{"id":24500,"date":"2025-03-20T16:34:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T16:34:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=24500"},"modified":"2025-03-20T16:34:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-20T16:34:14","slug":"shes-no-barbara-public-says-kelsea-ballerini-ruined-the-song-in-tribute-to-barbara-mandrell-at-opry-100","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/?p=24500","title":{"rendered":"‘She’s No Barbara’: Public Says Kelsea Ballerini ‘Ruined’ the Song in Tribute to Barbara Mandrell at ‘Opry 100’"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Country music fans had plenty to say after Kelsea Ballerini’s tribute to Barbara Mandrell at the Grand Ole Opry’s centennial \u2014 some applauded the gesture, while others were far from impressed.<\/p>\n

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Kelsea Ballerini took the stage at the Grand Ole Opry to honor country legend Barbara Mandrell as part of the venue’s 100th-anniversary celebration, sparking a buzz.<\/p>\n

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A netizen’s comment on Kelsea Ballerini’s performance, dated March 20, 2025 | Source: Instagram\/nbc<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer\u00a0performed<\/a>\u00a0Mandrell’s 1981 hit, “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” with Mandrell seated nearby, swaying along to the tribute.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage while Barbara Mandrell sits nearby and sways to the beat, as seen in a video dated March 20, 2025 | Source: YouTube\/NBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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During the performance, Ballerini adjusted the lyrics to emphasize the significance of the\u00a0Grand Ole Opry,<\/a>\u00a0singing,<\/a>\u00a0“And I was listenin’ to the Opry when all of my friends were diggin’ Rock ‘n Roll and Rhythm and Blues, I was country when country wasn’t cool.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At the song’s conclusion, she embraced Mandrell and\u00a0altered the closing line to,<\/a>\u00a0“She was country when country wasn’t cool.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kelsea Ballerini embraces Barbara Mandrell onstage, as seen in a video dated March 20, 2025 | Source: YouTube\/NBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Ballerini’s tribute sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising her performance while others criticized her rendition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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On Facebook, one person\u00a0commented,<\/a>\u00a0“Not a Kelsea fan [sic].”\u00a0<\/i>Another agreed,\u00a0writing,<\/a>\u00a0“I think she ruined the song. It just sounded like every other Kelsea song and nothing like Barbara’s song.”\u00a0<\/i>Another reaction\u00a0stated,<\/a>\u00a0“I think she sounded awful. She’s no Barbara.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage at the Grand Ole Opry, as seen in a video shared on March 20, 2025 | Source: YouTube\/NBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Over on Instagram, responses varied. One fan praised the performance,\u00a0saying,<\/a>\u00a0“she sounds amazing omg [sic].”<\/i>\u00a0However, another\u00a0wrote,<\/a>\u00a0“She sang this sort of okay and Barbara definitely deserves a tribute…but I’m not convinced that Kelsea was country when country wasn’t cool…or that she ever was [sic].”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kelsea Ballerini performs “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” to celebrate 100 years of country music at the Grand Ole Opry, as seen in a video dated March 20, 2025 | Source: YouTube\/NBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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On TikTok, reactions were similarly split. One viewer\u00a0wrote,<\/a>\u00a0“Pretty good version of this song [sic]!”\u00a0<\/i>Another\u00a0commented,<\/a>\u00a0“She did a great version but still not Barbara I’m sorry [sic].”<\/i>\u00a0A third response\u00a0noted,<\/a>\u00a0“Not as good as Barbara! But it’s not bad.”<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Kelsea Ballerini and Barbara Mandrell are pictured onstage, in a video dated March 20, 2025 | Source: YouTube\/NBC<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Ballerini’s tribute to Mandrell marked a significant moment in the Grand Ole Opry’s history. While the performance divided opinions, it undeniably paid homage to one of country music’s most celebrated artists.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Mandrell’s influence on country music runs deep, dating back to her early years as a steel guitar prodigy.\u00a0<\/strong>She dazzled audiences before her teens and later rose to dominate country music charts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her talent spanned genres, earning her recognition in both television and music. But behind all the success lies a story of resilience, shaped by a near-fatal accident and the steadfast support of her family.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The country musician, circa 1970 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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By the time she stepped away from the spotlight, Mandrell had solidified her legacy as a trailblazer in the industry. However, her career was interrupted by a devastating car accident that left her with life-altering injuries. Here is her life story.