The singer performed the 1981 hit during Opry 100: A Live Celebration
Kelsea Ballerini celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry with a moving cover of Barbara Mandrell‘s 1981 tune “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool.”
Ballerini took the Nashville venue’s stage as Mandrell herself sat on a stool nearby, swaying along to the song. The lyrics made special tribute to the historic spot, earning cheers as Bellerini sang, “And I was listenin’ to the Opry/ When all of my friends/ Were diggin’ Rock ‘n Roll and Rhythm and Blues/ I was country when country wasn’t cool.”
At the end of the number, Ballerini went over to Mandrell and put her arm around the storied singer, swapping the closing lyrics to “She was country when country wasn’t cool.”
“I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” was written by Kye Fleming and Dennis Morgan, and recorded by Mandrell. It appeared on her 1981 album Barbara Mandrell Live, eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
Mandrell retired from music in 1997 and rarely makes public appearances. She joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1972 and in 2022, the venue celebrated the 50 years since her induction. During the event, Carrie Underwood performed a version of “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” telling the audience Mandrell “has been such an inspiration to me and so many others that stand on the shoulders of great female artists like her.”
“The Grand Ole Opry feels comfortable and is home,” Mandrell told USA Today in 2022. “I’m proud to be a member of the family of members that can call the Opry home for the rest of their careers.”