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 The Malpass Brothers:
www.themalpassbrothers.com
It was a transformative moment when two young brothers discovered their grandfather Malpass’ LPs collection. Drawn like a moth to a flame, the classic-filled treasure trove from the golden era of traditional country music gathered little dust in the Malpass household. Chris and Taylor studied the brother-harmony bluegrass duos of Jim & Jesse, the Louvin and Wilburn Brothers and bathed in the sounds of Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Charlie Pride, Merle Haggard. It was musical Manna to the boys—there was nothing in the marketplace that fed The Malpass Brothers’ soul more than the music of this bygone era--and they would stay true to it. Best known as modern-day troubadours who carry the torch for traditional country music, The Malpass Brothers began singing and playing together professionally at a very young age. Alongside their dad, Chris Malpass Sr., the siblings performed at churches all over the southeast, but they continued to hone their traditional sound by working alongside and amongst the legends. In 2011, Merle Haggard produced The Malpass Brothers’ debut album, Memory That Bad on Hag Records. The title track hit number 6 on the CMT Pure Country 12-Pack Countdown and remained in the charts for several weeks. In 2015, Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductee, Doyle Lawson picked up the gauntlet and produced their sophomore, self-titled album on Organic Records, and since, The Malpass Brothers have two additional albums, Live at the Paramount, and Lonely Street The Malpass Brothers made their Grand Ole Opry debut in December of 2018 and have been asked to return to the hallowed circle well over a dozen times since. The brother duo has headlined international tours and festivals in Ireland, Switzerland, and in Scotland, and been featured on multiple national television shows including TBN’s “The Huckabee Show” and RFD’s “Country’s Family Reunion” and “Larry’s Country Diner”—and compilation of performances from the later was released earlier this year. The Malpass Brothers currently perform over 150 dates per year to packed houses.
About Gail Davies:
http://www.gaildavies.com
Gail Davies is an American singer-songwriter and the first female record producer in country music. She is the daughter of country singer Tex Dickerson and the sister of songwriter Ron Davies. Gail's son, Chris Scruggs, is a former co-lead singer and guitarist for the roots-country band BR549 and is currently on tour with Marty Stuart as a member of his Fabulous Superlatives. Gail Davies established herself as a successful singer and songwriter during the 1970s and 1980s, scoring numerous Top 10 and Top 20 Billboard hits. She was one of country music's most influential artists, becoming the genre's first female record producer. She has been cited as a role model for other female singers, including Suzy Bogguss, Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Pam Tillis. Davies received an IBMA award, along with a Grammy Award nomination, for her duet with Ralph Stanley in 2002. She was nominated for an Americana Music Award that same year for producing and arranging a tribute to Webb Pierce entitled Caught in the Webb. This album featured, along with Davies, George Jones, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Pam Tillis, Dwight Yoakam, Crystal Gayle, Charley Pride, The Del McCoury Band, Allison Moorer, Guy Clark, Dale Watson, The Jordanaires, Rosie Flores, Lionel Cartwright, Robbie Fulks, Mandy Barnett and Billy Walker. Proceeds from this album benefit The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation and The Country Music Hall of Fame. Davies was inducted into The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2018. Although semi-retired, Davies continues to tour, mostly in Europe. She was named "Country Music International Ambassador" during CMA week in 2009 and released her autobiography, The Last of the Outlaws, in 2011. Her latest project is an album dedicated to her late brother entitled Unsung Hero: A Tribute To The Music of Ron Davies. Released in 2013, this album features Dolly Parton, John Prine, Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Shelby Lynne, Rodney Crowell, Suzy Bogguss, John Anderson, Guy Clark, Bonnie Bramlett, and Jazz legend Benny Golson, among others. Proceeds from this album benefit The W.O. Smith Music School and provide musical instruments and lessons for underprivileged children.
About Charlie McCoy:
http://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 Grey Delisle:
www.greydelislegriffin.com
Grey Delisle is a GRAMMY winning singer/ songwriter who is known as the most prolific voice actress in American animation history, having performed over 1500 cartoon voices since 1996. Grey is also a comedian who launched her first stand-up comedy special, “My First Comedy Special” which has received rave reviews. Grey’s most iconic roles include “Vicky” from “The Fairly Odd Parents,” ‘Samantha “Sam” Manson’ from “Danny Phantom,” ‘Mandy’ from “The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy,” ‘Frankie Foster,” ‘Dutchess’ and ‘Goo’ from “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends,” ‘Yumi Yoshimura’ from “Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi,” ‘Azula’ from “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” ‘Kimiko Tohomiko’ from “Xiaolin Showsown,” as well as ‘Lola,’ ‘Lana’ and ‘Lily Loud’ from the “Loud House” and ‘Prince Puppycorn’ from “Unikitty!.” She’s also been the voice of ‘Daphne Blake’ in “Scooby-Doo” cartoons since 2000. Her film roles include ‘Grandma Sanchez’ in “The Book of Life,” ‘Arcee’ in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and “Bumblebee” and ‘Setsu Oiwa’ in Studio Ghibli’s final film, “When Marnie Was There.” Grey is a single mom to her 3 kids and she’s basically kicking ass.
About The Bennett Hall Band:
https://www.thebennetthallband.com
Three sisters, Kat, Presley, and Josie Hope Hall. The band is named after their brother, Bennett, who passed away in 2010.
The trio has been playing piano all over middle Tennessee and beyond on stages such as The Station Inn, CMA Fest, El Dorado Festival, Tom Petty weekend, Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Room, Fox & Locke, NashHouse, Scoreboard Bar & Grill, The Johnny Cash Hideaway Farm, Kimbro's Pickin' Parlor, Pcukett's, Hop Springs, Everett's Music Barn, The Franklin Main Street Festival, just to name a few. With experience under their belt and the ability to accompany themselves on guitar, keys, bass, drums, and more, TBHB is taking on the country music scene by storm.
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.