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barbara Mandrell, circa 1970 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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From Prodigy to Superstar: A Trailblazing Career<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Mandrell’s journey to stardom began early, as she displayed extraordinary talent on the steel guitar, earning her the title of a child prodigy by the age of 11. Performing alongside her family band, she developed a reputation for mastering multiple instruments, including the accordion and banjo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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By the late 1970s and early 1980s, she had become a powerhouse in country music, delivering chart-topping hits like “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed” and “In Times Like These.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer and actress poses for a portrait in 1982 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Her crossover appeal brought her into millions of homes through the variety show “Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters,” which became a fan favorite.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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She made history by winning the coveted Entertainer of the Year award from the Country Music Association for consecutive years and collecting numerous accolades from the People’s Choice Awards.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer pictured at the 15th Annual Country Music Association Awards on October 12, 1981 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Mandrell’s ability to bridge country and mainstream audiences made her one of the most celebrated figures of her time. But just as her career reached new heights, an unforeseen tragedy would alter the course of her life forever.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barbara Mandrell, circa 1981 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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A Catastrophic Collision That Redefined Her Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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On September 11, 1984, Mandrell’s world was turned upside down by a\u00a0devastating car accident<\/a>. While driving with her two oldest children, their vehicle was struck head-on by another car that veered across the center line.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The collision claimed the life of the 19-year-old driver of the other car and left her and her children with serious injuries. She sustained a broken leg, a concussion, and severe cuts, requiring surgery to stabilize her condition.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her 14-year-old son suffered cuts and was hospitalized, while her 8-year-old daughter was treated and released. Medical professionals at the scene and the hospital later described the family’s survival as nothing short of miraculous.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In reflecting on the accident, she\u00a0noted<\/a>, “All of them said we would have all been dead. No way we could have lived through that.” Her road to recovery was long and grueling. Beyond the physical injuries, the brain trauma she suffered brought challenges that affected her personality and cognitive function.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At times, Mandrell would refer to herself in the third person,\u00a0explaining<\/a>, “That was her… You should have asked her. I can’t do that.” The emotional toll on her family was equally profound, as they rallied around her during this difficult period. “It was so difficult for my whole family, not just me,” she\u00a0shared<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Amid her healing process, her family grew. A year after the accident, she gave birth to\u00a0her third child<\/a>, a son. Initially overwhelmed by the idea of caring for another baby while still recovering, she described him as a miracle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer pictured in 1985 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“We prayed and prayed in that hospital because we couldn’t get [an] ultrasound until the next morning. We had to go all through the night thinking that our baby was dead. When God showed him to us, he wasn’t dead, he was sucking his thumb. God had him safe and sound,” Mandrell\u00a0recalled<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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As she faced the challenges of recovery, the unwavering support of\u00a0her family<\/a>\u00a0became her anchor, guiding her through one of the most difficult periods of her life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barbara Mandrell attends a party on February 28, 1986 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The Power of Love and Faith in Recovery<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Through months of painful recovery, Mandrell’s family became her greatest source of strength. Her husband and her parents provided unwavering support during her physical and emotional struggles. Their faith and encouragement gave her the determination to persevere despite the immense challenges.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer during Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Centers 10th Anniversary Benefit in New York City, on October 8, 1987 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Her husband’s dedication was a constant reminder of their enduring bond. They had met when she was just 14 years old, and their love had withstood the pressures of both fame and personal tragedy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Reflecting on their relationship, she credited their faith as the foundation of their marriage of\u00a057 years<\/a>. “We’re like other couples… but a marriage is three of us [my husband, me, and God],” she\u00a0explained<\/a>. Her father also played a pivotal role in her recovery, urging her to decide her future.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The country singer attends the 17th Annual American Music Awards in 1990 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“When you are ready to retire, then you retire… but don’t let something like that dictate what you do,” he\u00a0advised<\/a>. With her family by her side, she found the strength to not only heal but also to reflect on what mattered most in her life.