Artist News: Sarah Darling's Opry Debut

Photo: Chris Hollo

Darling’s Opry Debut

Black River artist Sarah Darling made her Grand Ole Opry debut last Saturday (2/26) snapping her fingers to her new single, “Something To Do With Your Hands.” Grand Ole Opry member, and the show’s host for the evening, Vince Gill, performed Sarah’s “Bad Habit” a track from her new album Angels & Devils. Vince later brought Sarah on stage to close the show, along with Keb Mo, to sing “Go Rest High On That Mountain.”

DeFord Bailey Record is New Exhibit at Fontanel

Pat Bullard, a LifeWorks Foundation trustee and founder of the Nashville Music Garden, recently presented The Fontanel Mansion & Farm a priceless piece of Nashville’s music history, a rare, original 78 recording of DeFord Bailey’s “Ice Water Blues/Davidson County Blues” accompanied by photos of Bailey with the original members of the Grand Ole Opry cast, circa 1920.

(L-R): Marc Oswald, Co-owner Fontanel Mansion & Farm; and Jaime Dudney, Dir. Hospitality (and Mandrell’s daughter).

Mac McAnally Honored For Outstanding Achievements

Renowned songwriter, artist and musician Mac McAnally was honored last week with two prestigious acknowledgements, both presented by his home state of Mississippi. First during a ceremony in Jackson, and emceed by Marty Stuart, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour and the Mississippi Arts Commission presented McAnally with the 2011 Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. A bronze cast statue designed by artist Bill Dunlap represents the distinction. The next day, McAnally became only the sixth artist to be recognized with a marker on the Mississippi Country Music Trail. The marker was unveiled at the same city park in Belmont, MS where McAnally played as a child.

(L-R): Alex Thomas, Miss. Development of Tourism & Music; J.P. Wileman, Miss. State Senate; Mac McAnally; Malcolm White, Exec. Dir. Miss. Arts Commission.

The Oak Ridge Boys Immortalized at The Palm

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of their legendary hit “Elvira,” The Oak Ridge Boys have been honored as the most recent addition to The Palm family. With a caricature unveiling on Friday, their images became immortalized forever among the dining rooms which are characterized by the panorama of classic cartoons and caricatures of local regulars, businessmen, politicians, and celebrities.