In 1997, Barbara Mandrell gave her final performance at the Grand Ole Opry House before retiring from country music. Except for George Jones’ memorial service and one appearance in 2013, Mandrell has not returned to the Opry stage.
The legendary country singer was also inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009, and into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016. But still, you will rarely see her perform in public. She is now spending most of her time with her family. In fact, after she has retired, she sold all of her musical instruments.
“Except for my steel guitar that’s in the Hall of Fame and my dobro that my parents gave me and had engraved, I sold everything else after I retired,” Barbara told The Boot. “I just don’t want any temptation! The only place I sing is on the pew with everybody else in church.”
Louise, on the other hand, released a new album called “Playing Favorites” in 2019. The 15-song collection includes her take on well-loved country classics like “Today I Started Loving You Again,” “Crazy Arms,” “You Don’t Know Me,” “He Thinks I Still Care,” and “Tennessee Waltz.”
“Playing Favorites” is Louise’s return to the spotlight after not releasing any album in more than 30 years. “A lot of people have asked if I’ve retired and I’d say, ‘No, I’ve been on hiatus’ because with my family if you say retired, they expect you to stay that way,” Louise said.
As for Irlene, she has landed a weekly show on Nashville Country Network’s internet radio station, Renegade Radio Nashville. The show is titled “God Rains Miracles,” and will be focusing on everyday miracles.