Mandy Barnett to perform in Pigeon Forge

Mandy Barnett will performing with Asleep at the Wheel at Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge

Mandy Barnett will performing with Asleep at the Wheel at Country Tonite in Pigeon Forge

When the Grand Ole Opry began auditioning for someone to play Patsy Cline in the play “Always…Patsy Cline,” more than 400 performers auditioned. At the end of the day, only one woman was standing. That woman was Mandy Barnett.

Barnett was just 18-years-old. Winning the coveted role was one of many milestones in the life of the Crossville native who broke into the music business at the age of 9. She shared the stage with Dolly Parton during her two year stint at Dollywood and has performed on “The Tonite Show” and the “David Letterman show.” Her music has been featured in the soundtracks of several movies including “Space Cowboys”, “Drop Dead Gorgeous”, “Crazy”, “Traveler” and others.

Barnett will be performing at Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge on August 23, at 8 p.m. Sharing the stage with Barnett will be “Asleep at the Wheel.” The band has been the most important force in keeping the sound of Western swing alive. In reviving the freewheeling, eclectic sensibility of Western swing godfather Bob Wills, the Wheel have earned enthusiastic critical praise throughout their lengthy career; they have not only preserved classic sounds that had all but disappeared from country music, but have also been able to update the music, keeping it a living, breathing art form.

The band performs the music of Wills and Barnett performs the music of Patsy Cline in a collaboration that brings back classic country music. Barnett has been critically acclaimed for her powerful voice that captures the essence of Cline’s music.

Asleep At The Wheel

Asleep At The Wheel

“Asleep at the Wheel takes the stage first and I come out and about midway and play the rest of the show,” said Barnett. “I have worked with these guys many times and I have always enjoyed performing with them. They play rockabilly, and hardcore country.”

Barnett’s album “I’ve got a right to cry” received rave reviews in People magazine, Newsweek and Rolling Stone. Those stellar reviews took Barnett’s career to greater heights and opened even more doors for Barnett taking her brand of music to the international stage.

“That was a thrill,” said Barnett. “It’s always great when you get such reviews. I just got back from England and will soon go to Japan. I will be performing at the Nashville Symphony in November and I will release my next album the same month. It’s interesting to see how people react to old time country. I am looking forward to coming back to Pigeon Forge at Country Tonite. I will be signing autographs at the end of the show and I look forward to meeting the fans.”

For ticket information call 1-800-792-4308 or 865-453-2003.

Source: Michael Williams, Jefferson County Post Staff Writer