People must have been really thrilled to watch the Opry 100 centennial celebration for the Grand Ole Opry on TV Wednesday night. A whole gaggle of fabulous country music greats from now and then graced the fabled Ryman Auditorium stage. One of them who has not been seen in quite a while was the ever-popular and abundantly gifted Barbara Mandrell. Now 76, Mandrell introduced Kelsea Ballerini, who sang Mandrell's 1981 hit, "I Was Country When Country Wasn't Cool." How special for both of them and for all of us who love Barbara Mandrell! She retired from performing in 1997. What prompted her to make an exit from the career she worked so hard to establish?
Videos by Wide Open Country
Barbara Mandrell Is Now Seldom Glimpsed In Public
Per Taste Of Country, Mandrell is "an Opry member who performs very rarely. In fact, Mandrell sightings are so uncommon you can be forgiven for wondering, 'What happened?'" She seemed to have the uncanny ability to do everything, and do it very well.
Mandrell, a Country Music Hall of Fame member, played instruments, acted, sang, and danced. She also had a highly successful NBC-TV show for two years. Per the outlet, "'(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right,' 'Years,' 'Till You're Gone' and 'One of a Kind Pair of Fools' are a few more of Mandrell's greatest hits."
She Had A Serious Car Crash In 1984
In 1984, Mandrell was involved in a serious, two-car crash that left her with injuries so severe that they were almost fatal. But she eventually did recover. It was not until 1997, 13 years after the accident, that she finally called it quits.
Per the outlet via a Secret History of Country Music video, Mandrell made the decision to put away the mic to prioritize her family. At the time, she had a "high-school aged son." She was also nearing 50 years old. It seems like that was an inflection point for the singer. Mandrell really closed the door on being a performer back then. She wasn't taking any halfway measures. According to Taste Of Country, "She went as far as to sell all her instruments, too, and aside from one or two tributes, she has not sung a note since."
Barbara Mandrell rang down the curtain on a career that was nothing short of spectacular.
