Variety on Main at the Franklin Theatre is a captivating blend of entertainment that transcends generations. This vaudeville-style show seamlessly weaves together performances from seasoned artists and up-and-coming talents. It's a celebration of talent, tradition, and the vibrant spirit of community, all under the historic charm of the Franklin Theatre.
THE PRESENTERS
About Mandy Barnett: www.mandybarnett.com
Mandy Barnett, a Nashville treasure and Grand Ole Opry member, has left an indelible mark on the country music scene. Renowned for her soulful voice and versatile talent, Mandy rose to prominence as the original star of "Always... Patsy Cline" at the Ryman Auditorium. A veteran performer, she has garnered critical acclaim for her performances and recordings. Hailing from Crossville, Mandy's roots run deep, she stands as a respected figure and a favorite among critics. Whether captivating audiences with her Opry performances or exploring diverse musical landscapes, Mandy Barnett continues to shine as a luminary in the world of country music.
About Monica Ramey:
www.monicaramey.com "Now that the trend of aging rockers cutting albums of show tunes and standards seems thankfully to have run its course, we're back to vocalists with a real feel for and understanding of the jazz tradition doing them justice. Nashville's Monica Ramey is a shining example. Her delivery offers resourceful, soaring and engaging interpretations of material from The Great American Songbook." -Ron Wynn, Nashville Scene Monica is a native of Francesville, one of Indiana’s smallest towns. She moved to Nashville in 2000 after college, studying under some of the nation’s finest jazz musicians. Ramey is best known for her longstanding musical relationship with jazz pianist Beegie Adair. Together, they appeared on and produced multiple recordings and played sold out jazz clubs across the US, most often Birdland Jazz Club in New York.
THE GUESTS
About Alyssa Bonagura:
https://www.alyssabonagura.com/
Born and raised in Music City, Alyssa Bonagura has become a celebrated songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist that has spent the past decade fine-tuning a sound that reaches far beyond her Nashville roots. For Alyssa — a lifelong road warrior who grew up on a tour bus with her country music parents Baillie & The Boys, recorded a duet with Kenny Rogers at 10 years old, received her college diploma from Sir Paul McCartney at LIPA in Liverpool, performed stadium shows opening for Rod Stewart as a member of the major-label duo The Sisterhood Band, and currently balances her critically-acclaimed solo career with an ongoing gig writing songs for Jessie James Decker, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, and others — it's also a sound that's every bit as diverse as her own story. Alyssa’s song “I Make My Own Sunshine” was used in a nation wide Lowe’s commercial in 2012 and her latest EP “Love Wins” has already landed multiple film & TV placements on major shows such as “Love Is Blind” & “Love Island.” In the last two years she’s been splitting her time between London & Nashville making waves through the British Country music scene as an independent artist. 2024 marked her first international packed out headline tour promoted by AEG and landed her a direct support slot on The Shires ‘Two of Us’ sold out acoustic tour in 25 cities. She’s performed at legendary festivals including Glastonbury, C2C at the O2 Arena, HIGHWAYS at the Royal Albert Hall, Jags Country at Wembley Arena with Clint Black, BST at Hyde Park opening for Billy Joel, The Long Road Festival and Black Deer, & gained major radio support from legendary Bob Harris on BBC Radio 2. Alyssa was also asked to represent the United States of America by singing the National Anthem at Wembley Stadium for 87,000 people in London for the NFL Jacksonville Jaguars commemorative game.
About Baillie and the Boys: Baillie & the Boys are an American country music group. Founded in 1987 by Kathie Baillie (lead vocals, guitar) and her husband, Michael Bonagura (background vocals, guitar), along with Alan LeBoeuf (bass guitar, background vocals). Baillie & the Boys have recorded five studio albums and charted ten Top-40 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts (between 1987 and 1991). In 1977, Bonagura met singer Kathie Baillie after a friend sent him recordings of her work; Bonagura and Baillie married the same year. Shortly afterward, Bonagura and Baillie joined up with LeBoeuf, forming the lineup for Baillie & the Boys. The trio toured throughout the state of New Jersey, and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, after a friend persuaded them. The trio first found work singing harmony vocals on singles for Ed Bruce, Dan Seals, and Randy Travis, and Bonagura co-wrote Marie Osmond's single "There's No Stopping Your Heart". In 1987, Baillie & the Boys were signed to a record deal on the RCA Records label. Their self-titled album was released that year, producing three Top 20 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles (now Hot Country Songs) charts. Turn The Tide, their second album, was released a year later. It produced four consecutive Top 10 hits on the country charts, including "(Wish I Had a) Heart of Stone", their highest-charting single. LeBoeuf left the group in 1988 shortly after the release of Turn the Tide. Baillie & the Boys then toured as a duo, with their 1990 album The Lights of Home including only Baillie and Bonagura, although Lance Hoppen, formerly of Orleans, filled in while the band was on tour with George Strait. The role was later filled by Roger McVay, who had toured with the band since 1992 but was not declared an official member until 1995. McVay's first appearance as an official member was on the 1996 album Lovin' Every Minute. The group then went on hiatus before reuniting in August 1998 to perform a benefit concert in Daytona Beach, Florida, one year before McVay left. LeBoeuf again assumed the role of high harmony vocals, returning the band to its original lineup. A fifth album, titled The Road That Led Me to You, was released on an independent label in 2000. Baillie also released a solo album, titled Love's Funny That Way, on February 20, 2007. The title track of Baillie's solo album was released as a single shortly after. In December 2011, Baillie & the Boys released the album Unplugged, through the New York-based SynErgy Entertainment label.
