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 Pat McLaughlin:
Pat McLaughlin is an American singer-songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. He was raised in Waterloo, Iowa, but moved to San Francisco, California, in the early 1970s. There McLaughlin began to write songs, playing alone at open mic nights and in the streets near the bay. After a brief stint in Boston, he moved to Nashville where he formed a band and released his first album in 1980. Two consecutive projects for Capitol Records followed. His first major label album Pat McLaughlin made its debut in 1988.
In the late 1980s, McLaughlin experienced his first mainstream country music success when Steve Wariner recorded McLaughlin's song "Lynda". Wariner's version climbed to the top of the charts, winning McLaughlin his first BMI Country Award in 1988. In 1992, Tanya Tucker and Delbert McClinton had a hit with McLaughlin's "Tell Me About It"—another BMI award resulted from this song. During his years in New Orleans, McLaughlin also released records produced by Jim Rooney (Hal Ketchum) and Ben Keith (Neil Young).
In 1997 along with former Subdudes members Tommy Malone and Johnny Ray Allen plus drummer Kenneth Blevins, McLaughlin formed Tiny Town. The quartet recorded one self-titled album, produced by Bernie Leadon in 1998.[2] McLaughlin's compositions have been recorded by artists including Bonnie Raitt, Alan Jackson, Taj Mahal, Trisha Yearwood, Al Kooper, Nanci Griffith, Josh Turner, Gary Allan, Shawn Camp and Don Williams.
Gary Allan recorded McLaughlin's "Songs About Rain" in 2003, securing yet another BMI Country Award for McLaughlin. Allan's 2010 release, Get off the Pain, includes two McLaughlin co-writes: "I Think I've Had Enough" and "When You Give Yourself Away.”
As a studio musician he has contributed guitar to projects by Jamie Hartford, Rosanne Cash, Julie Roberts, Don Williams, Al Kooper, Shawn Camp, Cowboy Jack Clement, Neil Diamond, Johnny Cash and many more.
In early 2010, he was featured on "Jammin' at Hippie Jacks," which airs on select public television stations across the U.S. He has also been performing with songwriters Shawn Camp and Al Anderson (formerly of NRBQ) in a band called The World Famous Headliners.
In November 2010, Pat McLaughlin appeared as an opening act for John Prine. "Summer's End," a song McLaughlin wrote with Prine, was The Americana Music Association 2019 Song of the Year. McLaughin also co-wrote Prine's final song with him before his death: "I Remember Everything", which won the 2021 AMA Song of the Year award and the Best American Roots Song.
About John Datoy Narum:
https://www.instagram.com/johndatoy
John Narum is a yo-yo artist from Fargo, North Dakota. He has been a veteran of yo-yo performance discipline since he was just 4 years old. Inspired by seeing a special guest on the Bill Cosby show, he simply just wanted to learn tricks with the yo-yo. His mother found out about a local yo-yo club where kids were teaching each other tricks, and Narum jumped into the loop. The group disbanded about 5 years after John first joining, and John was at the point in which he started developing his own style and tricks, having in mind a dream: to be the best yo-yo player in the world someday.
That wish came true in 2005 when Narum was crowned the World Champion, and the youngest to achieve such a title at 11 years old. After Narum won the world championship title, he was shocked and was in a stand-still on where next his yo-yo career would take him. He sought possibly more satisfaction through competition, but it backfired on him and he found himself questioning if this was the end of the road for him.
It wasn't. He started volunteering at the local Children's Hospital in honor of a friend he lost to Leukemia during elementary school, and performing all around the nation doing shows and promoting the themes of self-talent awareness and power through passion. That alone has driven him to keep pursuing new opportunities to share his journey throughout yo-yoing.
About Mariachi Viva Mexico
Mariachi Viva Mexico specializes in a wide range of mariachi classics, from soulful ballads (rancheras) to upbeat tunes (sones). Established in 2009, our band brings together talented musicians with a passion for preserving the rich heritage of mariachi. Whether you're looking for the stirring sound of trumpets, the deep call of the guitarron, or the sweet strings of the vihuela, our band provides an authentic mariachi experience that resonates with diverse audiences.
About Kim Richey
ttps://kimrichey.com
Two-time Grammy nominated Kim Richey is a storyteller with a voice so pure, arresting and honest, it literally aches with life’s truths. She transports the listener to a world where words paint pictures and melodies touch the soul, her voice is pure arresting and honest.
Over the past two decades Kim has released ten critically acclaimed albums, been listed in the ‘Top 10 Albums of 1999’ in Time Magazine for her album Glimmer, plus received 4-stars in Rolling Stone and named ‘AltCountry Album of the Year’ in People Magazine for her album Rise. Her 2013 release Thorn In My Heart was named in year’s end best lists by No Depression, The Boston Globe and The Associated Press. She has written two #1 singles and had four others hit Top 10. Her songs have been recorded by Trisha Yearwood, Mary Chapin Capenter, James Morrison, Brooks and Dunn and many others.
Kim has contributed backing vocals on albums by Trisha Yearwood, Ryan Adams, Shawn Colvin and Jason Isbell to name a few. Kim’s songs have been featured in films and television series over the years ranging from recent placements in NASHVILLE (three songs) and Bones to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson’s Creek and many more.
In May ’23 Kim was special guest around the UK and Holland opening for, and playing with, Gretchen Peters on her final extended tour here. On her return to the USA Kim’s been playing her own headline dates to great acclaim across the country. She’s recently been recording in the studio in Nashville with some top players and the results will be heard in 2024 on a new album, tentatively titled “Every New Beginning” on her long standing label Yep Roc Records. It’s this release which will be promoted, along with fans fave classics, when Kim tours here and Europe in 2024
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:
