Brenda (Nka Brandi) Barton-shipley:  

Went to work at a law firm the day I graduated from HS. That attorney is now deceased, killed in an auto accident w/his entire family except for 1 son, who is now a Kanawha County Judge, Todd Kaufman. Married and divorced w/i a year. Worked as a cocktail waitress at night, legal secretary by day. Went to work for Tom Ciccarello for couple of years. Met Gov. Arch Moore at a young republican function. He checked my credentials, had his Aide call Mr. Ciccarello, interviewed me in his office in the capitol, then offered me a job as his personal, campaign secretary for 6 weeks while he ran for his first re-election ... he won! At one point in the early 70's, I ran away with the circus (yes, really - Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth) to become a "showgirl", aerial ballerina. Only stayed 2 months. Moved to state of Virginia, stayed with my aunt for a short period of time. Back to WV and work, eventually (around 73) left the state for good (or so I thought) to become a singer in a rock and roll band. That became my life for a long time. I went from singing Top 40, to Rock and Roll, to Disco. Then had my first child, Damian (now 33) with my then husband. We had a 14 piece show group (4 piece horn section). Damian and his family live in Oregon. Lived in Johnstown, Pennsylvania for a short period (after the 3rd flood in 1977), then returned to the road travelling w/my band. Put together, auditioned, made costumes and ran the business for myself for years. My favorite band was "Brandi Over Ice". Learned to play 2 instruments (bass guitar and keyboards) in a month and started travelling with new group. Moved to Florida around end of '77. Was introduced to jazz early 80's and found my true niche. Was sent to LA in 1981 by my manager to do the Johnny Carson show, got to sing with th...Expand for more