Mandrell’s Younger Days…
At a very young age, Mandrell has practiced reading music and playing the accordion. She then became adept at playing steel guitar. With this, her father brought her to a music trade convention which captured the attention of Chet Akins and Joe Maphis. Afterwards, she became a featured performer in Maphis’ Las Vegas nightclub show, followed by tours with Red Foley, Tex Ritter, and Johnny Cash.
While growing up, Mandrell learned to play the pedal steel and lap steel guitars, and many other instruments, including the accordion, saxophone, and banjo.
At the age of 13, Mandrell toured around the globe with Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and George Jones.
A few years later, Mandrell and her sisters Louise and Irlene, as well as her parents, founded the Mandrell Family Band. They toured across the United States and Asia.