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 Ella Derby:
https://www.instagram.com/elladerbymusic/
Holding her first violin at only four years old, Ella Derby is now a multi-talented ten year old violinist who started mastering the style of fiddle playing only nine months ago. She is currently holding the title of National Champion in her division from the Smithville Fiddlers Jamboree and also Alabama State Champion in her division at the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention. Her leap to success in the fiddle community led to her first personal invite to visit the Grand Ole Opry as an honored guest which brought her one step closer, she hopes, to her lifelong dream of playing on that stage some day. Ella also began writing and arranging her own songs and fiddle tunes at only five years old. If you catch her in a live performance, you will usually find her Father Don Derby accompanying her on guitar, and you are sure to hear some of her crowd pleasing original tunes. You might even hear her sing!
About Chuck Mead:
http://www.chuckmead.com
Chuck Mead is a Country singer with a rock n roll heart. He’s also a renowned songwriter, producer, music director, musicologist and architect behind the rebirth of Lower Broadway and the Global Neo Traditional Country music movement. This Kansas native, has been at the forefront of what has come to be known as Americana Music for the better part of 25 years. Perhaps best known for co-founding the famed ‘90s Alternative Country quintet, BR5-49, whos 7 albums garnered a CMA Award for Best International Touring Act and three Grammy nominations, helped build an indelible bridge between authentic American Roots music and millions of fans worldwide. Since then he’s toured the globe, entertained thousands on the high seas, released 4 solo albums, made 137 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, co-produced critically acclaimed tribute albums to Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings, acted as Musical Director/Supervisor/Producer of the Broadway hit musical Million Dollar Quartet AND the companion CMT television show Sun Records. With a deep connection to Memphis and a burning desire to keep building musical bridges, Chuck packed up the band and took time out of his crazy schedule last summer to record his fourth solo album with Matt Ross-Spang (Margo Price/John Prine/Jason Isbell/Al Green) at legendary Sam Phillips Recording Studios, the result of which, ‘Close To Home’, was released June 21, 2019 on Plowboy Records. Since 2019 Chuck has also hosted a radio show on 650AM WSM Radio in Nashville called “Face the Music with Chuck Mead.”
About Wendy Moten:
https://www.wendymoten.com
Wendy Moten is a genre-defying singer-songwriter whose soaring vocals earned her the nickname “The Voice,” and there couldn’t be a more appropriate description of the woman who won America’s hearts when she became runner-up on the NBC show The Voice Season 21. As a solo artist, she is known for the Top 5 hit “Come In Out of the Rain” and for her solo performances in stadiums across America with Michael Bolton as his opening act. She's had an extensive recording career releasing three solo projects on EMI Records. She currently released an jazz project entitled WENDY MOTEN Sings Richard Whiting and produced by Paul Brown. She's recorded duets with Michael McDonald, Kirk Whalum, Larry Carlton, Vince Gill, Michael Lington, John Oates as well as movie soundtracks The Pagemaster and Mr. Wonderful. Moten spent two decades as one of the most in-demand background vocalists. She spent about 15 years touring the world with Julio Iglesias as his duet partner, singing in four languages and joining him onstage before world leaders. She toured many years on Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Soul2Soul tours, spent several years with Martina McBride, and joined Vince Gill in 2016. She performs at the Grand Ole Opry often and is a member of the Grammy winning band The Time Jumpers. The Voice positioned Moten as an amazing lead singer and gained her millions of new fans. Now that her impeccable reputation has spread nationally, she’s working with producers including Paul Worley (Martina McBride, Lady A) and eager to showcase all that she can do.
About Giada Valenti
https://giadavalenti.com/home
Born and raised amidst the enchanting canals of Venice, Italy, Giada Valenti is an accomplished singer and songwriter with an intriguing journey that spans across Europe and the United States. Giada's remarkable talents as a singer found early recognition when she was signed by the record label BMG in Europe. In 2005, the stage was set for a significant turning point in her career when a major record label in New York City discovered her mesmerizing voice and her enchanting brand of romantic music. It was an offer she couldn't resist, leading her to make a life-changing move to the United States. Giada Valenti's musical prowess quickly captured the hearts of audiences in the United States, most notably through her mesmerizing music special, "From Venice With Love," which graced the screens of PBS television on a national scale. The widespread acclaim garnered through these PBS airings opened doors to enchanting concert performances in prestigious Performing Arts Centers and Theaters throughout the nation. One of the pivotal moments in Giada's career came in November 2017 when she took center stage in Las Vegas as the headliner at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. The following year, in October 2018, she made her debut at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall in the heart of New York City. Her compelling performances resonated so profoundly that she was invited back by popular demand in 2019. In this same year, the iconic Andrea Bocelli invited her to share the stage with him at a concert that benefited his Foundation, a testament to her incredible talent. While music is the heartbeat of her artistic journey, Giada's love for food is a vital part of her life. She has been a devoted member of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, an esteemed cultural organization recognized by the Italian government, dedicated to exploring Italian culinary experiences around the world. Her passion for food also led her to the morning shows of major television networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, where she dazzled audiences with her culinary skills, often preparing her renowned Tiramisu. In 2022, Giada Valenti embarked on a new chapter as a television presenter. She co-hosted the exhilarating three-hour live broadcast of the Columbus Day Parade, which was aired by ABC7, showcasing her multifaceted talents. The year 2023 ushered in another exciting opportunity, as she was once again invited to co-host the Columbus Day Parade, a testament to her magnetic presence and engaging hosting skills. In 2023, she achieved significant milestones in her career with the release her album “Love Under The Christmas Tree", which is beautifully recorded alongside the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London. Noteworthy collaborations with country music icons Vince Gill and Trace Adkins added an extra layer of allure to the album. She also made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry, performing alongside Trace Adkins. Giada Valenti's life and career are a fusion of the passion she exudes through her music and her culinary explorations. Her enchanting voice and captivating presence continue to leave a lasting impression on audiences around the world, making her a true renaissance artist in the world of entertainment.
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
Holiday Performances are presented by First Bank and supported by CJ's Off The Square!