When my friend Mandy Barnett told me she was releasing Winter Wonderland, a holiday-themed album full of classic Christmas songs, I was thrilled.  I've known Mandy for years and like all of her fans, have longed for new music from a woman many consider one of the best voices, not just in country music, but the recording industry as a whole.  

I recently had a chance to sit down with Mandy to talk about her new Winter Wonderland CD.  Released in September as a collaboration between Rounder Records and Cracker Barrel, it's available exclusively at the sothern-style restaurants' Old Country Stores and online.

Thanks largely to Mandy's amazing vocal skills and a stellar team of Nashville musicians and producers, Mandy's Winter Wonderland (her first new release in eleven years) is rising up the charts at speeds to rival Santa's sleigh.  

Mandy's holiday-themed album is currently #16 on Billboard's Heatseekers Album Chart and #55 on their overall Country Album Chart. Not only is the album itself doing well, the breathtakingly beautiful video for Mandy's Christmas single, This Time of the Year debuted recently on GACTV.com, where it's currently the #1 streaming clip of holiday music videos.

RAPID FIRE 20 Q WITH MANDY BARNETT

JP: You've been doing a number of in-store appearances and mini-concerts at area Cracker Barrel stores to promote your new holiday-themed CD, Winter Wonderland. What's been the most fun aspect of these in-store events?

MANDY BARNETT: Getting to meet all of the folks, of course signing records.  I even met a lady who told me she was best friends with my grandmother in high school, you just never know who you're going to meet at any given time.  My grandmother passed away last year, so it meant a lot to me to meet her.  As far as fun, just seeing the happy looks on people's faces while I'm singing, and of course, the food is wonderful! 

JP: On the subject of Cracker Barrel, you joined me and my Mom for lunch after your recent Dickson in-store. Knowing you're a Southern gal through-and-through, what makes your must-have list from the Cracker Barrel menu? 

MANDY BARNET: Well it depends on how good I'm being at the moment.  When I'm watching the waist line, I love their grilled chicken salad, but when I'm not, I LOVE the chicken fried chicken with gravy, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese...more carbs than I need, but boy is it good.

JP: Of all the songs on your new album, what's your personal favorite?  

MANDY BARNETT: This Time Of The Year.

JP: Speaking of This Time of The Year, the music video is beautiful. You'd worked with director David McClister before, right? 

MANDY BARNETT: Yes, I actually did David's first video ever.  The song was Planet Of Love, later we did a video to The Whispering Wind. He's also married to Gina Binkley who does all of my album artwork...They are a great, talented pair.

JP: The trains featured in the video are the perfect compliment to the traditional holiday feel of the song and the album itself. Most of the video was shot at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum right here in Nashville wasn't it? 

MANDY BARNETT:It was.  It's funny you can live in Nashville all of these years and not realize it's there, but I can't imagine a more perfect setting.  It was totally David's idea.  That's why I love working with him.  I don't question him, I don't have to, he just knows, and gets it and that's such a good feeling.

JP: From what I know, another of your longtime collaborators, legendary producer, the late Owen Bradley introduced you to the song, This Time of The Year. While it's the sole song on the project that I personally wasn't familiar with, your take fits seamlessly with other classics included on the project like the title track Winter Wonderland orA Holly Jolly Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock. What can you tell me about This Time of The Year?

MANDY BARNETT:About a month before Owen passed away, he asked me to do a show with him at St. Thomas hospital for his doctors and the pacemaker patients, so I told him I would love to do it.  The band, was Buddy Harman, Billy Linneman, Harold Bradley and Owen on piano....not too shabby.  We made a song list and he played that song for me, and I fell in love with it.  We performed the song at the party.

JP: Over the years, Owen Bradley produced most of the iconic ladies of country music, including Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Patsy Cline and yourself. He was a big influence on you from an early age, right?

MANDY BARNETT: I remember my dad taking me to a doctor's appointment in Nashville and we stopped in a Red Lobster.  I was about ten years old.  I saw Owen and his wife, Katherine come in and take a seat.  It was in the winter time and he was wearing a red fur hat. I was itching to go over there and say something to him, but dad said, ah don't bother him, but I sure wanted to.  Later I told him the story and asked him about the hat and he said, Burl Ives gave that hat to me and I still have it!

JP: Not only do the songs you chose for Winter Wonderland have a great history, but you've also included a number of legendary players like Owen's brother, guitarist Harold Bradley and equally celebrated baritone Louis Nunley to be part of this project. You'd worked with both of them on several occasions, hadn't you? 

MANDY BARNETT:I've worked with every one who played on the record, but Harold and Louis, have been huge parts of my recording life....I look up to both of them very much.  Harold toured with me also for a long time and I have to credit him for helping me become a responsible, prepared artist. Louis has such a beautiful voice and such a talent for writing vocal arrangements.  I'm honored to work with these guys.

JP: Who else do you have playing onWinter Wonderland?

