Betty Buckley Discography

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Buckley was born in Fort Worth, Texas, the daughter of Betty Bob (née Diltz), a dancer and journalist, and Ernest Buckley, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and former dean of engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington.[1] She is the eldest of their four children. She has three brothers - brother Norman Buckley is a movie and television producer. She was crowned "Miss Fort Worth" in 1966 and was runner-up in the Miss Texas competition. Buckley was then invited to perform at the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City. For a time she worked as a reporter for the Fort Worth newspaper, but went to New York City in 1969 at the age of 21, where she landed a part in 1776.

Buckley has made 13 solo albums and now performs extensively across the U.S. each year in such venues as the Cafe Carlyle and The Blue Note in New York City and the Cinegrill in Los Angeles. She frequently performs with her band, Quintessence. One of Quintessence`s members is Kenny Werner, well-known jazz pianist - he has played and arranged for her for over 17 years. They continue to work closely together on arrangements for songs they perform.

Buckley was married in 1972 and divorced in 1979, and has never had children. She lives on a ranch in Parker County, Texas, and participates in NCHA cutting horse competitions while continuing to give concerts across the country. Her father is deceased, but her mother lives a short distance away; recently Mrs. Buckley came onstage during a concert in Fort Worth and sang with her daughter.

Buckley also has been a teacher of song interpretation and communication for over thirty years and teaches at the University of Texas at Arlington. She has trained investment bankers and business professionals from many fields. "No matter what your career, to communicate at your best is absolutely vital, whether it`s to one person, a group or an entire audience. But most people get nervous, forgetful and too fearful to express themselves," says Buckley. "I`ll help you redefine that fear and use it to your advantage. We`ll talk about the dynamics of communication, the essence of common respect, and training your mind to focus on your behalf."

Buckley`s official website contains her concert schedule, a detailed biography and summaries of her singing and acting accomplishments.

Buckley made her Broadway debut in 1969 and has been called "The Voice of Broadway" by New York Magazine. Her rendition of "Memory" in Andrew Lloyd Webber`s Cats established her reputation. Buckley has recorded 13 solo albums and now tours extensively across the U.S. each year. She is also a composer - her first recording contains mostly songs she wrote. She is also featured on many Broadway compilation recordings.

Buckley has covered many songs by country music singer Mary Chapin Carpenter during her shows. She has professed that the country singer is among her favorite "musical-poet-songwriter-singers." Carpenter once attended one of Buckley`s performances and afterwards presented her with a personal letter of thanks. Buckley keeps the note in a frame and has said that receiving it was "one of the highlights of my life."

Buckley sang "Memory" from Cats at the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2006 as part of the tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber. In 2007, Buckley will appear with Quintessence at Lincoln Center in its Great American Songbook series.

She is perhaps best known for the 1977-81 TV dramedy

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