Barbie Davidson
Barbie Davidson is an award-winning Australasian vocalists/entertainer whose velvety tone and powerhouse range glide across country, jazz and pop with equal ease. She first found her footing as a teenager on TVNZ’s Country Touch, then built a career fronting bands, headlining clubs, and captivating theatre and festival audiences on both sides of the Tasman.
After moving to Queensland in 1988, Barbie’s crossover style, country sparkle with a kiss of jazz and blues, saw her dubbed the state’s “Queen of Country.” That momentum carried into the studio with her Warner Music debut Borderline (1991), later re-released as Two Hearts, and a New Zealand Music Awards finalist nod the following year.
Onstage, Barbie has shared billings and tours with international greats, performed at Nashville’s famed Fan Fair alongside Charley Pride, and taken her show from RSL and cabaret circuits to P&O cruise liners. She also spent five years in the vocal trio Girls Talk, with marquee supports that included Little River Band and Kenny Rogers.
Back in Auckland, the Variety Artists Club of NZ (VAC) has recognised Barbie’s sustained excellence with multiple honours, and audiences continue to pack out her country-rock and jazz shows for the same reason: when Barbie sings, the room lifts.
A Journey of Resilience and Triumph
Barbie’s entertainment journey began in Auckland, New Zealand, where she became a favourite on popular national TV shows such as Tex Morton’s Country Touch, Happen Inn, Town Cryer, The Goodtime Show, Sing, and Hudson and Halls. She refined her craft as a cabaret performer during a residency at the Ace of Clubs on Cook St, supporting the incomparable Diamond Lil, a flamboyant character created and portrayed by Marcus Craig, a legend of Auckland’s vibrant 1970s entertainment scene.
Her resilience is as remarkable as her talent. Despite facing major health challenges, Barbie’s passion never wavered. In 2005, after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, she discovered through an MRI that she had two brain tumors—one the size of a tennis ball. Though benign, the tumor recurred on three separate occasions, requiring three major brain surgeries. Through it all, Barbie remained undeterred, delivering unforgettable performances and inspiring audiences with her strength and spirit.