MANDY BARNETT: Hoot Hester, who was one of the Statesiders with Mel Tillis, has been on Nashville Now and the Grand Ole Opry in their staff bands, started the group The Time Jumpers.  I had five original band members on a gig in NY when the whole thing was conceptualized.  Brad Albin, one of the best finds I've had in a long time.  He's talented, he's professional and will continue to gain momentum throughout his career. He's one of the finest bass players I've ever worked with.  Gene Chrisman, my drummer, is a legend...you can't believe the records he's played on.  He's been on many country albums, but known for his recording sessions with the Memphis Boys who recorded with Elvis, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Neil Diamond, BJ Thomas and countless others....When you hear In The Ghetto and Son Of A Preacher Man,  that's Gene.  He's been with me the last ten years and is one of greatest musicians I've ever worked with.  Tony Migliore, who I've known since I was 12 years old.  He's my piano player and string arranger.  He's also Don McLean's musical director.  Tony gets me and so does Andy Reiss who played many of the guitar parts along with Harold.  Andy is one of the most versatile musicians I've ever known.  He and I could do a set in a speak easy in New York City or play a country dive bar, all in the same day.  He plays it all well. He's also an original member of The Time Jumpers.  Lloyd Green, I've never recorded with til this record, but we've worked together live several times and on other artist records I have produced.  Lloyd is an innovator of the steel guitar.  Introducing a new sound on Warner Mack's The Bridge Washed Out and recorded with George Jones, Don Williams, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride and Paul McCartney.  Gary Prim, is a fantastic piano player, who I've worked with many times, he has recorded with Dolly, Alan Jackson and countless others.  Bob Mater, who also records with me and does a lot of live work with me, played drums on several recordings.  He is a fantastic drummer, he works with many orchestra's and can tackle country or jazz.  He's recorded and toured with many artists and works with The Nashville Jazz Orchestra.

JP: With all these storied musicians and familiar songs on Winter Wonderland, it's evident traditions and histories mean a great deal to you. Let's talk about some of your holiday traditions and memories. Do you have a favorite Christmas movie or holiday special?  

MANDY BARNETT: I love Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, with Burl Ives as the snowman. 

JP: Is there one Christmas memory that stands out in your mind from your childhood? 

MANDY BARNETT: Not one in particular, but every year we would spend Christmas Eve with my Grandparents and Aunts, Uncles and cousins, I have a lot of great memories from all of us being together.

JP: Was there ever anything you asked for at Christmas but didn't get? 

MANDY BARNETT: As my tastes got more expensive, I'm sure there were a lot of things I didn't get.  My parents never spoiled me, but I had everything I needed.

JP: Each year when I go to my Mom's during the holidays, there a figurine of Santa kneeling in front of a little Baby Jesus.  When I see it, I know I'm home for Christmas.  When do you get that feeling when you visit your Mom in Crossville during the holidays?  

MANDY BARNETT: The dancing Santa that dances to Jingle Bell Rock.

JP: What's on your Christmas List this year?

MANDY BARNETT: I asked for some comfortable clothes to wear around the house.  I'm a home body so being buried up with fleece and hot tea makes me happy.

JP: When you were young, did you ever make your Mom something crafty for Christmas? 

MANDY BARNETT:No, but living in the country, I often would take an ax and cut down the tree and drag it home....that was my contribution.

JP: Around the holiday's stores suddenly stock up on apple cider, egg nog, gingerbread cookies and peppermint bark. Is there a typically season drink or snack that you secretly crave all year round?  

MANDY BARNETT: Hot chocolate

JP: Which do you prefer, Heat Miser or Jack Frost?  

MANDY BARNETT: Jack Frost

JP: Do you travel much during the holidays, or are you usually home? 

MANDY BARNETT:I've never traveled during the holidays....sometimes my mother will come to Nashville, but most of the time I head East to Crossville for the family thing.

JP: I know you've got a New Year's Eve concert at Mt. Pleasant Grille. Can you give me a little insider info on what songs you might be performing yet?

MANDY BARNETT:I like to give a little variety in my show.  So you know you'll hear some country, but I will do some seasonal songs, a little rockabilly and some songs from the American Song Book.

JP: One last question, and I gotta tell ya, your answer could determine a future entry on my Christmas list. Were there songs that were considered for this project that didn't make the cut?

MANDY BARNETT: There were a couple but they'll probably make my next Christmas album.

JP: Yes! There is a Santa Claus!

Thanks to Nashville's own real-life Winter Wonderland earlier this week, Mandy had to postpone one of her Cracker Barrel performances. Not one to disappoint her fans, Mandy has rescheduled her appearance at the Cracker Barrel in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, located at 350 South Mount Juliet Road for Monday, December 20 at 6pm.  

Be sure and check out Mandy's music video for This Time of the Year. Simply go to www.gactv.com/gac/video/ and click on Holiday Music.

As mentioned during our RAPID FIRE 20 Q, Mandy's next concert will take place on New Year's Eve in nearby Mt. Pleasant, at the Mt. Pleasant Grille, located at 100 South Main Street. For tickets and information, CLICK HERE.

Mandy's Winter Wonderland is available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores nationwide, or you can order from their online store. CLICK HERE to preview songs and purchase your copy in time to enjoy Mandy's warm take on some cool holiday classics.

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