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A Bold Decision to Step Away<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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Despite regaining her health and returning to the stage, Mandrell began to feel a pull toward a different life. By the mid-1990s, after decades of relentless work and countless accolades, she decided to retire from the spotlight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer performs during the ‘Legend to Legend Night’ on October 26, 1993 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The decision, she shared, was guided by faith and deep discussions with her husband. “Ken and I prayed about it and talked about it,”\u00a0said<\/a>\u00a0the star. “God gave me the answer \u2014 it was very fast and right on the nose.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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At just 48 years old, she walked away from her career, choosing to prioritize family and a quieter existence. Retirement allowed her to focus on simple pleasures like gardening, camping, and spending time with her loved ones.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer and actress at the 22nd Annual American Music Awards in 1995 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Reflecting on her choice, she\u00a0expressed<\/a>\u00a0no regrets, “I’ve really enjoyed it, and the fans are the ones who gave me the chance to, after almost 40 years of work, just be a normal person.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Her transition from a high-profile career to a serene family life marked a new chapter, one where she embraced peace and fulfillment away from the public eye.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The singer with her husband at the 13th Annual People’s Choice Awards in Santa Monica, California, on March 15, 1987 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Finding Joy in the Simple Things<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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In her retirement, the 76-year-old country music legend embraced the quiet pleasures that\u00a0her career<\/a>\u00a0once kept at bay. Gardening became a newfound passion, offering her a serene and grounding activity.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barbara Mandrell poses in the press room at the 43rd Annual CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 11, 2009 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“When I retired, I started gardening. I loved it,” Mandrell\u00a0said<\/a>, reflecting on how it allowed her to connect with nature and enjoy a slower pace of life. However, in a 2006 interview, she\u00a0admitted<\/a>, “I didn’t realize gardening was so tough and rewarding.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In addition, camping, a cherished family tradition, also became a frequent escape, allowing her to create new memories with her loved ones. Mandrell’s love for animals added warmth to her daily routine. She doted on her two Maltipoos, Molly May and Lucy Lou, often taking them on walks around the neighborhood.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barbara Mandrell at the premiere of “The Blind Side” in Nashville, Tennessee, on November 12, 2009 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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“I’ll take my two little dogs and put them in their baby stroller,” Mandrell\u00a0shared<\/a>\u00a0with a laugh, describing the joy they brought her. “They are half Maltese and half Poodle and are so cute!”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Television became another source of enjoyment. Whether watching or simply leaving it on for background comfort, Mandrell found pleasure in catching her favorite shows, from “Blue Bloods” to “Life Below Zero: The Next Generation.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Barbara Mandrell pictured in Nashville, Tennessee on October 30, 2022 | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Whether watching or simply leaving it on for background comfort, Mandrell, who\u00a0performed at the Grand Ole Pry<\/a> in 2022 despite retiring, found pleasure in catching her favorite shows, from “Blue Bloods” to “Life Below Zero: The Next Generation.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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In recognition of her remarkable career, the music star was honored with the 2023 CRB\u00a0Artist Career Achievement Award<\/a> during the Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony last summer in Nashville.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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These simple joys became the cornerstone of\u00a0Barbara Mandrell’s<\/a>\u00a0post-retirement life, reflecting her gratitude for the peace and freedom she had earned after decades of hard work.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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    Country music fans had plenty to say after Kelsea Ballerini’s tribute to Barbara Mandrell at the Grand Ole Opry’s centennial \u2014 some applauded the gesture, while others were … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24501,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24500"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24502,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24500\/revisions\/24502"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/24501"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=24500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usdailys.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=24500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}