About T. Graham Brown:
https://tgrahambrown.com/
The inimitable T. Graham Brown began his musical journey in 1973 while attending the University of Georgia in his hometown of Athens. After moving to Nashville in 1982, Grammy & two-time ACM nominated, CMA Award, Diamond Addy Award For Excellence in Advertising, multi-Telly and back-to-back Prism Award-winning chart-topper honed his skills as a songwriter after signing with EMI Publishing Company. At the same time, he began to sing songwriter's demos and the writers and producers began to hear the power and soul in his singing. The Nashville music business knew he was a talent to be reckoned with. Within two years of arriving in Music City, Capitol Records signed him to an exclusive recording contract and what would become a long list of albums that took country music by storm. He has also recorded for Warner Brothers and Sony and now has a distribution relationship with Warner Music Group-ADA. Simultaneously, he started a long and successful career singing advertising jingles. He was the "Face and Voice" of Taco Bell's wildly successful "Run For The Border" T.V. campaign for over four years. His wide range of vocal ability could also be heard on national music ads for McDonald's, Burger King, Hardee's, Coca Cola, Dr. Pepper, 7-Up, Almond Joy, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Ford, Dodge, Harrah's Casinos, and dozens more. He has hit the Billboard, Cash Box and Christian Music Charts 35 times with hits such as "I Tell It Like It Used To Be," self-penned "Hell And High Water" and "Darlene." Also, he wrote the multiple award-winning song, "Wine Into Water," which has been recorded over a hundred times by artists all over the world, including Loretta Lynn on her critically acclaimed album, "Full Circle." As a recording artist, songwriter, performer and producer, Brown has scored multiple number-one songs in the country, blues and gospel fields. Over the years, "His T-Ness" has recorded with many other artists. His duet partners have included Grammy winners The Beach Boys, Vince Gill, George Jones, Jason Crabb, Brad Davis, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Michael McDonald, Steve Cropper, and Leon Russell. Brown's latest album, 'From Memphis To Muscle Shoals' is a tribute to 1960’s soul and features duets with Country Music Hall of Fame members Tanya Tucker and Wynonna and Rock & Roll Hall Fame members Sam Moore, Little Anthony, Steve Cropper, Sammy Hagar along with Randy Houser, Dwight Yoakam, Bettye LaVette, Delbert McClinton, Eddie Floyd, and Zach Williams and has been featured by Cowboys & Indians, RFD-TV, Fox News Digital, and more. T. Graham Brown is one of the newest members of the Grand Ole Opry and maintains a busy touring schedule all over the U.S. and Europe. He'll tell you with a grin, "I've got a band and a bus, and I'll keep taking the music to the people as long as God lets me. It's what I love to do!"
About The Striking Matches
https://www.strikingmatches.com
In a twist of fate at Belmont University, Sarah Zimmermann and Justin Davis found themselves paired for a surprise improvisational guitar battle. An unexpected fiery chemistry was ignited and forged a connection so deep it created its own language. With their guitars as both voice and translator, they've developed a unique sound that speaks directly to the soul. The duo's distinctiveness lies in their shared roles as lead guitarists and vocalists, defying conventions in a male-female dynamic. They effortlessly meld country, blues, rock, and Americana; paying homage to tradition while trailblazing innovation. Their achievements speak volumes, from winning Best International Artist at the British Country Music Awards to touring the world and having over a dozen of their songs featured in TV and film, from ABC’s Nashville, to Grey’s Anatomy and American Idol. Anticipation builds for their second full-length record in 2024, the most authentic representation of their artistry yet. Brimming with honest, organic narratives, Striking Matches remains resolute in their mission to craft timeless music that resonates deeply with the heart and soul.
About Charlie McCoy:
https://www.charliemccoy.com
There are numerous super-session musicians in Nashville, but very few with the longevity of Charlie McCoy. In addition to being a fixture in Nashville studios for 60 years and has recorded 44 solo albums. Charlie McCoy began working sessions in the early 60s, one of the first being “Candy Man” by Roy Orbison. Shortly after, Charlie became one of the in-demand session players in Nashville. His session credits are literally a who’s who of country music and is credited to more than 14,000 sessions to date. He’s predominately known as a harmonica player, but his musical prowess encompasses other instruments including guitar, bass, mallet percussion, (vibes, marimba, bells, etc.), keyboards, and various wind instruments. In addition to country sessions, Charlie was a mainstay on Elvis Presley recordings both in Nashville and Los Angeles, along with several record dates with Bob Dylan and Simon and Garfunkle’s iconic record “The Boxer”. He won the Grammy in 1972 for his album, “The Real McCoy”. He won CMA’s “Instrumentalist Of The Year” two times and the Academy Of Country Music’s “Specialty Instrument Award” seven times. He’s had 10 country chart singles and 14 charted albums. Among his highest honors, Charlie is a member of the Grand Ole Opry. He is a member of the International Musician’s Hall Of Fame and the West Virginia Music Hall Of Fame an honorary degree of Doctor of Musical Arts from the West Virginia University School of Music. In October, 2009, Charlie was inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame along with Roy Clark and Barbara Mandrell. He served as the music director for eighteen years for the syndicated television series, “Hee Haw” and a music director for other television shows including “The Colgate Country Showdown” and “The Arthritis Telethon”. He was in the house band for the TNN show “Music City Tonight” with Crook and Chase.
