Kelsea Ballerini Pays Tribute to Country Legend Barbara Mandrell With a Stunning Performance of “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” at the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th Anniversary Celebration—A Night to Remember!
Kelsea Ballerini delivered a heartfelt tribute to Barbara Mandrell during the Opry 100 celebration, performing a powerful rendition of I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool. Honoring Mandrell’s lasting influence on country music, Ballerini’s performance was both nostalgic and deeply moving, earning roaring applause from the audience. The night was a celebration of country music’s rich history, and Ballerini’s stunning tribute stood out as one of the evening’s most memorable moments. Fans and country music legends alike praised her for capturing the song’s timeless spirit. Watch the unforgettable performance below! 🎶👏👇
The year-long celebration honoring the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary kicked off on Wednesday night, March 19, with a special three-hour televised event broadcast live from the iconic venue.
The special, titled Opry 100, featured a star-studded lineup of country music legends and rising stars who took the stage for performances throughout the night.
One unforgettable moment was when Kelsea Ballerini gave a beautiful tribute to country legend Barbara Mandrell.
The Legacy Of Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell’s appearance during Opry 100 was a big moment, as she paved the way for many female artists in country music. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she helped shape the genre by blending country with pop, creating a string of major hits.
Kelsea Ballerini Pays Tribute To Barbara Mandrell During ‘Opry 100’

Kelsea Ballerini pays tribute to Barbara Mandrell during Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration
The Grand Ole Opry Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary With Opry 100 Event
The year-long celebration honoring the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary kicked off on Wednesday night, March 19, with a special three-hour televised event broadcast live from the iconic venue.
The special, titled Opry 100, featured a star-studded lineup of country music legends and rising stars who took the stage for performances throughout the night.
One unforgettable moment was when Kelsea Ballerini gave a beautiful tribute to country legend Barbara Mandrell.
The Legacy Of Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell’s appearance during Opry 100 was a big moment, as she paved the way for many female artists in country music. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she helped shape the genre by blending country with pop, creating a string of major hits.
Though she retired from performing in 1997, her legacy includes 25 studio albums, 11 Grammy nominations with two wins, and six ACM Awards, including the prestigious Pioneer Award.
Mandrell released “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” in 1981, which featured an uncredited guest appearance by George Jones. The song quickly topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart. That same year, it earned nominations for Single of the Year at both the CMA and ACM Awards.
She has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry for 50 years and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.
Kelsea Ballerini Pays Tribute To Barbara Mandrell With Special Performance
To honor Mandrell’s contributions to country music, Kelsea Ballerini performed a special rendition of “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” during Opry 100. Before the performance, Mandrell herself took the stage to introduce Ballerini.
Kelsea Ballerini wore a beautiful yellow dress as she delivered a powerful rendition of Mandrell’s classic song. Mandrell watched from the side of the stage, taking in the special tribute.
Watch Kelsea Ballerini’s tribute to Barbara Mandrell in the video below.
News
“Holding this secret felt like poison” – Hoda Kotb unleashes a chilling revelation that rattles NBC’s foundations, exposing the DARK TRUTH behind her Today Show exit and leaving viewers questioning the hidden dangers for women in television’s most trusted spaces
“Holding this secret felt like poison” – Hoda Kotb unleashes a chilling revelation that rattles NBC’s foundations, exposing the DARK…
“People thought she wouldn’t dare” – Lisa Kudrow SHOCKS audiences with a brutal and sarcastic impersonation of Karoline Leavitt, turning a single line into a viral firestorm that now has millions debating whether the comedian went too far or struck comedy gold
“People thought she wouldn’t dare” – Lisa Kudrow SHOCKS audiences with a brutal and sarcastic impersonation of Karoline Leavitt, turning…
“I never thought I’d have to say this on live TV” – Good Morning America SHATTERED as Michael Strahan delivers heartbreaking canc3r news that brings anchors to TEARS and leaves the studio in stunned silence while viewers struggle to process the bombshell revelation
“I never thought I’d have to say this on live TV” – Good Morning America SHATTERED as Michael Strahan delivers…
“She gave everything so her son could chase his dream” – Single mom’s GRUELING two-mile walk every day for football practice ends in tears of shock as Pete Hegseth steps in with a life-changing surprise that turns struggle into hope under the Friday night lights
“She gave everything so her son could chase his dream” – Single mom’s GRUELING two-mile walk every day for football…
Just before the wedding, my daughter tore apart the dress i had spent six months making. in front of 200 guests, she shouted.CH2
Just before the wedding, my daughter tore apart the dress i had spent six months making. in front of 200…
At my final prenatal appointment, the doctor looked at the ultrasound, trembling. he told me quietly, “you need to leave here and step away from your husband.” CH2
At my final prenatal appointment, the doctor looked at the ultrasound, trembling. he told me quietly, “you need to leave…
End of content
No more pages to load