notable songs

* "Meantime" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli, Keith Thomas, Benjamin "Bebe" Winans) * "Sideshow" (Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)) * "Bulls Eye" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ West, Kanye Omari (Ca)/ Johnson, Syleena (Ca)) * "U Turn Me" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Wayne Alexander, Byron Stingily, Andrew Livingstone, Peter Chalcraft) * "Young Love" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ Hilson, Keri (Ca)/ Thomas, Damon (Ca)/ Mason, Harvey (Ca)/ Que, J. (Ca)/ Dixon, Antonio (Ca)) * "Lady in Red" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Harris, Norman Ray (Ca)) * "Lonely Lover" (Orville Burrell, James Harris Iii, And Terry Lewis, Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli, John Freeman) * "Playing Game" (Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Holmes, Cecilia (Ca)/ Kent, Clark (Ca)) * "Man And Woman" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "Leave Me Alone" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "Sweet Tomorrow" (Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)) * "Not Like It Was" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)) * "Paradise (Life)" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bruce Hawes (Ca), Robert Miller (Ca), Anthony Cruz (Ca)) * "Just A Little Bit" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Freeman, John (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ Lyon, Andre (Ca)/ Valenzano, Marcello (Ca)/ Milian, Christina (Ca)) * "Talking To Myself" (Eli, Bobby (Ca)/ Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)) * "Three Ring Circus" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)) * "Got To Get You Back" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)) * "Don't Cross The Line" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)) * "Let's Go All The Way" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "The Cold, Cold Walls" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Cary Gilbert, Von Gray) * "Save Your Love For Me" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "Telling It Like It Is" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "Love Won't Let Me Wait" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)) * "A Plain Simple Love Song" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Hooker, Frank Ruppert (Ca)) * "Walkin' In The Footsteps" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "Just Don't Want To Be Lonely" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli, John Freeman) * "Who Knew My Luck Would Change" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Eli, Bobby (Ca)) * "Love Is Just Around The Corner" (Bobby Eli, Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)) * "To Get Love You Must Give Love" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca), Bobby Eli) * "Just Can't Get You Out of My Mind" (Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)) * "You Won't Have To Tell Me Gooodbye" (Harris, Norman Ray (Ca)/ Barrett, Vinnie (Ca)/ Hendricks, James Edward (Ca))

Notes

References

* *

External links

Vinnie Barrett
at Myspace * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Barrett, Vinnie 1945 births Living people Songwriters from Washington, D.C. American women songwriters Howard University alumni University of the District of Columbia alumni 21st-century American women