About Mike Schikora
https://www.instagram.com/mike_schikora_music/
In a world full of wannabes who are “all hat, no cowboy,” Mike Schikora is “all cowboy, many hats”! An outlaw renaissance man and a boundless creative led by his muse. The Montana-born Texas transplant lives mostly off-grid in his “barndominium” adorned with custom and reclaimed furniture, lauded by both residential and commercial clients. There, you’ll often find him in the kitchen skillfully preparing his edible art as a part-time gourmet caterer. Outside of the home, Schikora is a passionate horseman who has been featured in American Cowboy, Dressage Today and The Horse Connection magazines. Schikora has spent much of his life in the saddle, breeding his half-Arabian sporthorses for show and has actually traveled across the Continental Divide on his most trusted steed, JB. In pursuit of his latest muse, music, Mike Schikora teamed up with Michael Bonagura and Kathie Baillie of the GRAMMY- NOMINATED ‘90s group BAILLIE AND THE BOYS to release his fourth album Outlaw From The South. The debut single, “Last Rose Of Summer” is a mid-tempo romantic love letter painted on a classic country canvas. Mike has opened for Guy Clark, Baillie & The Boys, Chely Wright, Alyssa Bonagura, Troy Cartwright, Austin Cunningham and Mark David Manders. He has performed at SXSW three years in a row.
THE MAINSTAYS
About Pat Coil:
www.patcoil.com
Pat is an accomplished pianist, composer, producer, arranger, teacher, and highly respected studio musician. His credits span the musical spectrum of jazz, R&B, pop, country and gospel. His touring and recording credits include Michael McDonald, Carmen McRae, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Woody Herman, Larry Carlton, Natalie Cole, Nancy Wilson,Trisha Yearwood, George Strait, Peter Cetera, Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers, Travis Tritt and Olivia Newton John. Additionally, Pat has taught jazz piano, improvisation and combos at MTSU and served at Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at the renowned University of North Texas. We’re honored to have Pat at our Musical Director for Variety on Main. The Mainstays include Brian Allen (bass), Larry Aberman (drums) and Sam Hunter (guitar).
About Brian Allen:
www.brianallenonbass.com
Hailing from Columbus, Indiana, Brian started playing the bass at age eleven. His playing won him several awards throughout high school, including the prestigious Louis Armstrong Jazz award. Brian has toured and recorded with a diverse range of artists, including The Oak Ridge Boys, Brandi Carlisle, Lori Mckenna, Jason Isbell, Keb Mo, Christopher Cross, Miranda Lambert, Sturgill Simpson, Zac Brown, Jamey Johnson, Shooter Jennings, Dolly Parton, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sara Bareilles, John Scofield, Natalie Cole, Four Tops and the Temptations. Brian has taught at the world famous Musicians Institute (MI) and private lessons and live playing workshops.He plays all types of basses, from a standard four string to a six string fretted and fretless. He also plays upright bass and cello.
About Larry Aberman:
www.larryaberman.com
Larry Aberman is a drummer whose career has taken him from the stage of Avery Fisher Hall as a percussion soloist with the NY Philharmonic to the studios of Memphis to record the Grammy winning CD "Family Style" with Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan. A graduate of The Eastman School of Music, Larry has recorded and toured with artists like Wynton Marsalis, David Lee Roth, Lionel Richie, Dianne Reeves, John Hiatt, Ben Harper, Aaron Neville, Paul Williams, Joe Sample, Marcus Miller and Foreigner, just to name a few. Larry worked in Las Vegas with Cirque du Soleil’s “Zumanity” at the New York New York Hotel and Casino. He is an adjunct professor of applied drum set at UNLV as well as a sub percussionist for the Las Vegas Philharmonic. He continues to compose and record drums remotely via the web for numerous album, TV and film projects.
About Sam Hunter:
www.sammusicsongs.com
Sam Hunter is a Nashville based singer, songwriter, session and producer. The multi-talented musician’s writing credits include hits for Ronnie Milsap and Willie Nelson and for TV shows for CMT and Fox. Additionally, Sam has written songs for movies like “Bad Roomies”, “The Confirmation” and “Dial a Prayer". His session credits include Willie Nelson, George Strait, Ronnie Milsap, Mandy Barnett, , Bob Babbitt, Amy Grant, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Hayden Panettiere, Jewel and many others.
Proud Partners of Variety On Main:
