Barbara Nelson

Barbara and her husband Nels live on a ranch in Pendleton. They have raised cattle, sheep, and horses but now have only horses.

Barbara's musical career started after college where she sang in Alaska, Nevada, and other states, but got married and raised a family and didn't sing much except local events for a while.

Since joining the Western Music Association, she has sung at the Pendleton Round-Up, Ellensburg, Lewiston,Ritzville and various other events. Barbara enjoys getting together with other musicians or just singing and playing for people.

Mr. Rick Huff - Western Music Association(WMA) music critic: "Barbara has the experienced seasoned voice of a Rosemary Clooney or Jo Stafford [...] uses complex guitar chords & gives refreshing new life to these songs [...] more than worthy of a spin on your cd deck."

"Back to My Boots & Saddle" was nominated Best Cowboy Western Swing Album 2008 for the Western Music Association awards. Her next album "Round-Up Ready" was also nominated in 2009 in the same category.

Barbara just recently performed at the annual Western Music Association awards in Albuquerque, New Mexico in Nov, 08. She performed also in Albuquerque in Nov, 09.

Currently Barbara is on the top of the charts,in the Nov-Dec issue of the magazine "Rope Burns". She is #1 in the Western Swing Album category, with her album "Round Up Ready". She is #3 in the Western Swing Song category, with her song "Cow Cow Boogie".

Barbara latest release is "When I Was A Cowgirl" and has had great reviews. This album is also Western Swing style.

Artist Website